Heinkel Scooter Project

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Percy Markham Collection Auction Catalogue 1990

In 1990 the Western Australian government sold off a significant part of the Percy Markham car collection, which had earlier been donated to the West Australian Museum. The decision to sell the collection was quite controversial. 11 of the 12 cars auctioned were Percy's cars. Two of the cars are still with the Motoring Museum, the 1898 Star and the 1911 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Laudaulet.

For details of the controversial sale, see this paper by Dr Pauline Joseph: https://espace.curtin.edu.au/handle/20.500.11937/42749

The Percy Markham Collection at the WA Museum is documented here:
https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2011/06/percy-markham-collection.html
The Antique Auto Museum is captured here: https://heinkelscooter.blogspot.com/2014/12/percy-markhams-antique-auto-museum.html

I'd like to thank motoring writer Paul Blank for sharing with me this copy of the auction catalogue.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Brussels Aeromuseum, Belgium

Here are a selection of photos from the wonderful Belgian aero museum in Brussels. The collection is extensive, covering the dawn of flight right through to the jet age.

WWII Douglas Invader (US)

British trio from the Battle of France. On the far left is the Fairey Battle light bomber. A fast and modern plane when it was first introduced in the mid-1930s, it was totally outclassed in 1940. Every Battle the British sent against the Luftwaffe in the first days of the Battle of France were destroyed with terrible loss and they were quickly withdrawn from frontline service. The Battle gained a terrible reputation as a deathtrap, which was true but slightly unfair. In part the problem was British tactics. Daylight attacks by light bombers, without fighter escort, in an environment of enemy air superiority were always doomed to failure.

On the right is the Hawker Hurricane, Britain's mainstay fighter of the Battle of Britain, and suspended above is a Bristol Blenheim. The Blenheim was developed from a prewar airliner and proved to be a reasonably versatile light bomber at the beginning of the war, but was soon outclassed and obsolete.

Looking down on the Blenheim.

Shelly and the Fairey Battle.

A wonderful Junkers Ju52 transporter/airliner. Introduced in the early 1930s as an airliner, it served the Luftwaffe as a bomber, general transport, paratroop transport and reconnaissance aircraft throughout the Second World War and beyond.

A De Havilland Dragon Rapide amongst the many restoration projects underway.

Nord Aviation 1002 Pinguin 2. This was a postwar French version of the Messerschmitt bf108 Taifun, the predecessor of the ubiquitous Me 109 fighter.

Gorgeous 1932 Proctor Percival.

1944 Percival Proctor Mk4 trainer (UK)

Fairchild C-119 Boxcar

De Havilland Mosquito (UK). The late 30s designed 'wooden wonder' was an excellent light bomber, heavy fighter, night fighter and path finder. It continued in use in many airforces well into the 1950s.

Airspeed Oxford & a DC3

A view over the jet collection

Soviet "Hind" assault helicopter and a Soviet Gaz truck. The tough Hind is still in use with many post Soviet airforces' today, including an updated version in the Russian Aerospace Forces.

Avro Canada CF-100

Gloster Meteor (UK). Introduced in the last months of World War Two, the Meteor was Britain's first operating jet fighter. It continued in use with many airforces well into the 1960s.

Britain's second operational fighter, the De Havilland Vampire, was unfortunately deployed a few weeks too late for service in the Second World War. It was build largely of wood with a steel skin. It served in many post war airforces, including the Royal Australian Airforce.