Aircraft Serial

c/n

Individual Aircraft History

A35-1

1282

1934        Manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company at their Clover Field factory in Santa Monica, California as a Dolphin Model 136 for Standard Oil Co New Jersey USA. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney 450hp Wasp Juniors.

1934        Registered as NC14286 to Standard Oil, New Jersey USA.

1934-38   Operated as an executive aircraft named ‘Essowing’.

16Oct38  Transferred to the newly formed Australasian Petroleum Company (APC) Pty Ltd, an associate company of Standard Oil.  APC was founded as a joint venture between Vacuum oil Co, Anglo-Iranian Oil Co and Oil Search Ltd (USA).

1938        Prepared for shipment to Australia by Charles H. Babb Company, Glendale Air Terminal, California loaded onto the 5,293 ton Swedish Rederi Line ship M.V Eknaren.

02Jan39  Arrived at Newstead Wharf Port Brisbane. Trucked to Archerfield aerodrome for assembly and testing.

05Jan39  Departed Archerfield for Port Moresby, flown by pilot Fred E. Secor, and Chief Engineer J. R. Lund and photographer Morgan Reynolds. All were Americans with extensive experience in aerial survey. 08Jan39      Forced to land at the mouth of the Daintree River because of bad weather. Eventually reached Port Moresby and began a large scale exploration and aerial photographic mapping survey of Papua New Guinea in the search for oil deposits.

28Sep39  Sydney Custom’s ledger shows NC14286 arrived 0920hrs at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney from Port Moresby via Cooktown. Captain F. E. Secor, operator Australasian Petroleum Co

27May40 The Minister for Air (Mr. J. V. Fairbairn) announced that a Dolphin seaplane had been presented to the Australian Government by Australasian Petroleum Co Pty Ltd.  He said the Government greatly appreciated the spirit that prompted the company's actions. The aircraft would probably be allotted to the seaplane base at Rathmines for training.

17Jun40  Received by at RAAF Base Rathmines NSW and taken on charge as A35-1. Aircraft included some spares, specialist tools, manuals and a spare engine. Issued to No 9 Sqn at Rathmines and used for general training and other duties as specified.

18Jun40  WGCDR J.A.S Brown, O260 FLGOFF Ernest Victor Beaumont and O31233 FLGOFF Walter Frederick Stokes flew to Mascot in Seagull A2-18 at 0700 to ferry A35-1 back to Rathmines.  A35-1 returned to Rathmines piloted by WGCDR J.A.S Brown and FLGOFF Beaumont.

05Dec40  WGCDR J.A.S. Brown RAF was conducting a routine flight to Newcastle when he noticed smoke on the horizon and decided to investigate.  Smoke was coming from floating wreckage containing 13 survivors from the SS Nimben that had struck a mine dropped by the German raider HSK5 Pinguin along the NSW coastline.  The crew of the Dolphin guided SS Bellembi to pick up the survivors.

06-8Dec40    Mine reconnaissance missions flown by WGCDR Brown O260691 PLTOFF George Moore Mason between Sydney Heads and Newcastle Heads.

14Feb41   Engine 2679 replaced by 3539.

05Jun41  Allocated to STF.

07Jun41  Received by STF.

09Aug41  Flown to Rose Bay, Sydney and return by O45 SQNLDR Dermott Anthony Connelly

03Sep41  Allocated to Rathmines Station Workshop for complete overhaul.

06Sep41  Issued to station workshop.

01Jun43  Unable to complete overhaul, insufficient spares. Recommended conversion.

15Jul43   Approved for conversion by HQ No 5 Maintenance Group. Components used to rebuild A35-3.

A35-2

1002

1931        Manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company at their Clover Field factory in Santa Monica, California as a Dolphin Model 1 for chewing gum company heir multi-millionaire Phillip K. Wrigley of California USA. Powered by two Wright 300hp J-5C Whirlwind engines.

1932        Registered as NC12212 to Wilmington Catalina Airline Ltd, Wilmington California.

1932-41   Operated the 26 miles airline service from Wilmington in the Los Angeles harbour area to Avalon on Catalina Island with two Dolphins and three other amphibians. The airline built its own airport on the island with a sloping ramp into the sea, a turntable to rotate the aircraft for departure down the ramp, and a passenger terminal building.

