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The Mk 102 Merlin, Number 5 in a series of 108 made
by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation [CAC].An Australian-made Rolls-Royce Mer-
lin engine, a rare survivor of its kind, is
destined for a new life after several
decades of cherished ownership by a
private aircraft enthusiast. The engine
is Number 5 in a series of 108 Mk 102
Merlins made by the Commonwealth
Aircraft Corporation (CAC) at its en-
gine plant in Lidcombe, New South
Wales under licence from Rolls-Royce.
Production of Mk 102 engines took
place between 1946 and 1952 for use
on Mk 30A and 31 Lincoln heavy bomb-
er aircraft, which the Government Air-
craft Factory at Fishermans Bend
built under license from Avro.
According to the engine’s owner, its
last use was as a spare kept at RAAF
Base Mallala in South Australia. When
the Lincoln fleet was withdrawn from
service in 1961, the Merlin was one of
various items put up for disposal, pass-
ing to a scout troop who held it as an
exhibit for a few years, after which the
current owner acquired it. He has kept
it since then as a prized memento of
Australia’s once thriving aircraft con-
struction industry. Now needing to re-
cover garage space, he has decided to
sell the Merlin. Tony CoxThe Qantas Founders Museum (QFM) in Queensland have announced the acquisition of
a Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation. The aircraft was bought in September 2014 at an
auction organised by the Manila airport authority.
The Constellation changed the nature of international flying from Australia, and was a
major advance in the history of Qantas, cutting flight times to London from ten days to
four. The museum’s Rodney Seccombe says it has been trying for years to get hold of a
Constellation, because “The ‘Connies’ have all sorts of firsts - they were the first pressu-
rised, they were the first ones to fly around the world, and Qantas actually had counter-
rotating flights going around the world and they crossed over in London and Sydney.”
This Constellation was delivered to the US Navy in December 1953 as R7V-1, BuNo
131643 and redesignated as a C-121J in 1962, nicknamed “Ole Blue from Point Mugu” while
in service. Retired to the ‘Boneyard’ at Davis Monthan AFB by 1973, it had a brief flying
career in the late eighties hauling fish as N4247K before being impounded at Manila Air-
port in the Philippines, being noted there in June 1988, where it has remained in a deterio-
rating condition. As construction number 4144, it is the second oldest survivor, and al-
though a military version without Qantas history, the machine will fill a notable gap in the
airline’s history, and will complement the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society’s airworthy
example VH-EAG, one of only two current fliers. Over thirty examples survive, many in
museums and collections overseas, but this will be the first static example in Australia. The
museum is currently fundraising to arrange transport for the non-airworthy aircraft to
Australia. James KightlyConnie for Qantas Founders
The ex ‘Winky’s Fish hauling’ L-1049 Super Constellation in Manilla and heading for outback Queensland. [Via QFM]‘Home-grown’
Merlin on course
for new role
The RAAF long nose Mk31 Lincoln was also
manufactured in Australia by GAF.Swan Hill airport’s ranks swelled in early October when the Antique Aeroplane Association
of Australia (AAAA) members winged their way in for their AAAA’s annual Spring Fly-in.
Fifty four antique, classic and vintage aircraft were in attendance at the event. However, it
was Victorian Peter Harlow’s newly imported 1941 Interstate Super Cadet VH-VCQ which
took home the People’s Choice Award, the only award at the event. Rob FoxAAAA in Swan Hill
Ian Harvey taxying in his Aeronca Chief past the CAC Winjeel and the oncoming Stinson 108 Voyager. [RF]