Michael Smith – Aviation Historical Society of Australia

DerekB26/10/202526/10/2025

2025 Duigan Memorial Lecture – Michael Smith

The Aviation Historical Society of Australia is pleased to announce the 2025 Duigan Memorial Lecture, to be held at the Duigan Centre, Brighton Grammar...

1934 While competing in the Speed section of the MacRobertson International Air Races, Flight-Lieut. D.L. Asjes and Mr. G.J. Geysendorfer representing Holland were forced to withdraw from the race when their aircraft, the Pander S.4 Panderjager PH-OST crashed while taking off from Allahabad, India on 26 October 1934. Asjes and Geysendorfer had landed at Allahabad on 21 October in third place, but the aircraft was damaged during the landing since only one main wheel lowered correctly. They landed the aircraft on just one main wheel and it suffered relatively light damage. But repairs took several days and they were not ready to resume the race until 26 October. The During the take off, just as the Panderjager left the runway a tractor crossed in front of it. One wheel hit the tractor and the aircraft crashed and was destroyed by fire. Luckily the crew were able to escape from the burning wreckage. Source: Aviation Heritage Vol 24 Nos 1 & 2, 1984

1993 The Auditor-General's Project Audit into the CAA Centre for Air Traffic Services at Launceston, tabled on 26 October 1993, found problems with the ATC centre and valid reasons for its later closure. Source: Audit Report no. 8 199394, ANAO. via aph.gov.au website