B-17 CF-HBP of Kenting Aviation outside the Adastra hangar at Mascot in 1958. The aircraft was operating an aero magnetic survey of the South Pacific region as part of the International Geophysical Year. A report in the Journal of the Aviation Historical Society of N.Z. (Vol 2 No 2) states that the aircraft was to depart Sydney for Biak on the 27th November 1958 but engine trouble delayed its departure until 30th November when it left for Brisbane. It seems likely that Adastra assisted with rectification of the engine trouble during its stay in Sydney. The aircraft is now in the collection of the National Air and Space Museum, Washington D.C.
Photo: Bob Cozens
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