Northrop Delta. Vic Air. Martha Island 1977

[zenrat]

Northrop Delta.  Vic Air.  Martha Island 1977

Northrop Delta - 15 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

After post WW2 sea level rises saw Victoria's Mornington Peninsula become the Mornington Archipelago a number of Victorian companies set up seaplane and flying boat services amongst the islands.
Frankston Skycabs operated a pair of pre-war Northrop Deltas that serviced the major archipelago islands and the Gippsland Lakes for ten years before being replaced by more modern aircraft.

Northrop Delta - 1 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Both Deltas were bought by Vic Air with the intention of using them for exclusive tours of the Archipelago's wineries ("you drink, we fly") and were overhauled and given a luxury refit in line with this role.
Unfortunately the times were not right for upmarket vino-tourism and in 1964 the Tours Department was shut down with the aircraft being withdrawn from service.
Vic Air management saw in them two ideal runabouts ideal for taking senior managers and their "secretaries" on weekend "business conferences" at some of the more "stimulating" archipelago islands.  Both aircraft had their already luxurious cabins upgraded further with a small galley being built into what had originally been a rear cargo hold.
The executives were in the process of organising a rota (based on seniority and secretary's legs) when the owners of Vic Air, zenrat industries, stepped in and commandeered both Deltas for their Special Flights division.

Northrop Delta - 5 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Understandably no details of how the aircraft were used are available but some photographs exist taken as they went about their business.  It appears that the Vic Air livery and registrations were retained with the addition of subtle zi signage.  This suggests they were not being used for grey or black operations, but probably for moving VIPs and for the purposes Vic Air had in mind.  Given this, it is likely that they were based at zi's facility on Martha Island.  Around 1976 one aircraft disappears from the photo record.  While it could have been involved in an accident (none were publicly admitted to), or transferred even deeper into the organisation, it is most likely that it was retired to provide a source of spares for V-ZIPY.
The remaining aircraft was transferred to zenrat industries Heritage Fleet in 1989 and moved to the Victorian Aviation Heritage Collection at Dadswell Bridge.  It can be seen there in the Seaplane Pavilion which is situated on the big lake.

Northrop Delta - 3 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Model.

Special Hobby Canadian Vickers Delta Mk.II RCAF "On Snow and Water" built more or less OOB.  It's a typical Special Hobby offering needing some, but not massive amounts, of PSR.  Biggest chore was rescribing the panel lines lost during this process.
Home made transfers.
Beaching Trolley scratchbuilt from evergreen and balsa.  Gun carriage wheels.  Construction of a beaching trolley was required because I forgot to add weight to the front of the floats.
Tractor is Aoshima JGSDF Materials Handler lightly modified.

Northrop Delta - 24 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr
Northrop Delta - 21 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

[comrade harps]

I can imagine ol' ZIPY taking business leaders (and their guests) down to the Hot Springs Island Resort for long weekends.

[Old Wombat]

That's a great piece of work, Fred!   

Backstory's rather amusing, too.   

[DeeBob]

Beautifully rendered plane, and the beaching tractor is delightful!

[Rheged]

Yet another superb piece of work from zenrat industries.  I am impressed!

[PR19_Kit]

A nice bright spot on a very dark day Fred. Thanks for brightening things up a bit. 

[frank2056]

Wow - The Northrop Delta is just stunning and I love the fuel tractor!

[Rick Lowe]

That's a great piece of work, Fred!   

Backstory's rather amusing, too.   

Agree with that. 
"Seniority and secretary's legs"
   

A nice bright spot on a very dark day Fred. Thanks for brightening things up a bit. 

And I agree with that, also. 

[chrisonord]

Very nice indeed Fred 

[zenrat]

Thanks folks.

[NARSES2]

Terrific piece of work mate   

[zenrat]

Thanks bud.

[HarryPhishnuts]

Great build and great story.     

[Glenn Gilbertson]

That cheered up my day! Great miidelling,

[zenrat]

Thanks Glen, Harry.