Australia and the Empire Air Mail Scheme is the theme of a photographic at the Airways
Museum. The exhibition runs until November 2019.
The year 2018 is the 80th anniversary of the commencement of Australian participation in the far-sighted and ambitious Empire Air Mail Scheme. The Empire Air Mail Scheme was intended to improve communications throughout the British Empire using a fleet of large, ultra-modern, four-engine flying boats (aircraft with floating hulls). Although the Short S.23 Empire flying boats are primarily remembered today for their luxurious passenger accommodation, their principal job was carrying the mail at greatly reduced rates. Also required was a network of government-run Flying Boat Bases to support these aircraft.
You can also find some information on our website about aspects of the Scheme:
Letter flown on the inaugural EAMS service
Short S.23 'C Class' Empire flying boats
< Click the icon to listen to a radio interview on station 3AW between presenter Tony Moclair and CAHS Vice President Phil Vabre (18MB M4A file - courtesy of 3AW)
