G-AUBJ Avro 504K
(c/n AAEC/5)
The narrative from this 1926 John Oxley
Library, State Library of Queensland image indicates that
the
Avro was being loaded onto a boat to be taken to Bribie Island after
crashing into the soft sand
at Kings Beach (Caloundra). It was felt that the firmer sand on
Bribie Island would be more suitable
for a
takeoff. Many locals helped with the rescue of the plane and its
subsequent trip to Bribie Island
where
Captain Tracey made a successful takeoff. Looks highly
unstable to yours truly, but the exp-
edition
evidently worked! G-AUBJ was an Australian Aircraft
& Engineering Company produced
504K
first registered in Sydney in 1921. It was sold in Queensland in
1924. Its registration lapsed
in 1928 and it
was struck off the register on 20 February of that
year. The
photo below, from
Exxon Mobil archives, (via Wally Civitico)
shows Treacy in the cockpit of the Avro with a handy can
of 'Plume' Aviation
Motor Spirit nearby. This shot would pre-date the one
above, since the aircraft
has a 100 hp Sunbeam
Dyak up front, whereas in the print above, it shows it with the
Hispano-Suiza
engine which was installed
in March 1926.