Compiled by Geoff Goodall
Continuing the listing of RAAF Ansons sold by post-war military disposals which became civil registered
The panel with psssenger windows is being installed to replace the military glasshouse. Geoff Goodall collection
| .43 | Built by A.V. Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory, to RAF order as LV211 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 14.9.43 | Taken on RAAF charge as LV211. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 11.12.43 | Received AGS Sale ex 2AP |
| 3.9.45 | Transferred to AGS Storage Reserve, West Sale ex unit equipment |
| 30.6.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to F/Lt H.A.McDonald, No.1 Communications Unit, RAAF Laverton Victoria |
| Ferried from West Sale to Essendon for civil conversion | |
| 27.11.47 | Civil Registration Application: F/Lt H.A.McDonald, RAAF Amberley Queensland Application states base will be Adelaide, along with McDonald's other Anson VH-BLS |
| 23.12.47 | Weighed on DCA scales at Essendon, owner's representative D.J.Bourke of Brown & Dureau Ltd, Geelong |
| 24.12.47 | Registered VH-BKA |
| 24.12.47 | CofA issued. Freighter, 2 crew seats only |
| Aircraft in care of Brown & Dureau Ltd, Belmont Common, Geelong Vic | |
| 5.48 | Ferried Geelong to Bankstown Aerdorome, Sydney where stored in Brown & Dureau hangar |
| (6.48 letter to DCA from
Corio Air Engineers (David J.Bourke) which had taken over Brown &
Dureau Ltd's business at Belmont Common: Anson DJ287(VH-BLS) is
almost ready for test flight. Its owner Flt Lt McDonald also has W1532
and W2575 at Belmont Common waiting for civil conversions.) | |
| 10.48 | Ownership changed to H.A. McDonald, Balmain, Sydney |
| 23.12.48 | Annual CofA expired, not renewed |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworrthy aircraft |
| - | Sold to A. A. Aberline, Brighton-le-Sands, Sydney NSW |
| 25.2.52 | Sold to Reginald Geary trading as Sydney Air Taxi, Bankstown Aerodrome, Sydney NSW. Legal agreement of that date transfers ownership of Ansons VH-BKA and VH-BLS from Aberline to Geary based on a cash payment to Abeline in addition to Geary taking over the £256 hangarage fees owed to DCA. |
| 3.52 | Geary
negotiated a payment scheme of £30 per month with DCA so that he
could take delivery of the Ansons which he intended to put into service
as soon as possible. Sydney Air Taxi operated Percival Vega Gull
VH-BQA, Proctor VH-BQQ and Genairco Cabin VH-UUI. |
| - | Ansons VH-BKA and VH-BLS ferried to Evans Head NSW where unused RAAF hangars were available for aircraft storage |
| 6.56 | DCA refuse to renew
Charter Licence for Reginald Geary, previously trading as Sydney Air
Taxi. The file includes the following reference: "Geary also has outstanding payments due for hangarage at Evans Head for Avro Ansons VH-BKA and VH-BLS which he had purchased from A.Aberline, Sydney in February 1953 (stet)." |
| 8.56 | DCA
commences legal action against Geary for hangarage fees owed at
Bankstown and also Evans Head NSW where Anson VH-BKA has been stored
unairworthy. |
| .56 | Anson VH-BKA evicted from the hangar at Evans Head and left outside |
| Became derelict due effects of weather and vandals. Totally wrecked by January 1959 |
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as DJ172 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 31.8.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DJ172. Under assembly Point Cook ex UK |
| 21.9.42 | Received No.6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala ex Point Cook |
| 25.4.45 | Issued Ansett Airways Essendon ex 6SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 29.10.45 | Received No.2 Aircraft Depot, Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 3.12.45 | Received No.1 Communications Unit Laverton ex 1AD |
| 4.3.46 | Issued Care & Maintenance Unit Wagga storage detachment Cootamundra ex 1CU |
| 10.12.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to B. J. Clifton, Forbes NSW |
| B.J.Clifton
established Clifton's Western Airways Ltd, Forbes to operate scheduled
services between Forbes and other NSW towns and Sydney. He purchased 4
Ansons DJ172, MG923, MG871 and MG921. The company was a victim of DCA's
early post-war policy not to issue any new Airline Licences. It was
callously implemented by continual delaying of a decision until the
applicant exhausted all their finances. | |
