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History[]

Built in 1934,[1] this aircraft was first registered as G-ACZE, via C of R 5407, on 20 November 1934 to Anglo-Persian Oil Co Ltd, Abadan.[N 1] C of A no 4612 was issued 15 December 1934, and the aircraft was delivered from Heston -to Almaza, Cairo, 17 December, arriving on Christmas Day.. Returned to Heston 8 November - 24 November 1938 on replacement by G-AFHY and/or G-AFIA. Registration cancelled at census on 1 January 1939.

Re-registered 17 March 1939 to Airwork Ltd and operated by 7 CANS.[N 2] Registration cancelled 24 March 1939 as sold ([possibly to subsidiary Air Service Training Ltd, but not re-registered as such); re-registered 22 September 1939 to Airwork Ltd. Registration cancelled on 15 July 1940 by Secretary of State.

Impressed into RAF as Z7266 (under Contract No.A34983/39, dated 15 July 1940) and remained at 7 AONS. Passed to DH Witney for ambulance conversion 22 August 1940, but not proceeded with, Instead, to store at 48 MU Hawarden 18 September 1940. Passed tTo 3 FPP Hawarden 8 December 1940.

Probably withdrawn from use in early 1941. [N 3] Roaded to Allied Airways (Gandar Dower) Ltd, Dyce 21 September 1941 for rebuild. Registration G-ACZE restored on 7 February 1942 to Eric L Gandar Dower, and operated by Allied Airways [Gandar Dower] Ltd, Dyce. C of A renewed 11 March 1942. Re-registered on 20 June 1942 to Allied Airways (Gandar Dower) Ltd, Dyce; named "The Dawn".

Crashed Grimsetter, Orkney 27 December 1945 following starboard engine failure on take-off. Registration cancelled 7 April 47 as "PWFU" ("Permanently Withdrawn From Use") Taken to De Havilland at Witney in 1946 and completely rebuilt with c/n W.1001. Registered G-AJGS [CofR 11282] on 24 October 1947 to The De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd, Witney. Re-registered 23 February 1948 to Mary L Wilson t/a Allied Airways, Dyce; named "Vagabond". New C of A 10004 issued 12 March 48. Withdrawn from use 18 February 1949 - C of A lapsed 11 March49; stored Dyce. Registered 19 December 1949 to Caroline Brunning, Dyce (nominal change only). Registration cancelled 18 February 1959 as PWFU. Sold 28 May 1966 to Alfred Ward and roaded to Booker 26 August 1966. Registered 30 May 1967 to Alfred F Ward, Booker and rebuilt by Personal Plane Services Ltd [Dioug Bianchi]. Re-flown 21 February 1968 and registered 25 March 1968 to Aerial Enterprises Ltd, Booker. C of A renewed 27 March 1968. Sold 1969 to Fritz Ludington, Delray Beach, Miami, USA. Flown across Atlantic via Reykjavik by Ted Wein & E.C. Down, departing Halfpenny Green 28 August 1970, arriving Miami 13 September 1970. UK registration cancelled 15 November 1973 as PWFU. To Robert M. [Bob] Schultz (of Hamburg Airdrome Inc), Hamburg, NY (by early 1977) for storage and overhaul; intended for flights over Niagara Falls but plans abandoned. No US registration allotted. Sold to Brian Woodford and returned to UK by sea 1984; to Ron Souch at Hamble for rebuild.

Registration G-ACZE restored 23 January 1985 to (Woodford's company) Wessex Aviation & Transport Ltd, Chalmington Manor, Dorchester. Overhauled by Ron Souch at Hamble and later Sarisbury Green and painted in Brigade of Guards/Kings Flight colours. C of A renewed 12 August 1986 and based Henstridge.

C of A lapsed 18 August 1995 and stored. For sale [August 2000]; stored at Premier Aviation, Withybush [September 2000]; ferried to Bembridge for overhaul by Tim Buckley/Fly BN 7 February 2006; re-flown 30 August 2006 & returned to Withybush [but CofA not renewed until 3 July 2007]. Registered 13 June 2008 to Chewton Glen Aviation Ltd (Maurice & William Hynett), Bembridge. Flown Bembridge-Sandown-Bournemouth after airfield dispute 9 April 2011. Registered 8 January 2013 (on name change) to Chewton Glen Ltd; now based Lee-on-Solent. Shipped ex Membury to USA late October 2013. Regn cancelled 8 November 2013 as sold to USA. Registered N1934D 9 December 2013 to Training Services Inc (Jerry Yagen), Virginia Beach, VA.[2]

Notes[]

  1. The firm was renamed Anglo-Iranian Oil Co Ltd on 31 March 1935
  2. Later 7 AONS, Perth [29 December 1939].
  3. Struck Off Charge by RAF at census 21 June 1947.

Sources[]

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