63b Seaplane Mercury (1939-1941) and Seaplane (1945-1949 / 1952-1957)

No. 63b Seaplane 'Mercury', the mail aircraft that was carried by no. 63a Flying Boat 'Maia', together forming the set 63 Mayo Composite Aircraft (1939-1941), had the correct registration number G-ADHJ (see picture). The same no. 63b was re-issued post-war as Seaplane, without Mercury transfers on sides below the cockpit, without gliding game hole on top and without clamp underneath, for coupling with'Maia'. And, it had a new, but fictive number G-AVKW. Just curious if there was any chance that this new number was ever in use for a registered aircraft, the internet gave a quick answer: yes there was! The number G-AVKW was assigned to a Belgian aircraft, a two seater double decker Stampe-Vertongen SV-4B C/N 561, developed pre-war, but this version built in license in France by SNCAN (Socit Nationale de Constructions Aronautiques du Nord) in 1947. It wasregistered two decades later in the UK: 1-5-1967 (these were very popular second hand aircraft for recreation, stunt teams etc.). It didnt last long, however, after that, because it crashed near Godstone, Surrey, 29-10-1967. Registration belatedly cancelled by the CAA as aircraft destroyed on 29-6-1970. See also: aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=65788 Kind regards, Jan

Great writeup Jan on a most interesting model,when it was combined with the Flying Boat.But I always thought the Seaplane by itself was also a nice airplane model,and got one several years ago.The photo of the two of them together is amazing.....thanks ! Regards,Terry

Thanks,Terry,remarkable find,isn ' t it ? I found two more pictures in my image files,one showing differences underneathand a final one showing the Composite Aircraft ( uploading images is very easy and produces nice quality in my opinion).Kind regards,Jan P.S.: see also this interesting contemporary documentary: https: / / www.youtube.com / watch ? v = bYtazEBQ1K8

Jan --What a great short film showing the composite planes in action and separating successfully. I did not know earlier that they used power from both planes for takeoff....amazing!Regards,Terry