| East-West Airlines Board Meeting minutes 7.8.47: "Following the flying visit to Cootamundra to inspect Anson aircraft offered by Mr.Basil Clifton of Forbes, it was resolved that an offer of £550 cash be made for DJ172. The Board strongly recommends the acquisition of this aircaft, if necessary, at the sellers price of £600. It was also resolved that in view of the possible doubtful payload that might be available on the MG series Ansons under offer that they be declined" | |
| .47 | Clifton sold DJ172 while still stored at Cootamundra to East-West Airlines, Tamworth NSW |
| 21.10.47 | Ferried Cootamundra-Tamworth for inspection by EWA maintenance |
| 29.10.47 | Ferried Tamworth-Geelong for civil conversion to EWA specifications by Brown & Dureau Ltd |
| 1.4.48 | Test flown after conversion at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic |
| 1.4.48 | Registered VH-BKL East-West Airlines, Tamworth NSW |
| Operated EWA scheduled passenger services | |
| 5.12.50 | Crashed during forced landing in apple orchard near Stanthorpe Qld. Scheduled EWA service from Brisbane to Glen Innes NSW flown by Captain Archie J.Smith with 3 passengers. Wheels-up landing made because of smoke from the port engine was filling the cockpit. Aircraft wrecked but no injuries. Arch Smith described the landing in his book East West Eagles: "There was no bump, no tearing noise - it was as smooth as silk. The large radial engine cowls scooped up the dirt and the young trees bent over and slipped underneath us. The effect was heavy but smooth deceleration at the end of which the aircraft slewed to the left and stopped with the nose close to the wall of a fruit packing shed. I remember looking through the windscreen straight through a window of the shed as two faces stared incredulously at me and the aircraft. My passengers were seated in a rather dazed condition but unharmed. I suggested they disembark as we had reached the end of our journey by air, even if not our destination." |
VH-BKL at Belmont Common airfield Geelong Vic April 1948. Brown & Dureau Ltd have completed the
civil conversion and the Anson waits to be collected by East West Airlines. Photo by Bob Fripp
civil conversion and the Anson waits to be collected by East West Airlines. Photo by Bob Fripp
| .43 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory to RAF order as LT784 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 16.8.43 | Taken on RAAF charge as LT784. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 11.11.43 | Received No.3 Bombing and Gunnery School, West Sale ex 2AP |
| 12.12.43 | Received Air Gunnery School, West Sale ex 3BAGS |
| 3.9.45 | Transferred to AGS Storage ex unit equipment. |
| 11.2.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to Mr.W.Dwyer,Melbourne Vic |
| 19.5.47 | Collected by purchaser ex Care & Maintenance Unit, West Sale |
| 20.2.48 | Civil Registration application: Second City Air Services, Melbourne Vic c/o Mr. M. Clausen. Application stated to be based at Essendon Aerodrome and used for passenger charter. |
| 3.3.48 | DCA allocate registration VH-BKT to LT784 |
| Second
City Air Services had been established in 1947 by partners Noel Clausen
and J.G. "Jack" Willis at Thorpdale, Gippsland Victoria. Both had been
RAAF aircraft ground engineers during WWII. Their
plan was to operate scheduled passenger services between Melbourne and
the Gippsland district towns of Warragul, Traralgon, Sale and
Bairnsdale. | |
| 48 | Air Operations Pty Ltd at Essendon was contracted to carry out the civil conversion on LT784. Progress was slow due lack of finance. The SCAS partners purchased twoRAAF disposals Wackett Trainers to be used for joyriding to raise funds for the Anson airline service. |
| 10.12.48 | VH-BKT first test flight Essendon, pilot Jack Gillies, a partner in Air Operations Pty Ltd |
| 28.1.49 | Pilot log book Jack Gillies: VH-BKT test light Essendon |
| 4.2.49 | Pilot log book Jack Gillies: VH-BKT local flight from the newly-built Moorabbin Aerodrome, Melbourne |
| Civil certification delayed pending issue of an airline licence to SCAS | |
| 49 | DCA would not issue an airline licence to Second City Air Services. The Department was concerned
that the many similar airline applications from ex-service airmen using
military disposals aircraft lacked the financial backing and
operational structure to maintain a safe scheduled airline operation. |
| 11.10.49 | Registered VH-BKT Second City Air Services, Melbourne Vic. |
