VH-UOJ  Genairco Cabin                             (c/n  18)

                                    

                                        VH-UOJ along with the Genairco Open Biplane VH-UOH was operated by the original Fiji Airways
                                        from Suva in 1933.  The above shot, from the Geoff Goodall collection shows -UOJ at Suva just after
                                        it had been fitted with floats. It eventually became VQ-FAD when Fiji was assigned its own registration
                                        series.  Both Genaircos were shipped out from Sydney to Suva, Fiji on the SS Aorangi, departing 2 Feb
                                        1933.   General Aircraft Co's J.G. Boehm accompanied them, to assemble the aircraft and fit their floats
                                        Below are three historic sepia prints (I shall leave them that way) from the Ron and Rae Boon collection,
                                        kindly submitted by Greg Weir of Queensland    They show (left) George Boehm of the General Aircraft
                                        Co Ltd of Mascot shaking hands with none other than R.A. (Rab) Butler.  The inscription on the back of
                                        that photo states;  "A Butler record holder from England, congratulates me in the flying qualities of my new
                                        aeroplane". (Signed George).    At the foot of the page is an image of VH-UOJ just after it left the factory
                                        and before the rego had been applied.   The inscription on the reverse of that print (reproduced below,
                                        right) in the handwriting of Boehm indicates that this is his "latest bus", and makes reference to the earlier
                                        Open Biplane.  VH-UOJ was restored to the Australian register in 1938 as VH-UUK