Post by Peter Lewis on Jan 25, 2009 22:20:15 GMT 12
Polynesian Airlines of Western Samoa (now Independent Samoa) was founded back in 1961 an initially operated one Percival P.50 Prince Mk 3 ZK-BMQ.
This aircraft c/n P.50/38 was one of a batch of three ordered by the RAAF in 1952. The order was placed through the RAF and the allocated serial WZ409 was not used, the aircraft being delivered as A90-1.
It was placed in storage in 1955 and offered for sale in flying condition in 1957, the eventual purchaser being the Royal Aero Club of NSW who registered it as VH-RSX in January 1958. In September 1959 the Prince was bought by Polynesian, and became ZK-BMQ on 17th June 1959 carrying the name "Princess Maureen". The aircraft was used on operations between Faleolo and Pago Pago until it was damaged when landing with burst mainwheel tyre at Faleolo 4Dec60 and ran into a ditch. It was reported as derelict at Faleolo for some time after this event, at least until 1966.
The scheduled service must have been successful, as two more aircraft were bought as replacements, ZK-BYN and ZK-BYO.
ZK-BYN was a Percival P.50 Prince Mk 4E, c/n P.50/48, initially used as G-AMPR by the Standard Motor Co.Ltd., Baginton prior to a sale to the Tanganyika Government where it was operated as VR-TBN.
This Prince was delivered to the airline in February 1961 and operated with them until it was withdrawn at Faleolo on 25Jul63 having operated 3059hrs.
ZK-BYO was an earlier model survey version of P.50 - Percival P.54 Prince 3A c/n P.54/25 - which had flown since new with the Tanganyika Government as VR-TBD. Also arriving at Faleolo in February 1961, ZK-BYO was WFU in March 1963 as uneconomic to overhaul @ 3046hrs.
Both aircraft were sold to the Central Aircraft Exchange, Sydney, Australia but remained at Faleolo airport. Presumably CAE were interested in the engines or other parts rather than the complete airframes. ZK-BYO has been reported extant there for a time marked with " UA Saemolia OE" in crude letters. Seen derelict at Apia March 1981.
After the withdrawal of the Prince, Polynesian Airlines operated ex-NAC DC-3s (initially ZK-AOZ as 5W-FAA) for some years.
When I was in Samoa a few years ago, I made some enquiries about the fate of these aircraft. Little seemed to be known, apart from a comment that the fuselage roof off one of them had been used as a canopy on a boat.
If anyone here knows of any further history of the Polynesian Princes, has had personal interaction with them, or could add further photographs we would like to hear from you.
This aircraft c/n P.50/38 was one of a batch of three ordered by the RAAF in 1952. The order was placed through the RAF and the allocated serial WZ409 was not used, the aircraft being delivered as A90-1.
It was placed in storage in 1955 and offered for sale in flying condition in 1957, the eventual purchaser being the Royal Aero Club of NSW who registered it as VH-RSX in January 1958. In September 1959 the Prince was bought by Polynesian, and became ZK-BMQ on 17th June 1959 carrying the name "Princess Maureen". The aircraft was used on operations between Faleolo and Pago Pago until it was damaged when landing with burst mainwheel tyre at Faleolo 4Dec60 and ran into a ditch. It was reported as derelict at Faleolo for some time after this event, at least until 1966.
The scheduled service must have been successful, as two more aircraft were bought as replacements, ZK-BYN and ZK-BYO.
ZK-BYN was a Percival P.50 Prince Mk 4E, c/n P.50/48, initially used as G-AMPR by the Standard Motor Co.Ltd., Baginton prior to a sale to the Tanganyika Government where it was operated as VR-TBN.
This Prince was delivered to the airline in February 1961 and operated with them until it was withdrawn at Faleolo on 25Jul63 having operated 3059hrs.
ZK-BYO was an earlier model survey version of P.50 - Percival P.54 Prince 3A c/n P.54/25 - which had flown since new with the Tanganyika Government as VR-TBD. Also arriving at Faleolo in February 1961, ZK-BYO was WFU in March 1963 as uneconomic to overhaul @ 3046hrs.
Both aircraft were sold to the Central Aircraft Exchange, Sydney, Australia but remained at Faleolo airport. Presumably CAE were interested in the engines or other parts rather than the complete airframes. ZK-BYO has been reported extant there for a time marked with " UA Saemolia OE" in crude letters. Seen derelict at Apia March 1981.
After the withdrawal of the Prince, Polynesian Airlines operated ex-NAC DC-3s (initially ZK-AOZ as 5W-FAA) for some years.
When I was in Samoa a few years ago, I made some enquiries about the fate of these aircraft. Little seemed to be known, apart from a comment that the fuselage roof off one of them had been used as a canopy on a boat.
If anyone here knows of any further history of the Polynesian Princes, has had personal interaction with them, or could add further photographs we would like to hear from you.