| 11.10.49 | CofA issued at Essendon. 7 passenger seats with individual window panels replacing RAAF glasshouse |
| 17.10.49 | DCA file memo: "owner
of BKT states his intention of disposing of the aircraft immediately,
and will not pay Air Navigation Charges pending sale. Thus no issue of
Certificate of Registration. Aircraft may be ferried to
Moorabbin." |
| 5.12.49 | Change of ownership: Air Operations Pty Ltd, Essendon Aerodrome, Melboune Vic Sold to Air Operations as part of the settlement of outstanding maintenance and hangarage debt. Certificate of Registration now issued and back-dated to 11.10.49. |
| 10.12.49 | Pilot log book Jack Gillies: VH-BKT local flight Essendon |
| 1.50 | Stored pending sale in Air Operations hangar at Moorabbin Aerodrome, Melbourne |
| 30.4.50 | Pilot log book Jack Gillies: VH-BKT test flight Moorabbin |
| 8.50 | DCA
file memo mentions an unconfirmed report that VH-BKT was being sold to
Mr. A.R.Hardidge of Sorrento Vic, owner of Stinson Reliant VH-UXL. |
| 6.11.50 | Change of ownership: Brain and Brown Airfreighters, Moorabbin Aerodrome Vic |
| VH-BKT was the first aircraft of this business partnership between Z.A.(Terry) Brain and W.L (Bill) Brown, both former RAAF wartime pilots, which was to operate for the following 30 years. | |
| 30.11.50 | Annual CofA renewed Moorabbin |
| 20.2.53 | Crashed during landing Moorabbin Aerodrome, Melbourne Vic. Main wing spar broken, starboard engine installation damaged and propeller broken. Pilot W.L.Brown unhurt |
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as W2084 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 10.4.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2084. Received No.1 Aircraft Depot,, Laverton ex UK for assembly |
| 28.4.41 | Issued to No.2 Air Observers School, Mount Gambier ex 1AD |
| 28.12.41 | Received General Reconnaissance School, Laverton ex 2AOS |
| 23.10.42 | Issued Guinea Airways, Parafield ex GRS for complete overhaul |
| 7.6.43 | Received No.33 Squadron, Townsville ex Guinea Airways via 1 EFTS Parafield |
| 15.9.43 | Received No.15 Aircraft Recovery Depot, Port Moresby ex 33 Sqn |
| 28.10.43 | Received No.1 Search and Rescue Communications Squadron, Port Moresby ex 15ARD |
| 4.11.43 | Unit reformed as No.9 Communications Unit, Port Moresby |
| 15.12.43 | Damaged taxying accident Berry Strip near Port Moresby |
| 17.3.44 | Received No.2 Central Recovery Depot, Richmond ex 9CU |
| 21.4.44 | Issued to Ansett Airways Mascot ex 2CRD for complete overhaul |
| 18.12.44 | Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex Ansett Airways |
| 20.12.44 | Struck by truck while parked Bankstown |
| 17.1.45 | Issued to Ansett Airways Mascot ex 2CRD for repair |
| 30.4.45 | Received No.2 Aircraft Depot, Richmond ex Ansett Airways |
| 7.5.45 | Received No.8 Operational Training Unit, Parkes ex 2AD |
| 14.1.45 | Received No.87 Squadron, Canberra ex 8OTU for storage |
| 18.2.46 | Received Care & Maintenance Unit, Wagga ex 87 Sqn. Delivered to Cootamundra Dispersal for storage. |
| 21.9.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to Jas Loneragan & Co, Mudgee NSW |
| 7.5.48 | Collected by purchaser ex CMU Cootamundralo |
| E.H. "Tim" Loneragan,
Managing Director of Jas Loneragan & Co, Mudgee and Sydney car
dealer and pilot Eric E. McIllree formed a business partnership to sell
RAAF disposals Ansons on the civil market. They established Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons during 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. Unsold Ansons were stored at Camden Aerodrome NSW until 1960 when they were scrapped. | |
| 29.9.54 | Registered VH-BKU Petroleum Drilling Corporation Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| 13.9.55 | noted at Bankstown Aerodrome, Sydney "Petroleum Drilling Corporation Ltd" titles. Also 21.5.56 |
| 14.12.56 | Change of ownership: Papuan Air Transport Ltd, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea |
| 58 | Retired due airframe deterioration in tropical climate |
| 1.59 | Donated to Boroko Pre-School playground, Port Moresby |
| 23.3.62 | Struck-off Register |
Photo by Peter R.Keating
Geoff Goodall collection
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as W2255 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 28.6.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2255. Received No.1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton ex UK for assembly |
