VH-UGG  Stinson Model A                                  (c/n 9122)

                           
                      
                            In 1936 Airlines of Australia imported four Stinson Model A, eight seater passenger airliners. Seen
                            above is the first one, (named 'Lismore') which was actually a previously US registered machine
                            (NC15162).   Power was supplied by three 260 hp Lycoming radial engines.  Although it competed
                            with the Boeing 247D and the Douglas DC-2, the Stinson was ideal for short haul hops.   It was
                            rugged and had good economy.    Several airlines in the United States operated them, notably Delta,
                            Central and American.    VH-UGG  ran into a cow on take-off  from Ingham, Qld airfield some
                            three months after entering service sustaining some damage.   However, after less than a year in
                            service it crashed and caught fire at Archerfield Airport, Brisbane and was totally destroyed.  Of the
                            four, two were destroyed in accidents, and the other two were converted to twin engine operation by
                            the fitting of two 550 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp engines.     One such, VH-UKK is in the collection,
                            illustrating the "before and after"  effect. 
                            Interesting note:  The four Stinsons all had a double "last two".   VH-UGG was originally a not
                            allocated registration.  It falls in the middle of the 1927-29 allocations.  It was decided to give it
                            to Airlines of Australia in 1936, as were the second and third Stinson's registrations, VH-UHH
                            and VH-UKK respectively.  By the time the fourth, VH-UYY, was delivered, the sequence was
                            in sync, and could accommodate their request.   
                            The image below of 'Lismore' is from the archives of the John Oxley Library, State Library of
                            Queensland collection.