VH-FGM (3) Piper PA-23-250 Aztec
B
(c/n
27-2192)
Although given the administrative design
number PA-27, Aztecs are more correctly known as
PA-23-250s. This "B" (longer-nose) model was imported
late
in 1962 and used in support
of
(as its titling suggests) the Donald Campbell World Land Speed
record
program on Lake
Eyre's dry bed in 1963. (In the event, what with one thing and
another, it wasn't until July 1964
that conditions were favorable enough for the record to be
established). After Campbell went
back
to
the U.K. at the end of 1963 the Aztec was sold off and became
VH-PKR. The above
photograph (via Geoff Goodall) was taken by Rod Adam at Parafield,
Adelaide, SA in May 1963.
It
later became VH-AVR and
P2-AVR.