An aircraft that pioneered some of the nation's aeronautical history is set to be removed from display.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The historical Dessoutter Miss Flinders has been on hanging display at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Inveresk for the past decade.
However, the City of Launceston council said it is an industry safety requirement that the plane be removed from hanging display after ten years. Owned by the federal Infrastructure Department, the plane is now looking for a new home.
IN OTHER NEWS:
The newly-formed Tasmanian Aviation Historical Society, based at the Launceston Airport is looking at ways to ensure the plane stays on display in Launceston.
Chairman Andrew Johnson said the plane had quite an interesting history, being the first commercial aircraft for Iona Airways in Ireland. It was then purchased by two men who flew the plane from the UK to Australia.
"That's where My grandfather, Lawrence Johnson, purchased the aircraft," he said.
"He then started up an aerial service between Launceston and Flinders Island. He saw there was a need for both mail and passenger transport and that an airline would be beneficial. He started that up in 1932.
At the same time, the Holyman brothers had started flying and were in competition, before both agreed to amalgamate to form Tasmania Aerial Services.
"That continued on in the early 1930s servicing the islands. The Holymans had all the shipping and had some money behind them ... then it became Holyman Airways and then they formed ANA airlines which became one of the major airlines in Australia and Anset Airlines," Mr Johnson said.
"Miss Flinders is from humble beginnings and was a major part of aviation in Australia."
Mr Johnson said the historical society would look to find a solution to keep the plane in the state. A business case is being put together by the group to firstly store the aircraft, and then to look at developing some sort of space to put it on display.
"It would be a shame to see it go to the mainland or anywhere else. This is where it should be," he said.
The council's chief executive Michael Stretton said The Miss Flinders had played an important role in helping tell the story of Tasmanian aeronautic history.
"We are sad to see it go, however we must adhere to best museum practice in taking it off display," he said.
"We hope to invite the community along to watch what we expect to be a fascinating de-installation and will provide updates leading up to the event."
A federal government spokesman said it was aware the museum no longer wished to display the aircraft and will consider the aircraft's future.
HAVE YOUR SAY: