Australia and the Empire Air Mail Scheme is the theme of a new photographic exhibition to be unveiled at the 2018 Open Day at the Airways Museum on Saturday 17 November 2018.

This year 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.

There will be films and guest speakers on the day, and the exhibition will run for one year. As well as the CAHS and private collections, the exhibition will draw on images from the Qantas Heritage Collection.