Porterfield 35-70

Porterfield 35-70

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05/31/2008. Remarks by Ed Coates: "This aircraft has had a long (and somewhat chequered) history. In 1935 Reg Ansett, a legendary figure in Australian civil aviation purchased this Porterfield and proceeded to give flying lessons in it, as a way of creating interest in the concept of forming an airline to ferry farmers in up-state Victoria into Melbourne. The result, as we all know, ended in the giant airline Ansett.

In December of 1936, Mr. Ansett entered the diminutive Porterfield in the Brisbane - Adelaide Air Race. He was ultimately awarded first prize (of five hundred pounds) after protesting about the handicap system employed for the race. VH-UVH was one of the aircraft which was badly damaged in the hangar fire at Essendon in February of 1939, which almost brought about an early demise to the then fledgling Ansett Airways. It was, however, rebuilt and has had a succession of owners over the past sixty odd years."


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05/31/2008. Remarks by Ed Coates: "This aircraft has had a long (and somewhat chequered) history. In 1935 Reg Ansett, a legendary figure in Australian civil aviation purchased this Porterfield and proceeded to give flying lessons in it, as a way of creating interest in the concept of forming an airline to ferry farmers in up-state Victoria into Melbourne. The result, as we all know, ended in the giant airline Ansett. In December of 1936, Mr. Ansett entered the diminutive Porterfield in the Brisbane - Adelaide Air Race. He was ultimately awarded first prize (of five hundred pounds) after protesting about the handicap system employed for the race. VH-UVH was one of the aircraft which was badly damaged in the hangar fire at Essendon in February of 1939, which almost brought about an early demise to the then fledgling Ansett Airways. It was, however, rebuilt and has had a succession of owners over the past sixty odd years."