Compiled by Geoff Goodall
Continuing the listing of RAAF Ansons sold by post-war military disposals which became civil registered
Photo: Adastra Aerial Surveys via Ron Cuskelly
| .41 | Built at Manchester by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as W2188 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 28.6.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2188. Received No.1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton ex UK for assembly |
| 26.9.41 | Issued to General Reconnaissance School, Laverton ex 1AD |
| 20.9.43 | Issued to Ansett Airways, Essendon ex GRS for overhaul |
| 1.5.44 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 28.5.44 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 1AD |
| 18.6.45 | Received RAAF Station Maryborough ex 8SFTS for storage |
| 20.8.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £750 to J.C.Allen, Brisbane Qld |
| 5.10.46 | Issued to purchaser |
| 18.10.46 | Civil Registration application: Inland Air Service, Brisbane Qld Company representative Mr.E.S.Riggall submitted applications the same same day for Ansons allocated registrations VH-BAB, -BAC & -BAD. The three will carry fresh fruit, vegetables and fish from Brisbane to a network of Queensland inland towns. |
| 20.1.47 | Registered VH-BAB Inland Air Service Pty Ltd, Brisbane Qld |
| 1.47 | CofA issued |
| 3.47 | IAS commenced freight services on a charter basis |
| 8.47 | DCA
required the three IAS Ansons to have inspections of woodwork in
mainplanes and tailplane to check glue adhesion strength. It was agreed
that IAS could continue freight services using VH-BAD while the other
two were inspected, and when they were back in service, VH-BAD would be
retired for the same checks. |
| 10.47 | VH-BAB returned to service. DCA file indicated the entire mainplane was replaced. |
| 1.48 | IAS announced its intention to commence passenger services on two routes from 19.1.48: Brisbane-Oakey-Condamine-Roma-Mitchell-Charleville Brisbane-St George-Goondiwindi-Cunnamulla DCA refused to issue an Airline Licence and required flights to be on a charter basis only, until the company complied with Departmental requirements. The airline licence was issued 2.4.48 and IAS commenced limited passenger services from Brisbane Airport. Australian National Airways (ANA) was appointed as managing agents and to provide ground handling. |
| 3.48 | A
Queensland railway workers strike resulted in many passenger and
freight charters for IAS, particularly to St George and Goondiwindi. |
| 5.10.48 | Inland Air Services Pty Ltd assets were purchased by established airline Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Brisbane |
| 18.10.48 | Following financial investment in APL by Butler Air Transport, Sydney, Aircrafts Pty Ltd changed its operating name to Queensland Airlines Pty Ltd, Brisbane. QAL was a wholly owned subsidiary of BAT. |
| 10.49 | VH-BAB
was leased to East West Airlines, Tamworth for a period to replace
their Anson VH-BDO which crashed on takeoff at Tamworth on 22.10.49 |
| 7.9.50 | Change of ownership: Butler Air Transport Pty Ltd , Sydney NSW. To be based at Tooraweenah NSW to connect services to NSW towns with BAT DC-3s to Sydney. |
| 14.7.51 | Ditched in sea off Swansea NSW. Captain J.B.McCardell and 10 passengers were on a BAT scheduled service Nabiac NSW to Sydney when port engine failed 40 minutes after departure. When starboard engine began losing power, the pilot was unable to maintain altitude and carried out a ditching between a fishing boat and the beach. The aircraft floated for enough time for all occupants to use the emergency exit to wait on the wing until rescued by the fishing boat. |
Photo by Gus Grulke
Anson
1
AW877
VH-BAB (2
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as AW877 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 2.1.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as AW877. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 30.3.42 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 1AD |
| 4.7.43 | Damaged Bundaberg, on landing collided with a tractor on the aerodrome |
| 30.7.43 | Received General Reconnaissance School, Bairnsdale ex 8SFTS |
| 26.11.43 | Damaged Bairnsdale, port wing tip struck a pole while taxying |
| 15.1.45 | Issued to Ansett Airways, Essendon ex GRS for complete overhaul |
| 6.6.45 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 11.6.45 | Received No.6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala ex 1AD |
| 26.3.47 | Received Air Ground Radio School, Ballarat ex Care & Maintenance Unit, Mallala |
| 9.2.48 | Receievd 3AD Amberley ex AGRS |
| 17.9.48 | Received School of Air Navigation, East Sale ex 3AD |
| 25.8.50 | Transferred to RAAF Station East Sale ex SAN |
| 13.3.51 | Received RAAF Tocumwal ex RAAF East Sale for storage |
| 18.12.52 | Sold by Department of Supply for £110 to William T.Dwyer, Melbourne Vic |
| Bill Dwyer operated Ansons on freight work from Melbourne to Tasmania and Bass Strait islands as Dwyer Airways, later reforming as Flinders Island Airlines. | |
| 1.4.53 | Registered VH-BAB Brain & Brown Airfreighters Pty Ltd, Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne Vic |
| Terry Brain and Bill Brown also operated Ansons on freight work from Melbourne to Tasmanian towns | |
| 30.10.59 | VH-BAB
with Ansons VH-CAD and VH-FIB made a formation flypast over Melbourne
to mark the 25th Anniversary of Charles Kingsford Smith's Australia-USA
flight |
| 12.4.60 | Badly damaged when port undercarriage collapsed while taxying Moorabbin. Aircraft had landed from a freight charter, port undercarriage leg collapsed during a turn while taxying due to failure of a metal drag strut assembly. Two crew unhurt. |
| Aircraft not repaired.
Written off because of the DCA restrictions imposed on Anson operations
prior to the type grounding effective 30 June 1962 | |
| 13.7.60 | Struck-off Civil Register as withdrawn from service |
| Stored
dismantled in Brain & Brown hangar at Moorabbin as a parts source
during the rebuild of the modified metal wing Anson VH-BAF (see Late Model Ansons in this series) | |
| 8.63 | VH-BAB fuselage frame left outside B&B hangar on completion of the VH-BAF rebuild |
| 3.64 | VH-BAB fuselage frame was mounted on the Victorian Parachute Club float in the Melbourne Moomba Parade through the city. |
This image is a still from a video, courtesy Peter Kelly
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as DG730 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 5.9.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DG730. Assembled at Point Cook |
| 30.9.42 | Received No.2 Air Navigation School, Nhill ex Point Cook |
| 19.3.43 | Reeived No.67 Squadron, Laverton ex 2ANS Nhill |
| 9.1.44 | Damaged Seymour Vic, overshot on landing and ran through a fence. Repair beyond capacity of unit. |
| 14.1.44 | Issued to Ansett Airways, Essendon for repair |
| 22.5.44 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett |
| 28.5.44 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 1AD |
| 18.6.45 | Received RAAF Station Maryborough ex 8SFTS for storage |
| 20.8.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £750 to J.C.Allen, Brisbane Qld |
| 15.10.46 | Issued to purchaser ex RAAF Station Maryborough |
| 18.10.46 | Civil Registration application: Inland Air Service, Brisbane Qld Company representative Mr.E.S.Riggall submitted applications the same same day for Ansons allocated registrations VH-BAB, -BAC & -BAD. The three will carry fresh fruit, vegetables and fish from Brisbane to Queensland inland towns. |
| 31.3.47 | Registered VH-BAC Inland Air Service Pty Ltd, Brisbane Qld |
| 3.47 | IAS commenced freight services on a charter basis |
| 8.47 | DCA required the three IAS Ansons to have inspections of woodwork in mainplanes and tailplane to check glue adhesion strength. It was agreed that IAS could continue freight services using VH-BAD while the other two were inspected, and when they were back in service, VH-BAD would be retired for the same checks. |
| 10.47 | VH-BAC is having its complete mainplane replaced |
| 1.48 | IAS announced its intention to commence passenger services on two routes from 19.1.48: Brisbane-Oakey-Condamine-Roma-Mitchell-Charleville Brisbane-St George-Goondiwindi-Cunnamulla DCA refused to issue an Airline Licence and required flights to be on a charter basis only, until the company complied with Departmental requirements. The airline licence was issued 2.4.48 and IAS commenced limited passenger services from Brisbane Airport. Australian National Airways (ANA) was appointed as managing agents and to provide ground handling. |
| 3.48 | A Queensland railway workers strike resulted in many passenger and freight charters for IAS, particularly to St George and Goondiwindi. |
| 3.8.48 | Damaged at Charleville Qld when struck a fare cone while taxying. Repaired |
| 5.10.48 | Inland Air Services Pty Ltd assets were purchased by established airline Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Brisbane |
| 18.10.48 | Following financial investment in APL by Butler Air Transport, Sydney, Aircrafts Pty Ltd changed its operating name to Queensland Airlines Pty Ltd, Brisbane. QAL was a wholly owned subsidiary of BAT. |
| 19.1.50 | Change of ownership: Max W. Hopp, Brisbane Qld Category changed from Airline to Private. Hopp was a Brisbane businessman and pilot who occasionally dealt in aircraft sales. |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft |
| 2.12.51 | Restored to Register in Charter Category: Max W. Hopp, Brisbane Qld |
| 14.11.52 | Change of ownership: Laurie Crowley c/- Crowley Airways, Lae Aerodrome, New Guinea Sale negotiated by Brisbane aircraft maintenance firm Carswell & Dalgleish, Archerfield Aerodrome. |
| - | Retired at Lae due woodwork glue deterioration in tropical climate |
| 1.5.56 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service |
It has been fitted with individual window panels for improved passenger appeal. Photo by Gus Grulke
VH-BAC with Crowley Airways in attractive red and white paintwork at Kainantu, New Guinea in 1953,
parked with a Qantas DHA-3 Drover and Mandated Airlines Dove. Photo by Harry West via Bill Brown.
parked with a Qantas DHA-3 Drover and Mandated Airlines Dove. Photo by Harry West via Bill Brown.
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as DG730 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 11.9.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DJ224. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown for erection ex UK |
| 3.11.42 | Test flown Bankstown after assembly (from log book) |
| 7.12.42 | Issued to US Army Air Force in Australia ex 2AP |
| 4.9.44 | Received 3AD Amberley ex USAAF |
| 30.4.45 | Received RAAF Station Maryborough ex 3AD for storage |
| 20.8.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £750 to J.C.Allen, Brisbane Qld |
| 5.10.46 | Issued to purchaser ex RAAF Station Maryborough |
| 18.10.46 | Civil Registration application: Inland Air Service, Brisbane Qld Company representative Mr.E.S.Riggall submitted applications the same same day for Ansons allocated registrations VH-BAB, -BAC & -BAD. The three will carry fresh fruit, vegetables and fish from Brisbane to Queensland inland towns. |
| 24.3.47 | Registered VH-BAD Inland Air Service Pty Ltd, Brisbane Qld |
| 24.3.47 | CofA issued, freighter, no passenger seats |
| 8.47 | VH-BAD
operated IAS freight services alone while Ansons VH-BAB & BAC were
retired for wing woodwork inspections to check glue adhesion strength.
When those inspections are completed, VH-BAD will be retired for the
same inspections. |
| 6.10.47 | DCA memo: VH-BAD has been retired for woodwork inspections. IAS decided not to carry out the repairs found t o be required. |
| 10.47 | Retired at Archerfield Qld |
| 19.12.47 | Struck-off Register |
|
| .40 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Manchester, to RAF order as W1539 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 3.12.40 | Taken on RAAF charge as W1539. Awaiting erection at No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK |
| 22.12.40 | Received 1AD Laverton ex 2AP |
| 21.1.41 | Test flown after assembly (logbook) |
| 27.1.41 | Received No.3 Service Flying Training School, Amberley ex 1AD |
| 8.4.42 | Received 1SFTS Point Cook ex 3SFTS |
| 7.7.42 | Received No.1 Air Navigation School, Parkes ex 1SFTS |
| 14.6.43 | Issued Ansett Airways, Mascot ex 1ANS for complete overhaul |
| 5.1.44 | Received 2AP Bankstown ex Ansett Airways |
| 11.1.44 | Received 8SFTS Bundaberg ex 2AP |
| 18.6.45 | Received RAAF Station Maryborough ex 8SFTS for storage |
| 23.1.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to Mr. G.Montgomery c/- Royal Hotel, Maryborough Qld |
| 12.3.47 | Issued to purchaser ex RAAF Station Maryborough |
| 11.3.47 | Registered VH-BAJ Townsville and Country Airways Pty Ltd c/- J.Montgomery, Townsville Qld To be operated with Anson VH-BAK on regular passenger and freight services |
| 19.12.47 | Struck-off Register in DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft |
| Civil conversion at Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane by Carswell & Dalgleish Aircraft Engineers | |
| 8.7.48 | Restored to Register |
| 9.7.48 | CofA issued at Archerfield. Seating for pilot and 7 passengers |
| Operated by TACA on services from Townsville to inland centres | |
| 4.49 | DCA inspection report:
aircraft in poor condition. After investigation, DCA reprimaned Messrs
Carswell and Dalgleish over the standard of their maintenance |
| 8.7.49 | Annual CofA expired. Had flown only 60 hours since civil conversion. TACA advise they will not be renewing its CofA |
| 7.49 | Retired at Townsville Qld |
| 26.4.51 | Struck-off Register |
| Anson 1 MH120 to VH-BAF, ZK-RRA: refer AVRO ANSONS - LATE MODELS in this series |
| .40 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Manchester, to RAF order as W1717 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 30.1.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W1717. Received 1AD Laverton for assembly ex UK |
| 8.2.41 | Received No.4 Service Flying Training School, Geraldton ex 1AD |
| 17.12.41 | Damaged Geraldton, struck on tarmac by taxying Anson W1560 |
| 15.5.42 | Damaged when taxying, tailplane struck tethering block |
| 9.8.43 | Issued to Australian National Airways, Maylands Aerodrome, Perth for complete overhaul |
| 28.2.44 | Received 4SFTS Geraldton ex ANA Maylands |
| 21.7.44 | Received Care & Maintenance Unit Evans Head ex 87OBU Geraldton for storage under cover |
| 28.2.46 | Received CMU Maryborough ex CMU Evans Head for storage |
| 23.1.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to Mr. G.Montgomery c/- Royal Hotel, Maryborough Qld |
| 12.3.47 | Issued to purchased ex RAAF Station Maryborough |
| 23.5.47 | Registered VH-BAK Townsville and Country Airways Pty Ltd c/- J.Montgomery, Townsville Qld To be operated with Anson VH-BAJ on regular passenger and freight services |
| 24.1.48 | Crashed Julia Creek Qld. Undercarriage collapsed on landing, wing badly damaged. |
| 2.48 | Owners intend to salvage the fuselage and move it by road to Townsville for spare parts. |
| .41 | Built at Manchester by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd, to RAF order as W2149 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 10.5.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2149. Received No.1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton ex UK for assembly |
| 12.7.41 | Received No.4 Service Flying Training School, Geraldton ex 1AD |
| 18.8.42 | Damaged Kojarina satellite ground, ground-loop while taxying in high winds and struck Anson W2148 |
| 2.9.42 | Damaged Kojarina satellite ground, tailplane struck airfield boundary marker |
| 7.4.43 | Damaged Kojarina satellite ground, undercarriage collapsed during landing |
| 9.12.44 | Received ANA Maylands ex 4SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 5.9.45 | Received 4AD Boulder ex ANA for storage |
| 22.1.46 | Received No.87 Operational Base Unit Geraldton ex 4AD |
| 30.9.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £400 to Airlines (WA) Ltd, Perth WA |
| 10.10.46 | Issued to purchaser ex Care & Maintenance Unit Geraldton |
| 10.46 | Ferried from Geraldton to Maylands Aerodrome, Perth for civil conversion |
| 17.12.46 | Airlines
(WA) Ltd request DCA approval to put W2149 into passenger service as an
urgent interim measure to cover services due to their DH.90 Dragonfly
VH-ADG being damaged at Kalgoorlie in a ground-loop. No civil registration has been allocated to W2149. DCA approve request and allocate VH-BAU same day. |
| 17.12.46 | Registered VH-BAU Airlines (WA) Ltd, Perth WA |
| 12.46 | Entered airline passenger service, all silver finish with the company logo on rudder |
| 25.10.48 | Forced landing without damage on Erraheedy Station via Wiluna WA. The Anson was conducting a WA Government contract dropping dingo baits in the Wiluna district, based at that time at Granite Peaks Station |
| 11.48 | Airlines
(WA) Ltd requested DCA approval to install spray bars to VH-BAU for
experimental trials spraying agricultural insecticides. |
| 10.4.49 | Damaged at Kalgoorlie WA in taxying collision with company DH.104 Dove VH-AQO |
| 22.4.49 | Returned to service after repairs at Kalgoorlie by Airlines(WA) Ltd |
| 9.1.53 | noted at Perth Airport, silver with blue trim, at Airlines(WA) Ltd hangar |
| 16.4.53 | Change of ownership: Yaringa Pastoral Co Pty Ltd, Yaringa South Station, via Geraldton WA. Flown by Station owner Allan Kopke, who has a Tiger Moth VH-BCZ based at the Station. Both aircraft will be maintained by Stan Doggett of Doggett Aviation and Engineering Co, Maylands. |
| Kopke flew the Anson carrying supplies and stockmen between Yaringa South Station and Innouendy Station
which he had had purchased, 300 miles away by rough road. Loads
included fencing materials, windmill parts, corrugated iron sheets,
general stores and sheep dogs. Fresh fish were also flown from Yaringa North Station on Shark Bay. | |
| 31.5.53 | Damaged at Geraldton Airport during engine start. The aircraft swung and tailplane struck a refuelling unit. Repaired on site by Stan Doggett using tailplane parts and an elevator from the grounded Anson VH-BMQ stored at his Maylands hangar. |
| 11.53 | DCA inspection report: aircraft in excellent condition, flies low hours on owner's private flying |
| 1.10.54 | Landed at Perth Airport from Geraldton, pilot reported u/s brakes. No damage. |
| 27.3.55 | Kopke flew VH-BAU in a Royal Aero Club of WA air race event at Maylands Aerodrome, diverted to nearby Perth Airport due low brake pressure indication. |
| 8.55 | Kopke
flew his Tiger Moth VH-BCZ to Perth to discuss his concern over
deterioration in the Anson's wing skin with DCA airworthiness examiners. |
| 12.55 | VH-BAU at Maylands for annual CofA renewal by Doggett Aviation and Engineering Co. Inspected by DCA and sections of the wing upper sufaces cut open to allow inspection of the wood structure joints to test glue adhesion. Extensive skin repairs and mainplane woodwork repairs required. |
| 12.55 | Retired at Maylands Aerodrome, Perth |
| 56 | Parked beside Doggett Aviation hangar with grounded stripped Anson VH-BMQ. Both became derelict. |
| 17.12.56 | Struck-off Register "Aircraft beyond economical repair" |
| 7.71 | Wooden
airframe sections of VH-BAU were found in poor condition in yard behind
European Motors in the Perth suburb of Belmont, where a Tiger Moth
restoration project was stored. The Anson woodwork had been salvaged
from Maylands for use in several aircraft construction projects during
the 1960s by members of WA Ultralight Aircraft Association. |
All silver finish with the airline logo on the rudder. This photo was attached to the CofA certificate form.
dry fertiliser spreading trial at Perth in October 1951 and the Anson is believed to be VH-BAU.
the upper wing skin to access the wooden structure for DCA glue adhesion checks.
| .44 | Built by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as MG989 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 15.5.44 | Taken on RAAF charge as MG989. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 7.6.44 | Test flown Bankstown after assembly (log book) |
| 20.6.44 | Damaged Mascot Aerodrome collision on grass area with Tiger Moth A17-712 |
| 14.8.44 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 2AP |
| 24.4.45 | Received Radar School, Maryborough ex 8SFTS |
| 12.11.45 | Received Air Ground Radio School, Ballarat ex Radar School |
| 14.12.45 | Transferred to AGRS Storage, Ballarat ex unit strength |
| 19.12.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to Mr. N.Padgett, Werribee Vic |
| 12.46 | Civil conversion at Essendon. MG989 had been used by RAAF on radar work and had logged less than 500 hours since new. |
| 24.12.46 | Registered VH-BAV Norman G. Padgett, Werribee Vic |
| 24.12.46 | CofA issued Essendon: fitted with only two passenger seats. Short-term interim CofA for 3 months only. |
| 1.47 | Norman
Padgett flew VH-BAV from Melbourne to Labuan, Borneo with two business
partners as passengers. Negotiations with local authorities resulted in
the establishment of a timber mill on the Baram River, Sarawak. |
| 2.47 | Padgett flew VH-BAV on a second trip from Melbourne to Borneo |
| 20.3.47 | Padgett
cabled DCA from Labuan requesting a 3 week extension to the CofA
23.3.47 expiry date, due delays returning to Melbourne. DCA approved. |
| 8.4.47 | VH-BAV back in Melbourne by now from Borneo. Parked at Essendon while advertised for sale. |
| 27.6.47 | Change of ownership: Guinea Air Traders Ltd, Lae, New Guinea |
| 30.6.47 | CofA renewed at Essendon |
| Ferried to New Guinea to join GAT fleet on freight charter work | |
| 13.3.48 | CofA
suspended at Lae by a DCA inspector who found severe deterioration in
the Beetle Glue adhesion in wooden structure of tailplane and
mainplanes. |
| 13.3.48 | Retired at Lae, New Guinea |
| 13.3.48 | Struck-off Register |
| 11.48 | Guinea Air Traders advise DCA that VH-BAV has been dismantled and used for parts |
| .43 | Built by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as MG656 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 14.2.44 | Taken on RAAF charge as MG656. Received No.1 Aircraft Park, Geelong ex UK for assembly |
| 13.3.44 | Received No.4 Service Flying Training School, Gwraldton ex 1AP |
| 19.11.44 | Received AGS ex 4SFTS |
| 2.4.45 | Received Genberal Reconnaissance School, Bairnsdale ex AGS |
| 11.2.46 | Received Station HQ East Sale ex GRS |
| 20.8.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £505: Western Airways Passenger Services Pty Ltd, Colac Vic |
| 27.11.46 | Issued to purchaser |
| 11.4.47 | Registered VH-BAX Mrs Muriel J. Blackwell, Geelong Vic |
| 18.8.47 | Change of ownership: Western Airways Passenger Service Pty Ltd, Warrnambool Vic |
| Charles
Miller who was a pilot for WASP recalls searching for Percival Q.6
VH-ABY which went missing on a flight Sydney-Geelong on 26.8.47:
"We arrived at Benambra in VH-BAX on 8.9.47 to begin searching,
criss-crossing the Snowy River and surrounding bush land for four days
in vain." |
|
| 11.47 | Retired for maintenance by Air Operations Ltd at Essendon |
| 4.48 | DCA
memo: WAPS has ceased operations and are in liquidation. Their Ansons
VH-BAX, BBI, BFG have been sold, Tiger Moth VH-ATU in damaged condition |
| 25.4.48 | Change of ownership: Corio Air Freighters, Belmont Common Airfield, Geelong Vic CAF was an associated business of Corio Air Engineers, formed by David Bourke to take over the aircraft maintenance operation of Brown & Dureau Ltd at Belmont Common. |
| 8.49 | Brain & Brown Airfreighters, Melbourne
request DCA approval to operate cargo services to Tasmania and Bass
Strait islands using VH-BAX leased from Corio Air Freighrers. |
| 17.11.49 | Change of ownership: Bass Islands Airways Ltd, Melbourne Vic. Aircraft based at Geelong |
| 17.11.49 | Damaged when roilled into a drain during landing at Belmont Common. Quickly repaired. |
| 8.51 | Damaged by flood waters from Barwon River which covered Belmont Common airfield and hangars. Insurance write-off |
| 12.51 | Change of ownership: Corio Air Engineers, Belmont Common Airfield, Geelong Vic |
| 21.5.53 | Struck-off Register |
Photo: John Hopton Collection
Belmont Common, Geelong flooded in August 1951. Anson on left believed to be VH-ARL, VH-BAX on right.
Locally-owned Junkers Junior VH-UCC can be seen behind the men in the boat. Photo by George McKenzie
Locally-owned Junkers Junior VH-UCC can be seen behind the men in the boat. Photo by George McKenzie
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as DG768 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 5.10.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DG768. Held u/s at RAAF Point Cook, damaged in packing case |
| 6.11.42 | Issued temporarily to North East Area |
| 14.11.42 | Erection completed at Point Cook |
| 6.12.42 | At No.12 Repair & Salvage Unit, Charters Towers while on loan to NEA |
| 28.12.42 | Received No.1 Service Flying Taining School, Point Cook ex NEA |
| 1.2.43 | Issued 6SFTS Mallala ex 1SFTS |
| 22.1.45 | Transferred to 6SFTS Reserve ex unit strength |
| 3.4.45 | Received Guinea Airways Parafield for complete overhaul |
| 28.11.45 | Received 6SFTS Storage Reserve, Mallala ex Guinea Airways. To be stored under cover. |
| 19.8.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £400 to William T.Dwyer, Melbourne Vic |
| 11.12.46 | Issued to purchaser ex Care & Maintenance Unit Mallala |
| Bill Dwyer operated Ansons on freight work from Melbourne to Tasmania and Bass Strait islands as Dwyer Airways, later reforming as Flinders Island Airlines. | |
| 13.1.47 | Civil Registration application: Brown & Dureau Ltd, Melbourne Vic |
| 19.1.47 | Change of ownership: Richard P. Carr, Ingham Motors, Ingham Qld |
| 11.2.47 | Registered VH-BAZ. Carr advises it will be based at Garbutt Airfield, Townsville. He plans to establish an air freight business between Townsville and New Guinea |
| 11.2.47 | CofA issued after civil conversion at Brown & Dureau workshops, Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic |
| 10.2.48 | Annual CofA expired. DCA investigate reports that Carr flew the Anson at Ingham Aerodrome after CofA had expired |
| 2.4.48 | CofA renewed |
| 48 | DCA
memo: Carr had flown the Anson to remote North Queensland mineral
deposit sites for his mining venture Fortuna Mining Syndicate, Hidden
Valley via Townsville Qld |
| 1.4.49 | Annual CofA expired |
| 49 | Flown from Bowen Qld to Maryborough Qld for intended CofA renewal by engineer Joe Vine. Maintenance was not commenced and aircraft left in the open at Marybrough Aerodrome. |
| 50 | Letters to Carr from DCA returned as address unknown. |
| 6.51 | DCA memo: VH-BAZ is in derelict condition and beyond repair. |
| 28.6.51 | Struck-off Register. Abandoned derelict at Maryborough |
| c51 | Towed from the hangar area to the wartime RAAF station parade ground, left there for several years |
| c53 | Broken up and burnt |
| The two Cheetah engines were kept by Mr. H. King, March Street, Maryborough | |
| c89 | Cheetah engines acquired by Shaun Ryan, Marybough who later donated them to Queensland Air Museum |
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as DJ448 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 13.11.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DJ448. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 21.12.42 | Received No.2 Air Navigation School, Nhill ex 2AP |
| 28.12.42 | Received 67 Squadron, Laverton ex 2ANS |
| 29.1.44 | Forced landing near Mount Gambier SA due engine failure. Repaired at 2AOS Mount Gambier |
| 20.4.45 | Issued Ansett Airways, Essendon ex 67 Squadron for complete overhaul |
| 24.9.45 | Received No.1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 26.4.46 | Received Care & Maintenance Unit Western Junction (Launceston) ex 1AD for storage |
| 15.8.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £500 to Mr.W.T.Dwyer, Melbourne Vic |
| Bill Dwyer operated Ansons on freight work from Melbourne to Tasmania and Bass Strait islands as Dwyer Airways, later reforming as Flinders Island Airlines. | |
| 3.4.47 | Registered VH-BBB William T. Dwyer, Melbourne Vic |
| 47 | Based
at Essendon, flown by Dwyer on freight charters to Flinders Island,
returning with crayfish for the Melbourne Fish Market. Operated
initially retaining the RAAF camouflage paintwork. |
| 22.7.52 | Change of ownership: Flinders Island Airways Pty Ltd, Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne Vic |
| 16.8.54 | Annual CofA expired at Moorabbin, not renewed |
| 9.4.56 | Letter to DCA from FIA Manager Alan M.Rea: VH-BBB will not be returned to service |
| 11.4.56 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service |
| 11.59 | noted stored dismantled in rear of FIA hangar Moorabbin, stripped for parts |
| 5.62 | removed
from FIA hangar to make way for Lockheed 12A VH-FMS being moved by road
from Adelaide for planned rebuild by FIA. The Anson was carted
away as rubbish. |
Photo by John Hopton
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as DJ336 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 31.8.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DJ336. Under assembly at RAAF Point Cook |
| 14.9.42 | Received No.6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala ex Point Cook |
| 20.4.43 | Received No.73 Squadron Nowra ex 6SFTS |
| 3.8.44 | Received No.67 Squadron, Laverton ex 73 Sqn |
| 30.10.44 | Received RAAF Point Cook ex 67 Sqn |
| 18.3.45 | Issued to Ansett AIrays, Essendon ex Point Cook for complete overhaul |
| 10.9.45 | Received 1D Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 29.10.45 | Received 1AD Test and ferry Sqisdron, Laveron ex 1AD |
| 8.6.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £500 to Mr.W.T.Dwyer, Melbourne Vic |
| 1.7.46 | Issued to purchaser ex Point Cook |
| Bill Dwyer operated Ansons on freight work from Melbourne to Tasmania and Bass Strait islands as Dwyer Airways, later reforming as Flinders Island Airlines. | |
| 12.46 | Civil registration application: G.K.Bolton, Cairns Qld t/a Cairns Flying Service Requested registration VH-GKB but DCA refused, stating it was too far ahead of the current VH-B series allocations and would cause "administrative difficulties." (Despite ANA having been allocated the VH-IN series and TAA allocated the VH-TA series) |
| 7.2.47 | Registered VH-BBC G.K.Bolton, Cairns Qld t/a Cairns Flying Service |
| Ld | Bolton
also operated under the name Cairns Flying School. A second Anson W1587
was purchased 1.47 at RAAF Maryborough Qld by Cairns Flying School, and
ferried to Cairns. |
| .47 | Guinea
Air Traders parent company Australian Air Traders, Sydney approached
Bolton to purchase both his Ansons for the growing New Guinea business.
Negotiations resulted inBolton selling all his aircraft to GAT |
| 8.47 | Change of ownership: Guinea Air Traders Pty Ltd, Lae, New Guinea |
| 8.47 | Ansons VH-BBC and W1587 ferried Cairns-Sydney,
along with Cairns Flying Service's other aircraft: DH.80 Puss Moth
VH-ABU, DH.60G Moth VH-UAE, DH.82 Tiger Moths VH-APZ & AQQ. |
| 19.12.47 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service |
| 24.3.48 | Restored to Register: Australian Air Traders Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| 24.3.48 | CofA renewed Sydney |
| 23.3.49 | Annual
CofA lapsed, not renewed. VH-BBC was still in Sydney, had not been
delivered to New Guinea. AAT advises DCA they will not be renewing the
CofA. |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Register in DCA 1951 Census of unairworthy aircraft |
then Puss Moth VH-UPA, Anson W1587, DH.60G Moth VH-UAE and Tiger Moths VH-APZ, -AQQ.
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as AX238 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 22.2.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as AX238. Received No.2 Aircraft Depot, Richmond ex UK for assembly |
| 21.9.42 | Received No.2 Air Observers School, Mount Gambier ex 2AD |
| 14.12.43 | Received No.3 Air Observers School, Port Pirie ex 2AOS |
| 22.2.44 | Received No.6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala ex 3AOS |
| 22.11.44 | Issued Guinea Airways, Parafield ex 6SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 7.5.45 | Received 6SFTS Storage Reserve, Mallala ex Guinea Airways, via DAP Parafield |
| 14.5.45 | Issued on loan to Royal Navy, Bankstown ex 6SFTS S/R |
| 9.1.46 | Received 10EFTS Storage, Temora ex Royal Navy |
| 15.11.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission to Mr. E. E. McIllree, Sydney NSW |
| 3.12.46 | Issued to purchaser ex Care & Maintenance Unit Temora |
| Eric E. McIllree was a Sydney car dealer and pilot. He and E.H. "Tim" Loneragan of Mudgee NSW were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale | |
| Civil conversion for Aircraft Disposals Co by Brown & Dueau Ltd at their workshops at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic | |
| 1.3.47 | Registered VH-BBG Eric E. McIlree, Sydney NSW |
| 1.3.47 | CofA issued |
| 9.47 | VH-BBG
was intended to depart shortly to be flown to Singapore by McIllree for
resale, but VH-BFJ was substituted. McIllree will be away from Sydney
for some time arranging similar Asian sales. |
| 18.9.47 | Struck-off Register |
| 6.11.47 | Restored to Register |
| 11.47 | CofA renewal inspection at Bankstown by New England Airways |
| 17.9.48 | CofA expired |
| 22.9.48 | Change of ownership to a McIllree company: U-Drive Pty Ltd, Mudgee NSW |
| 48-55 | Stored, probably in a hangar at Camden NSW with other unsold McIllree Ansons |
| 8.11.51 | Struck-off Register due withdrawn from service 17.9.48 |
| 13.10.55 | Restored to Register Papuan Air Transport Ltd, Port Moresby, New Guinea |
| 55 | Passenger and freight service with Papuan Air Transport, which traded as Patair |
| 10.2.56 | incident report: VH-BBG flew Port Moresby-Tapini, Papuan Air Transport |
| Ferried to Brisbane for CofA renewal at Archerfield, failed wood glue inspections | |
| 57 | Retired at Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane |
| 1.8.57 | Struck-off Register |
| 1.59 | Derelict outside at Archerfield, wings cut off outboard of engines. "Papuan Air Transport" above windows |
DCA Anson VH-CAC is behind. Ed Coates collection
Photo by David C. Eyre
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as DG727 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 10.8.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DG727. Under assembly at RAAF Point Cook ex UK |
| 24.8.42 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex Point Cook |
| 3.9.43 | Received No.73 Squadron Nowra ex 8SFTS |
| 20.5.44 | Received 2AP Bankstown ex 73 Sqn |
| 11.10.44 | Issued to Ansett Airways, Mascot ex 2AP for complete overhaul |
| 2.4.45 | Received 2AD Richmond ex Ansett Airways |
| 16.4.45 | Received General Reconnaissance School, Bairnsdale ex 2AD |
| 21.1.46 | Transfererd to GRS Storage Reserve ex unit equipment. To be stored under cover. |
| 6.2.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to Mr.R.Green, Cattle Bay, Eden NSW |
| 21.4.47 | Collected by purchaser ex Care & Maintenance Unit Bairnsdale |
| 4.47 | Civil conversion at Essendon by Air Operations Ltd |
| Former RAAF pilot Bob Bruce recalls: "I was able to land a job flying an Anson for a couple of entrepreneurial types, Green and McDonald. The purpose of the operation was to fly fish from Bega to Melbourne." |
|
| 30.4.47 |
Pilot logbook Bob Bruce: local flying Bacchus Marsh Vic, pilot endorsement instruction |
| 1.5.47 | Registered VH-BBI Bega Freight Service, Eden NSW c/- Messrs R.Green and D.McDomald |
| 1.5.47 | CofA issued Essendon |
| 1.5.47 |
Pilot logbook Bob Bruce: pilot endorsement flight check by Ron J.Annetts |
| 2.5.47 |
Pilot
logbook Bob Bruce: Essendon-Yallourn-Bairnsdale-Mallacoota-Bega
carrying a load of fresh vegetables. The expected fish for Melbourne
Fish Market were not available from the local fishing fleet, so Bruce
flew the Anson back to Essendon empty via an overnight stop at
Bairnsdale. After this one return flight to Bega, with no income to pay for expenses, the enterprise ended. |
| 2.9.47 | Change of ownership: Western Airways Passenger Service, Warrnambool Vic |
| 9.47 | Overhaul
at Geelong by Brown & Dureau Ltd to prepare the aircraft for
airline service. WAPS wanted the freighter cabin fitted with 8
passenger seats, rather than the DCA approved 7 seat configuration.
