Last updated 22 August 2022
AUSTRALIAN CIVIL AVRO ANSONS - Part 1 Compiled by Geoff Goodall A listing of RAAF Ansons sold by post-war military disposals to become civil registered
The legendary Woods Airways flew two Ansons on passenger services between Perth Airport and Rottnest Island WA. VH-WAB "Willem de Vlamingh" (ex RAAF MG841) seen at Rottnest Island on 26 December 1958.
The Royal Australian Air Force received a total of 1,028 Avro 652A Anson Mk.1s between 1936 and 1944 when the last wartime orders were shipped from Britain.  Powered by two Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah 9 radial engines, the dependable Ansons, popularly known as Aggies, were used for a wide range of operational and training duties.            The first Ansons released by the RAAF to a civilian owner were VH-AGG (ex MG796) and VH-AGO (ex MG162) which the Department of Air agreed to sell to Sydney aerial survey operator Adastra Airways in early 1945. This was a "special case" arrangement because no other suitable aircraft were available to allow Adastra to commence an important Government contract for aerial photographic mapping of large areas of the State of Victoria. The RAAF Survey Flight with Ansons and Mosquitos was unable to carry out this work because the RAAF aerial mapping system was to an incompatable scale.                     From mid 1946 the Commonwealth Disposals Commission commenced advertising large numbers of retired RAAF Ansons for sale by auction bids. These were the best examples of retired RAAF aircraft, held in storage under cover in hangars at RAAF stations across the country. They were either built 1943 or later, or were older Ansons which had undergone a complete overhaul by civilian contractors since 1943. The CDC auction notices included the advice that the Department of Civil Aviation accepted the Anson was eligible for issue of an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness. Conversely, DCA determined that RAAF Airspeed Oxfords (392 on strength) also up for disposal at the same time, were not suitable for civil certification due concerns over the integrity of their wooden construction and alleged poor flying characteristics in certain circumstances. Interestingly, in the UK several hundred Oxfords were civilianised as Consuls in the post-war years with no reports of such problems in civil service into the 1960s.)            DCA's initial requirements for a Australian Avro Anson civil conversions were quite basic: - redesign of the cabin floor with provision for passenger seats and/or cargo restraint points - rework of electrical system and increased battery capacity - electrically operated engine start system, to replace the inertia starters in the external engine nacelles manually rotated by ground personel - rework to improve cabin ventillation.             Later Departmental requirements including replacing the Cheetah engine close-fitting "helmet" cowlings, known as such for the blister over each of the 7 cylinder heads. Trials found that engine overheating was reduced when smooth cowlings as used on RAAF Airspeed Oxfords were substituted. By 1950 the majority of Australian civil Anson were fitted with smooth cowlings, either from RAAF Oxford spares stock or local manufacture by aviation parts dealers.                      CDC sales of Ansons brought a strong response from established aviation companies as well as many early-postwar aviation ventures established by recently demobilised RAAF aircrew wanting to start their own civil airlines. Bids accepted by CDC settled down to a range between £500-£250 per aircraft. At those low prices some buyers purchased additional Ansons for resale or just for engines and parts. - William T. Dwyer, Melbourne: 13 Ansons, of which 10 became civil registered - Airlines (WA) Ltd, Perth:          14 Ansons, of which 8 became civil registered - W. R. Spalding/New England Airways, Sydney:         10 Ansons, of which 8 became civil registered - Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade, Brisbane: 10 Ansons, of which 4 became civil registered         However  the largest purchases were for the Aircraft Disposal Company, Mudgee NSW. This business was a partnership between Mudgee businessman and experience civil and military pilot Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan and Sydney car dealer Eric E. McIllree.  A total of 42 Ansons were purchased from CDC sales 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. Eric McIllree employed pilots to collect and ferry these Ansons from the RAAF Stations where they were sold to Sydney or Mudgee.  The Ansons were offered for resale, with or without civil conversions. G. H. Thomas was chief engineer for ADC, designing and supervising the civil modifications which were contracted to Airflite Pty Ltd and Marshall Airways at Mascot, De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown and Brown & Dureau Ltd at Geelong Vic. Later civil conversions into the 1950s were carried out at Camden NSW. Harold Thomas later wrote to the compiler:  "The Ansons were purchased in the name of E.H. Loneragan and Eric McIllree. They were purchased at RAAF Stations such as Mallala, Cootamundra, Evans Head, Temora and Narrandera, They were converted by New England Airways, Marshall Airways and Airflite Pty Ltd. Those not converted were reduced to parts. The civil conversions were very good. Long range tanks gave 8 hours range, smooth cowlings, rear locker, nose locker, electronic starters, spinners and other improvements. They sold complete with CofAs and radio for £3,000 each." ADCo =  Aircraft Disposals Co, Mudgee EHL =     Edward H. Loneragan c/o James Loneragan & Co, Mudgee EEM =    Eric E. McIllree, Sydney U-Drive = U Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney (McIllree's car rental service) RAAF serial Purchase date Purchaser RAAF Station Civil Reg Date registered First civil owner DG871 19.6.46 EHL Benalla VH-AYD 12.46 EHL, sold 3.47 Guinea Air Traders, Lae R3530 19.6.46 EHL Nhill VH-AYE 9.46 EHL, sold 6.47 Dr. M.Hall, Toowoomba Qld DJ459 19.6.46 EHL Mallala VH-AJJ 2.47 Guinea Air Traders, Lae R3582 26.6.46 EHL Nhill VH-AST 8.46 F.W.Sutton, Sydney LT711 26.6.46 EHL Mallala - returned to CDC, W1604 subsitituted LV287 26.6.46 EHL Nhill VH-ASZ 10.46 New England Airways, Sydney W2486 12.7.46 EHL Benalla VH-BLG 10.49 ADCo, to EHL AX113 12.7.46 EHL Benalla - crashed during ferry flight to Sydney A4-30 17.7.46 EHL Narrandera VH-BFJ 10.47 D-Drive, delivered to Vietnam W2239 17.7.46 EHL Benalla VH-AVQ 9.46 Australian Air Traders, Sydney DJ498 17.7.46 EHL Narrandera VH-AVZ 9.46 EHL, sold 12.46 AW679 12.8.46 EHL Evans Head VH-AVY 5.47 Consolidated Press, Sydney W2657 14.8.46 EHL Temora VH-AVS 9.46 EHL, sold 10.46 New England AIrways AW483 14.8.46 EHL Cootamundra VH-AVP 8.46 EHL, sold 11.46 Interstate Air Services AW664 14.8.46 EHL Laverton - AX238 14.8.46 EHL Temora - AX261 14.8.46 EHL Deniliquin VH-ALY 12.46 EEM, delivered to UK for resale DJ504 14.8.46 EHL Mallala VH-AJK 3.47 EEM, delivered to Singapore DG750 14.8.46 EHL Temora VH-AJP 3.47 Consolidated Press, Sydney EF989 14.8.46 EHL Mallala VH-BLF 3.48 ADCo, to Self-Drive Cars, to Adastra DJ118 16.8.46 EHL Evans Head - DG696 16.8.46 EHL Tocumwal VH-ALX 3.47 EEM, delivered to UK for resale DJ165 20.8.46 EEM Maryborough VH-AKI 3.47 EEM, delivered to UK for resale W1604 13.9.46 EHL Mallala VH-AKB 4.47 Vacuum Oil Co, Milne Bay DG907 16.9.46 EHL Mallala VH-BGD 4.47 Guinea Air Traders, Lae AX224 16.9.46 EHL Mallala VH-AKJ 1.47 EEM, sold 2.47 Interstate Air Services W2065 15.11.46 EEM Port Pirie - no civil conversion, derelict Camden AX643 15.11.46 EEM Port Pirie - no civil conversion, derelict Camden AX238 15.11.46 EEM Temora VH-BBG 3.47 EEM W1970 15.11.46 EEM Mallala VH-BFN 5.48 U-Drive, sold 5.48 W.A. Reed, Sydney A4-44 15.11.46 EEM Evans Head VH-BFK 10.47 U-Drive, sold 11.47 Cathay Pacific Airways R3543 10.12.46 EEM Richmond VH-BLE 10.49 no CofA, derelict Camden DJ476 10.12.46 EEM Richmond VH-BDD 6.47 Thiess Brothers, Brisbane EG494 10.12.46 EEM Richmond VH-BFM 12.47 U-Drive, sold 4.55 to Patair, Port Moresby N4873 10.12.46 EEM Richmond VH-BFL 11.47 U-Drive, sold 11.47 Cathay Pacific Airways W2000 10.12.46 EEM Richmond VH-BMN 11.47 U-Drive, sold 11..50 Charter Avtn Service AW864 4.9.47 EHL Cootamundra - no civil conversion, derelict Camden EG128 4.9.47 EHL Cootamundra VH-BMM 5.51 Amphibious Airways, Rabaul EG422 4.9.47 EHL Cootamundra VH-BMD 10.51 Amphibious Airways, Rabaul W2084 21.9.47 EHL Cootamundra VH-BKU 9.54 Petroleum Drilling Co, Sydney W2109 13.10.47 EEM Narrandera VH-BMO 8.50 U-Drive, sold .50 Charter Avtn Service DJ225 13.10.47 EEM Narrandera VH-BMP 8.50 U-Drive, sold 3.51 Charter Avtn Service MG837 13.10.47 EEM Narrandera VH-BMC 12.48 U-Drive, del. to India MG975 13.10.47 EEM Narrandera VH-BMB 12.48 U-Drive. Stored. Derelict Camden MG982 13.10.47 EEM Narrandera VH-BME 1.49 U-Drive. Stored. Derelict Camden Two Ansons under civil conversion by East-West Airlines at Tamworth circa 1949. The window panels replaced the military cabin perspex glasshouse.  Geoff Goodall collection           Ansons in civil service         Civilianised Avro Ansons were the mainstay of many airline services in the early post-war years.
Passengers for Sydney with warm coats and rugs board East-West Airlines VH-EWA at Tamworth in 1948. Photo courtesy South Australian Aviation Museum Library
Airlines (WA) Ltd route map in 1948 when all services were flown by Ansons
The Avro Anson had a metal fuselage frame which included the vertical tailplane,  but the one-piece 56 feet span mainplane and horizontal tailplane were wooden construction.  During wartime production different glues has been used in their construction, and early in post-war civil service  inspections inside wings and tailplanes revealed alarming deterioration in the strength of glued wooden joints, particularly for Ansons based in hot weather regions. Ansons used by New Guinea charter operators faced an added hazard of mould in the wooden structure.         In November 1947 DCA sent an airworthiness inspector to check Guinea Air Traders Ltd's Ansons based in the open weather at Lae. GAT pilot Tom Drury later described that event:
"I came back from a flight one day at Lae and I could see an individual with a tomahawk in his hand chopping the tailplane off one of our Ansons. I pulled up and raced over, grabbed the tomahawk and yelled "A man ought to split you down the spine with this. That's our aeroplane". He said that he was a DCA airworthiness inspector and said "Well, have a look at what I'm finding in the tailplane". It was full of rainwater, growing an inch and a half (40mm) of green moss. None of the screws, glues and tacks which held the tailplane together were in position. And that Anson had gone out that very morning. So I took the tomahawk and said "Let's go and look at the next one" and chopped the next one off. The wings and tail structures were just rotted away. You could push a screwdriver clear through the mainspars just like a sponge."
This resulted in DCA requiring a mandatory glued joint testing procedure for civil Ansons constructed with "Betel W" glue from February 1948. The test involved destructive testing in areas of the wing's wooden internal structure and was an expensive maintenance cost for owners. Some just retired their aircraft rather than undergo the testing, and RAAF spares stocks of unused complete mainplanes were in high demand.  Ansons constructed with Casein glue were exempt.  Checks of the wooden wings and tailplanes was a continuing requirement for Australian Ansons and during the 1950s poor engine-out performance was becoming a serious concern to the authorities.                 Finally in June 1961 DCA announced a series restrictions on all Australian Avro Anson Mk.1s, quoting single engined performance and deterioration of the structure in the wooden mainplane and tailplane: - Effective 1.1.62 the type was prohibited from carrying passengers, or operating over-water flights. - Effective 30.6.62 CofAs would be suspended for all Australian Anson 1s
There was a some initial interest in converting Australian Anson 1s to metal wings as used on later models. As early as 1958 Sid Marshall of Marshall Airways at Bankstown obtained engineering drawings from Avro to install Anson 19 metal wings to his VH-ASM & AZX, but did not proceed because engine failure performance was becoming a major issue with DCA. Only one metal wing conversion was carried out: Brain and Brown Airfreighter's VH-BAF at Moorabbin in 1963. It had an Anson 19 metal mainplane and tailplane and more powerful Cheetah engines plus numerous improvements - but it had proven complex and expensive. See Late Model Ansons in this series
AUSTRALIAN CIVIL ANSONS PART 1:  The following listing covers all Ansons allocated Australian civil registrations by DCA, presented in order of the first registration. Commonwealth Disposals Commission sales records have not been found, so the CDC sale details below are based on the RAAF Airframe Record Cards (form E/E.88) in which the date quoted is the date correspondence was received from CDC advising of the sale, sometimes weeks after the event.
Anson 1 MG796                                                                                                                              VH-AGG
43 Built at Yeadon shadow factory by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd to RAF order as MG796 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 14.2.44 Taken on RAAF charge as MG796. Received 2AP ex UK for assembly 9.3.44 Test flown Bankstown after assembly 20.3.44 Received at 6SFTS Mallala ex 2AP 5.2.45 Received GRS Bairnsdale ex 6SFTS. To be held by GRS but not flown until further advice from HQ. Required for special purpose. Department of Air had agreed to release two RAAF Ansons to Adastra Airways for a major aerial photographic mapping contract to cover most of the State of Victoria. RAAF Survey Flight is unable to carry out the work because a different survey scale was required 4.4.45 Sold though Commonealth Disposals Commission for £4,815 to Adastra Airways, Sydney 21.5.45 Issued to Adastra Airways ex GRS Bairnsdale Ferried from Bairnsdale to Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney where overhaul commenced in Adastra's hangar. RAAF cabin glasshouse covered by panels with 6 small round windows each side, to reduce ambient light inside the cabin for the camera operator 22.10.45 CofA and CofR issued VH-AGG  Adastra Airways Pty Ltd, Sydney 10.45 Joined other Adastra aircraft on the Victorian photographic mapping operation 28.12.45 Based at Ballarat Vic. Adastra pilot Jack Howard made test flights with the Cheetah "helmet" cowlings replaced by smooth cowlings from an Airspeed Oxford. He reported a marked reduction in engine temperatures with no change to performance, engine oil temperature reduced by 10 degrees F. 18.9.47 CofA expired. Aircraft is at the Adastra hangar at Mascot pending an inspection of the wooden wing internal structure. DCA required this for Ansons built using "Betel W" glue because of examples of the glue breaking down in hot weather. Ansons constructed with Casein glue were exempt. Lengthy acrimonious correspondence from Adastra Managing Director Frank W. Follett to DCA and the Dept of Air over the costs and loss of revenue his company had sustained because the two Ansons he was allocated by Dept of Air VH-AGG & VH-AGO were both built with Betel glue, hence have been out of service for lengthy inspections. In March 1948 the Dept of Air reduced MG796's sale price to Adastra from £4,815 to £2,938 19.8.48 VH-AGG's mainplane was condemned after the inspection procedure revealed glued joint failure. DCA wrote to Adastra advising that it must be completely rebuilt using Casein glue. 7.50 Adastra Airways advised DCA that VH-AGG which had been stored in their hangar, will be scrapped. Requested VH-AGG be reserved for their Lockheed Hudson VH-BLA being prepared to enter service. More detail on the Adastra Aerial Surveys Anson fleet can be found at: adastron.com
The first Australian civil Anson VH-AGG at Mascot October 1945 immediately after civil conversion Photo: Tom Carpenter, courtesy adastron.com
VH-AGG at Nhill Vic during 1947 with smooth Oxford cowlings replacing the original helmet cowls. Photo via Mike Kingwell
Anson 1 MG162                                                                                                                            VH-AGO
43 Built at Yeadon shadow factory by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd to RAF order. as MG162 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 15.11.43 Taken on RAAF charge as MG162. Received No.22 RSU Werribee ex UK for assembly 22.11.43 Received 9RSU ex 22RSU for repair 23.3.44 Allotted 1AP for W/T fitment and check 3.4.44 Received 6SFTS Mallala ex 1AP 5.2.45 Received GRS Bairnsdale ex 6SFTS. To be held by GRS but not flown until further advice from HQ. Required for special purpose. Department of Air had agreed to release two RAAF Ansons to Adastra Airways for a major aerial photographic mapping contract to cover most of the State of Victoria. RAAF Survey Flight is inable to carry out the work because a different survey scale was required 18.9.45 Sold though Commonealth Disposals Commission for £1,000 to Adastra Airways, Sydney 28.9.45 Collected by Adastra. (On 21.9.45 Messrs Haines and Lindfoot of Adastra had a meeting at DCA in Melbourne on their way to Bairnsdale to collect their second Anson) 10.45 Civil conversion has commenced at Adastra hangar at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney 29.1.46 Registered VH-AGO Adastra Airways Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW 29.1.46 CofA issued.  2 crew and 2 cabin seats, fitted with camera and equipment for vertical photography. RAAF glassshouse covered by panels with 6 small round windows plus a larger rectangular window made in the door and on other side of rear fuselage. Painted all silver. 28.1.47 Annual CofA expired. Adastra advise DCA it will be renewed when pressure of work allows 15.7.47 CofA renewed at Sydney Airport 9.10.48 CofA expired. The aircraft had returned to Mascot the previous month from field operations and will stored in the Adastra hangar until needed. It will be  replaced on survey operations by Adastra Anson VH-AVT 21.10.49 CofA renewed Mascot 30.11.50 Withdrawn from service at Mascot 17.10.51 CofA renewed at Mascot  16.10.52 CofA expired. Adastra requested DCA grant a short-term extension to allow completion of a photographic survey dependent on the current cloudless weather. It will be replaced by Anson VH-BKZ which has been delayed entering service. DCA approve a 2 week CofA extension. 31.10.52 CofA expired. Aircraft retired at Mascot Aerodrome 9.1.53 Struck-off Civil Register More detail on the Adastra Aerial Surveys Anson fleet can be found at: adastron.com
VH-AGO at Mascot in January 1946 after civil conversion by Adastra. Note the six small round windows and the larger square window cut into the cabin door.                            Photo: Geoff Goodall collection               Anson 1 W2473                                                                                                                      VH-AGX,  RI-004 41 Built at Newton Heath shadow factory by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as W2473 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 8.8.41 Taken on RAAF charge as W2473. Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 19.9.41 Received 6SFTS Mallala ex 2AP 12.11.43 Issued to Guinea Airways, Parafield for overhaul 29.5.44 Received 4SFTS Geraldton ex Guinea Airways 22.1.45 Tfd to 4SFTS Storage Geraldton ex unit strength. 2.8.45 Tfd to 87OBU Geraldton ex 4SFTS. Stored pending disposal 3.2.47 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to Airlines (WA) Ltd, Perth WA Ferried to Maylands Aerodrome, Perth where civil conversion carried out in the company hangar. Airlines (WA) Ltd purchased 14 Ansons from RAAF Geraldton, of which 8 were converted to civil 6.3.47 Registered VH-AGX Airlines (WA) Ltd, Perth WA 31.3.47 Test flown Maylands after civil conversion, pilot Captain J. H. Moore 1.4.47 CofA issued. Cabin has been configured with 8 passenger seats. RAAF glasshouse has been covered both sides with panels fitted with rectangular windows Entered service on Airlines (WA) Ltd route network from Perth Airport (Guildford) 13.5.47 Port wing struck a hangar while taxying at Maylands minor damage. Captain Glynn-Smith 8.11.47 Forced landing without airframe damage in a farm paddock near Piawaning, 80 miles south of Perth due engine failure. A cyclinder had blown apart causing the cowling to break open in flight 13.2.48 Change of ownership: Ralph E. Bower, Perth WA 13.2.48 Annual CofA renewed at Guildford by Airlines (WA) Ltd as part of sale Bower was a part-time Airlines (WA) Ltd employee working as both a pilot and accountant. A press report at the time said he purchased the Anson so that he and a Perth friend Leslie Denton could make a leisurely holiday flight to Singapore where he intended to sell the aircraft. 16.2.48 VH-AGX departed Perth Airport at 9.48am, pilot Bower and navigator Denton. No radio carried. 16.2.48 Departed Meekatharra at 1.45pm but failed to arrive at destination Port Hedland 17.2.48 Anson located on the airstrip at Pardoo Station by searching Flying Doctor Service Fox Moth VH-USJ from the FDS Port Hedland base. Bower had landed at Pardoo the previous afternoon and the Anson's undercarriage was bogged in mud after a recent cyclone.  The Anson was pulled clear of mud by a team of donkeys but was delayed 8 days at Pardoo 4.3.48 Departed Darwin for Koepang, Timor 5.3.48 Departed Koepang early morning for Denopasar, Bali. Did not arrive and search organised 6.3.48 Located on Waingapu airstrip, Sumbawa Islands. Bower had landed here due to a propeller fault 3.48 Reached Batavia, Java where radio equipment was installed 26.3.48 Bower in Singapore sent a telegram to DCA advising that VH-AGX has been sold, the new owner is F. W. Morgan, Laidlow Buildings, Battery Road, Singapore .48 Not registered in Singapore. On-sold to the Indonesian Independence movement under Dr. Sukarno,  fighting against the Dutch military in Netherlands East Indies. Designated RI-001 in the their air transport arm, referried to as the embryo Indonesian Air Force. Repainted in a colourful scheme with "Indonesian Airways" above the windows. This was a cover name painted on some of their aircraft to imply a civil operation 48 Captured by Dutch forces on the ground at Magoewo airstrip, Djocja, Java (Yogyakarta) 19.12.48 Broken up See also Anson VH-BBY, to RI-001 (the first) which crashed 14.12.47
Magazine picture of RI-001 after capture by Dutch military at Magoewo, Netherlands East Indies in 1948
Anson 1  MG889                                                                                                                              VH-AHG
.44 Built at Yeadon shadow factory by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd to RAF order as MG889 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 6.3.44 Taken on RAAF charge as MG889. Received at 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 29.3.44 Test flight Bankstown after assembly 12.4.44 Issued to 3WAGS Maryborough 9.10.44 Received 8SFTS Marybrough ex 3WAGS 18.12.44 Received Radar School Maryborough ex 8SFTS 14.12.45 Received Air and Ground Radio School, Ballarat 30.9.46 Received AGRS Storage ex unit strength 12.12.46 Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission to Air Taxi Pty Ltd, Albury NSW 17.12.46 Issued to purchaser 24.1.47 DCA allocate registration VH-AHG to disposals Anson MG889 for D.N.Dalton, Air Taxi Pty Ltd, Albury 15.9.47 Registration Application: Baker Motors, Olive Street, Albury NSW. Application signed by D.N.Dalton Civil conversion by Brown & Dureau Ltd, Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic 24.9.47 Registered VH-AHG 24.9.47 CofA issued, seats for 9 passengers 1.48 DCA memo: the owner Mr. A.E. Baker is presently in New Guinea. He is a shareholder in an enterprise named Milne Bay Merchants involved in war disposals equipment at Mine Bay, New Guinea. He will shortly be taking VH-AHG to New Guinea and requests DCA requirements for the flight. Compiler's note: On 3 December 1946, the Commonwealth Disposals Commission sold the salvage rights to the vast military equipment and facilities abandoned by US forces within 50 miles radius of Milne Bay to Jas Loneragan & Co Pty Ltd, Mudgee NSW. The task was so huge that Loneragans sold salvage rights to the fuel and oil supplies in thousands of unopened 44 gallon drums and fuel pipelines, to Standard Oil (USA), which transferred the rights to its Australian associate Vacuum Oil Co.  Salvage rights to much of the remaining assets at Milne Bay was sold to a company War Assets Pty Ltd, headed by notorious Melbourne businessman John Wren.  In turn, War Assets Pty Ltd assigned its rights to a newly-formed company Milne Bay Merchants Ltd, in which it held two thirds of the shares. The rest of the shares were held by: - Thiess Brothers, Brisbane Qld             Heavy construction and coal mining - Jas Loneragan & Co, Mudgee NSW   Rural stores, agriculture, finance - M. R. Horibrook Ltd, Brisbane           Heavy construction and bridge building - Mr. A. Stubbs, Port Moresby               Heavy construction         - A.E. Baker, Bakers Motors, Albury    Vehicle sales Over the following eight years at least, construction equipment, bulldozers, jeeps and trucks were shipped from Milne Bay's wartime harbour installations to Australia. 17.2.48 DCA memo: Baker is anxious to depart Albury for New Guinea 15.5.48 Change of ownership: Taylors Air Transport Ltd, Lae, New Guinea Joe Taylor, proprietor of Taylors Air Transport, in a 1978 interview by Greg Banfield recalled: "There as a chap at Lae who had the salvage rights at Milne Bay and he bought an Anson from Disposals. However the pilots he employed wouldn't stay with him so he came to me in desperation one day and said that if I woukd give him 40 hours flying when he wanted it, I could have the Anson. I agreed and sent a pilot over to Port Moresby to bring the aeroplane back to Lae." 1.49 Ferried from Lae to Brisbane for CofA renewal overhaul 27.1.49 CofA renewed at Archerfield Qld. Freighter only. 1.3.49 Change of ownership: Guinea Air Traders, Lae (Joe Taylor sold out to Guinea Air Traders, which was a significant operator in New Guinea) 11.49 DCA memo: VH-AHG is in freight service with GAT at Lae 8.2.50 CofA lapsed.  Not renewed. GAT's New Guinea operations were ending 8.51 Letter to DCA from the Sydney proprietors of GAT: "VH-AHG is unfit for further service" 6.8.51 Struck off Civil Register
Anson 1                                                                                                                                              (VH-AHX) ntu
13.10.53 R.W.Baines, Tamworth NSW letter to DCA: I own an Anson which I would like to register in the private category. This aircraft had not had a CofA previously. I am in possession of log books showing full history since manufacture. The aircraft has completed very few flying hours, engines and airframe having done less than 100 hours since starting new life after overhaul by Ansett Airways. The aircraft has always been hangared with both engines properly inhibited." 9.11.53 DCA allocate provisional registration VH-AHX 22.11.53 Licenced engineer A.B.Smith of East West Airlines, Tamworth certifies he has inspected Anson VH-AHX and has found the airframe and engines are suitable for ferry flight from Parkes NSW to Tamworth Nothing further in the DCA file
Anson 1  DJ459                                                                                                                                    VH-AJJ
.42 Built at Newton Heath shadow factory by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as DJ459 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 30.11.42 Taken on RAAF charge as DJ459. Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 27.1.43 Issued to 1AOS Cootamundra ex 2AP 23.12.43 Damaged landing at Evans Head NSW 21.2.44 Issued to Aircrafts Pty Ltd (APL), Archerfield for complete overhaul. Lengthy delays awaiting parts 9.3.45 Received 3AD Amberley ex APL Archerfield 26.3.45 Received 6SFTS Storage Mallala ex 3AD 16.9.46 Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £300 to E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW 7.10.46 Issued to purchaser Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman and experienced pilot. He and Eric McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale 18.2.47 Registered VH-AJJ Guinea Air Traders, Lae, New Guinea 15.11.47 CofA suspended at Lae.   GAT Ansons VH-ALS, BGD, AST were grounded the same day GAT pilot Tom Drury recalled: "I came back from a flight one day at Lae and I could see an individual with a tomahawk in his hand chopping the tailplane off one of our Ansons. I pulled up and raced over, grabbed the tomahawk and yelled "A man ought to split you down the spine with this. That's our aeroplane". He said that he was a DCA airworthiness inspector and said "Well have a look at what I'm finding in the tailplane". It was full of rainwater, growing an inch and a half (40mm) of green moss. None of the screws, glues and tacks which held the tailplane together were in position. And that Anson had gone out that very morning. So I took the tomahawk and said "Let's go and look at the next one" and chopped the next one off. The wings and tail structures were just rotted away. You could push a screwdriver clear through the mainspars just like a sponge." 11.47 GAT wrote to DCA advising that the four grounded Ansons would be broken up for engines and parts 10.3.48 Struck-off Civil Register
This atmospheric view of a Qantas Dragon at Lae in 1948 shows two of the grounded GAT Ansons and the wartime sunken Japanese ship "Tenyo Maru" off the end of the runway      Photo: Qantas via Al Bovelt
Anson 1  DJ504                                                                                                           VH-AJK, VR-SCI, XY-ABD
Built at Newton Heath shadow factory by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as DJ504 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 16.11.42 Taken on RAAF charge as DJ504.  Received at Montague South Wharf, Melbourne ex UK 7.12.42 Received 6SFTS Mallala ex Point Cook 27.6.44 Forced landing near Colombo Satellite landing ground 8.1.45 Issued 6SFTS Storage Reserve Mallala ex unit strength 6.3.45 Issued to Guinea Airways, Parafield for complete overhaul 17.9.45 Received 6SFTS Storage Reserve ex Guinea Airways 14.8.46 Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £300 to E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW 7.10.46 Issued to purchaser Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman and experienced pilot. He and Eric McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. Chief engineer G.H.Thomas wrote: "The conversions were very good. Long range tanks gave 8 hours range, smooth cowlings, rear locker, nose locker, electronic starters, spinners etc. They were sold complete with CofAs and radio for £3,000." 17.12.46 Civil registration application:  Eric E. McIllree, Sydney NSW 14.3.47 Registered VH-AJK and CofA issued Eric McIllree, a Sydney car dealer and pioneer of the rental car business, organised a flight of four Ansons from Aircraft Disposals Co to London for resale in UK. The others were VH-ALX,-ALY,-AKI. All were painted with the Australian flag on the nose and tail, with "Sydney Australia". 20.3.47 The four Ansons departed Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney. Crews were assigned to individual aircraft, VH-AJK having pilots Stuart Cassell and Jack Brooks. Overnight stops at Charleville, Cloncurry, Daly Waters, Wyndham 24.3.47 Departed Australia from the abandoned wartime Truscott airfield on the northern WA coast where McIllree had organised fuel supplies. The loose formation flew to Koepang, Timor and on to Batavia and Singapore At Singapore Eric McIllree heard of a potential buyer and quickly negotiated the sale of one Anson 23.4.47 Registered VR-SCI  Earl Alfred Wild, Katong, Singapore 16.7.47 Struck-off Australian Civil Register as sold to Singapore 19.7.47 Sold to Airways (Burma) Ltd, Rangoon Airways (Burma) Ltd was formed by Australian mercenary pilot Ralph R. Cobley who flew his Catalina VH-BDP in support of the Indonesian independence movement fighting Dutch military forcesin the  Netherlands East Indies. Two Ansons were registered to Airways (Burma) Ltd, VH-AJK as XY-ABD and VH-BBO as XY-ABG but Cobley quickly ran into financial difficulties and fled Burma. He was killed in his Catalina in December 1948 while attempting a single-engine takeoff from a river in Java under fire from Dutch troops .47 Registered XY-ABD Fate unknown
Anson 1  DG750                                                                                                                                         VH-AJP
.42 Built at Newton Heath shadow factory by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as DG750 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 28.9.42 Taken on RAAF charge as DG750. Under erection at Point Cook ex UK 12.10.42 Received 1AOS Cootamundra ex Point Cook 9.1.45 1AOS request allotment for complete overhaul. Repairs to airfrmae uneconomical. 1,508 hours since new 22.1.45 Issued to Ansett Airways, Mascot ex 1AOS 22.8.45 Received 2AD Richmond ex Ansett Airways, Mascot 26.9.45 Received 10EFTS  Storage, Temora ex 2AD. To be stored pending disposal 14.8.46 Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £300 to E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman and experienced pilot. He and Eric McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. Chief engineer G.H.Thomas wrote: "The conversions were very good. Long range tanks gave 8 hours range, smooth cowlings, rear locker, nose locker, electronic starters, spinners etc. They were sold complete with CofAs and radio for £3,000." 15.11.46 DG750 test flown at Temora by Charles Eather, employed by Aircraft Disposals Co, Mudgee 17.11.46 ferried Temora-Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney by Eather, flying time 2 hr 35 mins 17.3.47 Civil Registration application: Consolidated Press Ltd, Sydney NSW 12.6.47 Registered VH-AJP, CofA issued Consolidated Press was a Sydney newspaper and magazine publisher, headed by Mr. Frank Packer. Ansons VH-AJP & AVY were flown by company employed pilots to carry Daily Telegraph newspaper staff, journalists and photographers. Also personal flights for the Packer family. The remaining Anson VH-AVY was replaced by Miles Gemini VH-BMV in 1950 28.12.47 Change of ownership:  Wollongong and South Coast Aviation Services Pty Ltd, Wollongong NSW 11.49 Change of name: South Coast Airways Pty Ltd, Wollongong NSW Operated scheduled airline services from Sydney to Wollongong, Jervis Bay, Cowra, West Wyalong 6.51 DCA memo: VH-AJP has been retired and dismantled for parts
Anson 1 W1604                                                                                                                                       VH-AKB
.40 Built at Manchester by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as W1604 30.9.40 First flight Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 16.5.41 Taken on RAAF charge as W1604. Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK. Deficient mainplane 27.8.41 Received 1AOS Cootamundra ex 2AP 24.1.42 Received 8SFTS Bundaberg ex 1AOS 1.5.44 Issued to Aircrafts Pty Ltd (APL) Archerfield ex 8SFTS for complete overhaul 5.1.45 Received 3AD Amberley ex APL Archerfield 24.1.45 Received 6SFTS Storage Mallala ex 3AD 8.2.45 Allotted 6SFTS ex 6SFTS Storage. Not to be flown pending advice from HQ. 1.5.45 HQ advise Royal New Zealand Air Force have no further requirement for aircraft to be held in reserve 13.9.46 Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £500 to E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW Substituted for LT711 which was sold 26.6.46  to Mr. Loneragan. LT711 must be returned by Mr. Loneragan complete and in the same condition as when delivery taken. Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman and experienced pilot. He and Eric McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. Chief engineer G. H.Thomas wrote: "The conversions were very good. Long range tanks gave 8 hours range, smooth cowlings, rear locker, nose locker, electronic starters, spinners etc. They were sold complete with CofAs and radio for £3,000." Sold to Standard Vacuum Oil Co in stock military configuration Civil conversion at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd 24.4.47 Registered VH-AKB Standard Vacuum Oil Co Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic. 24.4.47 CofA issued. 5 pasenger seats. Will be based at Milne Bay, New Guinea 19.5.47 Letter to DCA from F. W. Haig, Aviation Manager, Vacuum Oil Co: VH-AKB will be used between Australia, New Guinea and Melanesiae. Radio is currently being installed at Mascot. It will be flown by Captain R. E. Wingrove and has been purchased primarily for the use of Mr. J. P. McLaughlin to operate between Port Moresby and Milne Bay. He plans to leave Sydney on 20 May for New Guinea Compiler's note: On 3 December 1946, the Commonwealth Disposals Commission sold the salvage rights to the vast military equipment and facilities abandoned by US forces within 50 miles radius of Milne Bay to Jas Loneragan & Co Pty Ltd, Mudgee NSW. The task was so huge that Loneragans sold salvage rights to the fuel and oil supplies in thousands of unopened 44 gallon drums and fuel pipelines, to Standard Oil (USA), which transferred the rights to its Australian associate Vacuum Oil Co.  Salvage rights to much of the remaining assets at Milne Bay was sold to a company War Assets Pty Ltd, headed by notorious Melbourne businessman John Wren.  In turn, War Assets Pty Ltd assigned its rights to a newly-formed company Milne Bay Merchants Ltd, in which it held two thirds of the shares. The rest of the shares were held by: - Thiess Brothers, Brisbane Qld             Heavy construction and coal mining - Jas Loneragan & Co, Mudgee NSW     Rural stores, agriculture, finance - M. R. Horibrook Ltd, Brisbane              Heavy construction and bridge building - Mr. A. Stubbs, Port Moresby               Heavy construction         - A.E. Baker, Bakers Motors, Albury       Vehicle sales Over the following eight years at least, construction equipment, bulldozers, jeeps and trucks were shipped from Milne Bay's wartime harbour installations to Australia. 20.5.47 Departed Sydney for New Guinea 14.7.47 DCA memo: VH-AKB is back in Sydney from New Guinea. Radio has not yet been installed 8.47 Returned to Milne Bay from Sydney. Pilot was Chris Braund, newly-engaged by Vacuum Oil, to be based at Milne Bay for the next year making local flights between the wartime airstrips in the area. 9.47 Vacuum Oil letter to DCA: VH-AKB is used for the transport of Vacuum Oil Co personnel and stores in New Guinea with only occasional flights to Australia. It is currently being fitted with AWA radio 15.11.47 Change of ownership: Milne Bay Merchants Ltd, Milne Bay, New Guinea 1.48 DCA Port Moresby memo: VH-AKB is based at Milne Bay with only occasional visits to Port Moresby 1.48 Inspection report at Port Moresby by DCA airworthiness surveyor: aircraft is in unsatisfactory condition. Although CofA did not expire until 23.4.48, DCA approved only 40 hours flying with no passengers. Chris Braund recalls that he was instructed to ferry the Anson from Milne Bay to Sydney in 1948 when Vacuum's stocktake and removal of fuel and oil supplies at Milne Bay had been organised. At Port Moresby the aircraft was inspected by DCA and wingspar required repairs and the aircraft was generally in poor condition due exposure to the tropical weather. Crossing Torres Strait from Port Moresby to Horn Island, fabric began peeling off sections of the wing, but he reached Sydney 5.48 VH-AKB is parked at Mascot 6.48 Change of ownership: Thiess Brothers Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW 7.48 Ferry permit issued for Sydney-Archerfield Qld, to be broken up for parts for Thiess Anson VH-BDD 15.7.48 Thiess Bros advise DCA they will not reduce VH-AKB for spares, but instead will return it to service 24.11.48 CofA renewed at Archerfield Qld Ansons VH-AKB & VH-BDD flown extensively in support of Thiess Bros company projects, carrying men and supplies to open cut coal mines in central Queensland, and flights to New Guinea .55 Change of ownership: Ernest F. Reid, Port Moresby, New Guinea .55 Change of ownership: Robert G. Carswell, Brisbane Qld 22.5.56 Change of ownership: J. & A. Bjelke-Petersen, Kingaroy Qld J. & A. Bjelke-Petersen was an agricultural application business using Tiger Moths. Joh Bjelke-Peterson (later to enter politics and become Premier of Queensland) had VH-AKB fitted with a chemical tank and spray bars along the wings, but he recalls that his pilots did not like flying it as a sprayer 3.58 Commenced a dingo-baiting contract based at Birdsville in far western Queensland. Pilot was Ralph Thompson flew at low level while a Lands Department operator fed cubes of brisket fat laced with strychnine into a mincer which spread 60 poison baits per mile. The campaign was expected to take 6 weeks with 230 hours flying.  VH-AKB was operating on charter to Agricultural Aviation Pty Ltd, Archerfield Qld. 60 Withdrawn from service at Joh Bjelke-Petersen's farm at Kingaroy Qld Joh recalled that it was an economic write-off because the next CofA renewal would require stripping of the mainplane and tailplane for mandatory internal inspection of the glued joint construction. 13.5.60 Struck-off Civil Register Became derelict on the farm due exposure to the weather c73 Burnt out by a scrub fire on the farm c80 Remains collected from the farm by aircraft restorer Ralph Cusack, Brisbane. Moved to Brisbane where fuselage tubing and other parts were to be used in his restoration of Anson VH-AZU in a hangar at Archerfield Airport.
