VH-ACU  Beech F17D Staggerwing   (c/n 248)

                        
                            VH-ACU was formerly NC19478 and imported into Australia in March, 1939.  It was used during
                            WW II as a communications machine bearing the serial A39-1.  This was one of the aircraft at the
                            Wangaratta Air World before the demise of that museum.  It is now reputed to be in South Australia
                            awaiting a rebuild.   The photograph above was taken at Archerfield, Brisbane in 1952.  The provenance
                            of the first of the images below is not known, but was probably taken in 1939 after being first registered
                            in Australia.   The lower shot is courtesy of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) in
                            whose service the aircraft operated, and shows it bearing the name 'The Russell F. Roberts'