Weight and balance problems caused by the extra seat resulted in
B&D designing a modified short nose with reduced baggage weight,
referred to as its Beaufighter nose. No other Ansons received
this nose modification. B&D Chief Engineer David J. Bourke wrote to the compiler: "The stubby nose on VH-BBI was an aircraft owner's compromise between beauty and spending power. We did not like it and made it only to this owner's specifications." |
| Used with Anson VH-BFG by WAPS on its short-lived scheduled passenger airline service
between Warrnambool and Melbourne under the name Western Airways. | |
| 4.11.47 |
Pilot logbook Bob Bruce: flew WAPS scheduled service Essendon-Warrnambool, 6 passengers. |
| By early 1948 WAPS had ceased operations and was in liquidation. VH-BBI was held by Brown & Dureau Ltd at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong for resale | |
| 1.4.48 | Test flown Belmont Common for pending sale to East West Airlines |
| 8.4.48 | Change of ownership: East West Airlines Ltd, Tamworth NSW |
| 8.4.48 | Delivered Geelong to Tamworth to join EWA's all-Anson fleet |
| EWA
initially used VH-BBI on the Tamworth-Sydney-Tamworth direct services
where the extra passenger seat was in demand because of the high
loadings | |
| 14.12.53 | Change of ownership: Air Express Co, Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane Founded by A.L.McLachlan to fly freight charters to Queensland inland towns, along with Anson VH-BEV |
| 6.4.57 | Change of ownership: Gillham Airways Pty Ltd, Mackay Qld. Named Coral Islander Founded by O.W. Gillham to fly passenger and freight charters from Mackay, principally to Great Barrier Reef tourist islands. Gillham also acquired Air Express Co's other Anson VH-BEV. |
| 61 | Retired at Mackay due pending DCA grounding order of all Anson Mk.1s effective 30.6.62 |
| 1.7.62 | Struck-off Register due DCA Policy |
| Parked in open on grass at Mackay Airport | |
| .63 | Donated to RAAF Air Training Corps, North Queensland Squadron No.5 Flight, Mackay |
| 63 | Towed to ATC compound on the boundary of Mackay Airport and parked in the open |
| 65 | Derelict Mackay Airport Qld. Moved to a DCA compound on the airport |
| c65 | Carted away for scrap |
passengers on reef scenic flights. The curtains have been symbolically closed. Geoff Goodall collection
| .38 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Manchester, to RAF order as N4909 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under charter agreement with British Government to supply Ansons to Australia, new aircraft diverted from delivery to RAF | |
| 3.2.39 | Taken on RAAF charge as N4909. Received No.2 Aircraft Depot Richmond ex RAF |
| 28.3.39 | Received No.6 Squadron, Richmond |
| 30.4.40 | Received No.1 Flying Training School, Point Cook ex 6 Sqn |
| 17.6.40 | Received General Reconnaissance School, Laverton ex 1FTS |
| 3.9.41 | Received 1AD Laverton ex GRS |
| 14.11.41 | Received No.2 Air Observers School, Mount Gambier ex 1AD |
| 13.12.43 | Received No.1 Air Observers School, Cootamundra ex 2AOS |
| 19.7.44 | Issued Ansett Airways, Mascot ex 2AOS for complete overhaul |
| 9.4.45 | Received 2AD Richmond ex Ansett Airways |
| 18.4.45 | Received General Reconnaissance School, Bairnsdale ex 2AD |
| 10.4.46 | Transferred to GRS Storage Reserve. To be stored under cover |
| 11.2.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission to Mr.W.T.Dwyer, Melbourne Vic |
| 21.3.47 | Collected by purchaser ex Care & Maintenance Unit Bairnsdale |
| 29.5.47 | Registered VH-BBN Colin G. Cameron, Melbourne Vic |
| 31.7.47 | Struck a log in grass during landing at Bega NSW, undercarriage leg badly damaged. Repaired on site. |
| 48 | VH-BBN retired at Essendon, CofA expired, parked on grass. Cameron is attempting to sell the aircraft. |
| 4.51 | DCA
report: VH-BBN has deteriorated badly at Essendon in the open weather
and is beyond economical repair. Owner has changed address and attempts
to contact him have failed. |
| 9.4.51 | Struck-off Register |
Behind are retired Ansett Airways Airspeed Envoy VH-UXM and Lockheed 10B VH-UZO. Photo by Trevor Boughton
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Manchester, to RAF order as W2062 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 4.5.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2062. Awaiting assembly at No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK |
| 28.6.41 | Received No.1 Air Observers School, Cootamundra ex 2AP |
| 24.1.42 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 1AOS |
| 14.9.42 | Issued to No.71 Squadron, Lowood ex 8SFTS |
| 28.10.42 | Issued to 8SFTS Bundaberg ex 71 Sqn |
| 15.11.43 | Mainplane found defective, laminate opened up for inspection at 8SFTS. Request allocation to civilian contractor for |
| 6.12.43 | Issued to Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Archerfield by road transport ex 8SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 8.9.44 | Received 3AD Amberley ex APL |
| 18.9.44 | Received 8SFTS Bundaberg ex 3AD |
| 30.4.45 | Received General Reconnaissance School, Bairnsdale ex 8SFTS |
| 10.5.45 | Transferred to GRS Storage Reserve ex unit strength |
| 11.2.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to Mr. W. T.Dwyer, Melbourne Vic |
| 3.3.47 | Issued to purchaser ex Care & Maintenance Unit Bairnsdale |
| 27.5.47 | Registered VH-BBO: J. W. Roll, Brisbane Qld |
| Civil
conversion at Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane. On completion owner
intends to depart immediately on a private flight to United Kingdom.
Roll had been an RAF Wellington pilot who saw wartime service in Middle
East, Greece and Balkans. | |
| 30.6.47 | CofA issued Archerfield |
| 5.7.47 | Departed Archerfield for
Darwin and UK, flown by owner J.W.Roll who is returning to his home in
Glasgow, Scotland. On board were his wife and their two children (ages
3 years and 10 months) and Engineer V.B.Murray from Melbourne. The
flight to UK was expected to take 30 days. |
| 7.47 | Reached Rangoon, Burma. |
| While at Rangoon, Roll received an offer of £3,000 cash for the Anson "as is". He agreed to the sale because he had only paid £300 for it in Australia. He and his family continued to UK by ship. | |
| 7.47 | Registered XY-ABG Airways (Burma) Ltd, Rangoon |
| This operation was
established by Australian pilot Captain Ralph R.Cobley, reportedly with plans to
operate scheduled airline services between Bassein, Henzada, Akyab and
Moulmein. In July 1947 another Australian Anson XY-ABD was purchased (see VH-AJK/DJ504). In fact the airline company was probably a cover for Cobley's clandestine flying from Burma in support of Indonesian independence forces fighting the Dutch in Netherlands East Indies. | |
| Airways
(Burma) Ltd soon
ceased operations. Cobley departed Burma leaving the Ansons with his
financial backers. Cobley was killed in December 1948in his Catalina
VH-BDP during a single-engine takeoff from a river in Netherlands East
Indies under fire from Dutch troops. | |
| Fate XY-ABG unknown |
Geoff Goodall collection
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as W2616 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 27.10.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2616. Received No.1 Aircraft Depot Laverton ex UK for assembly |
| 28.12.41 | Received No.6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala ex 1AD |
| 24.1.42 | Received No.2 Air Navigation School, Nhill ex 6SFTS |
| 23.9.43 | Received No.67 Squadron, Laverton ex 2ANS |
| 26.10.44 | Issued to Ansett Airways, Essendon ex 67 Sqn for complete overhaul |
| 30.1.45 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 30.7.45 | Received No.1 Communications Unit, Mascot ex 1AD |
| 25.10.45 | Received 4CU Archerfield ex 1CU |
| 27.1.46 | Received Station HQ Maryborourgh ex 4CU for under-cover storage |
| 10.10.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission to Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade, Brisbane |
| 11.6.47 | Issued to purchaser |
| The purchaser was in fact
a commercial aviation company Queensland Aerial Ambulance and Air Taxi
Services Pty Ltd, Archerfield Aeodrome, Brisbane.Managing Director B.W.Munro QAAATS had an agreement to provide air transport of patients on request by the QATB, but used an implied closer connection with the official ambulance brigade to its commercial advantage. QAAATS purchased large nunbers of RAAF disposals Tiger Moths, Dragons, Ansons and became a significent Archerfield company providing charter, maintenance and aircraft sales. The air ambulance operation was not developed before QAAATS went out of business by 1950. | |
| 30.7.47 | Registered VH-BBT Queensland Ambulance and Taxi Services Pty Ltd, Archerfield Qld |
| 10.47 | Letter to
DCA from QATS advises that the company has not commenced CofA overhaul
on VH-BBT and that it is stored at Archield with other QATS aircaft on
which civil conversions have not yet proceeded: DH.82 VH-BAN, BAO, BAR, DH.94 VH-ACR |
| 14.10.47 | Struck-off Civil Register |
| Retired at Archerfield Qld, no civil conversion | |
| In
August 1954 the Department of Civil Aviation registered an Anson
VH-CAB, the last of five Ansons operated by DCA. VH-CAB's identity was
quoted as "W2616". The previous four Ansons had been acquired by DCA ex
RAAF under-cover storage and all five had civil conversions carried out
in Melbourne. The compiler finds it difficult to accept that DCA would have purchased VH-BBT stored at Archerfield for the previous seven years, mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems unused. Instead, Anson W2618 fits neatly with VH-CAB. Until proven otherwise, I believe VH-CAB's paperwork was marked W2616 in a clerical error when first registered. |
| .40 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Manchester, to RAF order as R3334 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 23.5.40 | Taken on RAAF charge as R3334. Received No.1 Aircraft Depot Laverton ex UK for assembly |
| 1.7.40 | Received No.1 Air Observers School, Cootamundra ex 1AD |
| 9.3.42 | Issued to Butler Air Transport, Mascot ex 1AOS for complete overhaul |
| 1.12.42 | Received 2AD Richmond ex Butler Air Transport |
| 8.1.43 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 2AD |
| 2.7.43 | Received No.66 Squadron Bundaberg ex 8SFTS |
| 29.12.43 | Received 8SFTS Bundaberg ex 66 Sqn |
| 24.1.44 | Damage to starboard wing, tail and fuselage, struck on ground Bundaberg by Anson AX126 taking off |
| 17.7.44 | Issued No.3 Wireless Air Gunners School, Maryborough ex 8SFTS for staff pilot training |
| 4.9.44 | Received 8SFTS Bundaberg ex 3WAGS |
| 29.1.45 | Allotted to RAAF Station Maryborough ex 8SFTS for storage under cover |
| 14.3.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to Mr. A.Lowe, Julia Creek, Qld |
| 17.4.47 | Issued to purchaser ex Care & Maintenance Unit, Maryborough |
| 29.7.47 | Civil Registration application: Thomas & Phyllis Wall and Arthur M.Lowe, Julia Creek Qld |
| 9.47 | Civil conversion commenced at Maryborough in the workshop of licenced engineer Joe Vine |
| 1.48 | Sold prior to completion of CofA to Townsville and Country Airways Pty Ltd, Townsville Qld |
| 12.2.48 | CofA issued at Maryborough Qld |
| 24.2.48 | Registered VH-BBW Townsville and Country Airways Pty Ltd, Townsville Qld |
| 2.48 | Ferried Maryborough-Townsville by TACA pilot |
| 11.2.49 | Annual CofA expired, not renewed. |
| 4.5.51 | Struck-off Register |
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as AW907 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 2.1.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as AW907. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 23.2.42 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 2AP |
| 14.9.42 | Received No.71 Squadron Lowood ex 8SFTS |
| 22.4.43 | Issued 8SFTS Bundaberg ex 71 Sqn |
| 4.12.44 | Issued to Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Archerfield ex 8SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 20.6.45 | Received 3AD Amberley ex APL |
| 22.6.45 | Received No.4 Communications Unit, Archerfield ex 3AD |
| 28.1.46 | Received RAAF Station Maryborough ex 4CU for storage under cover |
| 10.10.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £400 to Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade, Brisbane Qld |
| 19.4.47 | Issued to purchaser ex Care & Maintenance Unit Maryborough |
| 11.9.47 | Civil Registration Application: Townsville and Country Airways Pty Ltd, Townsville Qld |
| 12.12.47 | CofA issued. Fitted with 6 passenger seats |
| 15.12.47 | Registered VH-BBX Townsville and Country Airways Pty Ltd, Townsville Qld |
| 11.12.48 | Annual CofA expired. TACA advised DCA the aircraft will be stored. |
| Retired, stored at Townsville | |
| 4.51 | TACA advised DCA they will not be returning VH-BBX to service |
| 26.4.51 | Struck-off Register |
| DCA quoted AW907 as VH-BBX's identity. However the typed Registration Application form submitted by TACA to DCA in September 1947 quoted the aircraft's identity as "ex RAAF 907". The prefix "AW" was a hand-written later addition. It is possible "907" was the aircraft's unit code rather than serial number. Further, the application quoted: "Assembled Point Cook 26.9.42. Test flown 28.9.42". These dates are from the log book of a different Anson, probably in the DJ series. |
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as AX505 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 6.2.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as AX505. Received No.2 Aircraft Depot, Richmond ex UK for assembly |
| 16.3.42 | Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex 2AD |
| 22.4.42 | Assembly completed at 2AP (logbook) |
| 5.5.42 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bunbaberg ex 2AP |
| 24.5.43 | Damaged when struck by landing Anson A4-30. Repaired at 8SFTS |
| 17.11.44 | Issued to Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Archerfield ex 8SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 4.6.45 | Received 3AD Amberley ex APL |
| 20.6.45 | Received No.92 Squadron, Kingaroy ex 3AD |
| 27.9.45 | Received Care & Maintenance Unit Evans Head ex 92 Sqn, for storage under cover |
| 13.11.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade, Brisbane Qld |
| 11.7.47 | Issued to purchaser ex CMU Evans Head |
| The purchaser was in fact
a commercial aviation company Queensland Aerial Ambulance and Air Taxi
Services Pty Ltd, Archerfield Aeodrome, Brisbane. Managing Director
B.W.Munro. QAAATS had an agreement to provide air transport of patients on request by the QATB, but used an implied closer connection with the official ambulance brigade to its commercial advantage, such as the low purchase price of this Anson. with only a few hours since major overhaul. QAAATS purchased large nunbers of RAAF disposals Tiger Moths, Dragons, Ansons and became a significent Archerfield company providing charter, maintenance and aircraft sales. The air ambulance operation was never developed before QAAATS went out of business by 1950. | |
| 7.10.47 | Registered VH-BBY Queensland Aerial Ambulance & Taxi Services Pty Ltd, Archerfield Aerodrome Brisbane Qld |
| 7.11.47 | Change of ownership: Air Traders Co, Brisbane Qld |
| 7.11.47 | CofA issued at Archerfield, freighter with two crew seats and 1 passenger seat |
| 12.47 |
Air Traders Co was a partnership between Harold Keegan, an airline
pilot with Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Brisbane and Mr. S. Sharp of Sydney ex
Royal Australian Navy. The company planned to sell civilianised Australian Ansons in SE Asia, including to Indonesian independence militia fighting Dutch forces in Netherlands East Indies. VH-BBY was the ony Anson registered to Air Traders Co, although they may have sold others - Archerfield ground engineer Ivan Unwin recalled preparing "several" Ansons painted bright blue and red at Archerfield for Indonesian independence fighters: see VH-AGX |
| 12.47 | VH-BBY departed Archerfield for Darwin, then Singapore, pilot Harold Keegan. |
| 12.47 | Sold in Singapore to a Malayan merchant Mr.Tamimi and Burmese businessman Mr.Savidge, who were representing the embryo Indonesian Air Force. |
| 12.47 | Keegan
ferried VH-BBY from Singapore to Siam. Posted missing between Singapore
and Penang. The aircraft had diverted to an airstrip in Sumatra,
Netherlands East Indies for a liaison with Indonesian independence air
force officers. DCA later required Keegan to submit a forced landing report on the event, in which Keegan wrote the diversion was due "weather, wind and other things." |
| 10.12.47 | Flown
Sumatra-Singora, Siam by Keegan, with Indonesian independence air force
pilots Flt Lt. Iswahyudi and Air Commander Abdul Halim
Perdanakusuma. At Singora, Harold Keegan handed the aircraft over to the two Indonesian pilots |
| 14.12.47 | Crashed into the sea in Malacca Strait between Malaya and Sumatra, both pilots killed. The aircraft was flying in monsoonal weather and had its undercarriage down, attempting an emergency landing on the beach. It crashed into the sea just off shore from the Malayan village Tanjong Huntu, 80 miles south of Penang. |
| Police report stated the aircraft wreckage had registration "VH-BBY" painted over and an Indonesian republic flag painted on the tail. The two airmens' bodies were found floating nearby and identified by the identity cards in their uniforms. | |
| Air Commander Abdul Halim
Perdanakusuma's body was later buried at Kalibata Heroes Cemetry, Jakarta. He was considered to be the founder of the Indonesian air force, during the war of independence against the Dutch. The main Jakarta military and airline airfield was named Halim in his honour | |
| On
24.12.47 Harry Keegan arrived at Darwin by airline on his way back to
Brisbane to resume his flying for APL. Press reports quote him saying
he heard about the Anson's crash when he got to his hotel in Singapore. He said he flew the aircraft from Singapore to the Indonesian Republicans air base in Sumatra where he was treated very well. "From what I saw behind their lines, I have a great deal of sympathy for them. The Indonesians suffered a great loss in the deaths of these two fliers. They were really good lads and great airmen" (Harry Keegan and his wife were to later die as passengers on board Aircrafts Pty Ltd Lockheed Lodestar VH-BAG when it crashed on takeoff at Coolangatta Qld in March 1949) | |
| 9.2003 | Newspaper reports that
members of the present day Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) had inspected
the wreckage of the Anson in which Air Commander Halim
Perdanakusuma died in December 1947. The report said the wreck was found by villagers in August 2003 in a mangrove swamp in Kerumulan forest, on the Malacca Strait. A 7.62 mm machine gun was found at the site. |
| A
memorial to Halim at Bukittinggi in West Sumatra, features a
reproduction of an Avro Anson on poles with "RI-003" painted on the tail | |
| Note:
the independence fighters' "Indonesian Air Force" gathered a collection
of aircraft including Ansons, C-47s and Catalinas. They were given
serials commencing RI-001 and some were painted with a civil style name
"Indonesian Airways". Anson VH-BBY was reportedly serial RI-003 and that is what is painted on the replica Anson at the Halim memorial. |
RI-003 of the clandestine Indonesian republican air force (formerly VH-BBY) at Gadut airfield, Bukit Tinggi, Sumatra,
Netherlands East Indies in December 1947. Photo via Nigel Apperley
Netherlands East Indies in December 1947. Photo via Nigel Apperley
reproduction "RI-003", which appears to have been constructed from a Piper Apache. Photo by Peter de Jong
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as DJ177 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 10.8.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DJ177. Received Point Cook ex UK for assembly |
| 24.8.42 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex Point Cook |
| 3.3.43 | Damaged, collision with tractor (repaired) |
| 6.7.45 | Received Care & Maintenance Unit Evans Head for storage ex No.88 Operational Base Unit Bundaberg |
| 28.2.46 | Received RAAF Maryborough ex CMU Evans Head for under cover storage |
| 4.11.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to H.Ellis, Shermans Motors, Dubbo NSW |
| 17.4.47 | Issued to purchaser ex RAAF Maryborough |
| Harry
Ellis planned an airline service from Dubbo. He purchased another Anson
N4936 which was registered VH-ARK but he was unable to pay for its
civil conversion at Mascot 1.47 and it was auctioned along with his
Tiger Moth VH-AYY. Ellis also had CA-6 Wackett Trainer VH-ALV. In 2.47 he was the successful tenderer for RAAF Lodestar A67-7 at Tocumwal with a £1000 bid, however defaulted on payment to Commonwealth Disposals Commission and the Lodestar was resold. Due to his financial situation, Ellis sold this Anson which he had left at Maryborough to veteran prewar aircraft engineer Joe Vine who was based at the airfield. It was probaby a case of Vine taking the aircaft as payment for unpaid work he did to prepare it for ferry flight. | |
| 29.9.47 | Civil Registration application: Joseph C. Vine, t/a Air Maintenance, Maryborough Qld |
| 29.7.48 | Registered VH-BBZ |
| 7.9.48 | Change of ownership: Sepik River Trading Co, Madang, New Guinea |
| Owner
of Sepik River Trading Co was Ben W.G.Hall of Madang (ex RAAF pilot)
who during 1948 also purchased DH.82 Tiger Moth VH-BDR and DH.84 Dragon
VH-AOT which he operated under the names Sepik River Airways and Hall's Charters. His chief pilot was Neville Mitchell. | |
| 1.1.49 | Hall sold his business with Anson VH-BBZ and Dragon VH-AOT to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, Lae. |
| 4.2.49 | Hall delivered VH-BBZ to Lae where taken over by QEA for their New Guinea domestic passenger and freight services |
| 11.5.49 | Crashed during take off Kerowagi, New Guinea. The position of the strip was such that a downwind take off was necessary. The aircraft swung off the runway during the take off roll, the port undercarriage struck a drain and collapsed, causing extensive damage to the airframe. The sole occupant was the pilot, who received minor injuries. The pilot was Neville Mitchell, who had flown this Anson previously for Ben Hall. Neville later formed Mitchell Aerial Services at Cairns Qld. Ben Hall was to be posted missing 16.8.65 in his Victa Airtourer VH-MUB enroute Cairns-Townsville on a holiday trip to Sydney from New Guinea. |
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as DG869 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 29.3.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DG869. Awaiting assembly at 1AD Laverton. |