VH-AKB at Archerfield 1948 with Vacuum Oil winged horse emblem on the nose.         John Hopton Collection
Eagle Farm Airport, Brisbane c1953 with Thiess Brothers.                                      Photo by Gus Grulke
Low-level dingo baiting in western Queensland 1958. Painted on the fuselage "J. & A. Bjelke-Petersen chartered to Agricultural Aviation"
The burnt remains of VH-AKB on Jo and Flo Bjelke-Petersen's farm at Kingaroy Qld in September 1975 Photo by Geoff Goodall
Anson 1  W2131                                                                                                                                  VH-AKH
.41 Built at Manchester by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as W2131 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 25.5.41 Taken on RAAF charge. Received 1AD Laverton ex UK for assembly 12.7.41 Received 4SFTS Geraldton ex 1AD 24.11.42 Taxying accident prior to cross-country flight 27.5.44 Received ANA Maylands ex 4SFTS for complete overhaul 2.10.44 Received 4SFTS ex ANA Maylands 22.7.45 Received CMU Evans Head 29.3.46 Received CMU Narrandera ex CMU Evans Head 11.10.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £450 to Australian Air Traders, Sydney Civil conversion at Sydney Airport by Sid Marshall t/a Marshall Airways 3.1.47 Registered VH-AKH Guinea Air Traders Ltd, Lae, New Guinea Guinea Air Traders was formed in 10.46 as a subsidary of Australian Air Traders, managed by brothers Sam and John Jamieson, Sydney. GAT was to become a major charter operator over the next three years, in New Guinea and using its DC-3s on migrant charters from Europe to Australia. Both companies ceased operations during 1950. 3.1.47 CofA issued at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney Ferried to New Guinea, based Lae 1.3.47 Crashed in Wampit Valley between Lae and Bulolo, New Guinea Captain R. G. Peters and three passengers killed. 3.47 GAT advise DCA they do not intend to salvage the wreck
Guinea Air Traders Anson VH-AKH visiting Essendon early 1947, just before delivery to New Guinea. Photo by Charles D Pratt courtesy Kevin O'Reilly
Anson 1  DJ165                                                                                                                          VH-AKI , G-AJSD
.42 Built at Newton Heath shadow factory by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as DG750 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 27.2.42 Taken on RAAF charge as DG750. Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 12.10.42 Received 6SFTS Mallala ex 2AP 4.7.44 Issued 1WAGS Ballarat ex 6SFTS 7.2.45 Issued Ansett Aitways Essendon ex 1WAGS for complete overhaul 2.7.45 Received Laverton ex Ansett Essendon 22.7.45 Received CMU Evans Head ex 1AD 28.2.46 Received CMU Maryborough ex Evans Head for storage under cover 20.5.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £300 to Mr.McIllree, 199 Castlereagh St, Sydney Eric McIllree, Sydney car dealer and rental car pioneer, and Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan, Mudgee NSW were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. 30.10.46 DJ165 flown Mascot to RAN Station Nowra by Charles Eather, who was employed by McIllree to collect and ferry military disposals Ansons 14.1.47 Civil Registration application: Eric Edward McIllree, Sydney NSW Eric McIllree organised a delivery flight of four Aircraft Disposals Co Ansons to London for resale in UK. The others were VH-AJK, ALX, -ALY.  All were painted with the Australian flag on the nose and tail, with "Sydney Australia". 14.3.47 Registered VH-AKI 14.3.47 CofA issued. RAAF glasshouse replaced by panels with 5 rectangular windows each side Photo shows completed VH-AKI at the Victorian & Interstate Airways hangar at Essendon Vic, indicating that the civil conversion was carried out by VIA which converted a number of Ansons 20.3.47 The four Ansons departed Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney. Crews were assigned to individual aircraft, VH-AKI being flown by Eric McIllree, with Cecil Light Overnight stops at Charleville, Cloncurry, Daly Waters, Wyndham 24.3.47 Departed Australia from the abandoned wartime Truscott airfield on the northern WA coast where McIllree had organised fuel supplies. The loose formation flew to Koepang, Timor and on to Batavia and Singapore While at Singapore, McIllree sold VH-AJK to a local buyer. The other three Ansons continued to UK. Slow progress with many problems and forced landings due engine troubles 24.4.47 The three reached Croydon Aerodrome, London. 29.4.47 Struck-off Australian Civil Register as sold abroad 6.5.47 Registered G-AJSD British and Continental (Air Charter and Freight) Ltd, Southend, Essex This small charter firm was established at Southend the previous year with a Percival Vega Gull and a Proctor. This single Anson was operated as British and Continental Airways and flew several long distance charters to Africa and the Middle East. The company had ceased operations by the end of 1948. 9.5.47 British CofA issued 10.5.47 G-AJSD departed Southend on a charter to Capetown, South Africa 7.47 Back at Southend 48 Retired at Southend, left parked outside in the weather 50 Derelict at Southend, later removed a scrap
VH-AKI on arrival at Croydon Aerodrome, London in April 1947.                           Photo by A.J. Jackson
G-AJSD at Southend in July 1947.                                                                         Photo by A. J. Jackson
G-AJSD retired and derelict in the weather at Southend in 1950.                          Photo by A. J. Jackson
Anson 1  AX224                                                                                                                                VH-AKJ
.41 Built at Newton Heath shadow factory by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as AX224 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 16.2.42 Taken on RAAF charge as AX224. Received 2AD Richmond ex UK for assembly 6.4.42 Received 2AOS Mount Gambier ex 2AD 9.9.42 Struck fence during low flying practice near Lake Bonney SA 18.3.43 Groundloop, undercarriage collapsed, Mount Gambier 10.12.43 Received 3AOS Port Pirie ex 2AOS 22.2.44 Received 6SFST Mallala ex 3AOS 13.8.44 Forced landing near Bute SA. Recovered by road to Mallala 30.11.44 Received Guinea Airways, Parafield for repair and complete overhaul 15.5.45 Received 6SFTS Storage Mallala ex Guinea Airways 16.9.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission to Jas Loneragan Co, Mudgee NSW Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman, managing the business Jas Loneragan Co which operated a Mudgee department store and various rural enterprises.  He and Eric McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. Chief engineer G. H.Thomas wrote: "The conversions were very good. Long range tanks gave 8 hours range, smooth cowlings, rear locker, nose locker, electronic starters, spinners etc. They were sold complete with CofAs and radio for £3,000." 1.10.46 AX224 test flown at Mallala by Charles Eather, who was employed by Eric McIllree to collect and ferry Ansons for the Aircraft Disposals Co 1.10.46 AX224 ferried by Eather Mallala-Parafield, Parafield-Narrandera 2.10, Narrandera-Camden 3.10.46 9.1.47 Registered VH-AKJ  Eric Edward McIllree, Sydney NSW 9.1.47 CofA issued 1.2.47 Change of ownership: Interstate Air Services Pty Ltd, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney IAS was founded during 1946 by Managing Director Captain F. M. "Mac"Twemlow DFC (ex RAAF and Qantas) with financial backing from prominent Sydney bookmaker Arthur Browning. Dragon VH-ASU and Ansons VH-AVP, AVZ, AKJ were used on charter work. Aircraft were maintained by Airflite at Sydney Airport, IAS operating from a hut next to the Airflite hangar. Company reformed with new Directors in December 1946. In January 1947 commenced a 3 days weekly airline service Sydney-Jervis Bay return, with bus transfer to Nowra. Increased to 4 return flights weekly. IAS ceased operations in March 1948 as unprofitable. 8.1.48 CofA expired, not renewed. Parked at Sydney Airport 3.48 Interstate Air Services ceased operations 10.48 IAS is in liquidation, Ansons VH-AVP & VH-AKJ are in the hands of auctioneers 6.8.51 Struck-off Civil Register in the 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft
Anson 1  DG895                                                                                                                                       VH-AKU
.42 Built at Newton Heath shadow factory by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as DG895 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 25.5.42 Taken on RAAF charge as DG895.  Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 26.6.42 First test flight Bankstown 13.7.42 Received 6SFTS Mallala ex 2AP 4.8.42 Received 100 Squadron, Laverton ex 6SFTS 28.9.42 Received 67 Squadron, Laverton ex 100 Sqn 26.10.44 Issued to Guinea Airways, Parafield ex 67 Sqn for complete overhaul 30.3.45 Received 6SFTS Mallala ex Guinea Airways via Dept of Aircraft Production, Parafield 3.12.45 Allotted 6SFTS Storage Mallala ex unit strength 4.10.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission to New England Airways, Sydney One of 10 Ansons purchased at Mallala 4.10.46 by Bill Spalding of New England Airways. All were  ferried from Mallala to Bankstown Aerodrome, Sydney where the company had a maintenance hangar Civil conversion Banktown by New England Airways 24.1.47 Registered VH-AKU New England Airways Aerial Ambulance & Freight Service, Sydney NSW NEAAAFS was formed early 1946 by W.R.Spalding and G. Christie, absorbing 3 Dragons from  Spalding's earlier operation Shark Patrol Service. Operating with shortened name New England Airways, Ansons were used for charter and newspaper deliveries until an airline licence issued in March 1947 for scheduled services from Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney to Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Grafton and Casino, and later to Brisbane. Butler Air Transport took over New England Airways effective 17.5.48 24.1.47 CofA issued. Configured as a freighter Later fitted with 8 passenger seats 30.5.47 Ground collision at Mascot with parked US Navy Beech SNB-2 Expediter Bu39194. New England Airways Captain A.C. Dobson was taxying the Anson from the company despatch office when the port wing struck the Beech's nose causing serious damage to both aircraft. 8.5.48 Company ground crew member killed when struck by propeller at Nabiac NSW 17.5.48 Change of ownership: Butler Air Transport Pty Ltd, Sydney. BAT initially based VH-AKU at Bourke NSW 7.8.50 Wheels became bogged on "Miralwin" Station airstrip between Bourke and Brewarrina, while delivering supplies to flooded properties. Not flown out until 3.12.50 by Captain Ross Stapleton due wet airstrip 5.51 Based at Tooraweenah NSW .51 Retired Sydney, CofA expired 18.10.51 Change of ownership: Fawcett Aviation Co Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport, Sydney 5.52 Change of ownership: South Coast Airways Pty Ltd, Wollongong NSW Purchased only for engines and parts 8.7.52 Struck-off Register
A photo of VH-AKU taken from a truck window, no date or place.                     Townsville Library collection
Anson 1  W2542                                                                                                                            VH-ALS
.41 Built at Manchester by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as W2542 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 10.10.41 Taken on RAAF charge as W2542.  Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 6.1.42 Received 3SFTS Amberley ex 2AP 6.4.42 Issued 6SFTS Mallala ex 3SFTS 24.10.42 Received 67 Sqn Laverton ex 6SFTS 15.10.44 Issued Ansett Airways Essendon ex 67 Sqn for complete overhaul 23.1.45 Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways 5.2.45 Received 67 Sqn Laverton ex 1AD 20.9.45 Received 11EFTS Storage Benalla ex 67 Sqn. Tfd to CMU Benalla 4.11.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to Engineers Laboratories, Sydney   Civil conversion at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney by Airflite Ltd 11.3.47 Registered VH-ALS Engineers Laboratories Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW 11.3.47 CofA issued, configured as freighter 15.3.47 Change of ownership: Guinea Air Traders Pty Ltd, Lae, New Guinea Guinea Air Traders was formed in 10.46 as a subsidary of Australian Air Traders, managed by brothers Sam and John Jamieson, Sydney. GAT was to become a major charter operator over the next three years, in New Guinea and using its DC-3s on migrant charters from Europe to Australia. Both companies ceased operations during 1950. 15.11.47 CofA suspended at Lae.  GAT Ansons VH-AJJ, VH-BGD, VH-AST were grounded the same day Refer VH-AJJ above for more detail 11.47 GAT wrote to DCA advising that the four grounded Ansons would be broken up for parts 10.3.48 Struck-off Civil Register
67 Squadron Ansons EG504 and W2054 at rear, Laverton 1944.                    Photo: Frank F. Smith collection
Anson 1  DG696                                                                                                  VH-ALX, G-AJSC, Israeli Air Force
Built at Yeadon shadow factory by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd to RAF order as DG696 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 24.6.62 Taken on RAAF charge as DG696. No record of receipt ex UK but probably erected at Point Cook 13.7.42 Received 8SFTS  Bundaberg ex 1SFTS Point Cook 31.3.43 Received 71 Sqn, Lowood ex 8SFTS 3.8.44 Received 67 Sqn, Laverton ex 71 Sqn. Code "MK-X" 8.3.45 Issued Ansett Airways Essendon ex 67 Sqn for complete overhaul 6.8.45 Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways 28.8.45 Received 11EFTS Storage Benalla  ex 1AD for storage 12.12.45 Received 7OTU Tocumwal ex 11EFTS Storage 7.3.46 Received CMU Tocumwal ex 7OTU 16.8.46 Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £300 to E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman and experienced civil and military pilot. He and Sydney car dealer Eric McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale.  Ferried from Tocumwal to Sydney 31.10.46 DG696 flew Mascot-Nowra RAN Station, pilot Charles Eather, who was employed by McIllree to collect and ferry disposals Ansons 17.2.47 Civil Regstration application: Eric Edward McIllree, Sydney NSW Eric McIllree organised a delivery flight of four Aircraft Disposals Co Ansons to London for resale in UK. The others were VH-AJK, AKI, -ALY.  All were painted with Australian flag on the nose and tail with "Sydney Australia". 17.3.47 Registered VH-ALX 17.3.47 CofA issued 20.3.47 The four Ansons departed Mascot. Crews were assigned to individual aircraft, VH-ALX being the lead aircraft : Chief Pilot Sqn Ldr Damien Miller DFC,  Geoff Liggins (pilot), Jim Crombie (engineer) and Kevin Dickson (radio operator) Overnight stops at Charleville, Cloncurry, Daly Waters, Wyndham 24.3.47 Departed Australia from the abandoned wartime Truscott airfield on the northern WA coast where McIllree had organised fuel supplies. The loose formation flew to Koepang, Timor and on to Batavia and Singapore 25.3.47 Departed Soembawa Besar for Bali but forced to return due engine failure 29.3.47 En route Batavia-Singapore, severe weather caused emergency landing at Muntok, Bangkai island 2.4.47 Test flown Kallang Aerodrome, Singapore after engine repair While at Singapore, McIllree sold VH-AJK to a local buyer. The other three Ansons continued to UK. Slow progress with many problems and forced landings due engine troubles 16.4.47 Departed Nicosia, Cyprus but twice forced to return due rough running engine 17.4.47 Emergency landing Calato, Rhodes due to failure of the same engine 24.4.47 The three reached Croydon Aerodrome, London. Recorded in VH-ALX logbook as "Sydney-London in 35 days with 35 stops and 5 forced landings" 29.4.47 Struck-off Australian Civil Register as sold abroad British historian A. J. Jackson inspected the three Ansons on arrival at Croydon and noted that the previous RAAF serials were visible through the silver dope on the rear fuselage sides for VH-ALX & VH-ALY. The civil registrations had been painted on the wrong aircraft, ie. VH-ALX was painted on AX261 and VH-ALY was painted on DG696. The error was corrected during their British certification preparation a few days after arrival 5.5.47 Registered G-AJSC Eric E.McIllree c/- Bank of NSW, London VH-ALY was registered G-AJSE at the same time, both stored in hangar at Croydon while waiting resale late 47 both sold by McIllree to H. Fredkins, London Fredkins was an agent for the embryo nation of Israel, clandestinely acquiring aircraft in defiance of the world-wide embargo at that time on exporting arms or military equipment to the Israelis. By December 1947 he had six Ansons to deliver 25.2.48 G-AJSC & G-AJSE both issued with British CofAs, owner still McIllree 10.4.48 G-AJSC & G-AJSE departed England on ferry flights to Israel, several days behind four other Ansons owned by Fedkins. Both still had the Australian flag on the nose and tail, helping the subterfugethat their destination was Australia. The preceeding four Ansons were impounded that day when they reached the Mediterranean island of Rhodes by Greek military acting on the request of the British Government 12.4.48 G-AJSC was impounded at Athens. G-AJSE had made a wheels-up forced landing that day near Milan 1.49 Dipliomatic negotiations resulted G-AJSC and the four Ansons at Rhodes being released to continue their delivery flights to Israel. Handed over to Chel Ha’Avir (Israeli Air Force)
VH-ALX refuelling at Bahrein 14 April 1947, crew l-r Damien Miller, Jim Crombie, Kevin Dickson Photo Kevin Dickson courtesy Charles Eather
Crew log book page showing the Anson formation's progress across Asia to the Middle East
A representative picture of an Israel Air Force Anson navigator trainer
Anson 1  AX261                                                                                                   VH-ALY,  G-AJSE,  Israseli Air Force
.41 Built at Newton Heath shadow factory by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as AX261 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 6.2.42 Taken on RAAF charge as AX261  Received 2AD Richmond ex UK for assembly 22.7.42 Received 2AP Bankstown ex 2AD for erection 14.9.42 Received  6SFTS Mallala ex 2AP 17.1.43 Received 73 Sqn Lowood ex 6SFTS.  Code "NJ-K" 10.4.44 Damaged, struck high tension wires near Nowra NSW while on low level reconnaissance 3.8.44 Received 67 Sqn Laverton ex 73 Sqn 4.11.44 Received Pount Cook ex 67 Sqn 19.1.45 Issued Ansett Airways Essendon ex Point Cook for complete overhaul 25.6.45 Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways 21.8.45 Received AFRU Storage Deniliquin ex 1AD. 14.8.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission to E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman and experienced civil and military pilot. He and Sydney car dealer Eric E. McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale 24.10.46 AX261 ferried Deniliquin to Mascot, pilot Charles Eather, who was employed by McIllree to collect and ferry disposals Ansons 20.12.46 Registered VH-ALY Eric E. McIllree, Sydney NSW Eric McIllree organised a delivery flight of four Aircraft Disposals Co Ansons to London for resale in UK. The others were VH-AJK, AKI, -ALX.  All were painted with Australian flag on the nose and tail with "Sydney Australia". 20.3.47 The four Ansons departed Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney. Crews were assigned to individual aircraft, VH-ALY having pilot Trevor Dennet and navigator Ron Simmons  Overnight stops at Charleville, Cloncurry, Daly Waters, Wyndham 24.3.47 Departed Australia from the abandoned wartime Truscott airfield on the northern WA coast where McIllree had organised fuel supplies. The loose formation flew to Koepang, Timor and on to Batavia and Singapore While at Singapore, McIllree sold VH-AJK to a local buyer. The other three Ansons continued to UK. Slow progress with many problems and forced landings due engine troubles 24.4.47 The three reached Croydon Aerodrome, London 29.4.47 Struck-off Australian Civil Register as sold abroad British historian A. J. Jackson inspected the three Ansons on arrival at Croydon and noted that the previous RAAF serials were visible through the silver dope on the rear fuselage sides for VH-ALX & VH-ALY. The civil registrations had been painted on the wrong aircraft, ie. VH-ALX was painted on AX261 and VH-ALY was painted on DG696. The error was corrected during their British certification preparation a few days after arrival 5.5.47 Registered G-AJSE Eric E.McIllree c/- Bank of NSW, London VH-ALX was registered G-AJSC at the same time, both stored in hangar at Croydon while waiting resale 10.5.47 noted at Croydon still painted as VH-ALY, silver with black registration and Australian flag painted on nose and tail. late 47 both sold by McIllree to H. Fredkins, London Fredkins was an agent for the embryo nation of Israel, clandestinely acquiring aircraft in defiance of the world-wide embargo at that time on exporting arms or military equipment to the Israelis. By December 1947 he had six Ansons to deliver 25.2.48 G-AJSC & G-AJSE both issued with British CofAs, owner still McIllree 10.4.48 G-AJSC & G-AJSE departed England on ferry flights to Israel, several days behind four other Ansons owned by Fedkins. Both still had the Australian flag on the nose and tail, helping the subterfugethat their destination was Australia. The preceeding four Ansons were impounded that day when they reached the Mediterranean island of Rhodes by Greek military acting on the request of the British Government 12.4.48 G-AJSE made a gear-up forced landing in a farm field at Pavia near Milan. Fate unknown
AX261 with 73 Squadron, fitted with Air Surface Radar antenna on the nose.       Frank F. Smith collection
G-AJSE after a forced landing in an Italian ploughed field enroute from England to Israel in April 1948. The Australian flags are still on the nose and tail from the the earlier Eric McIllree Sydney-London flight.
Anson 1  unidentified                                                                                                            "VH-APL"
An unidentified Anson painted as VH-APL and New England Airways titles was photographed at an airshow at Lismore NSW circa 1947. It had a race number sticker "8" on the rudder, probably for an air race as part of the airshow events. Registration VH-APL was not allocated to any Anson, having been issued to an ex-RAAF DH.84 Dragon in April 1946 owned by Mandated Airlines in New Guinea. This Anson is assumed to have been a mispainting of one of New England Airways' six Ansons. Of these, VH-ARL would be a suspect, however it was civilised fitted with passenger window panels.
