VH-AKI  (2)   Stinson 108-3 Voyager                              (c/n  108-5115)

                                    

                                           This Stinson was imported in December 1955 as VH-AKH for the Aero Club of Southern
                                           Tasmania.   It was one of the last Stinson-produced models (just before Piper acquired the
                                           rights and built 126 more Model 108-3s themselves before abandoning this line of aircraft).
                                           It must have been one of the first US aircraft imported after the ban on the use of dollars for
                                           such activity was relaxed.   Also, there must have been some significance in the rego -AKH
                                           since a  couple more aircraft which followed bearing that identity were all re-registered -AKI
                                           to make the earlier mark available for these later generations of aircraft.  In the event, this Stin-
                                           son was re-registered VH-AKI in  November 1958 to make -AKH available for a Beech C35
                                           Bonanza.     The image above, via The Collection p6915-0077, was taken at Hobart's Cam-
                                           bridge Airport circa 1958.  VH-AKI crashed at Western Junction Airport, Launceston, Tas-
                                           mania on 24 September 1960.