Features
19 Queensland Air Navigation Company
Ben Danneckerfollows the pioneering efforts of the two
original Australian airlines - West Australian Airways and
Qantas-inthoseearlyyearsaftertheGreatWar.
24 With ‘Old John’ in Syria
Using photos held by the AWM,Andy Wrightlooks at a
well-known RAAF unit and its brief period away from the
desert during the overlooked Syrian campaign.
28 Hitting a Brick Wall
In late 1944, a ditching by a young American pilot changed
the way Pacific A-20G units conducted emergency landings.
Michael Claringbouldreveals another fascinating
vignette of the Pacific air war.
34 Spitfire AR501 at 75
Ten years into an extensive restoration, The Shuttleworth
Collection’s Spitfire Mk.Vc will fly again this year.Gary
Browntellsitsstoryinpartoneofatwo-partseries.
39 Museums of Australian Aviation Guide
With many recent changes and numerous acquisitions,
our2017MuseumGuideupdatesthecurrent
status of some of the best aviation museums
in Australia.
47 Spain’s Historic Polikarpov
Luigino Caliaroexplains why the famously stubby little
Russian fighter is an important part of Spain’s aviation heritage.52 In The Wings
Neil Follettlooks at the contribution of three non-flying
men who had a great influence on Australian aviation.58 The Legend of ‘Pappy’ Gunn
Andy Wrightpresents an edited extract from ‘Indestruct-
ible’ byJohn R. Bruningwhichtellsthestoryoftheman
behind the low-level strafer in the Pacific air war.62 Wide of the Mark
Theofficialrecordof75SquadronRAAF’searly
deployment to Port Moresby is impressive, but inaccurate.
Michael Claringbouldsets the record straight.FLIGHTPATH|Contents
Regulars
05 News
22 Personal
Effects
68 Airshows
COVER: The Polikarpov
I-16 ‘Mosca’ of Spain’s
Foundacion Infante de
Orleans, (FIO). Finished
as CM-249, the ‘Super
Mosca’ flown by the CO
of 3 Escuadrilla, Captain
Jose Maria Bravo, it was
stunningly captured by
Luigino Caliaro.10
Volume 29 Number 1, August-October 2017