The mysterious "VH-APL" at Lismore NSW circa 1947.                                 Roger McDonald collection
Anson 1  W2145                                                                                                                     VH-AQV, VH-CSC
.41 Built at Manchester by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as W2131 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 16.5.41 Taken on RAAF charge as W2131. Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 26.8.41 Received 3SFTS Amberley ex 2AP 21.2.42 Struck fence on landing approach Amberley, damaging tailplane 6.4.42 Issued to 6SFTS Malala ex 3SFTS 28.12.43 Collided with Anson W2374 after both aircraft had landed at Mallala. Damage to nose section and starboard mainplane and propeller. Repaired by unit. 27.3.45 Issued Guinea Airways, Parafield ex 6SFTS for complete overhaul 21.11.45 Issued to RAAF Station Parafield via Dept of Aircraft Production, Parafield ex Guinea Airways 7.1.46 Allotted CMU Mallala ex RAAF Parafield for 40 hourly inspection and fitting of radio equipment 19.2.46 Received 1AD Laverton for storage 2.5.46 Approval given to issue to NSW Police Department in lieu of AW488 which is to be returned to RAAF 15.5.46 Issued to NSW Police Dept Civil conversion at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd 17.7.46 Handed over to Police Department in a ceremony at Mascot. Painted silver with navy blue nose, cowlings, cheat line and registration letters. Name "Nemesis" on nose also in navy blue. (Nemises was the telegraphic address for NSW Police) 19.7.46 Registered VH-AQV Commissioner of Police, NSW Police Department, Sydney NSW 19.7.46 CofA issued. Configured for pilot, radio operator and 3 passenger seats. A Bendix 7 channel wireless transceiver had ATC and Police communications frequencies. A compartment to carry police dogs had been built where the gun turret had been removed. The Anson was operated by the Police Aviation Section, which could call on 5 serving policemen with appropriate pilot and engineering licences, all had served in RAAF during the war.  It was used on a variety of police tasks including taking detectives to country crime scenes and carriage of prisoners. It was alsoi used for general Government work such as transporting food to flooded districts of the State .50 NSW Police Dept decided the cost of maintaining the Anson was uneconomical. The state wide police communications network had improved as had road transport between Sydney and country centres 6.50 VH-AQV and support equipment advertised for sale, tenders closing 11.7.50 31.8.50 Change of ownership: Ernest C. Fountain, Fountain's Garage, Sydney Fountain had the RAAF glasshouse covered with windiow panels and the cabin renovated with comfortable passenger seating. He advised DCA he intends to use the aircraft for charter and also for his company travel between motor garages at Sydney, Mudgee and Rylestone NSW .51 CofA lapsed, not renewed 6.8.51 Struck-off Civil Register in DCA 1951 Census of unairworthy aircraft 21.12.53 Sold to Laurence "Laurie" Crowley t/a Crowley Airways, Lae New Guinea 21.1.54 CofA renewed 21.1.54 Restored to Register Crowley Airways Ltd, Lae, New Guinea 20.3.55 Change of registration to VH-CSC 30.8.58 Withdrawn from service at Lae. Inspection for annual renewal of CofA had been abandoned when poor glue adhesion was found inwooden joints in the mainplane 1.9.60 Struck-off Civil Register Burnt for fire crew practice at Lae Airport Reader Noel Passlow writes: "Laurie Crowley and Bobby Gibbs were contemporaries of my father Bill Passlow and we knew them all in the day even though I was only 8 when my father died. The Avro Anson VH-CSC was initially parked in Crowley’s hangar which was at the seaward end of Lae airport opposite the MAL hangar. When I came home from school in Australia in either 1962 or 1963, the Anson was parked on the grass near the Airport Fire Service.  This was also only about 200 yards from our house. The aircraft was looking pretty shabby and derelict so I “souvenired” the throttle quadrant. The next year when I came home there was only the burnt out wreckage left after the fire service had practiced on it. Unfortunately I left New Guinea the next year never to return and the throttle quadrant was not among my possessions that were shipped out."
NSW Police Aviation Section pose with VH-AQV at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney in 1946
VH-AQV was silver with navy blue trim and registration markings.                      David C. Eyre collection
VH-AQV at Lae, New Guinea 1954 in service with Crowley Airways, now fitted with window panels. Crowley's Stinson Sentinel VH-CSA is at left.            Photo by Laurie Crowley, courtesy of Fred Burke
Anson 1  N4936                                                                                                                        VH-ARK
.39 Built at Manchester by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as N4936 Shipped boxed to Australia  7.3.39 Taken on RAAF charge as N4936. Received 1AD Laverton ex UK for assembly 21.4.39 2 Squadron, Laverton 25.8.39 1 Flying Training School, Point Cook 15.5.40 General Reconnaissance School, Point Cook 3.10.41 Received 1AD ex GRS 30.11.41 Received 2AOS Mount Gambier ex 1AD 10.5.42 During night flying exercises, pilot of N4936 made a low approach to the flare path and its undercarriage struck Anson A4-46 on the aerodrome. Both aircraft extensively damaged. N4936 repaired at unit. 2.11.43 Issued Ansett Airways, Essendon ex 2AOS for complete overhaul 1.8.44 Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways 10.8.44 Received 8SFTS Bundaberg ex 1AD 29.1.45 Allotted to RAAF Station Bundaberg ex 8SFTS, for storage 9.7.46 Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to Mr. H.Ellis, Terminus Hotel, Newcastle NSW 24.12.47 Civil Registration application: Harry Ellis c/- Mr. Walker, Dubbo NSW Civil conversion at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney by Airflite Pty Ltd 6.1.47 Registered VH-ARK 6.1.47 CofA issued 31.3.47 Public auction held at Sydney Airport to sell Harry Ellis' Anson VH-ARK, which had eben seized to recover payments owed to Airflite 31.3.47 Sold at aution to W. Haines, Sydney NSW 23.4.47 Change of ownership: Gregory R. Board c/- New Holland Airways, Sydney NSW 16.5.47 DCA Sydney Airport office memo to Head Office: Re Anson VH-ARK:  It is advised that this aircraft, registered in the name of H.Ellis was seized by the Sheriff and sold under Supreme Court Writ to Mr. W.Haines for the sum of £800. It is advised that when the aircraft was seized, H.Ellis stated that the Certificate of Airwothiness and log books could not be found and his present address is unknown. Reports reaching this office suggest that he is operating his Wackett VH-ALV from Nowra. This office has requested the Police at Nowra to advise of any flights undertaken by the Wackett because it is reasonably suspected the aircraft is operating without valid Ceritificates of Safety. Tiger Moth VH-AYY also owned by Ellis has been seized by the Sheriff but as yet no action has been taken to dispose of the aircraft by public auction 10.6.47 VH-ARK departed Sydney flown by Greg Board on a flight to Singapore where he had arranged to sell the Anson. Board was involved in a side deal with two associates in the then booming migrant air charter trade from Europe to Australia, Captain Warren Penny of Intercontinental Air Tours and Stan Godden, his original partner in New Holland Airways. In his unpublished autobiography Penny gives a candid account:    “Godden had been approached by a Mr. Hammond, who wanted to get out of the country. It later transpired that he was on a fraud charge for share selling and he was out on bail pending the hearing of the case. The price arranged to get him to Singapore was £5,000 because Hammond had no passport. Greg and I both put up £500 and Board was to fly the aircraft, an Anson which we bought quite cheaply for the job.  The arrangement was to leave Mascot with only the pilot on board, booked out to Walgett. On being airborne the aircraft would divert to Woy Woy where there was an old air force strip, pick up Hammond and proceed to Walgett. The few minutes involved in picking Hammond up did not greatly affect the flight plan. The route was via Wyndham, because Customs agreed that as it was only a ferry flight to SIngapore for the sale of the aircraft, with only the pilot on board, Wyndham could do the necessary clearance. Again, the plan at Wyndham was to drop Hammond on a clay pan outside Wyndham. Board then flew back and night-stopped, cleared Customs the next day, and enroute to Koepang, land on the claypan and pick Hammond up.     All went well until Board landed at Banka Island instead of Palembang in Sumatra. The Dutch arrested him and then later found Hammond in the back locker of the Anson which opened on the inside of the cabin. The idea on arrival at Singapore was to land at Changi, a military field, and to do a long landing run. This took the aircraft behind some trees outside the vision of the control tower. Hammond could then jump out and disappear in the scrub. He was then, of course, on his own. Board would be told that he was on the wrong field and be sent back to the civilian field at Kallang.     Board and Hammond got out of the Dutch jail, got to the aircraft and under various pretexts started the engines and began to take off. As they took off, they were shot at by the guards but luckily there was no damage and they were not hurt. The Dutch of course alerted Singapore, Hammond was arrested on arrival and later flown back to Sydney. We had to refund £5,000 and we lost about a £1000 on the deal among the three of us.” DCA file includes reports that VH-ARK had been impounded by Dutch authorities at Banka Island off Sumatra, Netherland East Indies. Board was questioned at length regarding his relationship with the Indonesian Republic rebel fighters because he had earlier landed at an emergency airfield near Palembang which was in Republican controlled territory. Afer four days Board had taken off under gun fire and arrived Singapore where the stowaway was arrested The identity of the extra person on the aircraft was in fact one George Stanford, an Australian who had outstanding fraud charges from 1944 in Sydney. Police arranged his extradition back to Australia from Singapore. 6.47 VH-ARK reached Singapore 28.6.47 Change of ownership: Lim Cheng Sun, Singapore 17.7.47 Struck-off Australian Civil Register Not registered in Singapore or other SE Asian countries Strong probability it was destined all along for the republican rebels' air arm "Indonesian Air Force" (see VH-AGX, VH-BBO)
This picture in an Indonesian magazine shows an Anson at Kallang Airport, Singapore when acquired by the Independence movement for their air arm. It is probably Greg Board's VH-ARK
Anson 1  NK950  Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm                                                                         VH-ARL
.44 Built at Yeadon shadow factory by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd as NK950 Part of an Air Ministry order for 800 Ansons of models Mk.1, X, XI. XII for RAF and Royal Navy 19.7.44 First flight 28.7.44 Taken on charge by Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm as Anson Mk.1 NK950 22.4.45 Despatched to Sydney, Australia on board the merchant ship Empire Captain. 30.5.45 Received RNFAA Australia. Nothing further on the RN airfame record card RNFAA Ansons operated courier services between RNFAA temporary bases in Australia, as part of the planned advance on Japan by the British Pacific Fleet. The Ansons were replaced by RNFAA Beech Expediters based at Sydney. .46 Several Royal Navy Ansons offered for disposal sale in Australia a few months earlier than the large scale Commonwealth Disposals Commissions sales of RAAF Ansons .46 Purchased by New England Airways Aerial Ambulance and Air Freight Service, Sydney NSW NEAAAFS was formed early 1946 by W.R.Spalding and G. Christie, absorbing 3 Dragons from  Spalding's earlier operation Shark Patrol Service. Operating with shortened name New England Airways, Ansons were used for charter and newspaper deliveries until an airline licence issued in March 1947 for scheduled services from Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney to Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Grafton and Casino, and later to Brisbane. Butler Air Transport took over New England Airways effective 17.5.48 27.6.46 Civil Registration application: New England Airways c/- Airflite Pty Ltd, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney 28.6.46 Registered VH-ARL 28.6.46 CofA issued after weighing on DCA scales that day at Airflite. 7 passenger seats. RAAF glasshouse was replaced by panels on each side with six rectangular windows 47 Civil Anson rounded nose modification installed. Named Casino, later Spirit of Glen Innes 4.5.48 Change of ownership: Butler Air Transport Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW Effective 20.5.48 BAT took over New England Airways routes and its Ansons VH-AKU, ARL, AVS, BFI, BFY 12.49 Inspection report: total airframe time 2,685 hrs 30.6.50 Change of ownership: Overland Air Services Pty Ltd, Condobolin NSW 14.12.50 CofA expired 6.51 CofA renewal inspection by Corio Air Engineers at Belmont Common Vic 8.51 Submerged in flood waters at Belmont Common from nearby Barwon River which covered the aerodorme and hangars.  Insurance write-off 3.52 noted at Belmont Common, derelict 13.6.52 Struck-off Civil Register
VH-ARL at Casino NSW in December 1946 with original military nose.                  Photo: Russ Stapleton
Mascot, soon after entering New England Airways service.                            Frank Walters collection
Brisbane-Eagle Farm Aerodrome early 1948, now with the civil rounded nose modification and smooth cowlings. The name on the nose is "Spirit of Glen Innes".                                                      Photo by Gus Grulke
Eagle Farm. "New England Airways" above the windows and lightning strike cheat line paintwork.              Photo by Gus Grulke
VH-ARL gives a spirited display at Casino Aerodrome in March 1947.      Photo courtesy Alan Sheppard
Sydney Tower 1949. VH-ARL now with Butler Air Transport, awaits passengers surrounded by DC-3s. Photo: Civil  Aviation Historical Society
Anson 1  W2068                                                                                                                                     VH-ASM
.41 Built at Manchester by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as W2068 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 12.5.41 Taken on RAAF charge as W2068. Received 1AD Laverton ex UK for assembly 27.5.41 Issued 4SFTS Geraldton ex 1AD 12.6.41 Forced landing due engine failure Geraldton, ran through a fence. Damage to undercarriage and fuselage 4.6.42 Taxying accident at Georgina Satellite airfield, damage to tailplane and port wingtip 24.3.43 Forced landing on cross-country flight, damaged 18.10.43 Issued to ANA, Maylands for complete overhaul 5.6.44 Issued 4SFTS ex ANA 22.1.45 Transferred to 4SFTS Storage ex unit strength. Transferred to 87OBU Geraldton 25.7.45 Received 87OBU Evans Head ex Geraldton for under cover storage 29.3.46 Received CMU Narrandera ex Evanbs Head for under cover storage 14.11.46 Ansons W2068 & W2598 sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 each to E. Wilkinson, Inverell NSW 13.12.46 W2068 & W2598 issued to purchser ex CMU Narrandera Edward Wilkinson purchased 4 Ansons from Disposals for the Anson Holding Syndicate, Inverell, founded by local investors in a proposed airline to connect northern NSW towns. Later registered as a business as the Anson Holding Company 12.46 Pilot Arch Smith flew VH-AYI Narrabri-Sydney-Narrandera, carrying Anson Holding Co members and volunteers to work on two Ansons W2068 & W2598 purchased at Narrandera. After 4 days and nights of maintenance, the two were fit for ferry flights 12.46 W2068 & W2598, flown by Keith Robey, Sydney and Reg Jones, Inverell were ferried from Narrandera to Tamworth, in company with VH-AYI pilot Arch Smith The Anson Holding Co's four Ansons were stored in former RAAF hangars at the wartime Tamworth aerodrome while the planned air service, named East West Airlines was established and applications made for an airline licence. Ted Wilkinson was a foundation director. .47 W2068 ferried Tamworth-Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney for civil conversion by Marshall Airways 7.5.47 Registered VH-ASM  East-West Airlines Ltd, Tamworth NSW 7.5.47 CofA issued 26.5.47 Delivered Sydney to Tamworth 7.6.47 Flew the first trial East-West Airlines service Tamworth-Sydney, Captain John Rentell, 7 passengers. Returned to Tamworth next day. Named Hinkler 23.6.47 Flew the inaugural East-West Airlines scheduled service Tamworth-Sydney, Captain John Rentell, 7 passengers Operated East-West Airlines services to ports in NSW and to Brisbane Qld 16.8.50 CofA expired, not renewed. Replaced by Lockheed Hudsons. Stored in a company hangar at the old Tamworth Airport. Maintained in good condition 6.8.51 Struck-off Civil Register in DCA 1951 Census of unairworthy aircraft 7.55 East-West Airlines Director's meeting minutes "VH-ASM was recently sold to Marshall Airways, Sydney" 22.6.56 Restored to Register VH-ASM Marshall Airways, Bankstown Airport, Sydney NSW 13.9.55 VH-ASM noted parked at Marshall Airways hangar at Bankstown Airport. It had recently been ferried from Tamworth and still had EWA titles and name Hinker on the nose Operated by Sid Marshall with other Marshall Ansons on charter and air ambulance work, also regular weekend joyriding at Bankstown 30.6.62 CofA suspended due DCA Policy grounding all Mk.1 Ansons due concerns over deterioration in the glued wooden structure of mainplane and tailplane and poor single-engined performance. Retired at Bankstown. Parked on grass with Marshall Ansons VH-AZX and unconverted W2599 18.7.62 Struck-off Civil Register 6.65 VH-ASM's wings were chopped off by axe and the aircraft moved by road to Sid Marshall's storage yard on the Bankstown Airport boundary. Also in the yard were two ex RAAF DC-2s, two Spitfires, a Nakajima Oscar and many aircraft engines and parts. .72 VH-ASM's weather-damaged remains were acquired by East-West Airlines, Tamworth NSW. Moved to Tamworth Airport where work began on a static restoration for display purposes, but the project was discontinued and the dismantled airframe was left in a company hangar at Tamworth. Management changes in East-West Airlines resulted in renewed interest in completing the Anson, but that its restoration be out-sourced. Restoration proposal was accepted from vintage aircraft enthusiast John G. Gallagher, Loftus, Sydney. The Anson sections were moved from Tamworth to Sydney where they were restored at John's home at Loftus and his hangar at Wedderburn airfield, western Sydney. Assembled at Wedderburn then moved to Sydney Airport. The restoration included the renovated passenger cabin and seating. 22.6.87 VH-ASM unveiled at a ceremony in the East-West Airlines hangar at Sydney Airport to commemorate the airline's 40th Anniversary. Its first airline service was flown by this Anson. Early pilots, hostesses and other company personnel attended the event. 27.2.88 Official opening of a new display building housing VH-ASM at Tamworth Airport Currently displayed at Tamworth Airport In 1993 East-West Airlines ceased operations in its own name and was merged into Ansett Airlines For a more detailed history of VH-ASM, see The RAF Museum Anson Mix-up in this section
VH-ASM "Hinkler" over Tamworth in June 1947.                                                           East-West Airlines
Bankstown September 1958 with Marshall Airways.                                                  Photo by Peter Keating
In Sid Marshall's storage yard at Bankstown, February 1967.                                      Photo by Dave Thollar
The restored Anson unveiled at East-West Airlines' 40th Anniversary celebration at Sydney Airport, June 1987  Photo by Roger McDonald
The Anson posed with current East-West Airlines airliners at home base Tamworth NSW during July 1987. EWA photo via Roger McDonald
Anson 1  R3582                                                                                                                           VH-AST
.40 Built at Manchester by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as R3582 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 18.7.40 Taken on  RAAF charge as R3582. Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 16.9.40 Serviceable at 2SFTS Wagga ex 2AP 4.4.41 Received 3SFTS Amberley ex 2SFTS 6.4.42 Issued to 6SFTS Mallala ex 3SFTS 20.1.44 Issued Guinea Airways, Parafield ex 3SFTS for complete overhaul 31.7.44 Received 6SFTS ex Guinea Airways 21.5.45 Transferred to 6SFTS Storage ex unit strength. Transferred to CMU Mallala 22.2.46 Received CMU Nhill ex CMU Mallala for storage under cover 26.6.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £500 to E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman and experienced civil and military pilot. He and Sydney car dealer Eric E. McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale 22.7.46 Civil Registration application: Frederick Walter Sutton, Sydney NSW Fred Sutton was proprietor of Suttons Motors, with branches at Sydney, Grenfell and Temora NSW. Prewar he gained lucrative contracts to service the NSW State Government's vehicle fleet and became an enthusiastic private pilot.  Sutton purchased Ansons LT930, LT998, MG449 from CDC of which only MG449 became civil as VH-AYC. He also purchased Anson VH-AST and was a supporter of Sydney aviation enterprises in the early post-war years. He financed a number of ventures, the most successful being New England Airways, Morris Air Service and Tom Watson's Aerial Agriculture Pty Ltd Civil conversion by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd at Bankstown Aerodrome, Sydney 2.8.46 Registered VH-AST F. W. Sutton, Sydney NSW 2.8.46 CofA issued 29.10.46 Change of ownership: Australian Air Traders Pty Ltd, Sydney. Based Lae, New Guinea 17.11.46 Departed Sydney with 5 other Ansons and a Dragon chartered to take passengers to New Guinea to attend Commonwealth Disposals Commission sales. None were fitted with radio. 22.11.46 The loose formation of 7 aircraft reached Port Moresby from Higgins Field, Cape York 14.4.7 Change of ownership: Guinea Air Traders Ltd, Lae, New Guinea Guinea Air Traders was formed in October 1946 as a subsidary of Australian Air Traders, managed by brothers Sam and John Jamieson, Sydney. GAT was to become a major charter operator over the next three years, both within New Guinea and using its DC-3s on migrant charters from Europe to Australia. Both companies ceased operations during 1950. 15.11.47 CofA suspended at Lae. Ansons VH-AJJ, ALS, BGD were grounded the same day see VH-AJJ above for more detail 11.47 GAT wrote to DCA advising that the four grounded Ansons would be broken up for engines and parts 10.3.48 Struck-off Civil Register
