VH-AJZ  Aeronca 11AC Chief   (c/n  11AC-184)


                              


                                  Another of my favorite 'Classic' aircraft.  Not built in as many numbers as its smaller sister, the
                                  7AC Champion (see VH-AJX) it  was nevertheless very popular in the US and Canada in the
                                  late 1940s and 50s.  However, I believe this was the only example to be registered in Australia,
                                  possibly for the reasons I give under VH-AJX.   It is seen here at Bankstown in 1955.
                                  The following historic note was received (March 2006) from Paul Hockey:                 

                                      "As a young lad living in the Wollongong area at that time, I recollect that this a/c was being
                                       used for shark spotting flights along the Illawarra beaches when it crashed into the sea near
                                       Windang Island just south of Wollongong.   I vividly remember seeing this a/c flying overhead
                                       with a red patch (doped fabric I assume) on the lower fuselage. I believe that the passenger
                                       was killed during this accident but the pilot Tony Bevan later resumed shark patrols using a
                                       C172 VH AFB then later on he used a C172A also registered VH AFB (his initials). Further
                                       on a C182 VH RKC was used & this a/c still carries out shark patrol work now registered
                                       VH APN, in service with Australian Aerial Patrol at Albion Park."