VH-ULD  de Havilland D.H.60G Gipsy Moth                  (c/n  1128)

                                 

                                     VH-ULD heads a line-up of Aero Club Moths at Maylands circa 1935.  The other two are VH-UJX
                                     and VH-UAO which is still flying today.  The fourth photo is another shot of it in club service from the
                                     collection of the State Library of Western Australia.      VH-ULD was registered in April 1930 as a
                                     new aircraft to the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE),
                                     fitted as a floatplane and taken to Antarctica on board the steam yacht "Discovery I" in support of
                                     Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson.  Seen below are two images from the Sally Douglas collection
                                     (taken by her father, Eric) showing -ULD on Discovery 1 and also being swung outboard of the yacht
                                     in Antarctica.    It returned to Australia and after overhaul at Essendon and, after removal of its floats,
                                     it was sold in July 1931 to the Aero Club of WA at Maylands.  It flew with the club until July 1940
                                     when it was impressed into service with the RAAF and became A7-94.   It crashed into the sea near
                                     Geraldton on 10 May 1942 while attached to No.4 Service Flying Training School at Geraldton. At the
                                     foot of the page is a photo which appeared in the West Australian for 7 July 1938 showing  -ULD about
                                     to take off from Maylands with the rear 'blind flying' hood up.  The article was quick to point out that
                                     the examining officer's vision from the front cockpit was unimpaired!