Our Stories

ADELAIDE BIPLANES

1 week ago

0600 …. Text message this morning that made me get moving

The truck is leaving now …. Crumbs crumbs! That will be an hour early!!!!

And there she was, parked on the taxiway as I turned into the airfield waiting to be lifted gently off in her orange container.

I walked up to the driver and said ‘so special, so special, you have brought something so special. What is it he said?’

Then he lifted her down and helped me open the doors. No tears, the circle closing and our story continuing,feelings of soda and sparkle and fizz!! How can this little Cub have this effect?

For now, Martyn and The Boys are getting her ready for Harvey the Engineer.

Then she will fly for the first time under an Australian sky….

“I wish I could fly
Just like any bird can fly
I wish I could fly as graceful as a bird
It would be fantastic, to see all the earth
The grass rushing by
As we zoom above the ground
People saying good luck, as I go up
up
I say to myself, what a thing this is

Written by Matt, April 1997
9 years old

I found it screwed up under his bed when I was cleaning after he had a flight with our friend Rob Davis in his P51 Mustang, Big Beautiful Doll

Martyn kept it and if you look in the front of his logbook No 1, there it is …. ... See MoreSee Less

ADELAIDE BIPLANES

2 weeks ago

Super Cub India Whisky is inbound this afternoon…

Arrival at Adelaide Biplanes is expected anytime between 1300 and 1500 today.

She was carefully placed back into her orange container this morning, ready for road transport to her new home with our family. We’re now just waiting for the final call to confirm the driver’s exact arrival time.

We are ready. And honestly — this feels huge. Not just for us, but for the broader aviation community connected to her story.

I’ve got that feeling in my stomach like a bucket of bees with fireworks going off. Pure anticipation.

1965 SE-EPD

She was first registered in Sweden on 6 September 1965 to AB Nyge-Aero in Nyköping. She flew in Sweden for the next three decades,where aircraft like her were workhorses of aerial survey and utility flying.

Brandholmen, near Nyköping, functioned as a small aviation and water operations base — an ideal environment for float-equipped Super Cubs. From there, aircraft like SE-EPD were commonly used for:

Aerial surveying and mapping ..
Coastline and archipelago photography ..
Forestry and environmental surveys ..

In Sweden during the 1950s–1970s, Super Cubs were part of a wider aviation movement where small operators filled roles that today would be handled by drones, satellites, or helicopters.

They were chosen because they offered:

Excellent short takeoff and landing performance (on land or water)
Easy float conversion
Extremely low stall speed and safe low-speed handling
Low operating costs and simple maintenance
Outstanding versatility for remote operations

Over time, aircraft like SE-EPD often moved between survey companies, flying clubs, and private owners — becoming well known among enthusiasts for their long and varied working lives.

SE-EPD was later exported to England and re-registered as G-BVIW on 4 February 1994, continuing her long working life abroad.

This is a very well-travelled Cub — but to us, she is more than that.

She is already iconic in our family, and today she is finally coming home to what feels like her spiritual home. Thank you everyone who has made this possible ....

We absolutely love her. ... See MoreSee Less

ADELAIDE BIPLANES

2 weeks ago

Of course, it is not just a typewriter.

It is a gift for a gift…. something with history, and something with stories already written and still to be written.
With love from Eugene and Paula Hayes xx

The typewriter is now in the container at Port Adelaide. Still. Yes, this waiting is excruciating. The container has moved, but only one step closer.

India Whisky is safe and waiting for Quarantine and Biosecurity inspection, and we were told it could be days yet, maybe next week, maybe Tuesday. Gosh, this is a heart squeeze…

I have just come back to this paragraph because, as I am writing, she has just passed her inspection and is now ready for departure. Woohoo! Hang out the flags! What a relief! Yes—now I need to check what day I am on… Friday 8 May!

Anyway, where was I…

They found the typewriter on a day rummaging around antique shops and reclamation yards. Now that would have to be my favourite sort of day. I had no idea what they were up to! They sent some pictures, I said… Love it! That was it—sold to Eugene and Paula!

She was driven to Aero Antiques and Mike carefully added her to the container bringing India Whisky to Australia. Now she is also a much-travelled typewriter, having sat in her special seat across 10,000 miles.

