VH-AAF  Waco EGC8     (c/n  5051)

                              

                                   With a roar of its mighty 320 hp Wright R-760-E2 engine, the elegant Waco Custom Cabin biplane
                                   sends up a spray of dust as it positions for take off on a dusty Mascot field.  This beautiful machine
                                   was originally imported by Adastra Airways Ltd. in 1938   This concern was the Australian dealer
                                   for Waco aircraft, and, although they operated a scheduled service from Sydney to Bega, the Waco
                                   wasn't  one of the aircraft used on the airline service.   My shot, above, shows it pre-WW II.  Below
                                   is a photograph by John Hopton (via Geoff Goodall) of the Waco at Bankstown in 1962, with the
                                   rego having been moved to the rudder (almost mandatory in that era).   It was still sporting its striking
                                   dark maroon overall finish.  -AAF was owned, in those days, by George Falkiner of "Haddon Rig",
                                   Warren, NSW who was a wealthy grazier influential in a variety of aviation ventures.   He actually
                                   owned the Waco for several years.    Following that image, at the foot of the page, is a shot by Greg
                                   Banfield of -AAF taken at Bankstown on 12 May 1966 showing the old Waco all done up as the
                                   "Jolly Roger".  I have appended an enlargmenet of the titling on the rear fuslaege indicating the range
                                   of activities the for which the aircraft was available.   Following a crash in Darwin, NT in 1973, -AAF
                                   was ultimately rebuilt in 1985 becoming VH-CGF.  It subsequently was withdrawn from use in 2006.