Anson 1  LV287                                                                                                                                      VH-ASZ
.43 Built at Yeadon shadow factory by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd to RAF order as LV287 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 11.10.43 Taken on RAAF charge as LV287. Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 7.1.43 Assembly completed at 2AP 9.1.43 Test flight Bankstown 13.1.44 Received Air Armament School, Nhill ex 2AP. Unit renamed Air Armament and Gas School 29.2.44 Minor damage during unauthorised low flying 6.11.45 Transferred to AAGS Storage ex unit strength 26.6.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £500 to E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman and experienced civil and military pilot. He and Sydney car dealer Eric E. McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale Sold to New England Airways, Sydney in stock military configuration Civil conversion by Airlite Pty Ltd at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney for NEAW which operated from the Airflite hangar 27.9.46 Civil registration application: New England Airways, Sydney NSW New England Airways Aerial Ambulance & Freight Service was formed early 1946 by W.R.Spalding and G. Christie, absorbing 3 Dragons from  Spalding's earlier operation Shark Patrol Service, Sydney. Operating with shortened name New England Airways, Ansons were used for charter and newspaper deliveries until an airline licence issued in March 1947 for scheduled services from Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney to Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Grafton and Casino, and later to Brisbane. Butler Air Transport took over New England Airways effective 17.5.48 1.10.46 Registered VH-ASZ 1.10.46 CofA issued after weighing on DCA scales at Airflite, Mascot. Initially freighter configuration 30.9.47 CofA expired, retired at Bankstown. Parked at the NEAW hangar at Bankstown Aerodrome 50 DCA memo: the only New England Airways Anson left at Bankstown is VH-ASZ in poor condition .50 Sold to Kingsford Smith Aviation Service, Bankstown Aerodrome, Sydney 25.10.50 KSAS advise DCA that VH-ASZ will be broken up for parts 10.1.51 Struck-off Register
VH-ASZ immediately after civil conversion in October 1946.                                     Geoff Goodall collection
Anson 1  AW483                                                                                                                                 VH-AVP
.41 Built at Newton Heath shadow factory by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd to RAF order as AW483 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 10.10.41 Taken on RAAF charge as AW483.  Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 31.1.42 Received 1AOS Cootamundra ex 2AP 21.12.43 Issued to 5AD Wagga ex 1AOS for replacement mainplanes 31.10.44 Issued to Ansett Airways, Mascot ex 5AD for complete overhaul 21.5.45 Received 2AD Richmond ex Ansett Mascot 25.6.45 Received CMU Narrandera ex 2AD for under-cover storage 3.1.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £1,000 to NSW Police Department, Sydney 8.2.46 Issued to NSW Police Dept 4.46 Approval for NSW Police Dept to return AW483 to RAAF Cootamundra and W2145 be issued in lieu. (Reason for exchange unclear, W2145 became VH-AQV with NSW Police) 1.5.46 AW482 received CMU Cootamundra ex NSW Police Dept. To be stored under cover 7.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £500 to E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW 29.7.46 Mr. Loneragan has taken delivery ex CMU Cootamundra Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman and experienced civil and military pilot. He and Sydney car dealer Eric E. McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale 8.8.46 Civil Registration application: Edward H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW Civil conversion by Airflite Pty Ltd at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney 14.8.46 Registered VH-AVP 14.8.46 CofA issued. Fitted with 7 passengers seats, thick cabin wall lining to reduce noise 19.11.46 Change of ownership: Interstate Air Services Pty Ltd, Mascot Asrodrome, Sydney IAS was founded during 1946 by Managing Director Captain F. M. "Mac"Twemlow DFC (ex RAAF and Qantas) with financial backing from prominent Sydney bookmaker Arthur Browning. Dragon VH-ASU and Ansons VH-AVP, AVZ, AKJ were used on charter work. Aircraft were maintained by Airflite at Sydney Airport, IAS operating from a hut next to the Airflite hangar. Company reformed with new Directors in December 1946. In January 1947 commenced a 3 days weekly airline service Sydney-Jervis Bay return, with bus transfer to Nowra. Increased to 4 return flights weekly. IAS ceased operations in March 1948 as unprofitable. 19.11.46 VH-AVP departed Sydney with 5 other Ansons and a Dragon chartered to take passengers to New Guinea to attend Commonwealth Disposals Commission sales. None were fitted with radio. 22.11.46 The loose formation of 7 aircraft reached Port Moresby from Higgins Field, Cape York 1.1.47 Minor damage, no details Used for charter and IAS airline services from Sydney to Jervis Bay 13.8.48 CofA expired, retired Sydney 10.48 Purchased at IAS aircraft auction by Wollongong and South Coast Aviation Co, Wollongong NSW Assumed used for parts for the company's Ansons 6.8.51 Struck-off Civil Register in the 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft
Anson 1  W2239                                                                                                                              VH-AVQ
.41 Built at Manchester by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as W2239 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 28.6.41 Taken on RAAF charge as W2239. Received 1AD Laverton ex UK for assembly 11.9.41 First test flight Laverton 25.9.41 Issued GRS Laverton ex 1AD. GRS moved to Cressy then Bairnsdale 11.12.44 Issued Ansett Airways Essendon ex GRS for complete overhaul 1.5.45 Aircraft under offer to Royal New Zealand Air Force. No longer required by 27.7.45 21.5.45 Received 1AD ex Ansett 22.8.45 Received 11EFTS Storage Benalla ex 1AD for under cover storage. Transferred to CMU Benalla 17.7.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £500 to E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman and experienced civil and military pilot. He and Sydney car dealer Eric E. McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale 12.8.46 Civil registration application: Australian Air Traders, Sydney NSW 4.9.46 Registered VH-AVQ 4.9.46 CofA issued 6.10.46 Local flight from Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney, pilot Charles Eather, who worked for Eric McIllree at that time 17.11.46 VH-AVQ departed Sydney with 5 other Ansons and a Dragon chartered to take passengers to New Guinea to attend Commonwealth Disposals Commission sales. None were fitted with radio. 18.11.46 Refuelled at Townsville enroute to New Guinea 22.11.46 The loose formation of 7 aircraft reached Port Moresby from Higgins Field, Cape York 14.4.47 Change of ownership: Guinea Air Traders Ltd, Lae, New Guinea Guinea Air Traders was formed in October 1946 as a subsidary of Australian Air Traders, managed by brothers Sam and John Jamieson, Sydney. GAT was to become a major charter operator over the next three years, both within New Guinea and using its DC-3s on migrant charters from Europe to Australia. Both companies ceased operations during 1950. 21.4.47 Damaged in forced landing near Gaile Village New Guinea. 20 miles east of Port Moresby While on a flight from Lae to Port Moresby, GAT pilot John W. Speirs (ex Wellingtons and Lancasters in WWII) made a forced landing with gear down on cleared ground due low fuel.  Aircraft was damaged but Speirs and his two native passengers were unhurt. Photographs of the accident show the aircraft was still painted "Australian Air Traders" Broken up for parts by GAT 20.10.47 Struck-off Register
Mascot aerodrome, Sydney 1946.                                                                            Ed Coates collection
Higgins Field, Cape York Peninsula, bound for New Guinea, November 1946.            John Hopton Collection.
Anson 1  W2657                                                                                                                                 VH-AVS
.41 Built at Manchester by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as W2657 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 6.2.42 Taken on RAAF charge as W2657. Received 2AD ex UK 16.3.42 Receievd 2AP Bankstown ex 2AD for assembly 20.4.42 Received 1AOS Cootamundra ex 2AP 17.6.42 Damaged struck fence on takeoff Cootamundra, forced landing in paddock near aerodrome 26.11.43 Forced landing at Dooen, near Horsham Vic due port engine failure 30.11.44 Issued Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Archerfield ex 1AOS for complete overhaul 26.8.45 Received 3AD Amberley ex APL Archerfield 3.9.45 Received 3CRD Amberley ex 3AD for under cover storage 3.12.45 Received 10EFTS Storage Temora ex 3CRD for under cover storage 14.8.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £300 to E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman and experienced civil and military pilot. He and Sydney car dealer Eric E. McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale 27.8.46 Civil Registration application: E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW 2.9.46 Registered VH-AVS 2.9.46 CofA issued. Military cabin glasshouse replaced by panels each side with rectangular windows. Civil pointed nose modification with nose baggage locker 28.10.46 Change of ownership: New England Airways Aerial Ambulance and Air Freight Service, Sydney New England Airways Aerial Ambulance & Freight Service was formed early 1946 by W.R.Spalding and G. Christie, absorbing 3 Dragons from  Spalding's earlier operation Shark Patrol Service, Sydney. Operating with shortened name New England Airways, Ansons were used for charter and newspaper deliveries until an airline licence issued in March 1947 for scheduled services from Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney to Coffs Harbour, Grafton and Casino, and later to Brisbane. Butler Air Transport took over New England Airways effective 17.5.48 Operated charter and New England Airways scheduled airline services. Named Spirit of Coffs Harbour 4.5.48 Change of ownership: Butler Air Transport Pty Ltd, Sydney 4.10.51 Change of ownership: Aerial Surveys (W) Pty Ltd, Perth WA Purchased by Aerial Surveys to replace their Anson VH-BFC which was operating a survey contract in SA until damaged landing at Wallaroo SA on 31.8.45 and written off 7.11.52 Badly damaged in forced landing Carnamah WA. Port engine had failed, pilot D.M. Taylor unhurt 9.1.53 Mainplane of VH-AVS seen at Maylands Aerodrome, Perth 6.53 DCA Memo: the remains of VH-AVS have been purchased for parts by Woods Airways, Perth 11.6.53 Struck-off Register
New England Airways Anson VH-AVS loading passengers at Casino NSW during 1947. The door to the nose baggage compartment is open.          Photo via Alan Sheppard
VH-AVS at Kempsey in 1947 showing the pointed nose civil modification with nose baggage locker. "Spirit of Coffs Harbour" and NEAW emblem are painted on the nose.  Photo by Howard Quinlan
Anson 1  R9883                                                                                                                           VH-AVT, VH-AGA
.40 Built at Manchester by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as R9883 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 28.10.40 Taken on RAAF charge as R9883. Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 18.11.40 Issued 1ANS, Parkes ex 2AP 20.12.43 Received 2AOS Mount Gambier ex 1ANS 30.11.44 Issued Ansett Airways, Essendon ex 2AOS for complete overhaul 30.4.45 Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett 1.5.45 Not to be flown, on offer to Royal New Zealand Air Force. No longer required by RNZAF by 27.7.45 22.8.45 Received 11EFTS Storage Benalla ex 1AD for storage under cover 14.8.46 Sold through Commonwelth Disposals Commission for £500 to Adastra Airways Pty Ltd, Sydney 15.8.46 R9883 ferried Benalla-Sydney Airport by Adastra pilot Jack Howard 29.11.46 Civil registration application: Adastra Airways Pty Ltd, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney Civil conversion by Adastra Airways at Mascot 9.1.47 Registered VH-AVT 9.1.47 CofA issued. Fitted for aerial photographic survey with vertical camera and operator seat Operated by Adastra Aerial Surveys 19.5.53 Nosed over on landing Mascot due flat port tyre, minor damage 1.4.57 Reregistered VH-AGA.  Adastra Aerial Surveys were using the VH-AG block 5.1.59 Nominal change of ownership: Sepal Pty Ltd, Sydney Sepal Pty Ltd was a subsidiary holding company of Adastra Hunting Geophysics Ltd, Sydney 10.61 Log book of Adastra camera operator Kevin Pavlich shows he crewed an Adastra Lockheed Hudson survey based Oakey Qld until 12.10.61 when he commenced on VH-AGA initially based Sydney while photographic mapping runs in outer Sydney areas.  Flew regularly subject to cloud cover. Kevin Pavlich remained with VH-AGA until it was grounded the following year. 28.10.61 VH-AGA Sydney-Melbourne to commence 7 months of Victorian photographic survey at operating altitudes ranging from 4,000 ft to 14,000 feet. Usual base was Essendon Airport, Melbourne 30.6.62 CofA suspended due DCA Policy. All wooden wing Ansons grounded 7.62 DCA granted Adastra a CofA extension to allow VH-AGA to complete the Victorian survey contract 7.7.62 Kevin Pavlich log book: VH-AGA flew survey runs from Mallacoota, Essendon and Hamilton Vic on 7th, 8th and 10th July. 10.7.62 Ferried Hamilton-Essendon. 7.62 Ferried Essendon Airport-Sydney Airport where grounded. Adastra Ansons VH-AGA and VH-BLF were parked in the open weather on grass outside the Adastra hangar. 18.7.62 Struck-off Civil Register, DCA Policy 9.63 Donated to Harold G. Thomas/ Camden Museum of Aviation, Camden NSW 8.1.64 VH-AGA and VH-BLF noted parked outside the Adastra hangar, condition deteriorating .64 VH-AGa dismantled and moved by road from Sydney Airport to Camden Airport. Assembled at Camden Museum of Aviation, using some parts removed from VH-BLF. 65 Repainted in camouflage as "N5151", displayed suspended from roof in museum hangar 78 By now repainted with correct serial "R9883", aircraft parked on floor of museum hangar by 86 Camden Museum of Aviation forced to relocate, collection moved to land at Narellan near Camden Currently stored inside display hangar at Narallen. Museum no longer open to the public
VH-AVT at Mascot circa 1956.                                                                         Barrie Colledge collection
Reregistered VH-AGA, in Adastra service at Essendon in May 1962, a month before the DCA type-grounding Photo by Geoff Goodall
January 1964 retired at Sydney Airport, with damaged right wing.                        Photo by Geoff Goodall
VH-AGA painted as "N5151" at the Camden Museum of Aviation hangar, Camden Airport in June 1967 Photo by Neville Parnell
Anson 1  AW679                                                                                                                      VH-AVY
.41 Built at Newton Heath shadow factory by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as AW679 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 10.10.41 Taken on RAAF charge as AW679. Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 7.3.42 Received 8SFTS Bundaberg ex 2AP 7.4.42 Forced landing 5 miles south of Rockhampton Qld due engine failure, no airframe damage 27.5.44 8SFTS request civilian contractor overhaul for AW679 which has defective mainplane but is flyable 9.7.44 Received 2AP Storage ex 8SFTS due no space available with civilian contractors 30.1.45 Issued Ansett Airways Mascot ex 2AP for complete overhaul 24.9.45 Received 2AD Richmond ex Ansett Airways 8.10.45 Received CMU Evans Head ex 2AD for under cover storage 12.8.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £300 to E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman and experienced civil and military pilot. He and Sydney car dealer Eric E. McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale 27.10.46 AW679 ferried Evans Head to Mascot Aerodorme, Sydney by pilot Charles Eather who was employed by Eric Mcillree to collect and ferry RAAF Ansons purchasedfor Aircraft Disposals Co 17.3.47 Civil registration application: Consolidated Press Ltd, Sydney 5.5.47 Registered VH-AVY 5.5.47 CofA issued Consolidated Press was a Sydney newspaper and magazine publisher, headed by Mr. Frank Packer. Ansons VH-AJP & AVY were flown by company employed pilots to carry Daily Telegraph newspaper staff, journalists and photographers. Also personal flights for the Packer family. The remaining Anson VH-AVY was replaced by Miles Gemini VH-BMV in 1950 11.4.51 Change of ownership: South Coast Airways Pty Ltd, Wollongong NSW Operated scheduled airline services from Sydney to Wollongong, Jervis Bay, Cowra, West Wyalong 1.1.53 Change of ownership: Goilala Air Service, Goilala New Guinea Goilala Air Service was established in 1.53 by E.F."Ernie"Reid, who had flown Ansons for Charter Aviation Service at Lae until they ceased in 1952. GAS was backed by Dr. Alexander L. Casselberg, Tapini to fly general charter and regular services between Tapini and Port Moresby. 7 Ansons and Percival Gull VH-UTP were acquired. Reid died in 1956 and Goilala Air Services ceased operations. 23.3.54 Nominal change of ownership: Dr. Alexander L. Casselberg, Goilala, New Guinea 28.6.56 Struck-off Register
Brisbane-Eagle Farm, almost certainly during the delivery flight to New Guinea in January 1953.        Photo by Gus Grulke
Retired in the open at Lae, New Guinea in 1955.                             Photo: Civil Aviation Historical Society
Anson 1  DJ498                                                                                                                           VH-AVZ
.42 Built at Newton Heath shadow factory by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as DJ498 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 30.11.42 Taken on RAAF charge as DJ498. Received 2P Bankstown ex Pitmans Wharf ex UK 29.1.43 Test flight Bankstown after assembly 1.2.43 Issued 1AOS Cootamundra ex 2AP 8.9.44 Received 2AP Bankstown ex 1AOS pending allocation to civil contractor for overhaul 30.12.44 Received 3AD Amberley ex 1AP for storage pending allocation to contractor 19.2.45 Issued Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Archerfield ex 3AD for complete overhaul 5.10.45 Received 3AD Amberley ex APL 22.10.45 Received CMU Evans Head ex 3AD for storage under cover 15.3.46 Received CMU Narrandera ex Evans Head for storage under cover 17.7.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £500 to E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman and experienced civil and military pilot. He and Sydney car dealer Eric E. McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale Civil conversion at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney by Airflite Pty Ltd 16.9.46 Registered VH-AVZ 16.9.46 CofA issued. 7 passenger seats 4.11.46 Change of ownership: Interstate Air Services Pty Ltd , Sydney IAS was founded during 1946 by Managing Director Captain F. M. "Mac"Twemlow DFC (ex RAAF and Qantas) with financial backing from prominent Sydney bookmaker Arthur Browning. Dragon VH-ASU and Ansons VH-AVP, AVZ, AKJ were used on charter work. Aircraft were maintained by Airflite at Mascot, IAS operating from a hut next to the Airflite hangar. Company reformed with new Directors in December 1946. In January 1947 commenced a 3 days weekly airline service Sydney-Jervis Bay return, with bus transfer to Nowra. Increased to 4 return flights weekly. IAS ceased operations in March 1948 as unprofitable. 20.11.46 Departed Sydney with 5 other Ansons and a Dragon chartered to take passengers to New Guinea to attend Commonwealth Disposals Commission sales. None were fitted with radio. VH-AVZ was flown by Captain J. Madsen, Chief Pilot of Interstate Air Services 22.11.46 Departed Higgins Field, Cape York Peninsula at 5.50am for Port Moresby 22.11.46 Badly damaged, ran off runway landing Port Moresby, New Guinea Brakes failed, ran off the steel matting runway and rolled into a drainage ditch, wrecking the port wing. Captain Madsen and passengers unhurt but aircraft written-off 9.1.48 Struck-off Register
The short-lived Anson VH-AVZ is in the background of this Tiger Moth photo at Mascot in November 1946. Behind the Anson is Handley Page Halifax G-AGXA, which Geoff Wickner flew from England
Anson 1  W2260                                                                                                                         VH-AXC, VH-BXC
