Airliner Classics - July 2018

Doe VR-NEW at rest
on one of the many
stop-offs on a typical
WAAC route. This
aircraft suffered a
wheels-up landing at
Lagos on January 30,
1948 and was
out of service for
three months.
KEY C
WAAC’s emphasis therefore switched from building frequency
to re-establishing regularity.
Later in the year, while modifications were made to the
Doves engines, two Bristol Wayfarers – the sound-proofed
passenger version of the Bristol Freighter – were leased from
the Ministry of Civil Aviation, greatly assisting the restoration
of WAAC’s schedule.
At the same time, a programme of aerodrome improvements
continued. Until then Enugu, Benin, Port Harcourt and Tiko
had frequently been put out of action towards the end of the
rainy season and progress with runway strengthening – and the
provision of beacons and radio facilities at airports previously
without them – further improved reliability.
Even so, the Board reflected that, for 1949/50 “the year was
spent in a rather hand-to-mouth existence” and lamented the
dawning realisation that it was not possible to break even with
8-10-seat aircraft.
WAAC’s fleet endured a tough life at some of the airline’s less
developed airports, and climatic conditions also took their toll
on the fleet. Humidity, particularly in the more verdant and

tropical south and west of WAAC’s territory, impacted on the

service life of aircraft components. In the more arid north and

east the notorious Harmattan wind (which blew down from the

Tibesti Mountains of the Sahara) brought a barrage of dust and

sand that could reduce visibility to almost zero and sand-blasted

aircraft surfaces.

The thermal conditions, combined with the relatively low

altitudes of many of WAAC’s shorter sectors, also made for some

uncomfortable flying and crews had to contend with frequently

tumultuous weather fronts and electrical storms that could

dissipate as quickly as they had built up.

While the entire fleet was VHF Radio-equipped by 1953, the

inability of some aerodromes to handle this hampered progress.

Partnerships

Although BOAC didn’t have a stake in WAAC, the two

maintained a close partnership. Initially most of WAAC’s senior

managers and flight crew were seconded from BOAC, and the

British carrier provided technical assistance and advice as well as

acting as a buying agent in the UK. In return, WAAC acted

Despite the vast

reach of WAAC’s

network the company

acknowledged that

“The basis for many

of our services is the

carriage of mail” and

average stage length

was a little under

one hour.

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