A
s soon as World War Two ended in Europe
the British Government moved to restore
aviation links throughout the empire. Just a
week after VE Day King George VI signed an
Order in Council on May 15, 1945 establishing a new airline
in conjunction with the governments of Gambia, the Gold
Coast (now Ghana), Nigeria and Sierra Leone. It was to be
called West African Airways Corporation (WAAC).
The following month the Nigerian government placed
an order for four eight-seat de Havilland DH.104 Doves
and also advanced £100,000 to WAAC to assist with set-
up costs. The order was soon increased to seven Doves
and a provisional order was added for three 18-seat Miles
M.60 Marathons. Ownership of the airline was shared by
the four British colonies: Nigeria (68%), the Gold Coast
(29.5%), Sierra Leone (2%) and Gambia (0.5%). Under
the Chairmanship of Sir Hubert Walker, the airline’s
headquarters and main base were set up in Ikeja, close to
Nigeria’s Lagos Airport.Skypower
West African Airways Corporation
Sky
West African Airways Corporation
Sky
WAAC’s Doves
were named after
prominent officials,
beginning with
colonial Governors.
The Marathons
would be named after
colonial capital cities.
A BA H
C
R • WAAC’s
winged elephant
emblem was known
as ‘Skypower’. While
a quintessentially
African image, it was
actually designed
by an American,
the wife of a local
agricultural
researcher.
A ’
C 16 AIRLINER Classics 2018