| 22.5.42 | Issued
from temporary storage on the grounds of Corpus Christie College,
Werribee to No.1 Service Flying Training School, Point Cook for assembly |
| 12.6.42 | DG869 logbook: assembly completed at 1SFTS workshops, Point Cook |
| 22.6.42 | Received 6SFTS Mallala ex 1SFTS |
| 5.8.42 | Minor damage, landed with starboard undercarriage jammed not fully extended |
| 5.8.43 | Received No.73 Squadron Nowra ex 6SFTS |
| 2.12.43 | Received 5AD Wagga for installation of air-to-surface vessel ASV radar equipment and nose antennae. |
| 13.12.43 | Received back at 73 Sqn |
| 14.7.44 | Issued to Ansett Airways, Mascot for overhaul, via 2AP Bankstown where ASV equipment removed |
| (final card of RAAF Airframe Record Cards missing) | |
| 12.5.45 | DG869 airframe logbook: lasr recorded flight at RAAF Mallala |
| 4.10.46 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission to New England Airways, Sydney ex CMU Mallala |
| 24.4.47 | Civil Registration application: New England Airways, Sydney NSW |
| 6.5.47 | DG869 airframe logbook: test flown after civil conversion carried out, cabin fitted for passengers. Nose modified as per New England Airways approved engineering drawings. Signed engineer J.Emmerson. |
| 2.6.47 | Registered VH-BCH |
| 2.6.47 | CofA issued |
| 3.6.47 | Consecutive log book entries: Bankstown-Mascot-Kempsey-Coffs Harbour-Kempsey-Mascot-Kempsey-Bankstown |
| 25.6.47 | Bankstown-Mascot-Coffs Harbour-Kempsey-Mascot-Bankstown |
| 30.6.47 | Bankstown-Mascot-Kempsey-Coffs Harbour-Kempsey-Mascot-Bankstown |
| 2.7.47 | Bankstown-Wagga-Mascot-Bankstown |
| 7.7.47 | Bankstown-Quirindi-Mascot-Bankstown |
| 15.7.47 | Bankstown-Mascot-Kempsey-Coffs Harbour-Casino-Coffs Harbour-Kempsey-Mascot-Bankstown Same routing on 17.7, 21.7, 23.7, 26.7, 31.7, 2.8, 5.8 and 7.8.47 |
| 8.8.47 | Starboard undercarriage collapsed during landing Kempsey NSW. A
tyre burst on landing causing the aircraft to volently swing. No
injuries. Main wing spar was fractured, causing the aircraft to be
written off. |
| 20.10.47 | Struck-off Civil Register at owner's request |
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as DJ476 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 14.12.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DJ476. Received No.2 Aircraft Park Bankstown from Pitmans Wharf ex UK |
| 12.3.43 | Log book: first flight Bankstown after assembly |
| 15.3.43 | Issued Radio Installation and Maintenance Unit ex 2AP |
| 27.12.43 | Received No.3 Communications Unit, Mascot ex RIMU |
| 4.8.44 | Received 2AP Bankstown ex 3CU for storage pending allocation for complete overhaul |
| 30.1.45 | Issued to Ansett Airways, Mascot for complete overhaul |
| 18.1.46 | Issued to No.2 Central Recovery Depot, Richmond ex Ansett Airways |
| 23.4.46 | Damaged by hail storm |
| 10.9.46 | Received 2AD Storage Richmond |
| 10.12.46 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to Mr. E. E.Mcllree, Sydney NSW |
| 4.3.47 | Issued to purchaser |
| Eric E. McIllree was a Sydney car dealer and pilot. He and E.H. "Tim" Loneragan of Mudgee NSW were partners in Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons in 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. | |
| 5.47 | Civil conversion at Mascot by New England Airways |
| 30.5.47 | Weighed at Mascot on completion of civil overhaul, 6 passenger seats |
| 3.6.47 | Registered VH-BDD Thiess Brothers Pty Ltd, Brisbane Qld. Named "Progress" |
| 3.6.47 | CofA issued Mascot |
| Thiess Bros was a heavy earth-moving and mining company with offices in Brisbane and Sydney Anson based Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane, flown by company pilot Captain Francis Finlay. Flown extensively in Queensland and NSW also to New Guinea. First Thiess Bros business flight was in 6.47 Archerfield to Clermont Qld taking Managing Director Les C. Thiess for an inspection of the company's Blair Athol coal mine. | |
| 28.7.48 | Annual CofA renewed at Archerfield by ANA |
| 3.49 | Name change to "Progress I" when Beech C18S VH-BJJ entered service with Thiess Bros and was named "Progress II" |
| 29.7.49 | CofA
agreed to a 6 week CofA extension due to the good condition of the
aircraft to allow important company flying during a national coal
miners' strike |
| 22.11.49 | Annual CofA renewed at Archerfield by ANA |
| 30.11.50 | CofA
expired. Aircraft with engineers Carswell & Dalgleish at
Archerfield, to have CofA renewed late 1951 when Thiess Bros' other
Anson VH-AKB will be undergoing CofA overhaul. The company policy is to
have one Anson operational while the other is having maintenance |
| 6.2.52 | Test flown Archerfield by Frank Finlay after overhaul. CofA renewed. |
| 12.12.52 | Change of ownership: Ernest F. Reid trading as Goilala Air Service, Tapini, New Guinea |
| Goilala Air Service was
formed during 1952 by Ernie Reid to replace Charter Aviation Service at
Lae which ceased operations. Reid had been an Anson pilot for Charter
Aviation Service and was financed by Dr. Alexander L. Caselberg of Tapini who became Managing Director of GAS. | |
| 1.53 | New
Guinea newspaper report:
E.F.Reid announced the formation of new company GAS. He is
Manager/Chief Pilot and Chief Engineer. Three Ansons have been
purchased, which will be available for charter but will principally
operate between Port Moresby and Tapini. The first Anson is already in
New Guinea (VH-BDD) and is fully radio equipped and has radio compass.
A second pilot has just been employed, Captain R.K.Pilling formerly
with Gibbes Sepik Airways. |
| 4.2.53 | Damaged in forced landing near Embessa, New Guinea. During a charter flight from Popondetta to Port Moresby in poor weather, landed in kunai grass 4 miles north of Embessa village due fuel expiry. Pilot R. Pilling and his 11 school girl passengers were not hurt but the aircraft was badly damaged. An air search had commenced and the Anson was located by a Qantas DC-3. |
| VH-BDD was not salvaged because of the inaccessable area | |
| DCA investigation into the forced landing resulted in suspension of pilot Pilling's Commercial
Pilot Licence and Reid's Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licence each for 6
months. Goilala Air Service's Charter Licence was suspended until
April 1953. Goilala Air Service was reorganised to DCA's satisfaction and went on to purchase a total of 7 Ansons and a Percival Gull. Dr. Casselberg sold his financial interest to Reid in 2.54 (see Anson VH-BMA) Ernie Reid flew the Gull VH-UTP to Sydney in July 1954 to compete in the RedEx Trial around Australia: see Percival Gull in this series. After Reid died in 1956, his wife kept Goilala Air Service operating until mid 1957, when it shut down. |
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as W2365 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 27.7.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2365. Received No.1 Aircraft Depot Laverton ex UK |
| 30.11.41 | Received General Reconnaissance School, Cressy ex 1AD. |
| 11.12.44 | Issued Ansett Airways, Essendon ex GRS for complete overhaul |
| 7.5.45 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 8.5.45 | Aircraft not to be flown, under offer to Royal New Zealand Air Force |
| 27.7.45 | Not required by RNZAF |
| 22.8.45 | Received 11EFTS Benalla ex 1AD for under-cover storage |
| 16.1.47 | Received TTSD Storage ex Care & Maintenance Unit Benalla |
| 24.4.47 | Allotted 2AD Richmond ex TTSD Stirage |
| 18.6.47 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to Mr. H. W. Chapman, Sydney |
| 24.6.47 | Issued to purchaser |
| Civil conversion overhaul at Bankstown | |
| 16.1.48 | Registered VH-BDO: Harry W. Chapman, Sydney NSW |
| 16.1.48 | CofA issued |
| Harrry
Chapman was Manager of Chromesteel Pty Ltd, Dulwich Hill, Sydney which
manufactured DCA approved passenger seats and other metal equipment for
aircraft. East-West Airlines purchased seats and other items for its
Avro Ansons from Chromesteel. | |
| 1.7.48 | Change of ownership: East-West Airlines, Tamworth NSW |
| 8.7.48 | Ferried Bankstown to Tamworth on delivery to EWA |
| 18.8.48 | Test flown Tamworth after modifications by EWA maintenance staff prior to entering airline service |
| Flew EWA scheduled passenger services | |
| 12.10.49 | Crashed on takeoff Tamworth NSW. Port engine failed on takeoff from the original Tamworth Aerodrome, crashed into trees a half mile west of the runway. Captain John Rentell lost a leg in the crushed cockpit, but his 7 passengers sustained only minor injuries. |
| East-West Airlines leased Anson VH-BAB from Queensland Airlines as a temporary replacement |
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as DJ118 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 2.6.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DJ118. Delivered to Butler Air Transport, Mascot ex wharf |
| Assembled by Butler Air Transport, whch was an approved civilian contractor | |
| 18.6.42 | Received No.2 Aircraft Depot, Richmond ex BAT |
| 25.6.42 | Received No.1 Air Navigation School, Parkes ex 2AD |
| 13.12.43 | Received No.1 Air Observers School, Cootamundrea ex 1ANS |
| 22.9.44 | Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex 1AOS for storage pending allotment for complete overhaul |
| 15.1.45 | Issued to Ansett Airways, Mascot ex 2AP for complete overhaul |
| 6.8.45 | Received 2AD Richmond ex Ansett AIrways |
| 13.8.45 | Received Care & Maintenance Unit, Evans Head ex 2AD for under cover storage |
| 13.11.46 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade, Brisbane Qld |
| 19.6.47 | Issued to purchaser ex CMU Evans Head |
| The purchaser was in fact a commercial aviation company Queensland Aerial Ambulance and Air Taxi Services Pty Ltd, Archerfield Aeodrome, Brisbane. Managing Director B.W.Monro. QAAATS had an agreement to provide air transport of patients on request by the QATB, but used an implied closer connection with the official ambulance brigade to its commercial advantage, such as the low purchase price of this Anson with only a few hours since major overhaul. QAAATS purchased large nunbers of RAAF disposals Tiger Moths, Dragons, Ansons and became a significent Archerfield company providing charter, maintenance and aircraft sales. The air ambulance operation was never developed before QAAATS went out of business in 1950. | |
| e2.1.48 | Civil Registration Application: G.A. Michaelov, Sydney NSW |
| Michaelov was a post-war Yugoslavian migrant who had applied for Australian naturalisation. The Australian Air Navigation Regulations stated that Australian registered aircraft must be owned by Australian citizens. This set off extensive bureaucratic correspondence over the following six months. In frustration, Michaelov posted a £5 note to the Miniser for Immigration, Arthur Caldwell to cover his naturalisation fee to speed up the process. | |
| 7.4.48 | Registered VH-BDX G.A. Michaelov, Melbourne Vic |
| 7.4.48 | CofA issued Essendon |
| 6.48 | VH-BDX based at Essendon. DCA Head Office required reports of any flying conducted. The matter of Michaelov's right to own the aircraft was still being debated between DCA and various Government Departments. Meanwhile on 29.4.48 Michaelov had became registered owner of DH.82 Tiger Moth VH-AMC at Essendon, whch was registered without query in the name of G.S.Moffat and G.A.Michaelov, Melbourne. |
| 12.49 | Michaelov flew VH-BDX to Darwin, enroute to England. |
| 6.2.50 | VH-BDX made a wheels-up
forced landing at Cranbrook, Kent following engine trouble crossing the
English Channel. Landng made on Elphick's farm, Horsmonden. Pilot
G.A.Michaelov was unhurt and the aircraft had only minor damage. |
| Probably his arrival in UK at the end of the flight from Australia, but not confirmed | |
| A query from Australia
House, London to DCA Head Office regarding the status of Anson VH-BDX
which the British press have reported had an accident in England. DCA reply that
they have received no accident report from the owner, his address is
unknown and that their enquiries indicate he has left the United
Kingdom for South America. | |
| 13.8.50 | VH-BDX
noted at Croydon Airport, London. Parked in a hangar, all silver with
red lettering. It was reported that it had been sold locally by its
Australian owner. |
| 11.50 | VH-BDX noted at Croydon |
| 18.11.50 | Forced landing Baincthum, 3 miles from Boulogne, France |
| 11.12.50 | Crashed on takeoff Le Touquet Airport, Paris. Extensive damage, bound for Croydon Airport, London. 2 on board. No details of pilot or owner. |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off
Register in 1951 DCA Census of aircraft with expired CofAs. DCA
received no reply to letters sent to his South Melbourne address
requesting his intentions with the aircraft. |
| By 1952 Michaelov was living at the same South Melbourne address as in 1949. |
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as W2047 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 7.4.41 | Taken on RAAF charge asW2047. Received No.2 Aircraft Park Bankstown ex UK |
| 22.5.41 | Received No.4 Service Flying Training School, Geraldton ex 2AP |
| 7.2.44 | Issued to ANA Maylands ex 4SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 31.7.44 | Received back at 4SFTS ex ANA Maylands |
| 2.8.45 | Transferred to No.87 Operational Base Unit, Geraldton ex 4SFTS which was disbanded |
| 24.3.47 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to Airlines(WA)Ltd, Maylands Aerodrome, Perth |
| 6.5.47 | Issued to purchaser ex Care & Maintenance Unit Geraldton |
| Ferried fron Geraldton to Maylands for civil conversion by Airlines | |
| 1.5.47 | Registered VH-BEH Airlines (WA) Ltd, Perth WA |
| 11.6.47 | Test flight Maylands after civil overhaul |
| 12.6.47 | CofA issued |
| 6.47 | Entered service on Airlines (WA) Ltd scheduled passenger services |
| 10.7.50 | CofA expired. Airlines advise DCA that VH-BEH will be retired, replaced by DH.104 Doves |
| Retired, reduced to components at Perth Airport | |
| 27.3.51 | Struck off Register |
| 22.6.51 | Fuselage VH-BEH noted at the back of Airlines (WA) Ltd hangar at Perth Airport, silver with blue trim, |
Photo: Geoff Goodall collection
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as W2121 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 25.5.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2121. Awaiting assembly at No.1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton |
| 14.7.41 | Received No.4 Service Flying Training School, Geraldton ex 1AD |
| 21.5.43 | Damaged, ground-loop on takeoff Georgina satellite ground. Repaired by unit |
| 26.12.44 | Received ANA Maylands ex 4SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 26.9.45 | Received No.4 Central Recovery Depot, Maylands ex ANA for storage |
| 10.1.46 | Allotted No.17 Repair & Salvage Unit, Pearce for completion of overhaul |
| 11.3.46 | Received No.7 Communications Unit Pearce ex 17RSU |
| 13.5.46 | Received Care and Maintenance Unit Geraldton ex 7CU for under-cover storage |
| 6.11.46 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to Flying Doctor Service, Kalgoorlie WA |
| 7.1.47 | Issued to puchaser |
| The purchaser was in fact George W. Lewis trading as Goldfields Airways, Kalgoorlie WA. He was a WWI pilot who was an established Kalgoorlie charter operator, contracted by FDS Kalgoorlie base to provide aircraft for emergencies and clinic runs as requested. | |
| 8.1.47 | George Lewis departed Geraldton
in W2121 at 7am on delivery flight to Kalgoorliee, accompanied by his
Percival Vega Gull VH-UZH in which he and a company pilot had
previouslyflown to Geraldton to collect the Anson. |
| 8.1.47 | Vega Gull made a forced lnding in a farm paddock at East
Buntine, Lewis landed the Anson alongside to attend to the Vega's
engine. Both then continued the flight, arriving at Kalgoorlie the
following day |
| W2121
civil conversion overhaul at Kalgoorlie on a time-available basis
single-handedly by G.W.Lewis, who held airframe and engine maintenance
licences. Periodic inspections by a DCA inspector from Perth | |
| 18.6.47 | Registered VH-BEL George W. Lewis c/- Flying Doctor Service, Kalgoorlie WA |
| 7.8.47 | Test flown Kalgoorlie by Lewis on completion of the extended civil overhaul |
| 7.8.47 | CofA issued. Fitted with 6 passenger seats and fittings for a stretcher patient |
| For
next 15 years VH-BEL was operated on charters and FDS
work (later renamed RFDS). The annual CofAs were always renewed and the
DCA inspections reported the aircraft condition as excellent. Lewis
employed pilots to operate his second Anson VH-AXC and other aircraft
Vega Gull VH-UZH and Proctor VH-BLC, on which he carried out all
maintenance. | |
| 6.59 | George Lewis was now a
one-man business with only VH-BEL. The flying doctor contract ended
earlier that yesr when RFDS introduced its own aircraft Cessna 182
VH-FDK and pilot at the Kalgoorlie Base. |
| 11.60 | DCA
reduced VH-BEL from Charter Category to Airwork Category as part of DCA
Policy to retire all wooden wing Anson Mk.1s. Passengers could no
longer be carried. |
| 5.9.61 | Lewis flew supplies from Kalgoorlie to Warburton Mission during a measles epidemic |
| 61 | Lewis won a contract for an extensive photographic mapping survey in the Kalgoorlie district |
| 30.6.62 | George Lewis flew VH-BEL on a farewell circuit over Kalgoorlie and Boulder prior to the type grounding |
| 30.6.62 | CofAs of all remaining Australian Anson Mk.1s suspended by DCA Policy effective midnight |
| VH-BEL retired in the hangar at Kalgoorlie. | |
| 8.62 | Lewis
wrote to DCA: requested a 14 day CofA renewal for VH-BEL to enable him
to carry out outstanding photographic survey runs now required to
complete the contract. DCA WA Region recommended the extension to Head Office stating a recent inspection of the grounded VH-BEL found it to be in excellent condition. |
| 21.8.62 | Short-term CofA renewal until 4.9.62 |
| 9.62 | Retired Kalgoorlie. Lewis gifted VH-BEL to No.9 Flight RAAF Air Training Corps, Kalgoorlie Aircraft remained in the hangar as an instructional airframe, starboard Cheetah engine and propeller were later removed as a training exercise. |
| 16.4.70 | Donated to Air Force Association (WA Division) Inc, Bull Creek, Perth WA Later renamed RAAF Association (WA Division) Inc AFA had requested the Anson for their proposed aviation museum to be built at their Bull Creek estate |
| Unmoved in the hangar at Kalgoorlie, complete but deteriorated torn fabric and some woodwork damage, flat perished tyres | |
| 16.1.71 | A party from No.25 Squadron at RAAF Pearce flew to Kalgoorlie in Dakota A65-102 to dismantle the Anson as a training project |
| 24-27.6.71 | Fuselage
moved by road from Kalgoorlie to Perth, unloaded in Alco Timber yard,
Leach Highway, Melville. Stored mounted on trestles in the open. |
| 10.7.71 | Fuselage moved by road to a large shed in Hampton Road, Fremantle for storage under cover |
| 16.2.72 | Mainplane arrived Jandakiot Airport from Kalgoorlie, stored in open in a DCA truck yard |
| 12.5.73 | Fuselage
and mainplane moved from their respective storage locations to a
chicken farm in Taylor Road, Jandakot where they were stored in disused
chicken sheds with other aircraft collected by the AFA |
| 6.72 | Anson
fuselage damaged by vandals when left outside at the chicken farm for
two weeks waiting for equipment to move it into the sheds. Fabric torn,
perspex smashed , woodwork broken. |
| 14.11.76 | Anson fuselage and mainplane moved from chicken farm to the AFA Country Club at Bull Creek. Left in the weather in the AFA Aviation Historical Group's fenced compound with other aircraft stored for the proposed aviation museum. Fuselage later moved into the AHG workshop shed on the estate. |
| 17.11.79 | Aviation Heritage Museum was opened in a new building on the AFA estate at Bull Creek |
| VH-BEL was rebuilt to an excellent display standard, painted all silver as RAAF W2121 | |
| Currently displayed inside Aviation Heritage Museum, Bull Creek |
Photo by Geoff Goodall
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as W1949 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 4.5.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W1949. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 6.6.41 | Log book: first test flight Bankstown after assembly |
| 20.6.41 | Issued to No.4 Service Flying Training School, Geraldton ex 2AP |
| 7.4.43 | Undercarriage collapsed in ground-loop during night execises at Georgina satellite field (repaired at unit) |
| 4.10.44 | Received ANA Maylands ex 4SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 17.9.45 | Received 4AD Boulder ex ANA Maylands |
| 22.1.46 | Received No.87 Operational Base Unit Geraldton ex 4AD for storage under cover |
| 28.1.47 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to W. Couper, Mount Barker WA |
| 15.4.47 | Issued to purchaser ex Care and Maintenance Unit Geraldton |
| 6.5.47 | Registered VH-BEM Robert S. Couper, Mount Barker WA |
| 5.47 | Civil conversion commenced at Maylands Aerodrome, Perth by Airlines(WA)Ltd. Bob Couper had been a wartime RAAF pilot and intended to establish a charter business in the Albany region. Using Tiger Moths he conducted charters, fish spotting and whale spotting. Couper initially wanted VH-BEM fitted as a freighter but during the overhaul instructed Airlines(WA)Ltd to install six passenger seats and passenger window panels. |
| 4.8.47 | CofA issued at Maylands |
| Couper operated the Anson as "BEM Air Services"
in partnership with John Dyer of Perth. Dyer was an Australian flying
in RAF during the war and to get home, ferried Percival Proctor G-AHTN
from London to Kalgoorlie, arriving February 1947 after a 7 month trip
with an accident repair enroute. | |
| 1.12.47 | Change of ownership: John Dyer, Perth WA |
| 2.48 | DCA file memo: Dyer is operating VH-BEM in the far north of WA |
| 4.48 | By now VH-BEM is based at Darwin. Dyer wrote to DCA changing his address to: J. Dyer c/- BEM Air Services, Parap Camp, Hut 32, Darwin |
| 4.48 | VH-BEM
is being operated from Darwin in partnership with Neville "Dinga" Bell,
a popular local commercial pilot who uses the name Bell Airways, Darwin NT |
| 11.48 | Dyer advised DCA his address was now J.Dyer c/- Bell Airways, GPO Darwin NT |
| 21.12.48 | Annual CofA renewal Darwin by Messrs Moss and Oliver |
| 2.49 | Dyer wrote to DCA advising that VH-BEM is now permanently based at Darwin. His letterhead was "John Dyer, Proprietor BEM Air Services, Darwin NT" |
| 21.12.49 | Annual
CofA expired. Dyer requested an extention until to complete charter
work. The aircraft had flown 145 hours since last renewal 12.48.