.41 Built at Manchester by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as W2260 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 28.6.41 Taken on RAAF charge as W2260. Received 1AD Laverton ex UK for assembly 20.9.41 Received 4SFTS Geraldton ex 1AD 20.2.42 Tailwheel assembly collapsed on roiugh ground Geraldton aerodrome 17.3.42 Tail struck concrete tie-down block while taxying at Georgina Satellite Ground 11.11.42 Damaged when landed Geraldton with undercarriage partly retracted 1.12.43 Tail struck splinter-proof pen while taxying Geraldton, damaged rear fuselage and tailplane 25.9.44 Issued to ANA Maylands ex 4SFTS for complete overhaul 12.6.45 Receievd 4AD Boulder ex ANA Maylands for storage 22.1.46 Received 87OBU Geraldton ex 4AD for storage under cover 18.2.46 Received 7CU Guildford ex 87 OBU as replacement aircraft 1.4.46 Issued 87OBU Geraldton ex 7CU. Transferred to CMU Geraldton 1.6.46 Sold by CDC for £1000 less 50% discount to Flying Doctor Service of Australia, Kalgoorlie WA 23.7.46 Civil Registration application: George W. Lewis c/- Flying Doctor Service of Australia, Kalgoorlie WA 30.7.46 DCA memo: W2260 has been ferried by George Lewis from Geraldton to Kalgoorlie. The Anson is in  exceptionally good condition, has only flown 102 hrs since overhaul by ANA Maylands Civil conversion at Kalgoorlie by G.W. Lewis 13.9.46 Test flown Kalgoorlie by G.W. Lewis 13.9.46 Registered VH-AXC. CofA issued.  George W. "Lewie" Lewis was a WWI aviator who had operated as Goldfields Airways, Kalgoorlie since 1934 and held the FDS contract to provide an aircraft for flying doctor call-outs in the Kalgoorilie area. When he purchased Ansons VH-AXC and -BEL to continue his charter business, Lewis presented them as Flying Doctor aircraft to gain concessions on purchase price and ongoing air navigation charges. DCA WA Region was aware they were mostly used for charter but the ANC concessions were not changed 17.9.47 Test flown Guildford Aerodrome, Perth by G.W. Lewis after CofA renewal inspection 10.48 DCA advised owners of all aircraft in the VH-AX series that their registration was no longer available due new International aeronautical telecommunications requirements. VH-BXC was suggested to minimise  repainting 28.10.48 Reregistered VH-BXC.  Owners given until next annual CofA renewal overhaul to repaint their aircraft 9.49 Repainted as VH-BXC 24.7.58 Change of ownership: Bell Brothers Pty Ltd, Perth WA. Named Learmonth Bell Bros was an established heavy construction business which was building a new RAAF airfield at Leamonth WA. The Anson was flown by company pilot Keith Baker and maintained by MMA. 8.58 A 5th passenger seat was installed by MMA at Perth 21.11.60 CofA expired. DCA approved extension to 1.61 1.61 Retired at Perth Airport, parked in hangar pending disposal 61 Offered to DCA Airport Fire Service for practice 26.10.61 Burnt for fire practice at Perth Airport
VH-BXC "Learmonth" in service with Bell Bros, at Perth Airport June 1959.         Geoff Goodall collection
VH-BXC was burnt at Perth Airport for an airport fire service exercise in October 1961 Photos taken by Phil McCulloch
Anson 1  DG731                                                                                                                                  VH-AXE
.42 Built at Newton Heath shadow factory by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as DG731 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 28.9.42 Taken on RAAF charge as DG731. Received RAAF Point Cook ex UK for assembly 7.10.42 Received 1AD Laverton ex Point Cook for fitment of Wireless Transceiver equipment 9.11.42 Received 2ANS Nhill ex 1AD 28.12.42 Receieved 67 Sqn Laverton ex 2ANS 20.4.45 Issued to Ansett Airways, Essendon ex 67 Sqn for complete overhaul 15.10.45 Receievd 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways. Stored under cover 8.6.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £500 to Pilot Officer W.T.Dwyer, Melbourne 6.9.46 Registered VH-AXE  William T. Dwyer, Melbourne Vic 6.9.46 CofA issued. Freighter Bill Dwyer purchased a total of 13 Ansons in 1946-47 with plans to establish a major air freight operation between Melbourne and Tasmania and Bass Strait island communities. Operating under the name W.T.Dwyer Airlines, he concentrated on carrying fresh seafood to the Melbourne Fish market, but was unable to gain the finance needed to expand the business. In 1952 Dwyer reformed as a new operation named Flinders Island Airlines at Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne Based Essendon Airport flying freight charters to Tasmanian and Bass Strait island airfields, pilot Dwyer 5.48 DCA review of Tasmanian charter flights, based on Essendon Tower logs, listed VH-AXE flying regularly.  The report implied that it was being used by Tradair, Essendon along with Tradair's own Ansons VH-BJN, BJO, BJP, BJQ and VH-BJR. 16.12.48 Retired at Essendon 6.8.51 Struck-off Register in DCA 1951 Census of unairworthy aircraft
VH-AXE in service as a freighter at Essendon Airport, Melbourne 1946.               Photo: Darryl Mackenzie
Anson 1  LT792                                                                                                                                   VH-AXQ
.43 Built at Yeadon shadow factory by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as LT792 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 16.8.43 Taken on RAAF charge as LT792.  Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 2.12.43 Received 3BAGS West Sale ex 2AP 12.12.43 Received 1AGS West Sale ex 3BAGS 1.7.45 Prop struck water Shoal Inlet near Seapray Vic during over water exercise 3.9.45 Transferred to 1AGS Storage ex unit strength for storage under cover 20.8.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £535 to D.W. Gluyas, Geelong Victoria 19.9.46 Civil Registration application: Douglas W. Gluyas and Peter B. Lavender, Geelong Vic Gluyas and Lavender, both former RAAF aircrew, applied to DCA for a charter licence under the name New Guinea Air Freighters, with engineers Tom Watson and B. McHugh. Planned to operate between Lae, Madang and the Highlands with Ansons but the operation did not commence. Lavender and Tom Watson instead joined Guinea Air Traders in early 1947, Lavender later flying with  Cathay Pacific Airways, Tom Watson became Senior Engineer for GAT 7.3.47 Registered VH-AXQ 7.3.47 CofA issued. Fitted with 5 passenger seats 18.4.47 Change of ownership: Guinea Air Traders Ltd, Lae, New Guinea 8.11.47 GAT Anson VH-AXQ arrived Sydney Airport from New Guinea, pilot Peter Lavender. Advertised for sale in Sydney by GAT CofA expired, retired at Sydney Airport 20.10.49 Struck-off Civil Register
Anson 1  W1657                                                                                                                         VH-AXV, VH-BXV
.40 Built at Manchester by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as W1657 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 22.1.41 Taken on RAAF charge as W1657. Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 19.2.41 Received 3SFTS Amberley ex 2AP 6.4.42 Received 1SFTS Point Cook ex 3SFTS 15.6.42 Received 6SFTS Mallala ex 1SFTS 12.11.43 Issued to Guinea Airways, Parafield ex 6SFTS for complete overhaul 3.7.44 Received 4SFTS Geraldton ex Guinea Airways 22.1.45 Transferred to 4SFTS Storage ex unit strength, transferred to 87OBU Geraldton 2.8.45 8.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission to Airlines (WA) Ltd, Perth WA 10.9.46 Departed Geraldton, collected by purchaser Airlines (WA) Ltd purchased a total of 14 Ansons from Geraldton, all ferried to Maylands Aerodrome, Perth where 8 were converted to civil in the airline's maintenance hangar, the rest were broken up for parts 18.9.46 Test flown Maylands after civil conversion 2.10.46 Registered VH-AXV Airlines (WA) Ltd, Perth WA 2.10.46 CofA issued. RAAF glasshouse replaced by panels each side with 6 oval windows. Flown on Airlines (WA) Ltd scheduled services from Guilford Aerodrome, Perth. Named R.M.A.Albany 10.48 DCA advised owners of all aircraft in the VH-AX series that their registration was no longer available due new International aeronautical telecommunications requirements. VH-BXV was suggested to minimise the repainting. Ownersgiven until next annual CofA renewal overhaul to repaint their aircraft 7.12.48 Repainted as VH-BXV in the Airlines' hangar at Guildford 1.10.50 Forced landing Meekatharra WA after a propeller broke away in flight, no airframe damage 5.53 Fitted with dispensing gear to spread dingo baits on a 4 week contract 11.3.54 Change of ownership: Arnold H. Gibson & Keith Reynolds, Carnarvon WA Keith Reynolds was a wild cattle shooter who took the beef to Carnarvon in his rerigerated truck. With the Anson he planned to fly his beef to butchers in other WA towns, as well as carry fruit and vegetables. Pilot R.V.Hames was engaged and the aircraft maintained by Doggett Aviation at Maylands Aerodrome, Perth 3.6.54 Ground-looped landing Carnarvon on arrival from Learmonth, no damage,. Pilot R. V. Hames 20.10.54 Flown Carnarvon-Perth by R.V.Hames, landed Guidford where he unloaded freight. When taxying for departure to Maylands, a tyre went flat causing a ground-loop. No damage 10.54 Annual CofA renewal commenced by Doggett Aviation at Maylands. Not completed, aircraft is for sale 8.12.54 Change of ownership: Westralian Oil Pty Ltd, Perth WA 12.54 To be used to transport company employees to the north of WA. Pilot William G. Boulden has been engaged to operate the aircraft, which Doggett Aviation at Maylands will continue to maintain 13.1.55 Test flown Maylands by W.G.Boulden on completion of CofA renewal. Now 5 passenger seats 8.8.55 DCA inspection at Guidford. Glued wooden joints in the mainplane found to be seriously deteriorated. Ferry permit issued for the 5 minute flight to Maylands where the wing was repaired by David Gray & Co. 14.2.56 Test flown Maylands by W. G. Boulden after wing repair and CofA overhaul 15.2.56 CofA renewed. DCA Inspection states aircraft is now in excellent condition, airframe time 8,526 hrs. It will be hangared at Maylands when not in use 14.2.57 CofA expired, retired at Maylands 5.4.57 Ferried Maylands-Cunderdin by W. G. Boulden for storage. Boulden wrote to DCA: "return of the Anson to airworthy condition depends on development of oil search activities in northern parts of WA and NT." 11.57 By now parked in the open at Cunderdin with rudder missing 57 Retired at Cunderdin WA, became derelict 8.60 DCA memo: VH-BXV is at Cunderdin in poor condition, rats and birds living in the airframe 8.1.64 Derelict airframe noted in paddock near hangars at Cunderdin. "Westralian Oil Ltd"still visible on the fuselage 70 Alan Mather at Kellerberrin WA had a Cheetah engine from VH-BXV, the other was at Katanning.
Kalgoorlie WA circa 1948 on an Airlines(WA )Ltd scheduled passenger service.     Geoff Goodall collection
Anson VH-BXV retired at Cunderdin WA is seen in this aerial view of a flying event there in November 1957. The Anson's windows appear to have been modified to rectangular shape.            Geoff Goodall collection
Anson 1  MG921                                                                                                                                 VH-AYA
.43 Built at Yeadon shadow factory by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as MG921 Shipped boxed to Australia  20.3.44 Taken on RAAF charge as MG921. Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 1.6.44 Received 8SFTS Bundaberg ex 2AP 15.8.44 Badly damaged in ground-loop on takeoff Bundaberg 11.12.44 Received Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Archerfield ex 8SFTS for repair 27.7.45 Received 3AD Amberley ex APL Archerfield 13.8.45 Received CMU Evans Head ex 3AD for under cover storage 14.8.46 Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £770 to Mr. B. J.Clifton, Forbes NSW 19.8.46 Collected by Mr. Clifton at Evans Head 15.11.46 Registered VH-AYA  Cliftons Western Airways Ltd, Forbes NSW c/- B. J. Clifton In July 1946 B.J.Clifton, Managing Director of Cliftons Western Airways applied to DCA for an airline licence to operate from Forbes to Cowra, Condobolin, Wyong to Sydney with Ansons. DCA policy at that time was to defer decisions on airline licence applications from small under-capitalised operations, usually started by former RAAF aircrew. They were not refused, just deferred until the applicant was insolvent. The Directors of Cliftons Western Airways Ltd were particularly tenacious and continued demanding a decision until 1950 when they bitterly criticised the DCA unwritten policy to politicians including Prime Minister R.G.Menzies. The Minister for Air T.E. White responded with brilliant obfuscation stating that the Butler Air Transport DC-3 service to Parkes was considered near enough to Forbes. However if the Forbes local authorities paid to upgrade the Forbes aerodrome to DC-3 standard, BAT might consider making it a stopping point on the existing service. 15.11.46 CofA issued 22.11.46 VH-AYA departed Sydney with 5 other Ansons and a Dragon chartered to take passengers to New Guinea to attend Commonwealth Disposals Commission sales. None were fitted with radio. 14.11.47 CofA expired, not renewed 19.12.47 Struck-off Register
Anson 1  MG449                                                                                                                            VH-AYC, CR-AFT
.43 Built at Yeadon shadow factory by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as MG449 Shipped boxed to Australia  6.12.43 Taken on RAAF charge as MG449. Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 18.1.44 Received 8SFTS Bundaberg ex 2AP 29.1.45 Allotted RAAF Maryborough ex 8SFTS for storage 22.8.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission fo £250 to Suttons Motor Maintenance, Sydney 23.9.46 Civil Registration application: Frederick W. Sutton c/- Suttons Motors Pty Ltd, Sydney Fred Sutton was proprietor of Suttons Motors, with branches at Sydney, Grenfell and Temora NSW. Prewar he gained lucrative contracts to service the NSW State Government's vehicle fleet and became an enthusiastic private pilot.  Sutton purchased Ansons LT930, LT998, MG449 from CDC of which only MG449 became civil as VH-AYC. He also purchased Anson VH-AST and was a supporter of Sydney aviation enterprises in the early post-war years. He financed a number of ventures, the most successful being New England Airways, Morris Air Service and Tom Watson's Aerial Agriculture Pty Ltd Civil conversion by Marshall Airways at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney. Completed by 20.12.46 24.12.46 Registered VH-AYC 24.12.46 CofA issued. Cabin glasshouse replaced by panels each side with rectangular windows 12.2.47 Change of ownership: Portuguese Government, Dili, Portuguese Timor 10.4.47 Portuguese Consul, Sydney cabled DCA requesting approval to deliver from Sydney to Dili "Anson recently purchased for Government of Portuguese Timor." Pilot Lieutenant Solano of Portuguese Air Force, route will be via Adelaide, Alice Springs and Drwin Repainted in Sydney as CR-AFT in civil paint scheme but with Portuguese Air Force insignia 4.47 Ferried Sydney-Alice Springs-Darwin-Timor 1.5.47 Struck-off Australian Civil Aircraft Register 13.7.47 Registered as CR-AFT: Transportes Aereos de Timor, Dili Transportes Aereos de Timor (TAT) was a Portuguese Colonial Government-backed airline formed in 1946 to provide services within Timor. From 1955 equipped with Doves and Heronswhich allowed a air service to Darwin. After the loss of a Heron in 1960, TAA took over the Darwin-Timor route with F.27s CR-AFT fate unknown
Two views of CR-AFT at Alice Springs NT in April 1947 on delivery flight from Sydney to Portuguese Timor Photos: Civil Aviation Historical Society of SA, via SA Aviation Museum
Anson 1               NL119                                                                            CR-AAT
Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Anson 1. Identity unconfirmed but almost certainly NL119 .44 Built at Yeadon shadow factory by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to Air Ministry order as NL119 .44 Taken on charge Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm as NL119 .45 Shipped to Australia with NK950 - see VH-ARL above 45 Two RNFAA Ansons were shipped to Australia to operate courier services between RNFAA temporary bases in Australia, where large numbers of Royal Navy aircarft were being prepared after shipping from Britain. This was an early stage of the planned advance on Japan by the British Pacific Fleet. The Ansons were soon replaced by RNFAA Beech Expediters. 12.45 NK950 and NL119 on charge with RNFAA No.723 Squadron at Nowra NSW until January 1946. Flew courier services between Nowra, Melbourne, Sydney Brisbane and Maryborough Qld. No.723 Squadron was established as part of the Pacific Fleet's Mobile Operating Naval Air Bases concept in WWII whereby bare or unoccupied airfields could be rapidly manned and equipped for use by naval aircraft temporarily disembarked for training or maintenance. 723 Squadron formed in Britain on 21 November 1944 and embarked for Australia the following month, arriving on 28 February 1945. The Squadron was stationed in Australia operating from HMS Nabbington in Nowra. In March 1946 the Squadron moved to Schofields near Sydney where it was disbanded on 31 May 1946. 4.1.46 Australian Department of Defence cable to Department of Civil Aviation: “Australian Consul Dili advises that Government of Portuguese Timor require light twin engined aircraft and light single engined aircraft suitable for stretcher medical case. Aircraft second hand but serviceable condition with appropriate spares. Request prices by type by 1 February 1946. For twin engined aircraft he has recommended Anson.” 5.2.46 Australian Department of Defence cable to Portuguese Timor Consul: “Disposals Commission advises that there are a number of Anson aircraft in very good condition at £1000 ex Australian aerodromes in Victoria or South Australia. Spare motors would be available at £200 each and complete range of spare parts at £500. There are a number of Tiger Moths which could be converted available ex the mainland and New Guinea, prices ranging £300-£500 according to condition. Spare motors also available at £150 and there would be no difficulty in obtaining spare parts from De Havilland Aircraft Co. In addition there are Tiger Moths which have been used for ambulance purposes and this type of aircraft fitted with long range fuel tanks are available at Port Moresby.” 4.46 Portuguese Air Force Captain Antonio Rodrigues Costa and Lieutenant Artur Tamagnini Barbosa arrived Darwin. Their instructions were to acquire aircraft suitable for aerial ambulance and communications within Portuguese Timor. They were escorted by the Australian Consul. 26.4.46 Costa and Tamagnini in Melbourne for meetings arranged by the Australian Government: - Department of External Affairs - Department of Air: Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshall Jones, who helpfully suggested best routes to follow to ferry their aircraft to Timor and offered RAAF facilities en route - Department of Civil Aviation: C. S. Wiggins representing the Director-General of Civil Aviation, advising of their plans to acquire and ferry aircraft to Timor. He nominated a Sydney DCA officer as their contact. - General Manager, Commonwealth Disposals Commission, Mr. G. A. Davis, who offered all facilities to assist their purchase of aircraft. .46 Royal Navy Ansons offered for disposal in Australia a few months earlier than the large scale sales of RAAF Ansons by the Commonwealth Disposals Commission. 5.46 Purchased in Sydney by Portuguese Timor Government, Dili, Timor "Australasian Post" magazine 20 June 1946: "Timor Mercy Flights - Shining bright in their new coats of silver, several British aircraft which were handed over to the Commonwealth Disposals Commission for sale to private purchasers will soon for part of an aerial ambulance brigade in Portuguese Timor.  The Portuguese Government has purchased one Avro Anson and three Tiger Moths: at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney fitters and mechanics have been busy transforming the Anson from its shabby appearance into a refurbished aircraft that will comply with the strict requirements of the Australian Department of Civil Aviation." As well as this Anson, they purchased the following: DH Dragon   A34-54 purchased ex Royal Aero Club of NSW, Mascot Tiger Moth   A17-43 Two other RAAF Tiger Moths, identities not found. 22.6.46 Captain Costa and Lieutenant Barbosa were endorsed on an Anson aircraft at Mascot by Bob Brown, who had been a Mosquito test pilot for De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney 11.6.46 RAAF Care & Maintenance Unit Tamworth Operational Record Book: "Captain Costa and another Portuguese Air Force officer arrived this morning from Mascot in Dragon A34-54. They tested Tiger Moth A17-43 which had been purchased by the Portuguese Governmentand later both machines were flown to Sydney via Williamtown." 13.7.46 Anson registered CR-AAT: Transportes Aereos de Timor,  Dili, Timor 16.7.46 Anson departed Sydney on delivery flight to Timor under the command of Captain Costa, carrying Lt. Tamagnini, Lt. Griao, Lt. Toneales and an Australian engineer Mr. Sneddon. 17.7.46 Failed to arrive Broken Hill from Parkes, posted missing. Running low on fuel and unsure of position, Costa made a forced landing on flat terrain at Poplita Lake, 90 miles north of Mildura. No damage and no injuries. 18.7.46 Located by searching aircraft. Having established their position, Costa used the remaining fuel to fly to Travellers Lake where the two pilots walked to Windamingle Station. Requested fuel and oil be delivered by truck from Broken Hill 20.7.46 Arrived at Broken Hill 22.7.46 Broken Hill-Oodnadatta-Alice Springs 31.7.46 CR-AAT arrived Dili, Portuguese Timor no further details on the Anson - Dragon CR-ABT (ex A34-54) and Tiger Moth CR-ACT (ex A17-43) were to follow the Anson, planned to depart Sydney 9.9.46 flown by the now promoted Major A.R. Costa and Captain Artur Tamagnini Barbosa, both officers of Portuguese Air Force. - The Tiger Moth sustained minor damage at Tennant Creek NT 14.9.46.  Pilot Lt Barbosa was unhurt. DCA wanted to investigate the accident because the pilot had indicated that he had lost aileron control, but because of lack of DCA personnel in the area, requested RAAF Darwin investigate.  The Tiger Moth was transported by a RAAF truck to Darwin where it was housed at the RAAF Station. Barbosa cabled the Portuguese Consul in Sydney complaining that DCA staff at Tenant Creek Aerodrome refused him access to his damaged aircraft and now that it was at Darwin he was still being kept away from the aircraft. He queried why RAAF were involved in a civil aircraft investigation. The investigation by RAAF Darwin found that pilot fatigue was a probable contributory factor.