This all started me down memory lane… this is the Eugene I remember, the Eugene who came to stay when he was working at Gatwick, when they were all young, relatively new commercial pilots. You may have heard me tell the story of little toddler Bonnie calling to him, “Tup Tea, Neugene?” Was it white with one sugar? I remember thinking he could sleep anywhere—we seemed to always be doing restorations and he didn’t mind brick dust. But that was also what Eugene and Paula both did in their spare time too.

Eugene continues the story:

“My own love of flying started when we went on a family holiday to Benidorm, Spain in 1972 (aged 10 !) and we flew on a Court Line BAC 1-11. I was totally captivated by the whole airport and flying experience including a visit to the cockpit. That was the catalyst for being totally hooked on anything aviation related and spent countless hours plane spotting, going to air shows, building Airfix models, radio controlled aircraft etc.

Just like Martyn’s route, by the late 70’s there were no sponsored UK airline training programmes, so the only way to become a pilot was via the PPL, hour building, Flying Instructor and getting the crucial 700 hours to then undertake the CPL and IR.

To pay for this I worked at my parents hotel in the New Forest and then once I left Sixth Form, I worked as a builder’s labourer initially and then as a Civil Engineering labourer at the Fawley Oil Refinery outside Southampton. It was the only job I could do which paid sufficiently well to pay for my flying! And I volunteered for every scrap of overtime to pay for more hour building!

Once I got my Flight Instructor rating, I then got a job at the Flying School at Southampton Airport which got me through the magical 700 hours quite quickly enabling me to do my CPL/IR in late 1982 and finally completed by around Feb 1983. But of course, there were no jobs back then, so I went back to instructing until that magical call came from Air UK in Feb 1984 and the chance to get on the first rung of the ladder.

I still maintain that flying for Air UK was the best apprenticeship one could ever have asked for. Totally manual flying, no autopilots etc and one had to be a ‘thinking pilot’. These were the days before CRM, (Cockpit Resource Management) rigid SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and endless manuals and regulations etc but we all simply got on and did the job as best as we could.”

1985… Paula and I were both still working for Air UK at Norwich when Martyn joined. As Martyn and I were both First Officers, I never flew with Martyn and we really only passed each other in the crew room or on turnarounds. Martyn was renting a room somewhere, but we didn’t have much contact outside work.

However, the Fokker 27 Friendship was not the career structure we youngsters craved. The big jets was everyone’s aim, hence I went through British Caledonian’s very intensive selection process and started with them in Jan 1987 on the BAC 1-11 at LGW, London Gatwick.

I was looking for somewhere to stay in the LGW area. I don’t know how it came about, but I got word that you had a room to rent. Whether Martyn had put a note up on the board or somebody had been chatting, I don’t know—but the rest is history.

That’s when we first met you.

You and Paula both share the same passions and creative genius in everything you do, whilst Martyn and me try and bring these ideas to fruition! It’s fair to say though that you are both on another level with what you have achieved over the years.

You were at the house before Spronketts Lodge and I recall we had quite a bit of snow that winter as Martyn was still commuting to Norwich. I’ve just remembered that you had a sloping driveway as I had to dig us out one morning…

I thought my career was sorted having joined Britain’s second airline after British Airways. Little did I know BCAL were actually in a dire financial situation and lived on their reputation rather than their bank balance! By October 1987 the writing was on the wall with BCAL on the verge of collapse, so British Airways bought them for £1. Initially we all thought… Hallelujah… but that was only the start of issues as it was announced the seniority lists would be merged, but BALPA made it very clear that BCAL pilots would not trump any BA pilots! I ended up Number 5 from the bottom of the new seniority list and with redundancies on the table, it was a choice of ‘do I stay? Or do I go now?’ With Monarch offering me a place on a Boeing 757, with an immediate start, the decision was easy to make!

Monarch offered me a Luton base, so we then up-sticks again and moved back to Norfolk and Paula got her old job back again at Air UK in Norwich. She had been working for Air Europe in LGW since leaving Air UK in Feb 1987 to join me.

Martyn took both Paula and me up flying at different times. I went up from the farm strip in the Jodel G-BJOB I recall and Paula remembers going up from your Maltings Barn strip on a gorgeous summer evening, and Martyn kept the doors open in what has to be India Whisky!

