Most likely this photograph was taken at Vickers Avenue Mascot. Note the office door in the background plus the fact that the oxygen mask is not connected! The identity of the Navigator is unknown as there were several Adastra staff who participated in the photoshoot. (17)

The pilot of Hudson VH-AGS, identified in the magazine article as Ken Rowlands, seemingly on oxygen during a survey at 25,000 feet. Closer examination of the instruments reveals that the aeroplane is actually on the ground with both engines shut down! (10)

To the right of the pilot is the crawlway to the nose compartment showing the Camera Operator and Navigator seemingly hard at work. This view well illustrates Adastra's preference for grouping the crew in close proximity to improve communication and co-ordination. Indeed there were recorded incidents where crew in the nose compartment assisted the pilot with the rudder pedals! This image also confirms the presence of three personnel in the aircraft during the photoshoot. (05)

The Camera Operator and Navigator seemingly hard at work in the nose compartment of a Hudson. The configuration of the nose perspex confirms that the aircraft can only be VH-AGS, the only Adastra Hudson to retain the standard four side windows. The magazine article identifies the camera operator as Kevin Pavlich and the navigator as Ken Rowlands who is also identified as the pilot! When this image appeared in PEOPLE magazine they were said to be "checking the camera before setting out on a flight." (01)

Another view of the Camera Operator and Navigator in the nose compartment of Hudson VH-AGS. (02)
(see caption above)

The camera operator in the nose compartment of Hudson VH-AGS. The camera is a Wild RC9 Super Wide Angle Camera, most likely with a Super-Aviogon or Super-Infragon f5.6 lens. Wild historian Jürg Dedual estimates from the serial number 380 that the camera would have been delivered around 1958. The magazine article identifies the camera operator as Kevin Pavlich. (08)

The magnetometer stinger in the tail of Canso (Catalina) VH-AGB with Adastra's Hangar 13 in the background. (24)

The magnetometer instrument rack in Canso VH-AGB as used for the 1959-1960 aeromagnetic survey in Queensland which was awarded to Aero Service Corp by Union Oil Corp where Adastra were subcontracted to do the flying. The pen recorder is the Photographic Survey Corporation recorder used for the EM loop system or possibly removed from the Prince VH-AGF. The recorder ink trace in the photograph is definitely aeromagnetic data. The console to the right (not clearly shown) is a Gulf Mark III magnetometer (possibly now in the collection of the National Museum of Australia). The operator is believed to be Kevin Pavlich. Caption contributed by Doug Morrison. (21)

The magnetometer instrument rack in Canso VH-AGB as used for the 1959-1960 aeromagnetic survey in Queensland which was awarded to Aero Service Corp by Union Oil Corp where Adastra were subcontracted to do the flying. The pen recorder is the Photographic Survey Corporation recorder used for the EM loop system or possibly removed from the Prince VH-AGF. The recorder ink trace in the photograph is definitely aeromagnetic data. The console to the right (not clearly shown) is a Gulf Mark III magnetometer (possibly now in the collection of the National Museum of Australia). The operator is believed to be Kevin Pavlich. Caption contributed by Doug Morrison. (22)

The Photographic Room showing the process camera on rails with vacuum frame and copy lights. Stacks of 9 x 9 inch contact prints are under heavy weights to stop the prints curling. (13)

The Photographic Room with aerial film being given a final wash before going into the film dryer. (15)

The Photographic Room showing final film washing and photo trimming. (16)

Jack Townsend at work in the Adastra Reprographic Section at Vickers Avenue, Mascot. (26)

The Photogrammetry Section at Vickers Avenue, Mascot. (27)

Warren Ide at the A7 stereo-plotter (background) and Brian Jelfs at the co-ordinatograph table (foreground) at the Adastra head office at Vickers Avenue, Mascot. (29)

Inside the Adastra head office at Vickers Avenue, Mascot. (left to right) Ken Seaman, Kevin Murray and John McCarthy. (32)

Frank Schneider working on a layout of aerial photographs at the Adastra head office at Vickers Avenue, Mascot. The silhouetted figure in the doorway is believed to be Lou Pares. (34)

A crew member, believed to be pilot Ken Rowlands, wearing an Adastra flight suit (and a tie!) in the Adastra head office at Vickers Avenue, Mascot. The noticeboard in the background mentions engineer Jim Hilferty and suggests that Anson VH-BLF and Hudson VH-SMM are at home base Mascot at the time. (36)

The Photographs in Print