VQ-PAB  Short S.16 Scion                                                   (c/n  PA.1002)

                            

                               Palestine Air Transport (dba Palestine Airways Ltd) was an airline founded by the Zionist Pinhas
                               Rutenburg in 1934 in the then British Mandated Palestine.  It did not commence revenue passenger
                               services until 1937 with twice weekly flights from its base in Lydda to Haifa.      Two Short Scions
                               (VQ-PAA and -PAB) and a D.H. 89A Dragon Rapide (VQ-PAC) constituted the modest fleet.
                               In 1938 a four motor version, the Short S.22 Scion Senior, (VQ-PAD, ex G-AECU) was added   
                               and the route extended to Beirut.       WW II came along shortly afterward and all four machines
                               were impressed into the RAF's Middle Eastern service.  VQ-PAB became Z7190.  It was severe-
                               ly damaged on December 24, 1942 when it lost its port prop and was written off following a
                               crash landing. 
                               Photographs of the VQ-P registered aircraft are rare, and I am indebted to the Derek
                               Hughey collection for the above image.  Note nose of Misr/Airwork's D.H.89A Dragon
                               Rapide SU-ABS 'Helwan' in this shot taken at Haifa in 1938.