dehavillandgipsy

Once the main airport in Brisbane, Archerfield Airport holds a rich history from the time it was first established in the 1930s. Today, Archerfield Airport serves as a major general aviation airport and secondary airport for the city. Within the property are a licensed pub, aircraft hire, flight training facilities and a heritage-listed cemetery. Its art deco passenger terminal remains intact from the time it was built in 1941. This fully preserved structure pretty much gives the present a glimpse of the past. A public aviation museum also exists within the airport. It was in 1927 when the area was first tested by Captain Lester Brian, chief flying instructor for Qantas Airways, to see if it could be used an airfield. The government purchased the site in 1929 to build the airport and named it Archerfield to distinguish it from the surrounding farmlands. On 1 April 1931, the airport officially opened. Qantas moved its operations from Eagle Farm to Archerfield. Ansett ANA and Trans Australia Airlines also offered regular passenger transport services at the airport. During World War II, Archerfield Airport was abuzz with activity as it became a significant airfield for the military. It hosted the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), the Royal Netherlands Air Force, and the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. It was after WWII when the Eagle Farm airport grew in significance and Archerfield got delegated to secondary airport status. The airport turned its focus to flight training afterwards. Today, one of the oldest flying schools in the world, the Royal Queensland Aero Club, still operates at Archerfield. Source: robertsonnews.com.au/rich-history-of-archerfield-airport-...

Royal Queensland Aero Club is the oldest established flying school in the world, this year they will proudly celebrate their 90th anniversary of continuous flying operations. Early members of Royal Queensland Aero Club include many of Australia's most distinguished aviators including Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, Bert Hinkler and Lores Bonney. RQAC has a long association with Qantas, having first signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Ltd (Qantas) on 28th March 1930. In 1940 the RQAC commenced training of Pilots for the Royal Aust Air Force at Archerfield using Club facilities and aircraft. Royal Queensland Aero Club has a proud heritage of aviation training they have not been content with to rest their proud traditions and reputation. As they enter their 91st year of operations RQAC endeavors to provide flight training at the highest standards with an emphasis on continuous improvement at all times. Source: www.bestaviation.net/school/aeroclub_rqac/

This is a de Havilland Gipsy engine, not a license-built Wright Gipsy. Note the prominent "DH" on the data plate, between the words "Gipsy" and "Engine."

On 15 May 1928, John Flynn's dream became a reality with the opening of the Australian Inland Mission Aerial Medical Service in Cloncurry, Queensland (later to be renamed the Royal Flying Doctor Service). From the first flight in a single engine, fabric covered bi-plane, the RFDS steadily grew in size, scope and reach. Over the next few years, the RFDS began to expand across the country: Source: www.flyingdoctor.org.au/about-the-rfds/history/rfds-secti...

Men in short trousers and long socks. Must be North Queensland!

The aircraft appears to be a de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth. The aircraft was built in relatively small numbers prior to WWII (~100), and it can be presumed that a far smaller number than that were operated in Australia. Too bad we can't see what is written on the bottom of the lower port-side wing to complete "FLY WITH . . .", I'd imagine that may provide further clues as to the aircraft's operator and the airfield/airport this photo was taken at. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Fox_Moth

Mascot - Kingsford Smith Airport, ASSY

"Fly with me!" I recall seeing another photo of this plane a while ago

It looks more like a Genairco than a Fox Moth

Definitely a Fox Moth, the Genairco had different cabane struts and side windows.