|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| Guinea Airways |
Aircraft History Built by Lockheed at Burbank completed March 8, 1936. Constructors Number 1060. On May 16, 1936 issued export certificate of airworthiness E-1957. Purchased by Guinea Airways Ltd for £18,000. Disassembled and loaded as deck cargo aboard SS Hauraki at San Franciso and departed across the Pacific via Dunedin, New Zealand for an inspection of the aircraft by Union Airways before proceeding to Australia. On July 31, 1936 arrived at Adelaide and transported to Parafield Airfield in the Adelaide Airways hangar reassembled under the supervision of Lockheed engineer, Dale E. Hixson. On August 4, 1936 registered by Guinea Airways Ltd. On August 5, 1936 took off from at Parafield Airfield piloted by Vernon Dorrell on a test flight. On August 20, 1936 flown to Essendon AIrfield and nicknamed "C.J. Levien" after the founder of Guinea Airways. On September 5, flown by pilots Eric Chater and Bert Heath to Mascot Airfield near Sydney, in a record 2 hours 26 minutes, then to Brisbane the same day and flown to Port Douglas September 18. On Sepember 19, 1936 departed Port Douglas direct to Wau Airfield (4 hour flight). On October 28, 1936 took off from Wau Airfield on a charter flight to Melbourne with overnight stops at Port Moresby and Brisbane, then to Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup. On November 13, returned to Wau Airfield and continued flying, until Electra service in New Guinea was discontinued. Departed Wau Airfield February 12, 1937, refueling at Townsville and flying via Brisbane then arrived at Parafield Airfield. During February 1937, used to survey route form Adelaide to Darwin, and then began flying the route. Damaged at Tennant Creek, repaired and flown to Darwin during April. During May departed Darwin for Melbourne chartered by Sun Newspaper with photographs of the coronation of King George VI. In July 1937, surveyed route from Adelaide to Sydney via Mildura, Hay and Cootamundra. In August begin flying this route, terminated on July 16, 1938. Wartime History During December 1942, flown to Port Moresby to join the "Special Transport Flight" carrying troops and supplies in support of the Buna campaign flying from Port Moresby to Dobodura Airfield and returning with wounded. On January 11, 1943 returned to Australia. During 1943-1944 used on Guinea Airways courier service between Adelaide and Darwin. On February 4, 1944, force landed near Cowell, South Australia, aircraft was not damaged. Postwar Withdrawn from service on August 26, 1946. During Australian service, flew a total of 16,711 hours. On August 28, 1946 sold to Union Airways in New Zealand and registered as ZK-ALH. Shipped to Wellington aboard Karitane and was reassembled. Suffered damaged at Hamilton on February 24, 1949 and was repaired. When withdrawn from New Zealand service on July 29, 1949 the aircraft had logged over 19,607+ hours. Wreckage In February 1951, sold to Rural Aviation Ltd for spare parts. Fuselage was later scrapped. During 1980s, remaining parts were sent to Australia for use as patterns in the restoration of Electra 1107 Registration VH-UZO. Afterwards, these parts were scrapped. References The Lockheed File - VH-UXH C. J. Levien Thanks to Stan Gajda for additional information Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Electra |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
