FLIGHTPATH|21company travelled to Canberra especially to
discuss with the federal government the
matter of gaining a subsidy for the airline.
Unfortunately, the government remained
firm in its stand and the excursion proved
fruitless. The bitter fact remained that,
without an immediate grant, the company
wasfacingliquidation.WhileQANstrug-
gled to maintain its normal services to
Townsville and Grafton, disaster struck at
MaryboroughonNewYear’sEve1930.The
company’s sole Avro Five trimotor, the ‘Star
of Cairns’, which Kingsford Smith himself
had once described as ‘a killer’, crashed
while approaching to land. Its pilot, Captain
J.Beresford,andhistwopassengerswere
killed. This tragedy gave QAN its ‘coup de
grace’ and the company ceased operations
inJanuary1931.ThetwoAvroTenswere
placedinstorageinBrisbaneandwerelater
purchased by New England Airways in 1932
for £7000 including spares. These two Avros
were eventually withdrawn from service
and scrapped in Sydney in late 1938. The
Gipsy Moths were sold to former QAN pilots.
So ended the life of one of Australia’s colour-
ful and significant early airlines.
THE AVIATION HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA
The Aviation Historical Society (AHSA) was formed in 1959 and has members
in all Australian states and in several overseas countries.
Part of our Statement of Purpose is:- To encourage and assist the research and writing of Australian aviation history.
- To record the achievements of Australian aviation and its people.
- To produce journals relating to Australian aviation history.
Since the inception of the AHSA, a journal has been produced. Now titled “Aviation
Heritage”, and published quarterly, it covers all aspects of Australian civil and military
aviation and is now in its 45th volume. A quarterly newsletter gives information on current
events and short historical articles. Visit http://www.ahsa.org.au for further information and to
download a membership application form or email: [email protected]
ABOVE: Avro Five
VH-UNK. The type
was a scaled-
down version of
the Avro Ten.LEFT: Queensland Air
Navigation’s Avro
Five VH-UNK. Note
DH.60, VH-UPF, and
the Avro Ten in the
background
displaying QAN’s
distinctive tail
markings.BELOW: DH-60
VH-UPF formerly
operated by QAN.Queensland Air Navigation’s other Avro Ten, VH-UPI,
after it had been sold to Airlines of Australia,
photographed at Archerfield aerodrome.