Water bird

These aircraft were VH-BRC *Beachcomber**, a Sandringham 4, formerly ZK-AMH *Auckland*, obtained by Ansett in May 1950 and VH-BRF *Islander**, modified from a Sunderland 5 to incorporate the passenger refinements of a Sandringham. The acquisition of VH-BRF followed severe cyclone damage suffered by VH-BRE *Pacific Chieftain** during an overnight stop at Lord Howe Island on July 3 1963 at the start of a 13,675km journey around French Polynesia. In addition to the regular Lord Howe service both Sandringhams flew on charter flights to Australian and Pacific island destinations.

Following VH-BRE’s withdrawal from service, Ansett purchased RNZAF Sunderland 5, NZ4108, which arrived at Rose Bay on December 18 1963. After a substantial modification it emerged as VH-BRF and conducted a maiden proving flight on September 28 1964. Although both VH-BRC and -BRF were identified on the Australian Civil Register as Short S25 Sandringhams, VH-BRF’s bulbous nose sets it apart from production Sandringhams.

The eventual retirement of the Sandringhams, and the end of the large flying era in Australia, prompted the NSW Branch of the Aviation Historical Society of Australia (AHSA) to arrange a charter flight. Members were keen to experience flight in a large flying boat and an itinerary was planned to offer something different so it would have wide-ranging appeal. The demand for the 42 seats filled quickly with AHSA members, Sunderland veterans and some trout fishermen visiting their choice angling destinations.

On November 28 1970 this writer joined fellow AHSA members assembled at Rose Bay for an 0800hrs departure. The roomy cabin was comfortably arranged reflecting the layout of a roomy bygone era.The four Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasps were started with engine power checks conducted while we were still tethered to the mooring dock. After completion of checks the Sandringham was cast off and taxied to the eastern side of Rose Bay. Full power was applied prior to lining up and VH-BRE churned out of Rose Bay in a slicing arc of foam and continued down the Harbour towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Takeoff in a large flying boat is an exhilarating experience. Acceleration seems slow as water drums against the side until the aircraft gradually starts to rise and we were skimming along riding on the hull’s step with the evocative sound of the Twin Wasps delivering takeoff power. The foaming water turned to a fine spray as we lifted off and climbed over Rushcutters Bay.

A flight deck visit saw a chat with the technical crew, Captain Keith Mansfield, First Officer Ron Harrison-Williams and Engineering Officer John O’Brien. It was a beautiful day with a cloudless sky and just a light mist out to sea. The instruments revealed we had levelled out to cruise at 1500ft, IAS 120Kt and engines at 2100rpm. Fuel load was 5180 litres and consumption was 390-415 litres/hour. The flight plan provided for a coastal cruise at 1500ft as far as Moruya then a climb inland to 7000ft to clear the Great Dividing Range. It was interesting to see the captain using an Ampol road map (remember Ampol?) to identify the coastal towns to the listening passengers. After breakfast passengers set out to explore the Sandringham visiting the downstairs and upstairs compartments. There were handrails near viewing windows not adjacent to seats and we found incomparable views could had even from the toilet window! The forward unlined baggage was noisier and colder than the cabin and we reflected what conditions on a long Sunderland patrol must have been like.

Arrival over Lake Eucumbene which is the main storage area for the Snowy Mountains Scheme revealed a vast glistening blue expanse of water of 145 square kilometres located 1160m above sea level, and when full, contains about nine times the volume of Sydney Harbour. As the aircraft alighted (Captain Mansfield informed us flying boats don’t land, they alight) on the water the effect was spectacular as water momentarily engulfed the widows as the aircraft settled into the water. A launch then took the Sandringham in tow and secured it to a mooring buoy.

‘Flying boats don’t land, they alight.’

We had an enjoyable weekend touring many diverse sights in the Snowy with an overnight stay in Adaminaby. Visits to Jindabyne, Thredbo, Yarrangobilly Caves and the Tumut 1 power station buried 1200ft beneath the surface, were among some of the items on a packed itinerary with our coach covering 480km over the weekend. It’s a lovely and diverse part of Australia and well worth a visit.

Late on Sunday afternoon we assembled at Eucumbene’s lakeside, including the trout fishermen who been absent from our activities. We transferred by launch to our waiting Sandringham and lifted off at 1644 after a 43 seconds takeoff run and climbed over the ranges to initially cruise at 5000ft and then to 3000ft after obtaining clearance with an arrival at Rose Bay at 1811hrs.

The careers of the graceful Sandringhams sadly came to an end in 1974 after the construction of a runway on Lord Howe Island to enable land-based services, with both aircraft sold to Antilles Airboats of the Virgin Islands.