Anson 1  DG871                                                                                                                                   VH-AYD
.42 Built at Newton Heath shadow factory by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as DG871 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 29.3.42 Taken on RAAF charge as DG871. Received 1AD Laverton ex UK 22.5.42 Issued to Point Cook for assembly ex storage at Corpus Christie college at Werribee Mansion 27.6.42 Received 8SFTS Bundaberg ex Point Cook 7.4.43 Received 73 Sqn Laverton ex 8SFTS 11.8.44 Received 67 Sqn Nowra ex 73 Sqn 30.10.44 Received Point Cook ex 67 Sqn 19.1.45 Issued to Ansett Airways, Essendon ex Point Cook for complete overhaul 18.6.45 Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways. Airframe time 1,146 hrs 18.6.45 Issued to 67 Sqn Storage ex 1AD 26.9.45 Received 11EFTS Storage Benalla ex 67 Sqn Storage, for under cover storage 19.6.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £500 to E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman and experienced civil and military pilot. He and Sydney car dealer Eric E. McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale 23.9.46 Civil registration application: E. H. Loneragan c/- Jas Loneragan (Mudgee) Ltd, Mudgee NSW 11.46 Registered VH-AYD.   Civil register date 14.12.46 due clerical delay 11.46 CofA issued 16.11.46 VH-AYD departed Sydney for New Guinea, flown by E.H.Loneragan carrying business associates to attend Commonwealth Disposals Commission sales at Lae, Rabaul and Milne Bay. Departing Sydney at the same time were 5 other Ansons and a Dragon chartered to take prospective buyers to the CDC New Guinea sales 22.11.46 The loose formation of 7 aircraft reached Port Moresby from Higgins Field, Cape York VH-AYD continued to Lae, Finschaffen, Nadzab, Lae, Rabaul, Lae, Port Moresby 1.12.46 Port Moresby-Milne Bay to inspect the vast array of equipment and infrastructure abandoned there 7.12.46 Departed Port Moresby for Higgins Field (Jacki Jacki)-Cairns-Rockhampton-Brisbane-Sydney The Loneragan family business had purchased the Milne Bay salvage rights and Tim Loneragan was to fly company Ansons to New Guinea numerous times over the following years 23.3.47 Change of ownership: Guinea Air Traders Ltd, Lae, New Guinea 24.5.47 Crashed Bulolo, New Guinea, wrecked. Pilot Peter B. Lavender was the only person on board and was not hurt. When on final to land at Bulolo, Lavender saw another GAT Anson VH-ALS flown by W.Burdus was approaching to land from the opposite end of the runway. Lavender attempted a missed approach from low altitude but with undercarriage and flaps extended was unable to climb over a mountain ridge 2 miles from the airfield. For a detailed account of this event see the Balus Volume 1 pp43-44 6.47 GAT advised DCA that the crash site was inaccessable to vehicles or lifting equipment. The aircraft was stripped for parts then abandoned 26.8.47 Struck-off Register
November 1946 enroute to New Guinea, at Higgins Field on the tip of Cape York Peninsular far north Queensland, refuelling alongside the disused wartime tower building.                                           John Hopton Collection
VH-AYD loads up to depart Milne Bay 7 December 1946
Anson 1  R3530                                                                                                                        VH-AYE
.40 Built at Manchester by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as R3530 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 11.7.40 Taken on RAAF charge as R3530.  Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 29.8.40 First flight Bankstown after assembly 2.9.40 Received 1SFTS Point Cook ex 2AP 17.10.41 Received 2AOS Mount Gambier ex 1SFTS 2.3.42 Badly damaged struck fence when ran off strip landing at Cootamundra 7.9.42 Minor damage struck trees Mount Gambier 16.11.42 Issued to Ansett Airways, Essendon ex 2AOS for overhaul 22.4.43 Received 1AD ex Ansett Airways 17.5.43 Received 6SFTS Malala ex 1AD 24.2.45 Undercarriage failed during landing Mallala. Requires major repair 12.3.45 Received Guinea Airways, Parafield for repair 2.10.45 Received 6SFTS Storage Mallala ex Guinea Airways via Dept of Aircraft Production, Parafield 1.1.46 Transferred to CMU Mallala 22.2.46 Received CMU Nhill ex CMU Mallala for storage under cover 19.6.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £500 to E. H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW Edward H. "Tim" Loneragan was a Mudgee businessman and experienced civil and military pilot. He and Sydney car dealer Eric E. McIllree were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale 30.9.46 Registered VH-AYE  Edward H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW 30.9.46 Temporary CofA issued on completion of civil conversion at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney Commenced civil flying retaining RAAF camouflage.  Initially used to take ferry pilots and engineers to collect and deliver Ansons purchased by Aircraft Disposals Company from RAAF Stations 1.10.46 Flew Mascot-Narrandera-Mildura-Mallala, pilot Charles Eather employed by Eric Mcillree 2-3.10.46 Flew Mallala-Parafield-Narrandera-Camden-Mascot, pilot Eric McIllree 25.6.47 Change of ownership: Dr. Thomas Mervyn S. Hall, Toowoomba Qld.  Purchased with expired CofA. 10.47 New England Airways at Bankstown commenced work on CofA reneal overhaul, including installiation of civil Ansion modifications such as seating, window panels replacing the military cabin glasshouse, fitting Oxford type smooth engine cowlings 5.48 New England Airways advise DCA that the work is completed 7.6.48 CofA renewed at Bansktown 6.48 Dr. Mervyn Hall, who also owned Aeronca VH-ACJ, flew the Anson to his surgery rounds at Queensland hospitals, as well as using it for charter   7.11.48 Rudder replaced after damage, no details 19.3.49 VH-AYE visited an airshow at Casino NSW 8.6.49 Annual CofA renewal Archerfield Qld 17.7.50 Annual CofA renewal Archerfield Qld 9.12.50 Crashed, forced landing Tuggerah Lakes near Wyong NSW Pilot Dr. Hall, and passengers, his wife and children and friends were not hurt. They were on a holiday flight from Brisbane to Tasmania, when engine trouble forced the emergency landing on a disused airstrip. Dr. Hall said he was committed to land before he saw a fence had been built across the strip. Impact with the fence tore off the undercarriage and damaged the fuselage and tailplane. Damaged beyond economical repair, stripped for parts 6.4.51 Struck-off Civil Register
This creased print taken in 1946 while flying in RAAF camouflage was attached to VH-AYE's CofA form
Archerfield December 1948 now with window panels and smooth cowlings                   John Hopton Collection
Sydney Morning Herald 10.12.50.  The side story is a sign of the times.
Anson 1   DJ322                                                                                                                     VH-AYI,  VH-RAU
Built at Newton Heath shadow factory by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as DG871 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 26.10.42 Taken on RAAF charge as DJ322. Assembled by civilian contractor Butler Air Transport, Sydney Airport 9.11.42 Received 1RIMU ex Butler Air Transport 4.1.43 Received 12RSU Calibration Flight, Charters Towers ex 1RIMU 12.1.43 Received 1RIMU ex 12RSU 13.4.43 Received 6CF 2.10.43 Damaged in forced landing on salt pan 6.11.43 Received 4RSU Pell Field NT for repair. 4.2.44 4RSU request allotment to civilian contractor for major repair 6.3.44 Issued to Ansett Airways, Sydney Airport ex 4RSU 23.10.44 Received 2AP Bankstown ex Ansett Airways 26.10.44 Received 8SFTS Bundaberg ex 2AP 17.6.45 Received CMU Narrandera ex 8SFTS for storage under cover 19.8.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £400 to E. Wilkinson, Inverell NSW Edward Wilkinson purchased 4 Ansons from Disposals for the Anson Holding Syndicate, Inverell, founded by local investors in a proposed airline to connect northern NSW towns. Later registered as a business as the Anson Holding Company Civil conversion by Marshall Airways, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney. 15.11.46 Registered VH-AYI Anson Holding Company, Inverell NSW c/- E.Wilkinson Registration was requested in recognition of Arthur Yates of Inverell, a member of the Anson Holding Co 15.11.46 CofA issued. 7 passenger seats 16.11.46 VH-AYI delivered Sydney-Inverell by Arch Smith 12.46 Arch Smith flew VH-AYI Inverell-Tamworth-Sydney-Narrandera, carrying Anson Holding Company members and volunteers to work on two Ansons purchased at Narrandera. After 4 days and nights of maintenance, the two W2068 & W2598 were fit to be ferried to Tamworth, accompanied by Smith in VH-AYI. The Anson Holding Co's four Ansons were stored in former RAAF hangars at the wartime Tamworth aerodrome while the planned air service, named East West Airlines was established and applications made for an airline licence. Ted Wilkinson was a foundation director, and all assets of Anson Holding Company were turned over to East West Airlines 14.7.47 Change of ownership: East-West Airlines Ltd, Tamworth NSW 19.7.47 Ferried Sydney-Tamworth after modification to airline standard by Marshall Airways Entered East-West Airlines service on the initial route Tamworth-Sydney return 6.9.47 VH-AYI was named Smithy by Mrs. R. Williams, wife of Air Marshall Richard Williams, Director General of Civil Aviation in a ceremony at Tamworth. Anson VH-ASM was named Hinkler Flew East-West Airlines services as they expanded to other NSW towns and to Brisbane 12.3.51 Change of ownership: Campbell-Hicks Airways, Condobolin NSW William Campbell-Hicks was an experienced pre-war pilot who previously flew with Overland Air Services and was their Condoblin agent. His small charter and pilot training operation at Condobolin named Western Airways was taken over by OAS. In 1950 he left OAS and purchased the assets and licences of the defunct Truscott Club for Aeronauts, Bankstown to establish Campbell-Hicks Airwaysbased Condobolin. Offered charter and training with a DH.60, DH.82, Aeronca, Desoutter, Auster. In 1950 Campbell-Hicks Airways advertised "8 and 16 pax aircraft available for charter, NT tours etc", referring to Anson VH-AYI and OAS Lodestar VH-OAS. 3.51 Delivered Tamworth-Condobolin by freelance Sydney pilot Warren Penny 13.6.51 Change of ownership: Air Centre (Narrabri) Pty Ltd, Narrabri NSW This operation was established in June 1951 by Captain H.W.G. (Warren) Penny of Sydney, financed by local graziers. Because he was an undischarged bankrupt, his wife’s name Mrs. Monica M. Penny appears in all company records. The Anson was purchased for £1200 and flown by Warren Penny on passenger and freight charters. Within several months the company had ceased operating. Warren Penny later wrote: "There was still an urgent need in the Narrabri district for flood relief work, so I formed Air Centre Narrabri. With the financial help of a couple of graziers I bought Anson VH-AYI from Condobolin, a Tiger Moth VH-AOA and Avro Cadet VH-AFW. I did flights to Baradine, Boggabri, Collarenabri, Goondiwindi, Walgett , Grafton with bookmakers, to Brisbane with sick people, you name it,  I was there. We went to horse races at Gunnedah and Newcastle, I took graziers on sheep buying trips and I took a couple of trips to the Gold Coast to get away from floods and sheep for a few days. On 30th November 1951 I left Narrabri because the flood work had petered out and took the Anson to Sydney for resale." 4.4.52 Change of ownership: Robbys Aircraft Repair Co Ltd, Parafield Aerodrome, Adelaide SA Robbys was formed at Parafield in 1948 by P.W. Robilliard and Maxwell Bond. Operated agricultural services, pilot training, charter and aircraft maintenance. The company gained a 5 year aerial photographic survey contract with the SA Department of Lands and purchased two Ansons for this contract 17.4.52 Reregistered VH-RAU 26.10.54 Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service Stood outside at Parafield for about 3 years then broken up
RAAF Anson DJ322 bogged to the belly on a NT salt pan in November 1943 while with 6CF Batchelor
VH-AYI at Tamworth 1947 prior to the formation of East-West Airlines.         Photo: John Smith collection
Tamworth September 1947 now with East-West Airline titles and name "Smithy" on the nose
Eagle Farm Airport, Brisbane 1950 on a scheduled East-West Airlines service.              Photo by Gus Grulke
Parafield SA in September 1952, silver with red lettering, "Robbys Parafield" above the windows Photo by John M. Smith
Anson 1  MH150                                                                                                                                      VH-AYK
.44 Built at Yeadon shadow factory by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as MH150 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 20.3.44 Taken on RAAF charge as MH150. Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 24.4.44 Test flight Bankstown after assembly 17.7.44 Received GRS Bairnsdale ex 2AP Transferred to GRS Storage ex unit strength 11.2.46 Received RAAF East Sale ex GRS Storage for storage under cover 7.9.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to C. S. Richards, Sydney NSW Former wartime RAAF pilot Cliff S. Richards of Paton Advertising Service, Pitt St, Sydney had been a prewar DH.60 owner. He operated the Anson in partnership with C. F. Ney and A.C. Coppleson, all three being directors ofmanufacturing company Covergirl Products Ltd, Sydney 30.5.47 Registered VH-AYK C. S. Richards and C.F.Ney, Sydney NSW. 30.5.47 CofA issued. 7 passenger seats 7.47 Nominal change of ownership: C. S. Richards, C.F. Ney, A.C. Coppleson, Sydney NSW 9.47 Cliff Richards has been operating from Narrandera NSW and Sydney flying experimental rain-making flights, dispensing dry ice on clouds. Continued until at least February 1948 1.5.48 Change of ownership: Guinea Air Traders Ltd, Lae, New Guinea 23.8.48 CofA renewed at Camden NSW. To be based at Lae 22.8.49 CofA expired, not renewed. 7.10.49 Guinea Air Traders advised DCA that they did not intend returning VH-AYK to service 17.5.51 Struck-off Civil Register
VH-AYK at Narrandera NSW during Cliff Richards' 1947 rain making experiments.           Photo: Vacuum Oil
Anson 1  W2164                         RMA De Gray                                                                     VH-AYN,  VH-MMG
.41 Built at Manchester by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as W2164 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 6.6.41 Taken on RAAF charge as W2164. Received 1AD Laverton ex UK for assembly 31.8.41 Received 4SFTS Geraldton ex 1AD 1.10.42 Minor damage struck parked Anson W2096 after overshooting the flare path landing on night exercise 15.11.42 Forced landing Georgina satellite landing ground duie starboard engine fire 28.10.43 Forced landing with undercarriage retracted on bombing range 12 miles south of Geraldton 11.9.44 Issued ANA Maylands ex 4SFST for complete overhaul 14.5.45 Received 4SFTS ex ANA Maylands 2.8.45 Transferred to 87OBU Geraldton ex 4SFTS to be stored under cover 19.8.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £350 to MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co, Perth MMA purchased 6 Ansons from Geraldton, all ferried to Maylands Aerodrome, Perth where they were converted to civil passenger standard in the MMA hangars to become VH-AYN,O,P,Q and VH-MMB,C 7.9.46 Civil registration application: MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co Ltd, Perth WA Civil conversion by MMA at Maylands 1.11.46 Test flown Maylands by MMA Captain Cyril Kleinig 1.11.46 Registered VH-AYN 1.11.46 CofA issued. 7 passenger seats 2.11.47 Test flown by Captain Kleinig after annual CofA renewal at Guildford Airport, Perth where MMA had moved its maintenance sections from the old Maylands Aerodrome 4.49 Reregistered VH-MMG, named RMA. De Gray 50s Based at Derby WA operating MMA scheduled station services through the Kimberley district, also medical flights on contract to the Flying Doctor Service of Australia. 31.1.55 Minor damage: wheels-up landing Ord River Station on a Flying Doctor Service flight from Darwin with stops at Victoria River Downs and Wave Hill. Captain B. Floyd 4.2.56 Crashed destroyed Hawkestone Peak, Kimberley District WA Flying Doctor Service flight to bring a seriously ill child from Tableland Mission to Derby Hospital. MMA Captain Pieter J. van Emmerick departed Derby at 2.35pm with two nurses, landed at the mission and loaded the child and her father. Departed the mission at 6.32pm for Derby in poor weather and encountered a severe tropical thunderstorm enroute. Did not arrive Derby. Aerial search commenced with 16 aircraft including RAAF Lincolns 22.2.56 Wreckage finally spotted by a searching aircraft. It had been broken up by the waters of a river 24.2.56 Ground party reached the crash site. Most of the aircraft remains were submerged in mud from the river in flood from continuous heavy monsoon season rain.  The bodies of the five occupants were buried nearby. This accident hastened the replacement of Ansons with MMA DH.104 Doves on the Kimberley services. Ansons were limited to VFR operations but the better-performing Doves operated IFR
VH-AYN in November 1946 immediately after civil conversion, outside the impressive new MMA hangar at Guildford Airport, Perth. Note military glasshouse and helmet cowlings.               Photo: Frank Colquhoun
VH-AYN in 1948 at Tennant Creek NT, now window panels, MMA name and Oxford type smooth cowlings. This view shows the nose baggage locker.                       Photo by resident Aeradio operator Mike Cosgrave
Reregistered VH-MMG "RMA De Grey", seen at Halls Creek in the far north of WA in December 1953. Photo by resident DCA radio technician Colin Hayes
Memorial plaque at the original Derby Airport recorded the tragic end of VH-MMG.    Photo by Geoff Goodall
Anson 1  W2088                   RMA Ord, RMA Harding                                                        VH-AYO, VH-MMH
.41 Built at Manchester by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as W2088 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 14.4.41 Taken on RAAF charge as W2088. Received 2AP Bankstown ex UK for assembly 20.6.41 Issued to 4SFTS Geraldton ex 2AP 29.9.42 Brake failure, struck concrete tie-down block while taxying at Georgina satellite landing ground 9.3.43 Damaged in ground loop while taxying at Kojarena satellite landing ground 2.9.44 Received ANA Maylands ex 4SFTS for complete overhaul 7.5.45 Received 4SFTS ex ANA Maylands 2.8.45 Transferred to 87OBU Geraldton ex 4SFTS, to be stored under cover 23.8.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £350 to MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co, Perth 7.9.46 Civil registration application: MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co Ltd, Perth WA MMA purchased 6 Ansons from Geraldton, all ferried to Maylands Aerodrome, Perth where they were converted to civil passenger standard in the MMA hangars to become VH-AYN,O,P,Q and VH-MMB,C 25.10.46 Interim CofA issued by DCA to allow VH-AYO to be used by MMA to fly special charters during a railway strike and a period of reduced coastal shipping. Approved to carry passengers using the existing RAAF seating and the copilot seat used by a passenger 25.11.46 DCA approved MMA request for VH-AYO to carry a company pilot and 3 engineers to Geraldton to collect two spare Anson one-piece mainplanesand load them for rail transport to Perth 10.12.46 Test flown Maylands after CofA conversion to airline standard completed by MMA 11.12.46 Registered VH-AYO.  Named RMA Ord 11.12.46 CofA issued. 7 passenger seats 14.4.47 Arrived Darwin to be based there on contract to Northern Territory Administration, resident pilot MMA Captain Dave Campbell 18.9.47 Damaged while being towed by tug on ground Darwin 18.8.48 Damaged by a severe ground-loop on takeoff Victoria River Downs Station NT when tyre burst. Aircraft was operating a scheduled MMA service, Captain R. Nolan and 6 passengers unhurt. 10.48 Repairs at VRD completed, returned to Darwin where based 4.49 Reregistered VH-MMH 16-18.11.49 Logbook: Darwin-Croker Island-Elcho island-Gove-Oenpelli Mission-Snake Bay-Darwin 22.6.51 noted at Perth Airport, silver with blue lettering, name RMA Ord 14.2.54 damaged in emergency landing Perth Airport with port undercarriage locked up, Captain Ross Treadgold .55 MMA report states that VH-MMH has been used on aerial survey contracts for the past few years .59 Name changed to RMA Harding. This allowed MMA's new flagship Fokker F.27 Friendship VH-MMO to be named RMA Ord, following  MMA policy for each aircraft to be named after a WA river and with the first letter matching the last letter of their VH-MM registration 11.59 VH-MMH advertised for sale by MMA: 7 passenger seats, total airframe time 5,860 hours, "standby aircraft for passenger and special operations" 4.60 Temporarily based at Derby WA on Royal Flying Doctor Service (Victorian Section) contract, pilots MMA Captains R.V. Hames and E. H. Marshall Flown on survey and charter up to the DCA mandatory grounding of Australian Ansons effective 30.6.62 29.6.62 VH-MMH RMA Harding ferried Mount Magnet-Perth Airport for retirement. Made a farewell circuit over Perth before landing 30.6.62 Retired Perth Airport WA.  CofA suspended by DCA Policy. Struck-off Civil Register 11.8.62 Delivered on a DCA ferry permit from Perth Airport to Fairbridge Farm School, Pinjarra WA, flown by senior MMA Captain Alex Whitham. Landed on the wartime Pinjarra airstrip adjacent to the school. Donated by MMA to Fairbridge Farm School for use as an engineering instructional airframe. VH-MMH's log books were handed over by MMA Managing Director Cyril N. Kleinig 63 Mounted on concrete blocks in flying attitude at the school 64 Aircraft destroyed by Fairbridge Farm School students in acts of gross vandalism 5.68 VH-MMH's remains located on the school tip Wreck sections collected by Mr. John B.Martin, Perth to save it from further destruction