DCA approve extention to 9.1.50. |
| 1.50 | Retired in open at Darwin |
| 2.51 | DCA
Darwin report: VH-BEM is u/s after a year standing in the
weather. It is in the hands of the Official Receiver due monies owed by
John Dyer, who is now in Calcutta, India |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Register in DCA 1951 Census of unairworthy aircraft |
| 41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as W2043 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 13.4.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2043. Received No.1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton ex UK for assembly |
| 5.5.41 | Log book: first test flight Laverton after assembly |
| 8.5.41 | Issued 4 Service Flying Training School, Geraldton ex 1AD |
| 25.9.41 | Undercarriage collapsed while taxying Geraldton, port mainplane damaged |
| 1.12.41 | Port
tyre blew out on landing Kojarina satellite landing ground near
Geraldton, starboard undercarriage collapsed when aircraft swung
violently |
| 25.3.42 | Forced landing Ardingly due port engine failure |
| 9.10.42 | Minor damage, struck airfield boundary marker while taxying at Georgina satellite landing ground near Geraldton |
| 3.1.43 | W2043 while parked was struck by a taxying Anson, damage to mainplanes of both aircraft |
| 28.11.43 | Landed with undercarriage retracted at Geraldton |
| 9.12.44 | Received Australian National Airways, Maylands Aerrodrome Perth ex 4SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 10.9.45 | Received No.7 Communications Unit, Guildford Aerodrome, Perth ex ANA Maylands |
| 11.3.46 | Mainplane damaged in taxying accident Carnarvon WA |
| 28.3.46 | Issued No.87 Operational Base Unit, Geraldton ex 7CU for storage pending disposal |
| 24.3.47 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to Airlines (WA) Ltd, Maylands Aerodrome, Perth |
| 6.5.47 | Issued to purchaser |
| 30.5.47 | Civil Registration application: Allan R. Wegener, Perth Wegener was a RAAF wartime pilot who flew with RAF 1942-45 in England and North Africa on Wellington, Beaufighter, Halifax and Dakota types. Returning home to Perth in 1945 he was employed by Airlines (WA) Ltd as pilot on Ansons and DH.89 Rapides. He purchased W2043 from his employer at Maylands prior to civil conversion |
| 30.5.47 | Registered VH-BEP |
| 8.47 | DCA memo: CofA overhaul has commenced at Maylands by
Airlines (WA) Ltd. Wegener intends flying this aircraft to England for
resale. He is in partnership with Perth pilot E.W.Vincent. |
| 9.47 | Wegener letter to DCA: "Two Ansons were recently sold to England to the company that I am dealing with". |
| 9.10.47 | Test flown Maylands after civil conversion, pilot Airlines (WA) Ltd Captain E.H.Wheatly |
| 24.10.47 |
Test flight, E.H. Wheatley and Wegener |
| 26.10.47 |
Local flight Maylands and Guildford, pilot Wegener. Again on 28.10.47 |
| 26.10.47 | Local flight Perth area, pilot E.W.Vincent carrying 6 passengers. DCA investigaton into flight: Vincent holds only a Student Pilot Licence which does not allow passengers |
| 2.11.47 |
Local flight, pilot Wegener with J.Tappett (wireless operator) and P.Farquarson (engineer). |
| 5.11.47 |
Circuits at Maylands, pilot Wegener |
| 9.11.47 |
Local flight Maylands, Captain Ross Watts of Airlines (WA) Ltd and a company engineer, with Wegener |
| 12.11.47 | VH-BEP
departed Guildford Aerodrome, Perth for UK: pilot A.R.Wegener,
engineer Paul Farquarson, Wireless Operator John Tapper, passengers
E.W.Vincent and Mrs. Pougnant (aged 58) bound for Sourabaya to visit
her daughter. Perth-Carnarvon-Port Hedland |
| 13.11.47 |
Port Hedland-Broome-Wyndham |
| 15.11.47 |
Wyndham-Darwin |
| 11.47 | Delayed at Darwin. |
| 21.11.47 |
Local flight Darwin to test wireless equipment. Pilot Wegener, G.Birmingham (wireless op), Farquarson |
| 26.11.47 | Departed Darwin. Local press report stated they now plan to sell the Anson to "Burma Airways, Rangoon". The Wireless Operator was repaced by Mr. George Birmingham, a former DCA Darwin Aeradio operator. The crew said they will then continue to UK and Sweden where they will collect a Junkers Ju 52 trimotor which they had purchased there some time ago for a low price. They will fly the Junkers to Australia carrying 21 refugees as paying passengers. (compiler's note: the Ju 52 plan was abandoned) Darwin-Koepang-Bali |
| 27.11.47 |
Bali-Sourabaya-Batavia |
| 28.11.47 |
Batavia-forced landing Pankal Pinang (due engine)-Singapore |
| 3.12.47 |
Singapore-Penang-Mergui |
| 4.12.47 |
Mergui-Rangoon |
| 6.12.47 |
Rangoon-Akyab-Calcutta |
| 21.12.47 |
Calcutta-Cooch Behal |
| 23.12.47 |
Departed Kooch Behar. Wegener's pilot log book: "Lousy weather. Ran out of gas. Crashed at Kulna, machine wrecked." Wrecked during forced landing Khulna, India (now Bangladesh) |
| Wegener sought employment in India and commenced with Dalmai Airways Ltd on 14.1.48 flying DC-3s and a Proctor. Vincent returned to Perth by sea. | |
| 1.48 | Letter to DCA from Indian DCA advising them of reports received of the crash |
| 19.12.47 | Struck-off Australian Civil Aircraft Register: back-dated to approximate accident date given by Indian DCA) |
| 48 | Correspondence
to DCA from Wegener's wife in Perth seeking information on his
whereabouts. Wegener had not contacted DCA to advise of the loss of
his Anson and his current situation was unknown. Further enquiries established that Wegener was working in India and would not be returning to Australia. |
| 43 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as MG530 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 31.1.44 | Taken on RAAF charge as MG530. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 19.3.44 | Log book: first test flight Bankstown after assembly |
| 31.3.44 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 2AP |
| 25.6.45 | Received No.3 Air Observers School, Port Pirie ex 8SFTS |
| 6.8.45 | Transferred to 3AOS Storage Reserve ex unit strength |
| 1.2.46 | Transferred to No.5 Central Recovery Depot, Port Pirie for storage pending disposal |
| 15.3.46 | Transferred to Care & Maintenance Unit, Port Pirie |
| 6.5.47 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £200 to W.R.Murphy & Rudd, Melbourne Vic |
| 3.6.47 | Issued to purchaser. Murphy & Rudd purchased Anson LV128 at the same sale, see VH-BET |
| 19.6.47 | DCA allocated VH-BES to MG530 and VH-BET to LV128 both owned by Messrs W.R.Murphy and C.R.Rudd, 41 Chappel Street, St Kilda Vic |
| 8.8.47 | Civil Registration application: C.R. Rudd & W.R.Murphy, Melbourne Vic, trading as Rudd & Murphy. Fitted with 7 passenger seats, will be based Essendon for personal use of owners |
| 2.10.47 | CofA issued Essendon |
| 2.10.47 | Registered VH-BES |
| Rudd & Murphy had purchased six RAAF Ansons which they planned to resell to civil owners. | |
| 2.4.48 | Inspection report at Essedon by DCA surveyor: well maintained\ |
| 5.48 | DCA memo: VH-BES and VH-BET both have original "helmet" engine cowlings replaced with round Cheetah XXV cowlings |
| VH-BES and VH-BET were ferried from Essendon to Nhill for storage in a disused RAAF hangar while the owners attempt to sell both aircraft. VH-BET was ferried in May 1948. | |
| 1.6.48 | VH-BES departed Essendon on 1 June 1948 but was forced back due to bad weather near Ballarat. A top fuselage
hatch was blown off and a passenger clung to the fabric to prevent it
tearing open. |
| 5.6.48 | After repairs it was ferried to Nhill on the morning of 5 June and landed uneventfully at 1pm . It was pushed into a hangar with the other Rudd & Murphy Anson VH-BET and Adastra's VH-BGO. The Adastra Anson was one of several Adastra aircraft engaged on a Victorian State Government photographic survey of western Victoria, flown by Adastra Captains Joe Linfoot, Tom Carpenter and John Howard. |
| 5.6.48 | VH-BES and VH-BET destroyed by a hangar fire at Nhill Vic. Adastra Anson VH-BGO also destroyed |
| It
is believed an electrical short circuit in the recently arrived Anson
started the fire. Adastra pilot Joe Linfoot had closed and locked the
hangar doors and had driven away from the aerodrome in a car when smoke
was seen and he immediately returned to unlock a side door of the
hangar to find BES & BET well ablaze and his Anson BGO had started
to burn. While trying to save valuable survey cameras and maps and
specialist gear in his aircraft he was caught by a blast from exploding
photographic film and hurled back through the hangar door.
Exploding fuel tanks hampered efforts by the local fire brigade, and
the hangar structure and the three Ansons were destroyed. Adastra pilot Tom Carpenter adds to the story: "On 5th June 1948, we were based at Nhill in Victoria, but as the weather was not suitable for aerial survey work, Johnny Howard and I decided to go to Hamilton in John's Tiger Moth VH-AVV for a football match and stay the night. Mid afternoon, the police located us at the football ground with the news that our survey aircraft had been totally destroyed by fire in the hangar at Nhill. We immediately headed back to Nhill and into a strong north wind late in the afternoon, but found that our ground speed was down to about 55 miles per hour. Soon it got dark, but that did not worry us, because Nhill aerodrome being on the Adelaide-Melbourne air route had a revolving beacon. Eventually the light was seen but not where we expected it - we were about 30 miles off course. At last we were in the circuit area and saw the flare path that had been laid for us - but again things went wrong. Those days only big aerodromes had electric flare path lights, smaller aerodromes had tins filled with rags soaked in petrol and oil. This night the wind was so strong that the flares kept blowing out. John Howard flew the return flight and said he dropped the aircraft from about 10 feet above the ground on landing, but I don't remember it happening. I was too busy watching the flares blowing out and the two men who caught our wing tips as we hit the ground. Briefly the story was that another Avro Anson which had been converted into a passenger carrying aircraft had been parked in our hangar and joined by its sister aircraft shortly after John Howard and I had left for Hamilton. Joe Linfoot's story was that he was still on the aerodrome and removed our aircraft to allow the new arrival to park in the back of our hangar for storage. Our aircraft was returned to the hangar and the doors locked. The owner and pilot were about to be driven to town in our car when the owner said he had left something in his aircraft and requested the keys to the hangar. Joe said that he and his two passengers had just arrived in town when he saw a cloud of smoke out towards the aerodrome. After depositing his passengers at the hotel he drove back to the airport to see smoke pouring from our hangar. Despite the heat he was able to open a small side door to see both stored aircraft ablaze and the nose area of our aircraft just starting to burn." Joe Linfoot received minor injuries in the fire but continued with Adastra Aerial Surveys. He was killed on 24 June 1957 as captain of Adastra Lockheed Hudson VH-AGO which crashed at Horn Island during an emergency landing with port propeller feathered. |
The likely lads are not identified in the photo, which was taken by pilot Jack Gillies.
Photos by Jack Gillies via Maurice Austin collection
| .43 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as LV128 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 9.8.43 | Taken on RAAF charge as LV128. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 1.12.43 | Issued to ANA Mascot ex 2AP |
| 12.12.43 | Received Air Gunnery Shool, West Sale |
| 24.9.44 | Damaged when port undercaeriage leg collapsed West Sale aerodrome. Repaired at unit |
| 18.4.45 | Received General Reconnaissance School, Bairnsdale ex AGS |
| 7.6.45 | Received No.3 Air Observers School, Port Pirie ex GRS |
| 6.7.45 | Transferred to 3AOS Storage Reserve ex unit strength |
| 1.2.46 | Transferred to No.5 Central Recovery Depot, Port Pirie for storage pending disposal |
| 15.3.46 | Transferred to Care & Maintenance Unit, Port Pirie |
| 6.5.47 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £200 to W.R.Murphy & Rudd, Melbourne Vic |
| 6.6.47 | Issued to purchaser ex CMU Port Pirie. Murphy & Rudd purchased MG530 at the same sale, see VH-BES |
| 19.6.47 | DCA allocated VH-BES to MG530 and VH-BET to LV128 both owned by Messrs W.R.Murphy and C.R.Rudd, 41 Chappel Street, St Kilda Vic |
| 8.8.47 | Civil Registration application: C.R. Rudd & W.R.Murphy, Melbourne Vic, trading as Rudd & Murphy. Fitted with 7 passenger seats, will be based Essendon for personal use of owners |
| 2.12.47 | Registered VH-BET |
| 2.12.47 | CofA issued Essednon |
| 5.48 | DCA memo: VH-BES and VH-BET both have original "helmet" engine cowlings replaced with round Cheetah XXV cowlings |
| 5.48 | VH-BET erried from Essendon to Nhill for storage in a
disused RAAF hangar while the owners attempt to sell both aircraft. VH-BET followed in ealy June 1948 |
| 5.6.48 | VH-BES and VH-BET destroyed by a hangar fire at Nhill Vic. Adastra Anson VH-BGO also destroyed |
| | Refer VH-BES for further details |
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as W2483 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 8.8.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2482. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 6.9.41 | Received No.1 Air Navigation School, Parkes ex 2AP |
| 13.12.43 | Received No.1 Air Observers School, Cootamundra ex 1ANS |
| 12.6.44 | Received 2AP Bankstown ex 1AOS |
| 24.7.44 | Issued Ansett Airways, Mascot ex 2AP for complete overhaul |
| 26.2.45 | Received 2AD Richmond ex Ansett Airways Mascot |
| 8.3.45 | Received No.6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala ex 2AD |
| 21.5.45 | Transferred to 6SFTS Storage ex unit strength. Transferred to Care & Maintenance Unit Mallala |
| 7.3.47 | Received CMU Benalla ex CMU Mallala for under cover storage |
| 23.11.48 | Received CMU Tocumwal ex CMU Benalla for under cover storage |
| 15.9.52 | Offered to Dept of Supply for disposal |
| 9.7.54 | Issued to purchaser ex CMU Tocumwal (sale details not included on RAAF airframe record card) |
| 23.8.54 | Registered VH-BEV Air Express Co, Archerfield Aerodrome, Brusbane Qld |
| 16.1.58 | Change of ownership: Gillham Airways Pty Ltd, Mackay Qld. Named Coral Voyager |
| Gillham Airways was founded in 1957 by O.W. Gillham to fly passenger and freight charters from Mackay, principally to Great Barrier Reef tourist islands. First aircraft was Anson VH-BBI also acquired from Air Express Co. | |
| 60 | Retired at Archerfield Qld in open weather, poor condition |
| Left
outside with horizontal tailplane removed and all access hatches along
the mainplane hanging open, indicating that an inspection of glued
wooden joints had found problems and the overhaul abandoned. | |
| .61 | Carted away as scrap metal |
| 1.7.62 | Struck-off Civil Register |
| (In 8.67 the nose section of VH-BEV was seen at Kallangur Qld, metallic with blue and black trim, name Coral Voyager and palm tree artwork) |
Gillham Airways Ansons VH-BEV and snub-nosed VH-BBI at Lindeman Island circa 1958.
