The Airtruk's granddaddy: Kingsford-Smith PL-7 Tanker

[Arjen]

I've been leafing through 'The Observer's Book of Aircraft' ed. 1958 and stumbled upon the PL-7. According to Flight, it was designed by Luigi Pellarini. Mr Pellarini also designed the Bennett Airtruck, which was developed into the Transavia PL-12 Airtruk of Mad Max fame.
First two pictures from http://www.aviastar.org/air/australia/kingsford_pl-7.php

Specification​

ENGINE		1 x 400hp Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah X 7-cylinder radial engine
		WEIGHTS
Take-off weight	2270 kg	5005 lb
Empty weight	1007 kg	2220 lb
		[SIZE=-1] DIMENSIONS[/SIZE]
Wingspan	12.44 m	41 ft 10 in
Length	7.47 m	25 ft 6 in
Height	3.05 m	10 ft 0 in
		PERFORMANCE
Max. speed	203 km/h	126 mph
Cruise speed	179 km/h	111 mph
Ceiling	3900 m	12800 ft
Range	547 km	340 miles

 

[Arjen]

And here's what set me off.
Source: 'The Observer's book of Aircraft' by William Green and Gerald Pollinger, Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd, 1958

 

[AeroFranz]

Good stuff Arjen. Always been a fan of the Airtruk since seeing the Flying Jalopy in Mad Max III.