VH-AYO at Guildford Airport, Perth late 1946 immediately after civil conversion. At this stage it retains the military cabin glasshouse and helmet cowlings.                                              Photo by Frank Colquhoun
Victoria River Downs Station NT August 1948 after the starboard gear collapsed. Now has window panels and smooth cowlings. Captain Alex Whitham who flew in the MMA repair team, poses with the downed Anson. He would fly this same Anson on its final flight 14 years later.               Photo by Frank Colquhoun
Now VH-MMH, "RMA Ord" seen at Elcho Island NT in November 1949.         Photo by Phil McCulloch
VH-MMH brings a sheep shearing team to Noonkenbah Station in the far north of WA in 1951 Courtesy Roger McDonald
VH-MMH's final flight: 11 August 1962 delivered from Perth to Fairbridge Farm School near Pinjarra WA. The School headmaster accepts the logbooks from MMA Managing Director Cyril Klenig while Captain Alex Whitham looks on. Geoff Goodall collection
Fairbridge Farm School December 1963.                                                             Photo by Alistair Coutts
Terrible sight in November 1964 after the Anson was torn apart by the Fairbridge children.    Photo by Alistair Coutts
The pitiful remains of "RMA Harding" on the Fairbridge school dump in May 1968.                Photo by Geoff Goodall
Anson 1  W2045                        RMA Greenough                                                                 VH-AYP,  VH-MMI
.41 Built at Manchester by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as W2088 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 13.4.41 Taken on RAAF charge as W2045. Received 1AD Laverton ex UK for assembly 8.5.41 Issued 4SFTS Geraldton ex 1AD 10.7.42 Forced landing near Morawa WA due engine failure, no damage to airframe 24.2.43 Damaged struck by taxying Anson DJ460 at night at Geraldton 1.11.43 Issued ANA Maylands ex 4SFTS for complete overhaul 17.6.44 Issued 4SFTS ex Maylands 22.1.45 Transferred 4SFTS Storage Geraldton ex unit strength 2.8.45 Transferred 87OBU Geraldton for storage under cover 19.8.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co, Perth 7.9.46 Civil registration application: MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co Ltd, Perth WA MMA purchased 6 Ansons from Geraldton, all ferried to Maylands Aerodrome, Perth where they were converted to civil passenger standard in the MMA hangars to become VH-AYN,O,P,Q and VH-MMB,C 10.9.46 Ferried Geraldton-Maylands for civil conversion by MMA. Total airframe time ex RAAF was 2,118 hours 26.4.47 Test flown Maylands after civil conversion 26.4.47 Registered VH-AYP. Named RMA Greenough 26.4.47 CofA issued.  7 passenger seats, RAAF glasshouse replaced by panels each side with windows 4.6.47 Departed Maylands on a scheduled MMA service to Geraldton, returned for emergency landing with engine trouble. Ground-looped on landing, port undercsrriage collapsed. Captain F. Hammersley and the 5 passengers were unhurt. (Several hours later Captain Hammersley and his 5 passengers departed Maylands in Anson VH-AYQ for Geraldton, Carnaravon and Port Hedland. Plans to make up time on the delayed service were frustrated by poor weather which forced an overnight stay at Geraldton. Early next morning departed Geraldton for Carnarvon but forced to return due to a rough running engine. Captain Hammersley changed the spark plugs then took the aircraft without passengers on a flight test. At 10am he loaded the passengers and departed for Carnarvon. When 75 miles south of Carnarvon the port engine lost power and altitude could not be maintained. Hammersley reached Carnarvon Aerodrome but made an emergency landing straight-in to a down-wind runway at higher than normal approach speed. He turned on to the crossing runway at too high a speed, causing VH-AYQ to violently ground-loop and undercarriage collapsed. Again the pilot and his hapless passengers were not hurt) 7.6.47 VH-AYP repairs completed at Maylands. Returned to MMA service 4.49 Reregistered VH-MMI   Retained name R.M.A. Greenough 19.5.50 CofA expired, not renewed. 7.50 MMA advise DCA that VH-MMI will be broken up after engines, instruments and parts removed 31.8.50 Struck-off Civil Register
Maylands 4 June 1947 after the port gear collapsed in an emergency landing. It was repaired and back in MMA passenger service three days later.                                                        Geoff Goodall collection
Guildford Airport, Perth 1947, showing VH-AYP's unusual window design.  Behind are MMA Lockheed 10A VH-ABV and stripped Hudson A16-116 ferried from RAAF Pearce by MMA for engines and parts.                         Geoff Goodall collection
Anson 1  W2015                        RMA Drysdale                                                             VH-AYQ,  VH-MMJ,  VH-BIZ
.41 Built at Manchester by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as W2015 Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 13.4.41 Taken on RAAF charge as W2015. Received 1AD Laverton ex UK for assembly 8.5.41 Issued 4SFTS Geraldton ex 1AD 24.11.42 Ground taxying accident prior to cross-country flight, struck by taxying Anson R3557 Geraldton 21.8.44 Received ANA Maylands ex 4SFTS for complete overhaul 16.4.45 Received 4SFTS Storage ex ANA, ferried by 7CU Perth 2.8.45 Transferred to 87OBU Geraldton ex 4SFST Storage 11.10.45 Received 7CU ex 87OBU 17.12.45 Received 87OBU ex 7CU for under cover storage 19.8.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co, Perth MMA purchased 6 Ansons from Geraldton, all ferried to Maylands Aerodrome, Perth where they were converted to civil passenger standard in the MMA hangars to become VH-AYN,O,P,Q and VH-MMB,C 7.9.46 Civil registration application: MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co Ltd, Perth WA 10.9.46 Ferried Geraldton-Perth for civil conversion by MMA  20.12.46 Test flown Maylands after civil conversion 20.12.46 Registered VH-AYQ. Named RMA Drysdale 20.12.46 CofA issued 5.6.47 Ground-looped after emergency landing at Carnarvon: for details see VH-AYP above 4.6.47 Undercarriage wrecked, fuselage and engine nacelles damaged 6.47 MMA repair team from Perth made temporary repairs, aircraft ferried to Maylands 2 weeks later 12.47 Stored at Maylands, due pressure of work MMA have not yet returned the aircraft to service 8.48 Back in passenger service by now 4.49 Reregistered VH-MMJ.  Retained the name RMA Drysdale 22.6.51 VH-MMJ noted at Guildford, silver with blue lettering, RMA Drysdale 27.3.58 Change of ownership: Carsair Air Service, Port Moresby, New Guinea c/- Robert G. Carswell 2.4.58 Reregistered VH-BIZ The change of registration was at MMA's request to vacate their VH-MM block. Carsair had six Anson 1s plus a metal-winged Anson Mk.19 VH-BIX, mostly in the VH-BI series, based in New Guinea. In September 1958 Bob Carswell pulled out of New Guinea due DCA refusal to grant an airline licence.  He moved his remaining Ansons, plus Lockheed 12A VH-ABH, Lockheed 10B VH-CMA and Norseman VH-ASS back to his home base at Archerfield Airport, Brisbane Leased to Gillham Airways Pty Ltd, Mackay Qld Operated on passenger services between Mackay and Lindeman Island, carrying holiday makers. Connected with Trans-Australia Airlines services at Mackay. Gillham also had Ansns VH-BBI and VH-BEV. 1.7.60 Nominal change of ownership: Robert G. Carswell, Archerfield Airport, Brisbane Qld 6.62 VH-BIZ noted at Darwin Airport NT, no longer active. Carswell had charter contracts in Darwin the previous year, also using his DH.89 Rapide VH-AAG 30.6.62 Struck-off Civil Register. CofA suspended by DCA Policy 3.63 noted at Darwin Airport, poor condition
VH-MMJ at Halls Creek WA in 1953 while operating MMA Kimberley routes.         Photo by Colin Hayes
Two TAA publicity photographs circa 1958 at Mackay promoting the Lindeman Island resort as a holiday destination. Photos: TAA via Peter Kelly
VH-BIZ at left with other retired Ansons at the Carsair hangar at Archerfield January 1959.        Photo by Dave Eyre
Anson 1  LT773                                                                                                                     VH-AZU
.43 Built at Yeadon shadow factory by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as LT773 2.5.43 Test flight Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 7.43 Taken on RAAF charge as LT773. Received 1SFTS Point Cook ex UK for assembly 30.8.43 Received 3BAGS West Sale ex 1SFTS 11.10.43 Received GRS Bairnsdale temporarily ex 3BAGS 29.11.43 Received 3BAGS ex GRS 12.12.43 Received 1AGS West Sale ex 3BAGS 6.8.45 Received 1AGS Storage ex unit strength, for storage under cover 20.8.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £300 to J. Blomberg, Sydney NSW Civil conversion by Marshall Airways at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney 12.12.46 Registered VH-AZU Kenneth H. Johnson c/- Airflite Pty Ltd, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney 12.12.46 CofA issued. 7 passenger seats. Operated with Anson VH-AZX for charter by Johnson's company Air Taxi Service of Australia, Sydney 10.47 Change of ownership: Far Eastern Flying Training School Ltd, Hong Kong Sale to Hong Kong included Johnson's other Anson VH-AZX and was negotiated by aviation agency Brown and Dureau Ltd, Melbourne. B&D had sold Ryan STMs to Far Eastern Flying Training School for pilot training at Kai Tak Airport. Both Ansons will be flown to Hong Kong 11.12.47 Annual CofA expired 12.47 VH-AZU and AZX at Bankstown at a hangar leased by Brown and Dureau Ltd 1.48 Brown and Dureau Ltd advised DCA that both Ansons will have CofA renewals by Marshall Airways at Sydney Airport prior to their departure for Hong Kong 2.2.48 VH-AZU ferried Bankstown to Mascot by S.D.Marshall 2.48 CofA renewal inspection completed. Cabin glasshouse replaced by panels with windows. A new DCA glued joint testing procedure was mandated for Anson wooden mainplanes and tailplanes constructed with "Betel W" glue which was found to deteriorate with age and heat. The test procedure required destructive testing of the wing internal structure.  A DCA inspection of VH-AZU at Mascot found the suspect glue was used in its mainplane and tailplane, thus it would require the glue test procedure before CofA could be renewed 3.48 Brown & Dureau Ltd wrote to DCA complaining about the expense and delay involved in having VH-AZU's wing so soon after both Ansons had CofA renewal overhauls Overhaul of VH-AZU discontinued, DCA wing tests not carried out Sale to Hong Kong cancelled due to delayed delivery 26.8.48 Change of ownership: Marshall Airways, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney NSW Sid Marshall took over ownership of both Ansons, VH-AZU in u/s condition, VH-AZX used for charter. 6.8.51 Struck-off Register in the 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft 51 Marshall Airways moved to Bankstown Aerodrome. VH-AZU stored dismantled by 62 Complete fuselage of VH-AZU in Marshall Airways' was among other aircraft in Sid Marshall's open storage yard on the boundary of Bankstown Aerodrome 2.64 VH-AZU fuselage in the yard still in fair condition, fabric tearing away due weather exposure 1.77 VH-AZU fuselage unmoved in the yard but now in poor condition Sydney aviation enthusiast John S. White proposed a restoration of VH-AZU's fuselage by RAAF Museum at Point Cook: it would to mounted on an unused spare Anson wooden mainlane the museum was reported to have located in a RAAF Stores Depot. Plan did not proceed .77 Fuselage acquired by Ralph Cusack, Brisbane Qld. Sid Marshall had died and his collection of stored aircraft was being disposed of by his long-time partner and chief engineer Jack Davidson. 80 VH-AZU's fuselage frame under restoration in a hangar at Archerfield Airport, Brisbane by Cusack and experienced aircraft woodworker Ken Beard. Componenst salvaged from Ansons on farms were being used to restore the fuselage to display standard (see VH-AKB above) Completed fuselage traded by Ralph Cusack to RAF Museum, Hendon. Probably an exchange deal for Bristol Beaufort parts needed for Cusack's airworthy restoration project of Beaufort A9-141 at Brisbane later Caboolture Qld. 5.95 Anson fuselage from Australia noted in a hangar at Duxford Aerodrome, England. said to be VH-ASM by 2002 Fuselage displayed at RAF Museum, Hendon on a RAF Queen Mary transporter, painted in RAF camouflage as "W2068” code “68" on right, cut away on left side to show construction Note: W2068 was VH-ASM which had been in Marshall's yard with VH-AZU Current.  See: "The RAF Museum Anson Mix-Up" in this section
Mascot 1946 at the Airflite hangar after civil conversion in this attractive scheme, reportedly red and silver. Photo: Ed Coates Collection
Marshall Airways storage yard at Bankstown February 1964, with window panels and different paint scheme. VH-AZU had not flown since February 1948.                                                            Photo by Peter Limon
Thanks to Dave Eyre we have this colour view of VH-AZU in the storage yard in 1964
VH-AZU on display at RAF Museum Hendon, painted as RAF "W2068"
Anson 1  LT737                                                                                                                               VH-AZX
.43 Built at Yeadon shadow factory by A.V.Roe  & Co Ltd to RAF order as LT737 23.4.43 Test flight Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme 16.8.43 Taken on RAAF charge as LT737. Received 1SFTS Point Cook ex UK for erection 30.8.43 Received 3BAGS West Sale ex 1SFTS 11.10.43 Received GRS Bairnsdale temporarily ex 3BAGS 29.11.43 Received 3BAGS ex GRS 12.12.43 Received 1AGS West Sale ex 3BAGS 3.9.45 Transferred 1AGS Storage ex unit strength for storage under cover 20.8.46 Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £300 to J. Blomberg, Sydney NSW Civil conversion by Marshall Airways at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney 30.1.47 Registered VH-AZX Kenneth H. Johnson c/- Airflite Pty Ltd, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney 30.1.47 CofA issued. 7 passenger seats Operated with Anson VH-AZU for charter by Johnson's company Air Taxi Service of Australia, Sydney 10.47 Change of ownership: Far Eastern Flying Training School Ltd, Hong Kong Sale to Hong Kong included Johnson's other Anson VH-AZU and was negotiated by aviation agency Brown and Dureau Ltd, Melbourne. B&D had sold Ryan STMs to Far Eastern Flying Training School for pilot training at Kai Tak Airport. Both Ansons will be flown to Hong Kong 12.47 VH-AZU and AZX at Bankstown at a hangar leased by Brown and Dureau Ltd 1.48 Brown and Dureau Ltd advised DCA that both Ansons will have annual CofA renewals by Marshall Airways at Sydney Airport prior to their departure for Hong Kong 18.1.48 VH-AZX ferried Bankstown to Mascot by S.D.Marshall 30.1.48 CofA renewed at Mascot 1.2.48 Ferried Mascot-Bankstown and parked in Brown & Dureau hangar 14.2.48 Inspected at Bankstown by DCA airworthiness inspector to determine the type of glue used in its mainplane and tailplane. It was "Betel W" glue which had been found to deteriorate with age and heat.  VH-AZX would require the glue test procedure which involved destructive testing of areas of the wing internal structure 3.48 Brown & Dureau Ltd wrote to DCA complaining about the expense and delay involved in having both Ansons now requiring the wing testing so soon after competing CofA renewal overhauls Sale of both Ansons to Hong Kong cancelled due to delayed delivery 8.7.48 Change of ownership: Marshall Airways, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney NSW Sid Marshall took over ownership of both Ansons, VH-AZU in u/s condition, VH-AZX used for charter. 31.8.48 VH-AZX CofA renewed at Mascot by Marshall Airways. The original one-piece mainplane was replaced with spare mainplane constructed from approved casein glue. Flew charter and air ambulance work from Mascot. From 1950 Marshall Airways moved to Bankstown 7.10.50 Departed Mascot for Coffs Harbour NSW to join aerial search for missing Auster 3 VH-DAE which failed to arrive at Newcastle on a flight from Coffs Harbour on 4.10.50. VH-AZX pilot was Warren Penny (who regularly flew Marshall Airways Ansons and DC-2) carrying two DCA observers. 20.11.51 Ground collision at Bankstown while being taxied by Joe Palmer, who often flew for Sid Marshall. Struck parked Anson VH-BLL and Tiger Moth VH-BCE. Minor damage sustained by all three. 30.6.62 CofA suspended by DCA Policy 18.7.62 Struck-off Civil Register "Direction of the Director General of Civil Aviation" Sid Marshall had protested the grounding of his airworthy Ansons VH-AZX & VH-ASM and offered both to DCA to be tested in any way they required. DCA declined. 12.62 Marshall Airways Ansons VH-ASM, AZX and unconverted W2599 were towed on to the grass opposite the hangar at Bankstown, lined up nose to tail. Left unmoved for next 18 months mid 64 VH-AZX had its wings sawed off outboard of the necelles. Towed behind a truck to the Sydney suburb of Fairfield where parked at front of Fairfield Motor Wreckers as an "eye catcher" 7.67 unmoved at Fairfield, poor condition. The cabin interior had been burnt out by a fire .68 carted away as scrap - VHAZX remains including fuselage frame acquired by Colin Wear as a restoration project - Colin Wear later donated his Anson restoration project to RAAF Museum, Point Cook Vic The identical military and early civil careers of VH-AZU and VH-AZX is noteworthy
Mascot 1948 at the Marshall Airways hangar with ambulance cross signifying regular air ambulance flights. Photo:  Ed Coates Collection
Bankstown October 1961 still in service. "Marshall Airways Charter Service" above the windows. Photo by Dave Eyre
VH-AZX's undignified final days.  Faifield, Sydney in July 1967.                               Photo by Geoff Goodall
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RAAF units operating Ansons
AAS Air Armament School Hamilton Vic, to Nhill Vic 12.43, renamed AAGS AAGS Air Armament and Gas School Nhill Vic 1AD Aircraft Depot Laverton Vic 2AD Richmond NSW 3AD Amberley Qld 4AD Boulder, Kalgoorlie WA 5AD Forest Hill, Wagga NSW 6CF Communications Flight Batchelor NT AFRU Advanced Flying and Refresher Unit Deniliquin NSW 1AGS Air Gunnery School West Sale Vic AGRS Air and Ground Radio School Ballarat Vic 1ANS Air Navigation School Parkes NSW 2ANS Nhill Vic 1AOS Air Observers School Cootamundra NSW 2AOS Mount Gambier SA 3AOS Port Pirie SA 1AP Aircraft Park Geelong Vic 2AP Bankstown NSW 2BAGS Bombing and Gunnery School Port Pirie SA 3BAGS West Sale CMU Care and Maintenance Unit 3CRD Central Recovery Depot Amberley Qld 7CU Communications Unit Guildford WA 11EFTS Elementary Flying Training School Benalla Vic 1FTS Flying Training School Point Cook Vic GRS General Reconnaissance School Laverton Vic, to Cressy Vic, to Bairnsdale Vic 87OBU Operational Base Unit Geraldton WA 1RIMU Radio Installation and Maintenance Unit Croydon NSW, deployments to NSW, Vic, Qld 4RSU Repair and Salvage Unit Pell Field NT 9RSU Werribee Vic, to Sattler NT 5.44 12RSU Charters Towers Qld 22RSU Werribee Vic, to Nadzab 2.44 1SFTS Service Flying Training School Point Cook Vic 2SFTS Forest Hill, Wagga NSW 3SFTS Amberley Qld 4SFTS Geraldton WA 6SFTS Mallala SA 8SFTS Bundaberg Qld 2 Sqn Squadron Laverton 100 Sqn Richmond NSW, to Mareeba Qld 5.42, to Laverton Vic 7.42, to Milne Bay 9.42, other New Guinea airfields 67 Sqn Laverton Vic 71 Sqn Lowood Qld 73 Sqn Nowra NSW and Camden NSW 1WAGS Wireless Air Gunners School Ballarat Vic 3WAGS Maryborough Qld
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