Avro 643 Cadet Mk.II

Avro 643 Cadet Mk.II

Main menu

Larger image

Next Coates photo
Coates Menu

06/30/2008. Remarks by Clin Ashton-Martin: "I have owned AGH for about eleven years now, having bought it from Jack Davidson, a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer at The Oaks, near Camden, New South Wales.

Jack was chief engineer for well known Australian aircraft collector Sid Marshall, a local legend who ran a charter business and flying school from before WW II until his death around 1975, and I believe Sid left his entire aircraft collection to him. Restoration of VH-AGH had been started by Jack but was continued by me, and the flew again on April 23, 2008.

In RAAF service the aircraft logged 2957 hours and at the last log book entry on September 22, 1960 it had amassed 3507 hours. When I bought the remains the registration had passed to a Victa Airtourer but the owner kindly relinquished the registration to me. It appears that this aircraft is the only one which was not converted for crop spraying after WW II and consequently it is in very original condition.

My restoration philosophy was to retain the maximum of original material in the aircraft so when it is finished it would not look straight and beautiful. I have painted it in camouflage which was used in 1942 for a short period, all other restorations I know of are painted silver. It has the roundels without red centre.

It is fitted with an 150 hp Siddeley Genet Major seven-cylinder radial engine, it has been overhauled by Qantas Empire Airways in 1942! The annual fly-in of the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia was held on April 25 to 27, 2008 and the aircraft was awarded 'Most Original'. Anther Cadet making its first appearance was VH-AEJ which took out 'Grand Champion'."


Main menu	Larger image	Next Coates photo Coates Menu
06/30/2008. Remarks by Clin Ashton-Martin: "I have owned AGH for about eleven years now, having bought it from Jack Davidson, a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer at The Oaks, near Camden, New South Wales. Jack was chief engineer for well known Australian aircraft collector Sid Marshall, a local legend who ran a charter business and flying school from before WW II until his death around 1975, and I believe Sid left his entire aircraft collection to him. Restoration of VH-AGH had been started by Jack but was continued by me, and the flew again on April 23, 2008. In RAAF service the aircraft logged 2957 hours and at the last log book entry on September 22, 1960 it had amassed 3507 hours. When I bought the remains the registration had passed to a Victa Airtourer but the owner kindly relinquished the registration to me. It appears that this aircraft is the only one which was not converted for crop spraying after WW II and consequently it is in very original condition. My restoration philosophy was to retain the maximum of original material in the aircraft so when it is finished it would not look straight and beautiful. I have painted it in camouflage which was used in 1942 for a short period, all other restorations I know of are painted silver. It has the roundels without red centre. It is fitted with an 150 hp Siddeley Genet Major seven-cylinder radial engine, it has been overhauled by Qantas Empire Airways in 1942! The annual fly-in of the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia was held on April 25 to 27, 2008 and the aircraft was awarded 'Most Original'. Anther Cadet making its first appearance was VH-AEJ which took out 'Grand Champion'."