Cessna 310 VH-AER
The Cessna Company of Wichita, Kansas USA designed their model 310, the first modern light twin engined general purpose aircraft built. It was a four to six passenger low wing monoplane with retractable under carriage, that first flew on January 3 1953. Production commenced in 1954 and ceased in 1980 after some 5,447 machines had been built in many variants.
Over 150 of these aircraft were registered in the Australian region, one of the first being imported
from New Zealand was a Cessna 310B registered ZK-BSY. This later became VH-UAL when operated by the Utah Construction Company, and later the CSIRO on rain making experiments until in 1960 it was purchased and re-registered VH-AER and operated by Masling AER of Cootamundra New South Wales. Flying VH-AER Jack Masling participated in and won the 1964 Brisbane to Adelaide Air Race, and again in VH-AER Jack Masling participated in the 1969 London to Sydney Air Race finishing first past the post at Bankstown, and 10th on handicap.
It was also operated by Masling Airlines, one of the first Australian Commuter Airline Licence holders, throughout New South Wales in the mid 1960s. Following a change of ownership, it was written off as the result of an accident on Kangaroo Island, South Australia in 1981. It was acquired by the Museum and is currently in storage awaiting restoration.
TECHNICAL DATA
Crew : 1 pilot
Payload : up to four passengers or equivalent weight.
Power plant : 2 x 240hp Continental 0-470-M, 6 cylinder horizontally opposed engines.
Length : 27'00'' (8.23m) Wingspan : 35'00'' (10.67m) Height : 10'06'' (3.20m)
Weights : empty - 2,850lbs (1,293kg) maximum - 4,600lbs (2,087kg)
Speeds : maximum - 190kt (220mph) (350km/hr) cruise - 178kt (205mph) (330km/hr)
Range : 1,000 miles (1,600km)
Over 150 of these aircraft were registered in the Australian region, one of the first being imported
from New Zealand was a Cessna 310B registered ZK-BSY. This later became VH-UAL when operated by the Utah Construction Company, and later the CSIRO on rain making experiments until in 1960 it was purchased and re-registered VH-AER and operated by Masling AER of Cootamundra New South Wales. Flying VH-AER Jack Masling participated in and won the 1964 Brisbane to Adelaide Air Race, and again in VH-AER Jack Masling participated in the 1969 London to Sydney Air Race finishing first past the post at Bankstown, and 10th on handicap.
It was also operated by Masling Airlines, one of the first Australian Commuter Airline Licence holders, throughout New South Wales in the mid 1960s. Following a change of ownership, it was written off as the result of an accident on Kangaroo Island, South Australia in 1981. It was acquired by the Museum and is currently in storage awaiting restoration.
TECHNICAL DATA
Crew : 1 pilot
Payload : up to four passengers or equivalent weight.
Power plant : 2 x 240hp Continental 0-470-M, 6 cylinder horizontally opposed engines.
Length : 27'00'' (8.23m) Wingspan : 35'00'' (10.67m) Height : 10'06'' (3.20m)
Weights : empty - 2,850lbs (1,293kg) maximum - 4,600lbs (2,087kg)
Speeds : maximum - 190kt (220mph) (350km/hr) cruise - 178kt (205mph) (330km/hr)
Range : 1,000 miles (1,600km)