Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Western Australia, Rottnest Island, Seaplane at shoreline, 1930

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Overview

Photograph of a a Klemm floatplane, owned by H C Ittershagen, the first aeroplane to fly to Rottnest Island , 18 January 1930

Historical information

The longest lasting and most successful of these companies was the Aerial Commerce Company, owned by H C Ittershagen. Among Ittershagen's many business ventures was the agency for Lanz crude oil tractors which sold widely across Western Australia. He conceived of the idea of using light aeroplanes to carry mechanics and spare parts to provide his customers with a quick repair service and imported two Klemm light aeroplanes, initially with this in mind.(40) He leased endowment land at West Subiaco, had it cleared for a small aerodrome and erected a hangar there. The first of his aeroplanes arrived in July and the second in November 1929, the first one able to carry one passenger and the second able to carry two passengers.(41)
Among many activities these aeroplanes were used for hire and to fly to farm field days where Lanz tractors were demonstrated. In January 1930 a Klemm with floats was the first aeroplane to fly to Rottnest Island and later this aeroplane flew to Bunbury and Albany.(42) H F Baker was Aerial Commerce's first main pilot and he flew Ittershagen on many trips around the state.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-MIL 2002.003

Themes

Transport
War and Conflict

Keywords

Transport

Airlines

Links to additional resources

Klemm KL25 Aircraft

Newspaper Report

Virtual Visit 3