VP-BAC Grumman Goose
(c/n B46)
British Guiana Airways was formed in the 1930s although did not
begin scheduled
services until 1944, with this ex-Royal Navy Goose. It subsequently
acquire another
one
(VP-GAD). VP-GAC is seen here in a historic photo by Henry
Hamilton, a
former employee of the airline. Formerly FP471 it was declared
surplus in 1944,
went back to the
U.S. (a Lend Lease contract?) where it promptly became NR46497.
Why
the 'restricted' registration I m not sure, but shortly afterwards was
sold in
British Guiana,
where it was registered VP-GAC. In 1955 BGA, by then government
owned, was absorbed
into British West Indian Airways. With Guyana's independence
in 1966 t was
reregistered 8R-GAC. Shortly after it returned to the
U.S. as N1048V
where I do
believe, remarkably, it is still active.