Photo: TAA via Peter Kelly
Photo: TAA via Peter Kelly
| .40 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as R9899 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 25.11.40 | Taken on RAAF charge as R9899. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 15.12.40 | Received No.2 Service Flying Training School, Wagga ex 2AP |
| 24.2.41 | Issued 4SFTS Geraldton ex 2SFTS |
| 9.8.43 | While parked at Geraldton R9899 was struck by taxying Anson R3556 during night flying exercises |
| 12.9.43 | Issued Australian National Airways, Maylands Aerodrome, Perth for complete overhaul |
| 22.5.44 | Receievd 4SFTS Geraldton ex ANA Maylands |
| 22.1.45 | Transferred to 4SFTS Storage ex unit strength |
| 2.8.45 | Transferred to No.87 Operational Base Unit Geraldton. Transferred to Care & Maintenance Unit Geraldton for storage pending disposal. |
| 3.2.47 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to Airlines (WA) Ltd, Maylands Aerodrome, Perth |
| 10.2.47 | Issued to purchaser ex CMU Geraldton |
| 1.7.47 | Registered VH-BFC Airlines (WA) Ltd, Maylands Aerodrome, Perth |
| 14.7.47 | Test flown Maylands after civil conversion by Airlines (WA) Ltd |
| 14.7.47 | CofA issued. Freighter |
| 14.7.47 | Entered
service, initially on newspaper delivery contract from Perth to south
west towns replacing DH.90 Dragonfly VH-ADG which was needed for survey
work. |
| 5.11.47 | Change of ownership: Kingsley L.Watson, trading as Aerial Surveys (WA) Pty Ltd, Perth WA |
| VH-BFC remained in service
with Airlines(WA) Ltd as a freighter while Watson arranged finance for
the aircraft's purchase and modification for aerial photographic survey | |
| 19.5.48 | Handed over to Watson |
| 2.6.48 | Loss of radio comms while operating in Carnarvon WA area, pilot Glynn-Smith |
| 19.6.49 | Aerial Surveys (WA) Pty
Ltd letter to DCA advising the company now has its own engineers and
maintenance organisation for VH-BFC, which was previously maintained on
contract by Airlines(WA) Ltd. |
| 14.12.49 | Forced landing Cunderdin Aerodrome WA due engine trouble enroute Perth-Southern Cross, no damage, pilot Digby Bull |
| 50 | Pilot Digby Bull recalls
an emergency landing at Narrogin West WA due engine fire while he was
conducting photographic survey at 12,000 feet in the area. The engine was changed and the Anson flown back to Maylanfds |
| 22.3.51 | Forced landing Busselton WA due engine trouble, aerial survey operation in the area, pilot Pierce |
| 3.7.51 | VH-BFC noted at Parafield SA, silver with black registration letters. Parked at Robbys Aircraft hangar |
| 31.8.51 | Undercarriage collapsed landing Wallaroo SA, badly damaged. Crew unhurt. Insurance write-off. |
| 15.1.52 | Struck-off Civil Register |
| The damaged aircaft was
dragged on its belly to a town park in Wallaroo, where it was stripped
of parts by local citizens for some months. The derelict airframe was
dismantled and moved to the farm of Mr. Hawk near the nearby town of
Kadina, where it was used forscrews, metal tubing, witing etc around the farm, | |
| 2.65 | The intact centre fuselage sectiuon was found laying on one side on Mr.Hawk's farm tip. |
damage inflicted by livestock attracted to the dope taste. Both photos by Len Betterman, via Nigel Daw.
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as DG729 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 25.9.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DG729. Received Point Cook ex UK for assembly |
| 1.10.42 | Log book: first test flight Point Cook after assembly |
| 12.10.42 | Received No.1 Air Observers School, Cootamundra ex Point Cook |
| 1.9.44 | Issued Ansett Airways, Mascot ex 1AOS for complete overhaul |
| 19.3.45 | Received 2AD Richmond ex Ansett Mascot |
| 26.3.45 | Received General Reconnaissance School, Bairnsdale ex 2AD |
| 16.7.45 | Transferred to GRS Reserve ex unit strength |
| 6.2.47 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to R. Green, Eden NSW |
| 21.4.47 | Collected by purchaser |
| 14.7.47 | DCA allocted VH-BFG to Anson DG729 for owner Western Airways, Warrnambool Vic |
| 21.7.47 | Civil Registration application: Western Airways, Warrnambool Vic Application submuited on Western Airways' behalf by Air Operations Pty Ltd, Essendon who are carrying out the civil conversion. |
| 17.10.47 | CofA issued Essendon. 7 passenger seats |
| 19.10.47 | Registered VH-BFG Western Airways Passenger Services Pty Ltd, Warrnambool Vic |
| Used with VH-BBI by WAPS on a short-lived scheduled passenger airline service between Warrnambool and Melbourne under the name Western Airways. | |
| Charles Miller who was a pilot for WASP recalls: "We
were hired by the Benambra publican and friends to take them to the
Melbourne Cup. We flew up in Anson VH-BFG on 1.11.47 and flew them to
Essendon. On 5.11.47 after the Cup program, we met up with the Benambra
bunch and took them home." |
|
| By early 1948 WAPS had ceased operations and was in liquidation. VH-BBI was held by Brown & Dureau Ltd at Belmont Common, Geelong for resale | |
| 24.4.48 | Change of ownership: Corio Air Freighters, Belmont Common Aerodrome, Geelong Vic |
| Early
1948 Brown & Dureau Ltd sold the assets of its aircraft overhaul
business at Belmont Common to the former Chief Engineer David J.
Bourke. He reorganised as Corio Air Engineers, specialising in Avro Anson conversion and maintenance. An associate company was Corio Air Freighters to operate Ansons from Geelong to Tasmania and Bass Strait islands. | |
| 5.48 | Short-term lease to Connellan Airways, Alice Springs NT pending delivery of a DH.89 Rapide from UK. |
| 12.5.48 | VH-BFG was at Alice Springs NT |
| 31.5.48 | VH-BFG by now back at Geelong. |
| Connellan
Airways proprietor Eddie Connellan was unimpressed by the Anson. DCA,
which administered a Government subsidy for his outback
services,proposed military-disposals Ansons as a cheap effective type
for the airline. But Connellan wrote "Anson unsuccessful due severe engine strarting problems in hot weather and also uneconomical to operate" | |
| 7.48 | Corio Air Freighters are replacing the Cheetah helmet cowlings with smooth Oxford cowlings |
| 16.10.48 | CofA expired at Belmont Common |
| 10.48 | Under
overhaul at Belmont Common by Corio Air Engineers, passenger seats
removed and being fitted out for freight work, radios being installed. |
| 3.12.49 | Weighed for CofA at Essendon, owner quoted as D,.J.Bourke |
| 6.12.49 | CofA renewed |
| 6.12.49 | Change of ownership: Bass Islands Airways Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic. Based Belmont Common, Geelong |
| 5.12.50 | CofA expired |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Civil Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft |
| Assumed retired at Geelong 1950, but actual fate unknown |
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as AX148 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 27.12.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as AX148. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 23.3.42 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 2AP |
| 27.6.44 | Received 2AP Bankstown ex 8SFTS |
| 1.8.44 | Issued Ansett Airways, Mascot ex 2AP for complete overhaul |
| 6.3.45 | Received 2AD Richmond ex Ansett Mascot |
| 15.3.45 | Received 6SFTS, Mallala ex 2AD |
| 21.5.45 | Received 6SFTS Storage ex unit strength, for undercover storage |
| 4.10.46 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £450 to New England Airways, Sydney NSW |
| 29.11.46 | Issued to purchaser ex CMU Mallala |
| 26.9.47 | Registered VH-BFI New England Airways, Sydney NSW. Named Lismore |
| 4.5.48 | Change of ownership: Butler Air Transport Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW BAT took over NEAW and its route licences with effect 17.5.48 |
| 4.8.50 | Change of ownership: Overland Air Services Pty Ltd, Condobolin NSW |
| 13.1.52 | Crashed during a forced landing Padstow, Sydney, destroyed by fire. Captain B.J.Moore and the airline hostess were killed. The hostess' young son, the only passenger, survived. |
| The
aircraft was making a positioning flight from Bankstown to Mascot
following work on its radio. While crossing Sydney suburbs engine
trouble caused the aircraft to lose altitude and it flew over Punchbowl
at an estimated 100 feet heading for a section of clear land. The port
wing struck a tree, aircraft crashed in a market garden and burst into flames. | |
| (The
DCA file includes an accounting adjustment made to the liquidators of
Overland Air Services later in 1952: a refund of the unused
portion of Registration fee for VH-BFI was put towards outstanding
hangarage fees owed to DCA by OAS) |
Photo: Whites Aviation via Janic Geelen
| 20.7.37 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Manchester, to RAF order as K8809. C/n 1025 |
| Diverted to Australian Government order for RAAF | |
| Shipped boxed to Australia | |
| 13.10.37 | Taken on RAAF charge as A4-30. Received No.2 Aircraft Depot, Richmond. Stored dismantled |
| 24.6.38 | Issued 2AD workshops for erection |
| 27.7.38 | Issued 22 Squadron, Richmond ex 2AD |
| 15.11.39 | Tailplane damaged, struck object landing Richmond |
| 30.5.40 | Received No.1 Flying Training School, Point Cook ex 22 Sqn |
| 10.11.40 | Issued No.3 Service Flying Training School, Amberley ex 1FTS |
| 6.9.41 | Issued Qantas Empire Airways, Archerfield ex 3SFTS for compete overhaul |
| 6.4.42 | Received 8SFTS Bundaberg ex Qantas Archerfield |
| 25.5.43 | Ground collision with Anson AX505 at Bundaberg aerodrome, both serious damage. Repaired at unit. |
| 13.3.44 | Issued to No.2 Communications Unit, Mascot ex 8SFTS. Not used by 2CU due airframe poor condition |
| 1.5.44 | Received
2AP Bankstown ex 2CU to hold pending overhaul by civilian contractor,
none have capacity for an additional Anson at this time |
| 4.12.44 | Issued to Ansett Airways, Mascot ex 2AP for complete overhaul |
| 30.7.45 | Received 2AD Richmond ex Ansett Mascot |
| 31.7.45 | Received Care & Maintenance Unit Evans Head ex 2AD for under cover storage |
| 15.3.46 | Received CMU Narrandera ex CMU Evans Head for under cover storage |
| 17.7.46 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £500 to E.H.Loneragan, Mudgee NSW |
| 16.10.46 | Issued to purchaser |
| 16.10.46 | A4-30
test flown Narrandera RAAF Station by ferry pilot Charles H. Eather,
employed by Eric Mcillree to collect Ansons purchased by the
McIllree-Loneragan partnership Aircraft Disposals Co,Mudgee |
| 16.10.46 | Ferried Narrandera-Mascot by C.H.Eather, 2 hrs 15 min |
| 30.10.46 | Flew Mascot-Nowra NSW. Next day Nowra-Jervis Bay-Mascot, both flights pilot Eather |
| 20.10.47 | Civil Registration application: U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW c/- E.E.McIllree |
| 28.10.47 | CofA issued after civil inspection at Bankstown |
| 28.10.47 | Registered VH-BFJ |
| 11.47 | Australian Customs approval for E.E.McIllree to export Avro Ansons VH-BFJ, BFK, BFL to Federated Malay States. The export was arranged through Aircraft Disposals Co, Mudgee NSW |
| 12.11.47 | The three Ansons departed Sydney for overseas sale. Each was fitted with extra fuel tanks in the bomb bay. |
| 11.47 | U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney letter to DCA advising change of ownership for Ansons VH-BFJ,BFK,BFL to McIllree Aircraft Ltd, Singapore |
| 30.12.47 | Aircraft Disposals Co letter to DCA advises that VH-BFJ, BFK,BFL had been sold to Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong |
| 15.3.48 | Hong Kong Directorate of Air Services
letter to DCA: only two, VH-BFK & VH-BFL were purchased by Cathay
Pacific Airways from McIllree Aircraft Ltd, Singapore |
| 4.48 | Aircraft Disposals Co replied to an enquiry from DCA advising that VH-BFJ was in fact sold to M. LeGrand, Saigon, French Indo China |
| 22.4.48 | Struck-off Australian Register as sold abroad |
| Fate unknown, no French civil registration has been traced |
Note the shorter nose and sloping windscreens of early production Ansons. Geoff Goodall collection
| 13.7.38 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Manchester, to RAF order as L7918. C/n 1084 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 19.8.38 | Taken on RAAF charge as A4-44. Received No.1Aircraft Depot, Laverton ex Avro for assembly |
| 12.9.38 | Issued No.2 Squadron, Laverton ex 1AD |
| 8.7.40 | Issued No.1 Initial Training School, Point Cook ex 2 Sqn. 1ITS renamed No.1 SFTS |
| 25.10.40 | Minor damage ground collision with Anson R3545 |
| 20.6.41 | Issued Ansett Airways Essendon ex 1SFTS for overhaul |
| 8.8.41 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 13.8.41 | Received 1SFTS Point Cook ex 1AD |
| 3.1.42 | Received 6SFTS Mallala ex 1SFTS |
| 29.5.44 | Received 1 Wireless Air Gunners School, Ballarat ex 6SFTS |
| 8.1.45 | Issued Ansett Airways, Essendon ex 1WAGS for complete overhaul |
| 28.5.45 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 19.7.45 | Received No.94 Squadron, Castlereagh NSW ex 1AD |
| 15.10.45 | Received CMU Evans Head ex 94 Sqn for under cover storage pending disposal |
| 15.11.46 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to E.E. McIllree, Sydney NSW |
| 30.1.47 | Issued to purchaser |
| 30.10.47 | Registered VH-BFK U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney c/- Mr. Eric E. McIllree |
| 30.10.47 | CofA issued after civil conversion |
| 11.47 | Australian Customs approval for E.E.McIllree to export Avro Ansons VH-BFJ, BFK, BFL to Federated Malay States. The export was arranged through Aircraft Disposals Co, Mudgee NSW |
| 12.11.47 | The three Ansons departed Sydney for overseas sale. Each was fitted with extra fuel tanks in the bomb bay. |
| 11.47 | U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney letter to DCA advising change of ownership for Ansons VH-BFJ,BFK,BFL to McIllree Aircraft Ltd, Singapore |
| 12.47 | McIllree Aircraft Ltd, Singapore sold VH-BFK & VH-BFL to Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong |
| 30.12.47 | Telegram to DCA from Aircraft Disposals Co, Mudgee: "VH-BFK and VH-BFL are held up at Rangoon awaiting delivery to new owners. Urgently require CofA and CofR forms sent." |
| In
fact they had been delivered to Cathay Pacific Airways, which based
both Ansons at Rangoon to operate a quasi military contract with the
Burmese Government to carry military supplies and personnel to forces
fighting Karen rebels in southern Burma. McIllree and a ferry crew had flown VH-BFK & BFL from Singapore to Hong Kong, then on to Rangoon | |
| 8.1.48 | Struck-off Australian Civil Register as sold abroad |
| 1.48 | Registered VR-HDX Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong |
| Details can be found in Captain Charles H. Eather's book We Flew In Burma. The Ansons were replaced by Cathay Pacific DC-3s as soon as they became available. Eather wrote "The
Ansons proved unsuitable for the Burma operation. Military equipment
frequently could not fit inside the restricted fuselage" | |
| 9.2.48 | Badly damaged landing at Sandoway, Arakan, Burma.
Undercarriage and front wing spar damaged when the aircraft undershot a
landing approach and struck terrain. Cathay Pacific Captain M.
