Adastra Airways Waco YKS-6 VH-UYD - 1937


Norman Rodoni of Adastra Airways with Waco YKS-6 VH-UYD (c/n 4534) in 1937.

This aircraft was imported from the USA by Adastra for use on their Bega service and by February 1937 was erected and ready for testing. It was not, however, until 6 August that it was formally registered as VH-UYD.

By September 1939 the Bega service was being operated exclusively by a DH Dragonfly and the Waco was released for aerial survey work. It was so employed, often flown until 1942 by Norm Rodoni, until June 1945 when it was sold to a private owner. Being engaged on defence-related work, it was one of the few civil aircraft to escape impressment during the War.

After the War VH-UYD passed through a succession of owners and it survives today (c.2004), based in South Australia.

(Photo: Dora Payens/Ron Cuskelly collection)


Back to the main Items of General Interest index