17 Jul 2023

Betsy Comes Home

Cathay’s first aircraft was a DC-3 nicknamed “Betsy”, purchased in October 1945 by an American pilot, Roy Farrell, who used her to operate an air charter business out of Shanghai. Roy had first come to China during World War II, flying supply missions for China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) over the “Hump” route of the Eastern Himalayas. During that time, he met Australian pilot Sydney de Kantzow, and Syd later joined him as partner in his business. In 1946, the two moved their operation to Hong Kong as a suitable ‘hub’ for regional services and on 24th September paid HK$1 each to register a new airline. They called the venture Cathay Pacific Airways: “Cathay” for the old name for China and “Pacific” because they dreamt their airline might one day fly the Pacific Ocean. By the time Swire purchased a majority shareholding in Cathay Pacific in July 1948, the fleet had expanded to six DC-3s and two Catalina flying boats. Betsy was retired and sold to Mandated Airlines in New Guinea 1955. In the early 1970s, the aircraft was bought by Bush Pilots Airways in Queensland, and in 1981, was discovered still flying for that airline. Betsy was subsequently repurchased by Swire and donated to the Hong Kong Science Museum, where she is still on display today, painted in original Cathay Pacific livery.

Swire’s Deputy Chairman Adrian Swire (right) took the controls during the final leg of Betsy’s flight
home to Hong Kong in 1983.