Lothian unhurt. |
| 13.2.48 | Cathay
Pacific Airways letter to Hong Kong Directorate of Civil Aviation
advising that the aircraft was a write-off because of cost to repair
the damaged front spar. |
| 16.3.48 | Lloyd's
of London insurance company cable to DCA Australia seeking
clarification: they are dealing with a claim for an Avro Anson recently
damaged at Sandoway, Burma. The aircraftcarries the markings VR-HDX but its log books are for VH-BFK. |
| 16.11.38 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Manchester to RAF order as N4873 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under a charter agreement with the British Government | |
| 26.12.38 | Taken on RAAF charge as N4873. Received No.1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton ex Avro |
| 18.7.39 | 1AD Workshops ex storage for assembly |
| 29.8.39 | Allotted No.1 Squadron, Point Cook ex 1AD |
| 29.3.40 | Issued No.1 Service Flying Training School, Point Cook ex 1 Sqn |
| 28.8.41 | Issued Ansett Airways, Essendon ex 1SFTS for overhaul |
| 9.11.41 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 23.11.41 | Received No.2 Air Observer School, Mount Gambier ex 1AD |
| 13.12.43 | Received 1AOS Cootamundra ex 2AOS |
| 15.9.44 | Received 2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex 1AOS for allotment to civil contractor for overhaul |
| 11.12.44 | Issued Ansett Airways Mascot ex 2AP for complete overhaul |
| 4.2.46 | Received 2AD Richmond ex Ansett Airways for fire spotting |
| 6.2.46 | Damaged Richmond by severe hail storm. Repaired, stored under cover |
| 10.12.46 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to E.E. McIllree, Sydney NSW |
| 31.1.47 | Issued to purchaser |
| 6.11.47 | Registered VH-BFL U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney c/- Mr. Eric E. McIllree |
| 6.11.47 | CofA issued after civil conversion |
| 11.47 | Australian Customs approval for E.E.McIllree to export Avro Ansons VH-BFJ, BFK, BFL to Federated Malay States. The export was arranged through Aircraft Disposals Co, Mudgee NSW |
| 12.11.47 | The three Ansons departed Sydney for overseas sale. Each was fitted with extra fuel tanks in the bomb bay. |
| 11.47 | U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney letter to DCA advising change of ownership for Ansons VH-BFJ,BFK,BFL to McIllree Aircraft Ltd, Singapore |
| 12.47 | McIllree Aircraft Ltd, Singapore sold VH-BFK & VH-BFL to Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong |
| 30.12.47 | Telegram to DCA from Aircraft Disposals Co, Mudgee: "VH-BFK and VH-BFL are held up at Rangoon awaiting delivery to new owners. Urgently require CofA and CofR forms sent." |
| In fact they had been delivered to Cathay Pacific Airways, which based
both Ansons at Rangoon to operate a quasi military contract with the
Burmese Government to carry military supplies and personnel to forces
fighting Karen rebels in southern Burma. McIllree and a ferry crew had flown VH-BFK & BFL from Singapore to Hong Kong, then on to Rangoon | |
| 8.1.48 | Struck-off Australian Civil Register as sold abroad |
| 1.48 | Registered VR-HDX Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong. Identity quoted as fuselage frame part number R3LW-17880. |
| late 48 | Replaced
by Cathay Pacific DC-3s on the Burma contract. Anson retired at
Rangoon-Mingaladon Aerodrome, parked in the open. Condition quickly
deteriorated in the tropical weather. |
| 11.50 | Sold to Major Arthur Sinclair Cannon, Peacock Motors, Rangoon, Burma. Cannon former British Army now living in Rangoon. His flying experience was 60 hours on Moth types. |
| VR-HDX dismantled Mingaladon for rebuild for Cannon by Cathay Pacific base engineer
Bob Smith, assisted by volunteers from the RAF detachment at Rangoon. 9
month rebuild of the wooden mainplane using spruce shipped from Britain. | |
| By the time the Anson
overhaul was completed, Major Cannon was in debt and under threat of
arrest and execution by Burmese authorities for his political activities. | |
| .51 | Unauthorised night
departure from Rangoon flown by Cannon, carrying his wife and their
dog. He took off in the dark after the runway lights had been turned
off for the night. VR-HDU landed at dawn at RAF Station Butterworth, Malaya, running off the strip during landing roll. Cannon was arrested by RAF, after his release he flew the Anson to Singapore |
| Cannon in debt in Singapore, VR-HDU sold by public auction for $400 Straits Dollars | |
| 7.53 | Registered in Malaya as VR-RCE Nanyang Airways Ltd |
| 27.10.54 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service |
| .43 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as EG494 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 12.7.43 | Taken on RAAF charge as EG494. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 3.12.43 | Received No.9 Communications Unit, Port Moresby, New Guinea ex 2AP |
| 4.4.44 | Received No.15 Aircraft Repair Depot, Port Moresby ex 9CU for 240 hourly service. |
| 15ARD request allotment to mainland for complete overhaul and replacement of mainplane due effects of tropical service | |
| 25.5.44 | Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex 15ARD for storage |
| 30.1.45 | Issued Ansett Airways, Mascot ex 2AP for complete overhaul, moved by road |
| 7.1.46 | Received 2AD Richmond ex Ansett Airways |
| 6.2.46 | Damaged Richmond by severe hail storm. Repaired, stored under cover |
| 10.12.46 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to E.E. McIllree, Sydney NSW |
| 28.1.47 | Issued to purchaser |
| 12.12.47 | Registered VH-BFM U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney c/- Mr. Eric E. McIllree |
| No CofA issued | |
| 11.12.48 | Registration lapsed, along with Ansons VH-BLF and VH-BME. |
| 49 | Aircraft
Disposals Co, Mudgee advise DCA that the company intended placing
VH-BFM, BLF,BME in service in the near future and requestedtheir registration markings be reserved. |
| 6.8.51 | Struck off Civil Register in 1951 DCA census of unairworthy aircraft |
| 22.4.55 | Registered VH-BFM Papuan Air Transport, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea |
| 13.2.56 | Flew Tapini-Port Moresby (radio failure incident report) |
| 14.9.56 | Struck-off Civil Register |
| No accident reports in that period, cancellation probably due deterioration of glued wooden structure |
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as W1970 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 16.5.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W1970. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 6.7.41 | Received No.3 Service Flying Training School, Amberley ex 2AP |
| 6.4.42 | Issued 6SFTS Mallala ex 3SFTS |
| 17.1.44 | Issued Guinea Airways, Parafield ex 6SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 24.2.45 | Received 6SFTS Reserve Mallala ex Guinea Airways |
| 5.3.45 | Received No.1 Communications Unit, Laverton ex 6SFST Reserve |
| 24.1.46 | Allotetd for use of AOC Southern Area HQ |
| 4.3.46 | Issued RAAF Station Parafield ex 1CU to replace Anson W2145 |
| 7.5.46 | Received Care & Maintenance Unit Mallala ex Parafield for storage pending disposal |
| 15.11.46 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to E.E. McIllree, Sydney NSW |
| 29.11.46 | Issued to purchaser |
| 3.11.47 | Civil Registration application: U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney c/- Mr. Eric E. McIllree |
| 5.48 | Sold to W.A.Reed, Sydney NSW |
| 18.5.48 | Registered VH-BFN W.A.Reed, Sydney NSW. Named Ski Flier |
| 18.5.48 | CofA issued. |
| Reed
represented a snow skiing club. He intended to have the aircraft flown
by a commercial pilot to transport club members and their guests to
Cooma NSW during the winter months and trout fishermen in summer
months. | |
| 10.48 | Aircraft has ceased being flown, parked at Mascot |
| 24.11.49 | Change of ownership: South Coast Airways Pty Ltd, Wollongong NSW c/- Walter E. James |
| Purchased in unairworthy condition, given overhaul to return to service | |
| 5.1.51 | Minor damage when struck an airport marker at Mascot |
| 28.6.54 | Struck-off Civil Register as withdrawn from service |
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as EF918 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 14.12.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as EF918. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 14.1.43 | Received Air Armament School, Hamilton Vic, moved to Nhill 12.43 |
| 1.5.44 | Issued Ansett Airways, Essendon ex AAS for complete overhaul |
| 6.12.44 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 16.1.45 | Received 6SFTS Store Reserve, Mallala ex 1AD for unde cover storage |
| 4.10.46 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to New England Airways, Sydney NSW |
| 29.11.46 | Issued to purchaser ex CMU Mallala |
| 19.3.48 | Registered VH-BFY New England Airways, Sydney NSW |
| 19.3.48 | CofA issued |
| 4.5.48 | Change of ownership: Butler Air Transport Pty Ltd, Sydney BAT took over NEAW and its airline route licences with effect 17.5.48 |
| 17.5.48 | Change of ownership: Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane Qld BAT owned a majority shareholding in APL and the two airlines ran in association |
| 12.1.49 | Change of APL name: Queensland Airlines Pty Ltd, Brisbane Qld |
| 18.3.49 | CofA lapsed. Queensland Airlines advise DCA that Ansons VH-BFY & BAB are withdrawn from service |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Civil Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft |
| 20.9.51 | VH-BFU sold by QAL in unairworthy condition to R.W. Brandon, Mount Nebo Qld |
| Fate unknown |
Netherlands Government courier service Douglas DC-4. Photo by Gus Grulke
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as DG907 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 25.5.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DG907. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 5.8.42 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 2AP |
| 7.5.43 | Received No.71 Squadron, Lowood ex 8SFTS |
| 6.5.44 | Received
2AP Bankstown ex 71 Sqn for removal of ASV equipment prior to alotment
to civil contractor for complete overhaui. Airframe 1,426 hours since
new |
| 20.11.44 | Issued Ansett Airways, Mascot ex 2AP for complete overhaul |
| 11.6.45 | Received 2AD Richmond ex Ansett Airways |
| 19.7.45 | Received 6SFTS Store Reserve, Mallala ex 2AD for under cover storage |
| 16.9.46 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £300 to E.H.Loneragan, Mudgee NSW |
| 7.11.46 | Issued to purchaser |
| Marketed by the Loneragan/McIllree business partnership Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee. | |
| 30.4.47 | Registered VH-BGD: Guines Air Traders, Lae, New Guinea |
| GAT had requested this registration because their biggest customer was Bulolo Gold Dredging Co. | |
| 30.4.47 | CofA issued Sydney |
| Ferried to New Guinea to be based at Lae | |
| 15.11.47 | CofA suspended by DCA at Lae. GAT Ansons VH-ALS, -AJJ and -AST suspended the same day. |
| In
November 1947 DCA sent an airworthiness inspector to check Guinea Air
Traders Ltd's Ansons parked in the open tropical 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. 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 wooden construction 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." | |
| Broken up at Lae for engines and parts by GAT | |
| 10.3.48 | Struck-off Civil Register |
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as W2591 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 28.8.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2591. Received No.1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton ex UK for assembly |
| 22.10.41 | Assembly completed Laverton |
| 2.11.41 | Received General Reconnaissance School, Laverton ex 1AD |
| 28.12.41 | Received No.2 Air Observers School, Mount Gambier ex GRS |
| 8.12.43 | Received 3AOS Port Pirie ex 2AOS |
| 20.3.44 | Issued Ansett Airways, Essendon ex 3AOS for complete overhaul |
| 30.10.44 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 16.11.44 | Received No.6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala ex 1AD |
| 4.6.45 | Transferred 6SFTS Store Reserve ex unit equipment. Transferred to Care & Maintenance Unit Mallala |
| 18.2.46 | Received CMU Nhill ex CMU Mallala for under cover storage |
| 2.9.46 | Received Point Cook Store ex CMU Nhill for under cover storage |
| 14.11.47 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to Adastra Airways Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| 16.1.48 | Issued to purchaser |
| 5.5.48 | Registered VH-BGO Adastra Airways Pty Ltd, Sydney Airport, Mascot NSW |
| 5.5.48 | CofA issued Mascot. 4 crew seats, fitted with camera and equipment for aerial photographic survey |
| 5.48 | Its first Adastra tasking was a Victorian Government contract for aerial mapping of western Victoria |
| 5.6.48 | Destroyed by a hangar fire at Nhill Vic. Ansons VH-BES and -BET also destroyed |
| Refer VH-BES for details of the Nhill fire |
Anson as RAAF W2591 Code "28" lined uo for disposal at RAAF Mallala SA 19345-46.
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as AW798 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 28.11.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as AW798. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 5.2.42 | Received No.2 Air Observers School, Mount Gambier ex 2AP |
| 8.12.43 | Received No.3 Air Observers School, Port Pirie ex 2AOS |
| 6.3.45 | Issued Guinea Airways, Parafield ex 2AOS for complete overhaul |
| 25.9.45 | Received 6 SFTS Store Reserve, Mallala ex Guinea Airways for under cover storage |
| 25.2.47 | Received Air and Ground Radio School, Ballarat ex CMU Mallala |
| 1.9.47 | Received CMU Benalla ex AGRS for under cover storage |
| 16.7.48 | Received 3AD Amberley ex CMU Benalla |
| 26.11.48 | Received School of Air Navigation, East Sale ex 3AD |
| 25.8.50 | Received RAAF East Sale ex SAN |
| 13.5.51 | Received RAAF Tocumwal ex East Sale for storage pending disposal |
| 6.9.54 | Sold by Department of Supply to Mr. K. Challender, Randwick NSW |
| Challender also purchased Ansons AW593 & LV295 at the same sale at Tocumwal: neither became civil | |
| 22.9.55 | Registered VH-BID Robert G. Carswell, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea Bob Carswell was an experienced aircraft engineer and pilot with a maintenance and sales business at Archerfield Airport, Brisbane. in 1956 he established a charter operation at Port Moresby, trading as Carsair. |
| 14.11.55 | Change of ownership: Goilala Air Service, Tapini, Papua New Guinea |
| Grounded due deterioration of the wooden wing spar construction | |
| 7.8.57 | Struck-off Civil Register |
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as W2172 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 6.6.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2172. Received No.1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton ex UK for assembly |
| 31.7.41 | Received No.3 Service Flying Training School, Amberley ex 1AD |
| 6.4.42 | Received 6SFTS Mallala ex 3SFTS |
| 29.1.45 | Issued Guinea Airways, Parafield ex 6SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 8.8.45 | Received 6SFTS Storage Reserve Mallala ex Guinea Airways for under cover storage |
| 12.2.46 | Received Care & Maintenance Unit Nhill ex 6SFTS for under cover storage |
| 2.9.46 | Received RAAF Point Cook ex CMU Nhill for under cover storage |
| 20.4.50 | Issued to Airflite, Mascot ex Point Cook for servicing and survey report |
| 30.11.50 | Received 2AD Richmond ex Airflite |
| 7.12.50 | Received RAAF Tocumwal ex 2AD for under cover storage |
| 24.3.53 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Tocumwal. Maintained serviceable |
| 15.8.55 | Sold by Department of Suppy to Mr. M.Hopp, Grey Street Traders, South Brisbane Qld |
| Max W. Hopp was a Brisbane commercial pilot and occasional aircraft dealer | |
| 7.6.56 | Registered VH-BIE Carsair Air Service, Port Moresby Papua New Guinea c/- Robert G.Carswell |
| Bob
Carswell was an experienced aircraft engineer and pilot with a
maintenance and sales business at Archerfield Airport, Brisbane. In
1956 he established a charter operation at Port Moresby, trading as
Carsair Air Service (PNG) Pty Ltd. Carsair also operated Lockheed 10B
VH-CMA, Lockheed 12A VH-ABH, Norseman VH-ASS, Avro 19 VH-BIX, Beech 17
VH-ACU. | |
| 21.12.57 | Damaged on landing Tapini
PNG. The left undercarriage retracted during the landing roll, left
wing tip and engine contacting the ground. No injuries. Repaired on site and flown out. |
| Carswell withdrew from PNG in 1958, blaming DCA refusal to issue Carsair an airline licence for scheduled services to Tapini and other regularly served ports. | |
| 58 | VH-BIE retired at Archerfield Qld |
| 1.59 | VH-BIE noted Archerfield outside a hangar with other grounded Ansons. BIE had fabric damage and deflated oleo in the right undercarriage, cabin door hanging open. |
| 31.8.60 | Change of ownership: Carsair Air Service, Archerfield Airport, Brisbane Qld |
| 31.8.60 | Struck-off Civil Register |
| c61 | Bob
Carswell cut off the wooden wings outer of the engines, then towed
VH-BIE on its wheels from Archerfield to a vacant block at his home in
the Brisbane suburb of Mount Gravatt. |
| 6.67 | Derelict stripped fuselage frame found in high grass on the vacant block of land in Mount Gravatt. Identified by panels marked with RAAF serial W2172 |
| c75 | Fuselage frame and remains collected from Mount Gravatt by aviation enthusiast John Hill, Springbrook Qld |
| .77 | Acquired by Queensland Air Museum as a basis for a future Anson restoration. |
| 12.6.77 | Collected by QAM from John Hill's property at Springbrook |
| QAM
had not yet secured a display location, Anson stored in Brisbane area,
later joined by another former Carsair Anson VH-BIF (see next entry) | |
| 9.06 | VH-BIE's fuselage frame acquired from QAM by Jason Stagg, Heyfield Vic. Jason had been locating post-war disposals Ansons on farms in the Victorian Gippsland district and had a large collection of parts and engines from Ansons and other aircraft types. |
Photos courtesy David Speakman
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as AX305 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 22.2.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as AX305. Received No.2 Aircraft Depot, Richmond ex UK for storafge |
| 20.7.42 | Received No.2 Aircraft Park Bankstown ex 2AD for assembly |
| 23.9.42 | Received No.1 Air Observers School, Cootamundra ex 2AP |
| 26.12.42 | Received No.73 Squadron, Nowra ex 1AOS |
| 3.8.44 | Received No.67 Squadron, Laverton ex 73 Sqn |
| 4.11.44 | Received RAAF Point Cook ex 67 Sqn |
| 20.11.44 | Received Ansett Airways, Essendon ex Point Cook for complete overhaul |
| 3.4.45 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 1.5.45 | Not to be flown until further advice, aircraft under offer to RNZAF |
| 27.7.45 | Not required by RNZAF, released from storage |
| 22.8.45 | Received 11EFTS Storage Reserve, Benalla ex 1AD for under cover storage |
| 23.11.48 | Received RAAF Tocumwal ex Benalla for under cover storage |
| 24.4.53 | Department of Supply Disposals Tender List included Ansons AX305 and W2472 located at Tocumwal. AX305 total flying time 1450 hours, 11 hours since complete overhaul. |
| 7.5.53 | Sold by Department of Supply to J. H. Hutchinson, Tocumwal NSW |
| Hutchinson also acquired Anson W2472 at the same time at Tocumwal | |
| 17.12.53 | Telegram
to Territory Airlines, New Guinea from their senior pilot Frank
Goosens: he has inspected Ansons W2472 & AX305 at Tocumwal owned by
J. Hutchinson. Both are suitable for TAL. |
| 26.12.53 | Telegram from Goosens to Hutchinson: Territory Airlines will purchase W2472 & AX305 |
| Appears
TAL was outbid by Bob Carswell who operated an aircraft maintenance and
sales business at Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane. W2472 and AX305
ferried from Tocumwal to Archerfield. | |
| 15.7.55 | Registered VH-BIF Robert G. Carswell, Brisbane Qld |
| Registration application paperwork submitted to DCA identified the aircraft as W2472. CofR and CofA quoted "W2472" instead of the correct AX305 See note at end of listing | |
| During 1955 Carswell
established an air charter business at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
operating under the name Carsair Air Service (PNG) Pty Ltd. Carsair also owned Lockheed 10B VH-CMA, Lockheed 12A VH-ABH, Norseman VH-ASS, Avro 19 VH-BIX, Beech 17 VH-ACU. | |
| .55 | VH-BIF ferried from Brisbane to Port Moresby to be based with Carsair |
| 5.4.56 | Undercarriage collapsed when aircraft swung on takeoff Tapini PNG. Repaired on site and flown out. |
| 5.12.57 | Change of ownership: Carsair Air Service, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea |
| Carsair pilot Bill Vink recalled in Jim Sinclair's book series Balus: "I did one trip in the Lockheed 10 to Daru and couldn't get the thing above 1,000 feet. The oil pressure went up too high if you went above 1,000 feet. We had the same trouble with the metal wing Anson VH-BIX. The old Anson VH-BIF was different - I've had that up to 18,000 feet. She still had the bomb doors. If you had to go high to get over the top of the mountains, you'd hit the bumps and the bomb doors would fall open and that cold air would be coming in." | |
| Carswell withdrew from PNG in 1958
blaming DCA refusal to issue Carsair an airline licence for scheduled
services to Tapini and other regularly served ports. | |
| 58 | VH-BIF returned to Archerfield. Retired after inspection revealed deterioration of glued joints in the wooden mainplane. |
| 20.1.59 | Flown Archerfield to
Dundee Station, Charleville Qld by Bob Carswell and Carsair pilot Keith
Virtue. Carswell gave the Anson to a friend Max Bushell, owner of
Dundee, for his children to play in. The landing at Dundee was careful because the aircraft brakes were inoperative. |
| 19.2.59 | Struck-off Civil Register |
| 29.8.80 | VH-BIF's derelict remains at Dundee Station were inspected by a team from Queensland Air Museum. Donated "as is"by the current owners of Dundee, Bell brothers. |
| 10.5.81 | Loaded on semi-trailer truck by QAM for road transport to Brisbane |
| 12.5.81 | Arrived Brisbane and unloaded into temporary storage inside woolsheds in Brisbane suburb Hendra. |
| 4.90 | Fuaelage moved to QAM's display site at Caloundra Airport. Other parts stored at a member's home. Planned restoration delayed due priority given to QAM's other Anson project MG222 which had been acquired from a farm in South Australia |
| VH-BIF partially restored bare metal fuselage frame with nose cone attached is displayed at QAM inside Hangar 2 at Caloundra. | |
| Compiler's Note: DCA records quote VH-BIF with identity W2472. However W2472 was stored by Carswell in a hangar at Archerfield for future civil conversion, which never eventuated. Circa 1959 he donated W2472 to a friend on a farm near Kingaroy Qld and flew it to Kingaroy still in RAAF yellow paint scheme: see next listing. VH-BIF was similarly ferried to a property near Charleville in 1959. VH-BIF's fuselage manufacturer's plate has part number R3/LW/107500. Melvyn Davis compiled a listing of fuselage numbers which were often quoted in Australian and overseas Civil Registers as an Anson's identity. He added to the list by checking the fuselage plates on numerous derelict RAAF Ansons located on farms in SA and Victoria. Fuselage numbers do not consecutively match the original RAF serial numbers but give an close indication: VH-BIF's fuselage number places it very close to AX305, and far away from fuselage number range for W2472. AX305 and W2471 were acquired together in 1954 by Carswell from Tocumwal. The circumstances behind Carswell falsifying the identity of VH-BIF are unknown. DCA file references to aircraft handled by his maintenance and sales business Carswell & Dalgliesh, Archerfield indicate Carswell's standards were held in high regard by DCA. It is perplexing, given that DCA airworthiness inspectors would routinely check airframe log books and prior RAAF maintenance records before issuing the original CofA at Archerfield - especially as by all indications the "real" W2472 in RAAF yellow markings was parked complete in Carswell's hangar. The confliction should also have been obvious to DCA when Carswell applied for a ferry permit to fly W2472 from Archerfield to Kingaroy circa 1959. |
Photo via Ron Cuskelly
Photo by Ron Cuskelly
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as W2472 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 8.8.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2472. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 27.9.41 | Received No.6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala ex 2AP |
| 17.1.44 | Issued Guinea Airways, Parafield ex 6SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 27.12.44 | Received 6SFTS Mallala ex Guinea Airways |
| 21.5.45 | Transferred to 6SFTS Storage Reserve ex unit equipment for storage under cover |
| 7.3.47 | Received Care & Maintenance Unit Benalla ex CMU Mallala, for storage under cover |
| 17.11.48 | Received RAAF Tocumwal ex CMU Benalla for under cover storage |
| 24.4.53 | Sold by Department of Supply to J. H. Hutchinson, Tocumwal NSW |
| Hutchinson also acquired Anson AX305 at the same time at Tocumwal | |
| 17.12.53 | Telegram to Territory Airlines, New Guinea from their senior pilot Frank Goosens: he has inspected Ansons W2472 & AX305 at Tocumwal owned by J. Hutchinson. Both are suitable for TAL. |
| 26.12.53 | Telegram from Goosens to Hutchinson: Territory Airlines will purchase W2472 & AX305 |
| 54 | Appears TAL was outbid by Bob Carswell who operated an aircraft maintenance and sales business at Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane. |
| W2472 and AX305 purchased from Hutchinson by Robert G. Carswell, Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane. Both ferried from Tocumwal to Archerfield | |
| 54-59 | W2472 parked complete in hangar Archerfield, RAAF yellow paintwork |
| 15.7.55 | VH-BIF registered R. G. Carswell, Brisbane Qld. Identity quoted as W2472, but actually AX305 |
| c59 | W2472
donated by Carswell to a friend on a farming property near Kingaroy
Qld. W2472 still in RAAF yellow was ferried Archerfield-Kingaroy for a
landing on the farm. |
| 21.1.67 | W2472
inspected on the farm at Kingaroy. Now derelict due weather exposure,
still RAAF yellow with large under wing serial W2472 plainly readable. |
| W2472 was left on the farming property at Kingaroy, becoming derelict due exposure to the weather. - During the 1980s it was acquired by an an enthusiast who dismantled the Anson and moved it by road to Miles Qld. - In June 1998 it was acquired by a group at Roma Qld with hopes of restoring it. Assisting was Dennis Beahan who had a light aircraft maintenance hangar at Roma Airport, also a parts supply business with a collection of wrecked and retired light aircraft in a storage yard alongside his hangar. The Anson was left dismantled in that yard, where it was seen in October 1998 and August 1999 still in faded RAAF trainer yellow. - 28 August 2010 moved to RAAF Amberley Qld as an exhibit for the base museum. | |
| Displayed at RAAF Amberley Museum, RAAF Amberley Qld |
W2472 on a farm near Kingaroy Qld in January 1967 still in RAAF yellow with large serial "W2472" clearly readable
under a wing. Both photos by Bob Livingstone
under a wing. Both photos by Bob Livingstone
| .40 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newron Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as R3549 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 11.7.40 | Taken on RAAF charge as R3549. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 2.9.40 | Received No.2 Service Flying Training School, Wagga ex 2AP |
| 1.4.41 | Received 4SFTS Geraldton ex 2SFTS Wagga |
| 12.3.42 | Damaged taxying accident Georgina satellite landing ground near Geraldton, tail swung and struck air compressor unit |
| 8.10.42 | Damaged landing Georgina satellite landing ground, starboard undercarriage collapsed at end of landing run |
| 6.1.43 | Damaged during forced landing Geraldton due port engine failure, rolled into aerodrome fence |
| 13.8.43 | Received ANA Maylands Aerodrome, Perth ex 4SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 10.8.44 | Received 4SFTS Geraldton ex ANA Maylands |
| 2.8.45 | Transferred to No.87 Operational Base Unit, Geraldton ex 4SFTS for storage. Transferred CMU Geraldton |
| 28.2.47 | Passed to DAP for disposal ex CMU Geraldton |
| 6.47 | Sold by DAP to Airlines (WA) Ltd, Perth WA |
| 27.6.47 | Collected by purchaser ex Geraldton CMU |
| Ferried from Geraldton to Maylands Aerodrome Perth for civil conversion by Airlines (WA) Ltd | |
| 8.9.47 | Registered VH-BIU Airlines (WA) Ltd, Perth WA. Named "Mount Barker" |
| 5.12.47 | Test flight Maylands after civil overhaul, Captain S. Goddard |
| 5.12.47 | CofA issued by DCA |
| 22.5.48 | Minor
damage Perth Airport (Guidford), struck ground trolly on arrival from
Rottnest Island on scheduled service, pilot R. E. Bower. |
| 29.6.48 | Crashed on takeoff, Cue WA |
| Captain C. Nelson Hill, Chief Pilot of Airlines (WA) Ltd, departed Perth Airport at 8am that morning in VH-BIU on a scheduled service Perth-Mount
Magnet-Cue-Big Bell-Meekatharra and return to Perth via same ports.
