De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter, XL710 / 126, Royal Air Force
Registration: XL710
Construction Number: 126
Military Unit: Trans-Antarctic Expedition
Model De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter
Operator: Royal Air Force
Airport: RAF Hendon, UK - England
Airshow: Hendon - BoB Display - 1955
Photographer: David Sparrow
Date Taken: 15/09/1955
Date Submitted: 14/10/2010
This photo was taken when XL710 was on display at Hendon prior to being taken south aboard the research ship Magga Dan. In 1957 it would have been "on the Ice", fitted with skis (but no wheels) unlike the "Operation Deep Freeze" Otters of US Navy VX-6. XL710 was later acquired by the Royal New Zealand Air Force as NZ6081 but was not used - the Antarctic Flight had been disbanded, the moment had passed and it remained in storage at Woodbourne (Blenheim) until sold in 1962 - I saw it one bright morning, resplendent in its International Orange livery.
Picture ID:1257113