| The
aft lounge area in Electra VH-RMA soon after delivery in 1959. The mural
was painted and photographed by Ray Watson who recalls: "I was involved in decorating VH-RMA at Essendon Aerodrome when it arrived from the USA. I was a signwriter employed by A C Mence Pty Ltd and we did all the signs for ANA and eventually Ansett-ANA. VH-RMA arrived with the rear lounge wall painted with a large map of the USA states. Reg Ansett wanted the painting changed so my boss sent me and a fellow signwriter, Allen Heap, out to Essendon to repaint the wall with Australian wildflowers. As Reg Ansett was determined to be first with an Electra in service, my boss told us to keep working until we finished. While we were painting the new designs on the vinyl wall, Lockheed mechanics were working on the engine mountings making our job very difficult because the plane was shaking up and down and also the central aisle plywood floor was lifted up whilst they worked on the cables and wiring." Photo: Ray Watson |
THE LOCKHEED FILE
www.adastron.com