1935        Redesignated as a Dolphin Model 1 Special when modified to seat 10 passengers and re-engined with Pratt & Whitney Wasp SC1. Continued on the Catalina Island service until 1941.

Apr41      Purchased by the Australian Government Trade Commissioner in New York and shipped to Australia. Order No O.I 893/41.

20May41  Prepared for shipment to Australia by Charles H. Babb Company, Glendale Air Terminal, California dispatched from Los Angeles.

25Aug41  Arrived in Sydney and taken to RAAF Richmond for assembly and testing.

20Sep41  Received by Seaplane Training Flight (STF) at RAAF Base Rathmines, NSW.

08Oct41  After landing at Bankstown airfield the aircraft ground looped causing moderate damage. Pilot O260764 FLGOFF Lionel Grenville Webber and crew were uninjured.

11Oct41   Received by STF Workshops for repairs.

12Jan42  Issued to HQ Rathmines.

12Feb42  Allocated to No 9 Fleet Co-Operation Squadron at RAAF Rathmines.

02Mar42  Received by 9 Sqn. Coded as “YQ-Z”.

27Jul42   While on a routine training mission both engines cut out at 3,000ft and an emergency landing as made at Fullerton Cove on the north arm of the Hunter River between Newcastle and Williamtown. Cause of the cut out was contaminated fuel. Aircraft switched to auxiliary tanks and flown back to Rathmines.

21Sep42  Forced landing at Rathmines caused damage to hull and tail unit.

13Oct42  Issued to No 2 Flying Boat Repair Depot at Rathmines (2FBRD) Workshops for repairs.

03Nov42  Allocated to 9Sqn but stored at 2FBRD.

12Apr43  Issued to No 3 Operational Training Unit (3OTU) at Rathmines.

23Jun43  Routine inspection found two badly corroded hull plates.

24Jun43  Allocated to and received by 2FBRD for hull repairs.

01Jul43   Received by 3OTU following hull repairs.

08Jul43   Allocated to 9 Sqn (now) at Bowen QLD.

20Jul43   Received by 9 Sqn.

15Nov43  Allocated to 2FBRD for overhaul.

12Dec43  Received by 2FBRD.

24Jan44  Overhaul suspended. Survey report stated corrosion and structural problems were beyond economical repair. Recommended conversion to components.

14Feb44  MSE gave approval for conversion. Components to be utilised for rebuilding A35-3.

A35-3

1001

Jun31        Manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company at their Clover Field factory in Santa Monica, California as a Dolphin Model 3 for US industrialist Powell Crosley Jr, specifying seating for 2 pilots and a deluxe air yacht cabin with seating for 4 passengers. Engines 300hp P&W R-985 Wasp Junior A.

Jun31        Registered NC982Y Powell Crosley / Crosley Radio Company California, USA.  Named "Lesgo"

29Jun31     CAA issued Approved Type Certificate to NC982Y as a Dolphin 3

01Nov31     Delivered to owner. Operated with wheel spats fitted to the main retractable undercarriage.

Jun38        Major overhaul by Pratt & Whitney. Modified to Dolphin Model 1 Special.

Jan41        NC982Y was included in a group of 5 Dolphins offered by US aircraft dealer Charles H. Babb Co, Grand Central Air Terminal, Glendale California to the Australian Government Trade Commissioner in New York for the sum of $25,000 each plus boxing and freight. Aircraft had a total of 1500 hours.

Apr41        Purchased by the Australian Trade Commissioner in New York and shipped to Australia.

1941-42      Arrived in Melbourne, Australia at some date and was stored at No 1 Aircraft Depot (1AD) RAAF Base Laverton awaiting erection.

05Oct42    Issued to Technical Squadron at RAAF Base Point Cook VIC for assembly and testing.

09Nov42    Allocated to No 9 Fleet Cooperation Squadron at RAAF Base Rathmines.

21Nov42     Received by 9Sqn.

09Jan43    Allocated to HQ Rathmines.

11Jan43     Received by HQ.

