G-AUDU  Sopwith Wallaby                             (c/n  W/O 3109)

                                

                                     Phil Vabre, of the Civil Aviation Historical Society, from whose archives this image comes, thinks
                                     this shot may have been taken at Glenhuntly.  This was the former G-EAKS and which was purpose
                                     built to compete in the 'Greatest Air Race' of 1919 from England to Australia.   Flown by Capt. G.C.
                                     Matthews and Sgt T.D. Kay, the aircraft almost made the whole distance, unfortunately crashing in
                                     Bali en route.  It was then transported by ship to Australia.    The above shot, showing it sans rego,
                                     may have been taken just before being re-registered G-AUDU.    Below is an image of the Wallaby
                                     with full rego showing, courtesy of the Digger History website, which site gives more details of the
                                     1919 air race.  Go to   http://www.diggerhistory3.info/daredevils/page/08-ross_smith.htm for this
                                     fascinating tale.   In 1923 G-AUDU was acquired by Larkin Aircraft Supply Co Ltd of Melbourne. 
                                     It was struck off the register in December 1928 following a forced landing 13 miles west of Bowning,
                                     NSW on 13 October 1928.    The Sopwith shot at the foot of the page shows it at Brooklands on
                                     3 October 1919 as G-EAKS just prior to its first test flight.