An Aeronca C-3 in 1935 Borneo

 

Aeronca C-3 on Floats Sandakan Harbor, Borneo - 1935 Note: Johnson airspeed indicator on kingpost. Photo: Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum	A Johnson Airspeed Indicator Consisting of a flat plate with an indicator mounted on a spring. The drag force on the plate winds the spring. The instrument shown here is installed on Waldo Wrights New Standard D-25.	Sandakan Harbor, Borneo - 1935 Photo: Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum
The Johnson's hanger guard (in white turban), Dr.Stokes holding a Shell can, Jim's assistant (behind Stokes) and the Doctor's assistant stand in front of the Aeronca. Sandakan Harbor, Borneo - 1935 Photo: Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum	Jim Laeri (wearing pith helmet), the Johnson's hanger guard (wearing white turban), unknown man and Dr.Stokes. Sandakan Harbor, Borneo - 1935 Photo: Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum	Jim Laneri, Dr.Stokes (with pipe) and the Aeronca. Sandakan Harbor, Borneo - 1935 Photo: Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum
The C-3 with two aboard. Borneo - 1935 Photo: Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum	Sandakan Harbor, Borneo - 1935 Photo: Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum	Sandakan Harbor, Borneo - 1935 Note: Full up elevator to keep floats from nosing under. Photo: Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum
Sandakan Harbor, Borneo - 1935 Photo: Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum	The maiden flight of Dr.Stoke's Aeronca. Sandakan Harbor, Borneo - 1935 Photo: Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum	The maiden flight of Dr.Stoke's Aeronca. Sandakan Harbor, Borneo - 1935 Photo: Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum
Osa Johnson (in flight suit) and two of the Johnsons workers on a Chinese Junk that they hired to haul camera/filming equipment from Sandakan to Abai camp. Sandakan Harbor, Borneo - 1935 Photo: Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum

Dr. Johann "Val" Stokes started his aviation career as an aviator for the United Kingdom during the First World War. After the war, he became a doctor and traveled to Borneo where he did charity work up and down the Kinabatangan. While in the region, he met Martin Johnson as well as Martin's pilot James Laneri. Inspired by the Johnson's S-39, Dr. Stokes purchased an Aeronca kit. When the kit arrived Jim with Martin's permission took a few months off from his duties as the Johnson's safari pilot and helped Dr. Stokes assemble the plane. The plane was assembled at the Doctor's house in Sandakan and test flown in Sandakan harbor.

Sadly, the Stokes story ends badly. Dr.Stokes picked the wrong island for peace. Japan occupied Borneo in early 1942, and Dr.Stokes was imprisoned in camps which were known for brutality. After several years of imprisonment he was beheaded.