Aeromil Pacific has preserved a slice of both Australia’s and Cessna’s aviation history through the acquisition of a rare 1936 Cessna C34 Airmaster.
The 1936 Cessna C34 Airmaster (serial number 339 VH-UYG) was purchased by Aeromil Managing Director Steve Padgett and unveiled at a recent airside function at Aeromil’s Sunshine Coast base in Queensland.
“This beautiful airplane was the first Cessna to fly in Australia and is now one of only two left in the world,” Padgett said. “I’m very proud to announce the purchase of the Airmaster. As Aeromil Pacific is the Cessna dealer, the Airmaster certainly has an appropriate new home to continue the Cessna story in Australia.”
The Cessna C34 Airmaster came from the golden age of aviation and is the aeroplane that saved the Cessna Aircraft Company, bringing them back from the brink after the Great Depression. There were 42 built between 1935 and 1936, with VH-UYG being number 41. This particular Airmaster came off the Cessna production line in Kansas on December 31 1936 and flew its first flight a day later. It was then shipped to Australia and entered on the Australian register in July 1937.
The rich flying history of this particular Airmaster includes service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II and the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Western Australia. Undergoing a complete restoration in 1993, the aircraft continued to fly privately under the ownership of a retired airline captain until Padgett acquired it. The aircraft is powered by a 165hp Warner Super Scarab seven cylinder radial engine through a Sensenich fixed pitch wooden prop.
The Airmaster will be based at Aeromil Pacific on the Sunshine Coast, and while the aircraft won’t fly regularly due to its age, Aeromil plans on showing it off across the country in due course.
“We plan to further enhance the presentation of the Airmaster,” Padgett explains. “It will continue to fly to special aviation events as an important and active piece of Australian aviation history. We are also looking at building a glass showroom to display the Airmaster and ensure its long term protection.”
(Aeromil Pacific)
