Southern Cross SC-1 VH-SCA
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In 1958 Southern Cross Aviation was formed in Toowoomba Queensland to look at the possibility of designing a light aircraft in Australia to compete with the imported light touring and training aircraft which were dominating the general aviation sector of the aviation industry. The conclusion was reached that a four seat touring aircraft of all metal construction with a retractable undercarriage and powered by a 145hp Continental engine was the way to go.
A prototype of what became the Southern Cross SC-1 was completed in 1960 and first flew at Oakey, Queensland in February 1961. The fifty hour test program permitted by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) was terminated at twenty five hours when it became apparent that extensive and costly development would be required before production could be considered, and the Toowoomba Foundry that had constructed the prototype decided to abandon the project.
Further testing was undertaken at Oakey but a Certificate of Airworthiness was not issued and its final flight was in June 1961 when it was ferried to Toowoomba and placed in storage. The airframe was acquired by our Museum in 1970, moved to and placed in storage at Moorabbin. Following lengthy negotiations, the airframe was returned to Oakey in 2002 on a long term loan to the Museum of Army Aviation who carried out a restoration program and placed it on display. By the end of the loan period the Southern Cross SC-1 was removed from the Army Museum and placed in storage on Oakey airport. Arrangements were being made for the return of the aircraft to Moorabbin when the proprietors of Wellcamp Airport of Toowoomba approached the Museum to negotiate a loan agreement for the aircraft to be put on display in their airport terminal.
It has been so displayed since 2014.
TECHNICAL DATA
Crew : 1 pilot.
Passengers : 3
Power plant : 1 x 180hp Lycoming 0-360-A1A, 4 cylinder horizontally opposed air cooled engine.
Length : 22'07'' (6.88m) Wingspan : 37'00'' (11.28m) Height : 7'04'' (2.24m)
Weights : empty - 1,450lbs (658kg) maximum - 2,525lbs (1,145kg)
Speeds : maximum - 155kt (178mph) (286km/hr) cruise - 130kt (150mph) (240km/hr)
Range : 740 miles (1,190km)
A prototype of what became the Southern Cross SC-1 was completed in 1960 and first flew at Oakey, Queensland in February 1961. The fifty hour test program permitted by the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) was terminated at twenty five hours when it became apparent that extensive and costly development would be required before production could be considered, and the Toowoomba Foundry that had constructed the prototype decided to abandon the project.
Further testing was undertaken at Oakey but a Certificate of Airworthiness was not issued and its final flight was in June 1961 when it was ferried to Toowoomba and placed in storage. The airframe was acquired by our Museum in 1970, moved to and placed in storage at Moorabbin. Following lengthy negotiations, the airframe was returned to Oakey in 2002 on a long term loan to the Museum of Army Aviation who carried out a restoration program and placed it on display. By the end of the loan period the Southern Cross SC-1 was removed from the Army Museum and placed in storage on Oakey airport. Arrangements were being made for the return of the aircraft to Moorabbin when the proprietors of Wellcamp Airport of Toowoomba approached the Museum to negotiate a loan agreement for the aircraft to be put on display in their airport terminal.
It has been so displayed since 2014.
TECHNICAL DATA
Crew : 1 pilot.
Passengers : 3
Power plant : 1 x 180hp Lycoming 0-360-A1A, 4 cylinder horizontally opposed air cooled engine.
Length : 22'07'' (6.88m) Wingspan : 37'00'' (11.28m) Height : 7'04'' (2.24m)
Weights : empty - 1,450lbs (658kg) maximum - 2,525lbs (1,145kg)
Speeds : maximum - 155kt (178mph) (286km/hr) cruise - 130kt (150mph) (240km/hr)
Range : 740 miles (1,190km)