13Jan43     Allocated to No 3 Operational Training Unit (3OTU) at RAAF Rathmines.

20Jan43    Received by 3OTU.

25Jan43    Issued to No 2 Flying Boat Repair Depot (2FBRD) at RAAF Rathmines.

25Jan43    Received by 2FBRD for repairs.

22Mar43    Allocated to and received by 3OTU.

1943-44     A35-3 rebuilt at Rathmines using parts from A35-1 and A35-2. It was a major rebuilding task which took eight months and was commended by Donald Douglas after WWII.

Ex RAAF FSGT Harold Nathan Berrick wrote the following in the RAAF News November 1964: "I was the NCO (airframe) in charge of the rebuilding of A35-3 from the components of A35-1 and A35-2 a job which took some eight months to carry out. We used the hull of A35-3, which was almost complete rebuilt, the mainplane of A35-1 and undercarriage, hydraulic system and cockpit controls from A35-2.  A new pair of floats were made and the reconditioned motors were from A35-1." Considerable modifications were necessary as the three aircraft were all different in their layout, cabin fitment, hydraulic systems, engines and tailplane assembly.

06Dec44    Last flight in RAAF Service.

13Dec44     Survey Report for the Commonwealth Disposals Commission (CDC) by WGCDR G.R. Thurston, CO of 3OTU Rathmines stated: P&W Wasp Juniors serviceable, aircraft condition is good, unserviceable brakes limit it to water operations only. Total hours flown in RAAF service 145:25 hours: "All previous history of the aircraft before RAAF acceptance is unknown. Airframe log books make no reference to previous hours flown. This aircraft being the only one of its type in RAAF it is most uneconomical from both the service and maintenance point of view because replacement parts are impossible to procure."

Jan45.       Listed for sale on the 1^st CDC Tender with a closing date of 20Feb45.

29Mar45    Sold by CDC for £550 to a Mr M. Whittle of Newcastle, NSW.

01May45    The Managing Director of Newcastle Safety Airways (Mr Stuart F Doyle) told DCA they planned to use the Dolphin on a scheduled daily service from Sydney to Newcastle.

03May45    Aircraft collected from 3OTU by purchaser. Ferried to Mascot airport Sydney.

04May45    Allocated registration VH-AGE.

24May45    DCA decided that the Dolphin would not be granted a passenger operation CofA due to its unsatisfactory single engine performance. DCA suggests that flight performance tests may allow a reduced All up Weight to be applied to a CofA for cargo operations.

Jun45        Newcastle Safety Airways cancel their arrangements with Mr. M. Whittle.

13Jun45     Aircraft ferried to Essendon Airport, Melbourne.

06Jul45     M. Whittle confirmed with DCA that his charter arrangements with Newcastle Safety Airways have been cancelled. Furthermore, he petitioned DCA to assist him to force CDC to repossess the aircraft and refund all his costs and threatened legal action unless his demands were met because the aircraft had become a liability and he considers he was exploited. An internal DCA review of Whittle's complaint was sympathetic. DCA wrote to CDC suggesting that they take the Dolphin back and have it scrapped. Minutes of a CDC meeting held on 10.9.45 include "It was decided to defer actions pending the re-sale of the Douglas Dolphin by Mr. Whittle."

04Aug45    Sidney D. Marshall of Marshall Airways, Mascot Airport, Sydney advised DCA's Sydney office that he wished to purchase the Dolphin VH-AGE. He requested permission for a test flight and required a petrol ration for the test flights.

05Aug45    DCA Sydney refused permission for a fuel ration as it was highly improbable that the aircraft would be granted a Certificate of Airworthiness.

08Aug45    Despite the DCA rebuff Mr Marshall bought the aircraft and notified DCA of this fact and requested permission to conduct test flight following an overhaul.

Sep45        DCA were still very concerned about the aircraft's poor performance on one engine.  However there was consideration of Sid Marshall's wartime ambulance flying and his maintenance of RAAF aircraft with the minimum of resources. Decision taken to reply to Marshall that a CofA would be considered for freight and private flying only, subject to satisfactory flight performance tests carrying varying loads of freight. DCA nominated the dates of 3rd & 4th October 1945 for flight tests of the Dolphin at Sydney.

