Archive - Quarterly A4
Still wearing Imperial’s ‘Speedbird’ G-AFBL “Cooee” was the last Short S.23 Empire flying boat to be delivered, being transferred to Qantas 3.38 where it became VH-ABF.
Editor: Dave Partington
Current issue: Winter (48pp)
Next issue due: March
Archive is Air-Britain's Civil Aviation Historical Quarterly, first published in 1980. It was conceived as an outlet for information which might otherwise not be published in the mass-interest aviation press. The four main aims were:
- To present complete historical civil registers from around the world.
- To publish production lists containing detailed type histories.
- To provide a forum for original and previously unpublished research.
- To act as a data sharing and exchange medium.
"Archive" has never claimed to publish the last word on a topic, but by making information available it does hope to add to the total sum of knowledge! This is why the Feedback section is such an integral part of the magazine's approach.
Now at a regular 48 A4-size pages per issue. The contents are grouped as far as possible on even numbers of pages to allow series to be filed separately if desired. A full colour cover has been introduced since the first issue of 1999.
The content of the latest issue, number 4 (Winter) of 2011, is as follows:
The Whole Truth: The DH.83 Fox Moth
The second part of the individual histories of all the Fox Moths covers c/ns 4092 to 4097, DHA5 to DHA6 and FM1 to FM30.
The last UK-built Fox Moth, the much-rebuilt c/n 4097, is still active in New Zealand as ZK-ADI.
The Development of Commercial Aviation in China: CAAC
Part 14 of this series covers the development and growth of CAAC from 1949 up to its breakup into regional units in the 1980s. Includes the first part of the company’s fleet list.
CAAC ordered 32 new HS Tridents, mostly 2Es, including “250” seen here in test marks G-AZFY before delivery in 1.74. It later became B-250 and then B-2212.
The Farman 190 and its derivatives
The fifth part of this series covering the F.190, F.290 and F.390 models commencing in 1928. This part describes the individual histories of F.190s nos.22 to 33 in detail with photographs and colour side-view drawings by Michel Barriere.
Farman F.190 F-AJFC was converted to F.193 as “Caritas” for service in Cameroun in 1935.
F-1922 The French Civil Aircraft Register - Part 30
This issue covers French register additions from 1930 between F-AJOX to F-AJTD.
F-AJQK was a Morane 181 registered to Cie Française d’Aviation in July 1930.
Head-on View: The Reid & Sigrist R.S.1 Snargasher
Commonly known as the Snargasher, only one example of this multi-role trainer was built before the war.
The R.S.1 Snargasher making a demonstration fly-past in 1939.
Airliners in Warpaint / Warbirds in Civvies (6)
In this issue the Imperial Airways and British Airways fleets go to War.
Imperial Airways’ AW Ensigns were the largest landplanes in the new BOAC fleet. G-ADSV is seen wearing camouflage and wartime nationality markings.
Feedback
This issue contains Feedback on the KLM Douglas DC-5 fleet, with photos, and on the Japanese airline operations in China.
Major topics covered by Archive in the past have included Pre-War UK registers, Impressments, Flying Clubs, The Dornier Wal, Fokker F.VII, Beech 17, Frati designs, Bolkow lightplanes, Sikorsky flying boats, Thai airlines, early airfields and many more
A complete index is available by e-mail on request to the Editor or may be viewed on the ab-ix files website. .Back issues
Subject to availability, Air-Britain members can buy back-copies from the sales department. Single copies available at £6.50 (UK) from Mike or save by subscribing