A 1939 Fairchild 24R9 project has been acquired by Andy Bishop, who plans to fully restore the aircraft to as original as possible and get it flying again.
Bishop, the engineering supervisor at the Temora Aviation Museum, bought the Fairchild from Geoff Bond, the grandson of Bert Bond, the original owner.
The 165 hp Ranger powered Fairchild was imported new by Bert, and received its certificate of registration at Parafield on October 24, 1939. Given registration VH-ACW, the Fairchild was kept at a strip on the corner of (what are now) Burbidge and South Roads, Adelaide.
Bert owned the aircraft until March 29, 1951 and it remained airworthy until it was blown over in a windstorm near Griffith in NSW on November 14, 1971. The aircraft has not flown since, and Bishop is planning a full restoration to as original as possible.
“One exception will be fitting it with a 200 hp Ranger and an Aeromatic propeller instead of the original 165 hp engine,” he says.
Noted aviation historian Fred Niven advises on the aircraft: “Impressed into the RAAF, date unknown as A36-4. However, its impressment orders were deferred, as it was already being mainly used for Army co-operation duties. The order was rescinded on November 11, 1942 and, interestingly, it seems that its military number A36-4 was never taken up”.
The 1939 Fairchild 24R9 in military dress during WWII - note it still carries its civilian registration. (via Andy Bishop)