16Oct45     DCA decided not to grant a CofA to Mr Marshall.

14May46    A report in the Sydney Morning Herald stated that a seaplane flown by Mr Marshall had laned in Botany Bay, took-off and landed again on the Cooks River.

1946          Aircraft withdrawn from service.

17Jul49      Sydney Sunday Herald newspaper report: Australia's only Dolphin amphibian is parked at Mascot outside the Marshall Airways hangar. It is owned by a Sydney syndicate and operated by Marshall Airways but has not moved from its present position in many months. Mr. Sid Marshall said "It was hoped to run an aerial ferry service with her after she left the R.A.A.F.," he said. "We also thought it might be possible to run a charter service to places that needed an amphibious aircraft. But somehow these plans did not materialise." "The old lady has a splendid flying record," he remarked. "She can land at 50 miles an hour and has no vices when operating on land or water." An agent for a proposed trawling expedition said recently that his firm was considering buying the plane to spot shoals of fish out at sea. The plane could be equipped with radio, he said, so that the pilot could guide the trawlers to the best fishing grounds. It could also act as a weather ship to warn the fishing boats of the approach of bad weather.

1949          The Dolphin was seriously considered for a new seaplane venture in New Zealand by W. Hewett and H.J. Cartres. They wanted to establish an amphibian service between Invercargill and Stewart Island and also to Fiordland. The initial announcement stated they would use a Douglas Dolphin which was in Australia but this operation never commenced.

1950          The last Australian Dolphin was abandoned on the fringe of Mascot Airport still wearing its RAAF camouflage.  It is assumed the aircraft was simply scrapped at some time.

A35-4

1279

1934            Manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company at their Clover Field factory in Santa Monica, California for chewing gum company heir multi-millionaire Phillip K. Wrigley and part owner of Santa Catalina Resort Island off Los Angeles, who specified 450hp Wasp SC1 engines. Referred to at the Douglas factory as the Wrigley Number Five.

1934          Registered NC14204 to Phillip K. Wrigley, California USA.

1934-40     Modified to Dolphin Model 114 and operated by Wilmington-Catalina Airline Ltd on the 26 miles airline service from Wilmington in the Los Angeles harbour area to Avalon on Catalina Island. The airline built its own airport on the island with a sloping ramp into the sea, a turntable to rotate the aircraft for departure down the ramp, and a passenger terminal building.

1940          Change of ownership to Catalina Air Transport, Long Beach California. In use with CAT from 1940 Dec 1941.

1941-43      History unknown.

1943          Arrived in Melbourne at some unknown date and stored at No 1 Aircraft Depot (1AD) RAAF Base Laverton awaiting erection.

08Apr43    Issued to Technical Squadron of No 1 Service Flying Training School at RAAF Base Point Cook VIC for assembly and testing.

12May43    Temporary allocation to No 3 Operational Training Unit (3OTU) at RAAF Rathmines.

22May43    Received by 3OTU.

18Jun43     Allocated to No 4 Communications Unit (4CU) at Archerfield airport Brisbane.

08Jul43     Received by 4CU

28Jul43     Allocated to No 9 Fleet Cooperation Squadron at Bowen QLD.

29Jul43     Departed Archerfield for Rose Bay, Sydney. Crew of SQNLDR Wood and FLGOFF Forbes with passengers AIRCDR J.H. Summers and FTTLT Ebeling. After disembarking passengers the aircraft took-off for flight to RAAF Rathmines. Immediately after take-off a hydraulic failure caused the undercarriage to drop and could not be retracted. An emergency landing was made on Rose Bay and the aircraft overturned when it touched down causing extensive damage.

30Jul43     Aircraft salvaged by members of No 1 Transport & Movements Office Sydney.

02Aug43    Allocated to No 2 Flying Boat Repair Depot (2SBRD) at RAAF Rathmines for inspection. 2FBRD to arrange transport from Rose Bay to Rathmines.

03Aug43    Allocation to 9 Sqn cancelled.

08Aug44    AMSE approved conversion to components.

1944          Aircraft converted to components at 2FBRD.