Being tasked with finding something was a sheer delight and we are so pleased that the little typewriter will be part of the story from the other side of the world.

We really hope that we can get out to see you at some point. I retire in July 2027 so my roster is then clear!

Lots of love and do let us know how the reassembly of India Whisky goes."

Now, we have heard, India Whisky is going back into the orange container and will wait to head down south through Adelaide, possibly making her way to the Airfield on Monday.

Now, that is going to be something to see her again. She is too big to hug, but maybe if I just rest my forehead against her for a while and let the memories come .... ... See MoreSee Less

ADELAIDE BIPLANES

3 weeks ago

Nearly into South Australian waters…

India Whisky is aboard the Cosco Philippines, last seen slipping past the coast near Portland, heading on toward Mt Gambier and Port MacDonnell — places that are still home to me. She’s due into Port Adelaide at 2200 tomorrow night. That time has slipped from 1200. Is she going to wait out in the Gulf for her spot at the docks? Will we see her on the horizon waiting?

Of course, it won’t just be a case of lifting her off the ship and heading straight to Aldinga to open the container. Nor would we want it that way. Protecting our country matters, and quarantine will have their part to play — she is, after all, a 1965 vintage, and who knows what might be tucked away in wheels or fabric.

Thankfully, we’ve had the steady hand of Engineer Mike Souch in the UK, who understands exactly what’s required by Australia. Cleanliness, care, respect — we’re grateful for all of it.

But behind the scenes here this week .… well, it’s been a bit like live reality TV. Phone calls. Frustration. In-drawn breaths gathering strength. People involved who don’t always understand older fabric aeroplanes — and through it all, Martyn keeping things moving. He’s just as invested in India Whisky as Bonnie and I are. He’s been working with the Broker, the Warehouse team… and they are all trying to understand, to help and ensure her safety at this final part of her journey.

It does seem likely now that they will want her unpacked and out of the container, for inspection, but it is not going to be possible for them to put her back in, to continue for a road journey. It took two Engineers two full days to carefully secure her inside that container.

Rain is forecast. It may all take place outside. Stress levels are rising as we think about her safety once she’s off the ship. I’ve heard Martyn quietly mutter, “Never again… ” I keep my head down and stay out of the way — this part isn’t mine to solve, but I understand enough to know: she must be handled with absolute care. Vintage fabric. No forklifts. Gosh.

Probably not my finest timing to mention the 1929 Dennis Fire Engine up for auction yesterday… something I would have dearly loved to bid on. Yes… perhaps that was a conversation better left for Bonnie. Keep things calm, Gaylene. Steady. Low key. Easier said than done. Oh? I didn’t bid!

Today’s solution? Rubber mattressing — hastily sourced — as it now seems likely India Whisky will be transported by trailer, her wings carefully padded for the journey through the middle of Adelaide, heading south to her new home at Aldinga Airfield.

So… if you happen to see a yellow fuselage making its way along, registration G-BVIW in bold letters — give her a wave, or a horn in welcome.

Did I mention the vintage typewriter strapped into the back seat? No? Next time then ….

Deep breath. Smile on face.

Here we go… xx ... See MoreSee Less

ADELAIDE BIPLANES

4 weeks ago

Here She Comes ..... Here She Comes Little India Whisky

We are checking her track every day

Friends of friends saw her leaving Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne. That speck on a calm sea is the Cosco Phillipines carrying the Super Cub in an orange container. They came around Perth, we saw her sail by Margaret River, then across The Great Australian Bight, past Adelaide .... sigh.... on to Melbourne, offloading of containers in Port Melbourne, then sailing out of Port Phillip Bay where she was captured by friends.

Isn't this technology amazing?!! You can pinpoint that ship as THE ONE, watch as she sails by with Australia on her left at the moment. She should be in Sydney tomorrow.

Then hang out all the flags! She will sail away from Sydney with Australia on her right, at last heading for Adelaide!

Gosh, how do I feel? How do we feel? Bonnie, Martyn and me .... about seeing Little India Whisky again? Happy, sad, happy, sad and all the time excited with the biggest lump in my throat .... is about as honest as I can get!

With all my Love, Gaye xxxx

www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/home/centerx:111.6/centery:-39.3/zoom:5 ... See MoreSee Less