Crashed after takeoff Cue WA on the return service that afternoon when starboard engine failed just after airborne. During the forced landing the port wing struck mulga trees and was sheered off, the undercarriage collapsed on impact with the ground and the aircraft ground-looped violently, ending up on its belly. No injuries to Captan Hill or the three passengers. | |
| 11.48 | Airlines (WA) Ltd advise DCA that VH-BIU was written off and dismantled for parts |
| 9.12.48 | Struck-off Civil Register |
| 4.79 | VH-BIU fuselage frame and parts at Pinacles Homestead on "Austin Downs" Station, 10 miles from Cue WA |
These two photographs of VH-BIU after the Cue WA forced landing in June 1948 are courtesy Nona Oliver.
They were taken by her uncle who lived in the district at the time.
They were taken by her uncle who lived in the district at the time.
| Anson 19 VH-BIX: ex VM375: refer Avro Ansons - Late Models |
| Anson 1 VH-BIZ: ex VH-MMJ, VH-AYO: refer Australian Civil Ansons Part 1 |
| .43 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as EG425 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 16.8.43 | Taken on RAAF charge as EG425. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK |
| 19.11.43 | Received Butler Air Transport, Mascot ex 2AP for assembly |
| 10.1.44 | Received 2AP Bankstown ex BAT |
| 12.1.44 | Received 5AD Wagga ex 2AP for fitting of ASV equipment |
| 22.1.44 | Received No.67 Squadron, Laverton ex 5AD |
| 14.2.44 | Damaged heavy landing Laverton in strong winds |
| 28.5.44 | Undercarriage collapsed while taxying Laverton |
| 4.6.44 | Issued No.1 Central Recovery Depot Werribee ex 67 Sqn |
| 15.8.44 | Issued Ansett Airways, Essendon ex 1CRD for overhaul |
| 3.10.44 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 11.10.44 | Received 6SFS Storage Reserve Mallala ex 1AD for under cover storage |
| 12.11.44 | Received No.1 Wireless Air Gunners School, Ballarat ex 6SFTS |
| 27.11.45 | Transferred to Air Ground Radio School Storage, Ballarat ex 1WAGS for under cover storage |
| 10.1.47 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to L.R.Burgess, Melbourne Vic |
| 7.3.47 | Issued to purchaser ex AGRS Ballarat |
| 3.47 | DCA allocated registration VH-AGY to L.R.Burgess for EG425 |
| 3.47 | EG425 painted all silver with registration VH-AGY at Ballarat. Owned by L.R.Burgess and partner Harry P. Rosenhain, Adelaide SA Burgess was a former RAAF airframe fitter and Rosenhain was a former RAAF B-25 pilot. |
| 20.3.47 | VH-AGY test flown at Ballarat |
| 23.3.47 | Ferried Ballarat to Essendon Aerodrome, Melbourne for inspection for issue of CofA. |
| 1.7.47 | Fuel receipt from Shell Essendon: VH-AGY owner H.P.Rosenhain |
| The owners planned to base the Anson in Adelaide for charter work. However after being unable to secure worthwhile flying prospects in SA, sold the aircraft for £400 without CofA to Tradair Pty Ltd, Essendon | |
| 22.10.47 | DCA
allocated registrations VH-BJN to VH-BJR to Tradair Pty Ltd for 5
Ansons which are currently having civil conversion inspections at
Bankstown NSW |
| 28.10.47 | Civil Registration application as VH-BJN: Tradair Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic |
| 27.11.47 | CofA issued at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney: freighter, 2 crew seats only |
| 27.11.47 | Registered VH-BJN |
| 5.48 | DCA Essendon memo: Tradair's VH-BJN, BJQ and BJR are fitted with Cheetah XXV cowlings |
| 6.48 | DCA
memo: a review of flights from Essendon lists numerous flights to/from
Tasmania and Bass Strait islands by Tradair Ansons VH-BJN, BJP, BJQ,
BJR & AXE |
| 26.11.48 | Annual CofA expired. |
| 7.2.49 | CofA renewed Essendon |
| 6.11.49 | Port
elevator damaged when the aircraft was taxying between the DCA Admin
building and a parked Governor General's aircraft at Essendon. A wind
gust swung the Anson, its tailplane struck a DCA vehicle. Captain P.Kemp operating a freight charter for Ansett Airways. |
| 7.12.49 | Returned to Tradair service after repair |
| 6.2.50 | CofA expired at Essendon. Tradair Pty Ltd is in liquidation |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft |
| 30.11.51 | Liquidators of Tradair Pty Ltd sold VH-BJN to Schutt Aircraft, Essendon Vic |
| 11.51 | On-sold by Schutt Aircraft to Robbys Aircraft Repair Co Ltd, Parafield Aerodrome, Adelaide SA |
| Ferriy permit Melbourne to Adelaide | |
| 26.12.51 | VH-BJN noted at Parafield in Robbys hangar, silver with blue registration letters |
| No
futher sightings. Assumed broken up for parts for Robbys' Anson
VH-RAS purchased 12.51, probably a mainplane replacement |
| .44 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as MG992 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 20.3.44 | Taken on RAAF charge as MG992. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 19.5.44 | Received Central Flying School, Point Cook ex 2AP |
| 31.5.44 | Received No.1 Air Observers School, Cootamundra ex CFS |
| 21.1.45 | Received 3AOS Port Pirie ex 1AOS |
| 9.3.45 | Damaged forced landing due port engine failure |
| 3.45 | Repaired at 3AOS |
| Trasnferred 3AOS Storage Reserve ex unit equipment | |
| 1.2.46 | Transferred to 5 Central Recovery Depot, Port Pirie ex 3AOS Storage Reserve for under cover storage |
| 6.5.47 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £200 to W.R.Murphy & Rudd, Melbourne |
| 3.6.47 | Issued to purchaser ex Care & Maintenance Unit Port Pirie |
| 14.7.47 | DCA allocated registration VH-BFE to MG992 for Murphy and Rudd |
| 22.10.47 | DCA allocated registrations VH-BJN to VH-BJR to Tradair Pty Ltd for 5 Ansons which are currently having civil conversion inspections at Bankstown NSW. MG992 was allocated VH-BJO. |
| 19.1.48 | CofA issued at Bankstown. Freighter, 2 crew seats only |
| 19.1.48 | Registered VH-BJO Tradair Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic |
| 25.2.48 | Damaged when ground-looped landing Currie Aerodrome, King Island, undercarriage collapsed. |
| 6.48 | Purchased in damaged condition by Corio Air Freighters, Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic |
| 21.9.48 | CofA renewed at Essendon after rebuild |
| 3.11.49 | Change of ownership: Bass Islands Airways Pty Ltd, Melbounre c/- H.W.Dedman |
| 16.11.50 | Annual CofA expired |
| .51 | Purchased without CofA by David J. Bourke, Geelong Vic |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Civil Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft |
| 30.11.51 | Registration application: David J. Bourke, Geelong Vic Fitted for 8 passengers, 2 crew. D.J.Bourke requested VH-DJB for this aircraft when his Anson VH-DJB (W1532) which he has sold to Robbys Aircraft, Adelaide is changed to VH-RAS |
| Nothing further in DCA file |
| .44 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as MH128 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 20.3.44 | Taken on RAAF charge as MH128. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 20.4.44 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 2AP |
| 14.5.45 | Received No.3 Air Observer School, Port Pirie ex 8SFTS |
| 10.6.45 | Received 3AOS Storage ex unit strength |
| 1.2.46 | Transferred to No.5 Central Recovery Depot Storage, Port Pirie |
| 17.6.47 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £200 to W.R.Murphy & C.R.Rudd, Melbourne |
| 4.7.47 | Issued to purchaser ex Care and Maintenance Unit Port Pirie |
| 14.7.47 | DCA allocated registration VH-BFD to Murphy & Rudd for Anson MH128. Allocation only |
| 22.10.47 | DCA allocated registrations VH-BJN to VH-BJR to Tradair Pty Ltd for 5 Ansons which are currently having civil conversion inspections at Bankstown NSW. MH128 was allocated VH-BJP. |
| 28.5.48 | Registered VH-BJP Tradair Pty Ltd, Essendon Aerodrome, Melbourne Vic |
| 28.5.48 | CofA issued |
| 5.48 | Entered Tradair service on regular freight flights between Essendon and Tasmanian airfields |
| 6.48 | DCA memo: a review of flights from Essendon lists numerous flights to/from Tasmania and Bass Strait islands by Tradair Ansons VH-BJN, BJP, BJQ, BJR & AXE |
| .48 | Leased for approximately 3 months to Taylors Air Transport Ltd, Lae, New Guinea |
| 27.5.49 | CofA expired. Parked at Essendon. |
| 8.49 | Victorian
and Interstate Airways, Essendon requested DCA ferry flight approval
for retired Tradair Ansons VH-BJP and VH-BJR from Esssendon to Benalla
for storage in a hangar. Both aircraft had not flown for some
time. No response in DCA file. |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft |
| c51 | Ansons
VH-BJP, BJQ, BJR were towed complete from Essendon Aerodrome to vacant
land between houses in the suburb of Niddrie on the airfield boundary.
The land was next to VIA Timber's premises, an associate business of
Victorian and Interstate Airways. |
| Local children played in the aircraft, they soon became derelict |
Fred Niven collection
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as W2063 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 4.5.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2063. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 21.8.41 | Received No.1 Air Observer School, Cootamundra ex 2AP |
| 24.1.42 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 1AOS |
| 2.6.42 | Damaged in groundloop during a forced landing on Bundaberg aerodrome |
| 1.7.42 | Aircraft struck water surface of Kolan River while on a training flight |
| 30.9.42 | Damaged when struck by taxying Anson DG868 at Bundaberg |
| 1.12.43 | Issued Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Archerfield ex 8SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 3.6.44 | Received 3AD Amberley ex APL |
| 6.6.44 | Received 8SFTS Bundaberg ex 3AD |
| 30.4.45 | Received General Reconnaissance School, Bairnsdale ex 8SFTS |
| 10.5.45 | Transferred to GRS Reserve ex unit strength |
| 11.2.47 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to W.T.Dwyer, Melbourne Vic |
| 21.3.47 | Collected by purchaser ex Care and Maintenance Unit Bairnsdale |
| 22.10.47 | DCA allocated registrations VH-BJN to VH-BJR to Tradair Pty Ltd for 5 Ansons which are currently having civil conversion inspections at Bankstown NSW. W2063 was allocated VH-BJQ. |
| 11.2.48 | Registered VH-BJQ Tradair Pty Ltd, Essendon Aerodrome, Melbourne Vic |
| 11.2.48 | CofA issued |
| 6.48 | DCA memo: a review of flights from Essendon lists numerous flights to/from Tasmania and Bass Strait islands by Tradair Ansons VH-BJN, BJP, BJQ, BJR & AXE |
| 10.2.49 | CofA expired, parked Essendon |
| 16.2.49 | DCA approved a Tradair request for a two day CofA extension to allow it to be flown from Essendon to King Island to carry maintenance staff and equipment to repair VH-BJRstanded there with engine problem |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft |
| c51 | Ansons VH-BJP, BJQ, BJR were towed complete from Essendon Aerodrome to vacant land between houses in the suburb of Niddrie on the airfield boundary. The land was next to VIA Timber's premises, an associate business of Victorian and Interstate Airways. |
| Local children played in the aircraft, which soon became derelict |
| .44 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory, to RAF order as MG838 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 27.4.44 | Taken on RAAF charge as MG838. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 30.6.44 | Received No.5 Aircraft Depot, Wagga ex 2AP |
| 28.7.44 | Received No.3 Air Observers School, Port Pirie ex 5AD |
| 6.8.45 | Received 3AOS Storage ex unit strength |
| 1.2.46 | Transferred to No.5 Care & Recovery Depot Storage, Port Pirie |
| 6.5.47 | Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £200 to W.R.Murphy & C.R.Rudd, Melbourne |
| 6.6.47 | Issued to purchaser ex Care & Maintenance Unit, Port Pirie |
| 14.7.47 | DCA allocated registration VH-BFF to Murphy & Rudd for Anson MG838. Allocation only |
| 22.10.47 | DCA allocated registrations VH-BJN to VH-BJR to Tradair Pty Ltd for 5 Ansons which are currently having civil conversion inspections at Bankstown NSW. MG838 was allocated VH-BJR. |
| 19.3.48 | Registered VH-BJR Tradair Pty Ltd, Essendon Aerodrome, Melbourne Vic |
| 19.3.48 | CofA issued |
| 6.48 | DCA memo: a review of flights from Essendon lists numerous flights to/from Tasmania and Bass Strait islands by Tradair Ansons VH-BJN, BJP, BJQ, BJR & AXE |
| 16.2.49 | VH-BJR grounded at King
Island in Bass Strait with a u/s engine due oil leak. Tradair Anson
VH-BJQ brought engineers and parts from Essendon |
| 18.3.49 | CofA expired. Not renewed, parked at Essendon |
| 8.49 | Victorian and Interstate Airways, Essendon requested DCA ferry flight approval for retired Tradair Ansons VH-BJP and VH-BJR from Esssendon to Benalla for storage in a hangar. Both aircraft had not flown for some time. No response in DCA file. |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft |
| c51 | Ansons VH-BJP, BJQ, BJR were towed complete from Essendon Aerodrome to vacant land between houses in the suburb of Niddrie on the airfield boundary. The land was next to VIA Timber's premises, an associate business of Victorian and Interstate Airways. |
| Local children played in the aircraft, which soon became derelict |
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