| 1.9.41 | Received No.3 Service Flying Training School, Amberley ex 1AD |
| 6.4.42 | Issued 6SFTS Mallala ex 3SFTS |
| 11.9.42 | Undercarriage and mainplane damaged when struck a hole on Mallala aerodrome surface |
| 24.11.43 | Issued Ansett Airways, Essendon ex 6SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 12.9.44 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 25.9.44 | Received 6SFTS Mallala ex 1AD |
| 30.7.45 | Received 6SFTS Storage Mallala ex unit equipment |
| 22.2.46 | Received Care and Maintenance Unit Nhill ex 6SFTS Storage for undercover storage |
| 2.9.46 | Received Point Cook Storage ex CMU Nhill |
| 14.11.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to Adastra Airways Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| 16.1.48 | Issued to purchaser ex RAAF Station Point Cook |
| 24.2.49 | Civil Registration application: Adastra Airways Pty Ltd, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney NSW |
| 4.3.49 | CofA issued after civil conversion by Adastra Airways in their Mascot hangar, fitted for photographic survey |
| Operated on aerial photographic survey and mapping contracts across Australia | |
| 17.1.53 | Crashed after takeoff Moorabbin Aerodrome, Melbourne Vic. Engine failed as aircraft became airborne, pilot unable to maintain altitude. He flew the disabled aircraft beneath 20 feet high power wires running along Centre Dandenong Road on airfield boundary before hitting an earth bank, telephone pole and two fences. Anson came to rest on its belly in a ploughed market garden field with outer port wing torn off when it hit the pole. Adastra crew of three received minor injuires and bruising. |
| For more detail refer: http://www.adastron.com/adastra/aircraft/anson/vh-bkz.htm |
| .40 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as R3543 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 11.7.40 | Taken on RAAF charge as R3543. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 2.8.40 | Issued to No.1 Air Observers School, Cootamundra ex 2AP |
| 20.9.40 | Parked Ansons R3543 and A4-5 were struck by a taxying Dragon at Cootamundra |
| 20.4.42 | Issued to Butler Air Transport, Mascot for complete overhaul |
| 24.7.42 | Transferred to Marshall Airways, Mascot for completion |
| 11.11.42 | Received 2AD Richmond ex Marshall Airways |
| 21.12.42 | Received 1AOS Cootamundra ex 2AD |
| 9.10.44 | Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex 1AOS |
| 29.1.45 | Issued to Ansett Airways Mascot ex 2AP for complete overhaul |
| 12.11.45 | Received 2AD Richmond ex Ansett Airways |
| 15.11.45 | Allotted 10EFTS Storage for undercover storage. Allotment cancelled, remain at 2AD for fire spotting |
| 25.4.46 | Damaged by violent hailstorm at 2AD. Repaired at unit. |
| 21.5.46 | Held by 2AD Storage in under cover storage |
| 10.12.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to Mr. E. E.McIllree, Sydney NSW |
| 28.1.47 | Issued to purchased ex 2AD Richmond |
| E.H. "Tim" Loneragan, Managing Director of Jas Loneragan & Co,
Mudgee and Sydney car dealer and pilot Eric E. McIllree formed a
business partnership to sell RAAF disposals Ansons on the civil market.
They established Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons during 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. Unsold Ansons were stored at Camden Aerodrome NSW until 1960 when they were scrapped. | |
| 10.49 | DCA allocated registration VH-BLE to R3543 on request of owner E.E.McIllree. |
| 10.49 | DCA file states R3543 has commenced civil conversion overhaul at Camden, reportedly for sale to Amphibious Airways, Rabaul. |
| Nothing further in DCA file. VH-BLE was Not taken Up. | |
| Amphibious Airways was a
short-lived New Guinea venture by Eric McIllree to use his RAAF
disposals Walrus/Seagull amphibians and Avro Ansons to transport
native contract workers between plantations. | |
| 60 | VH-BLE was reportedly among McIllree/Loneragan Ansons still at Camden in poor condition. Scrapped |
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory to RAF order as EF989 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 15.2.43 | Taken on RAAF charge as EF989. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 18.4.43 | Log book: assembly date |
| 12.7.43 | Received No.6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala ex 2AP |
| 3.4.45 | Received Guinea Airways, Parafield ex 6SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 26.11.45 | Received 6SFTS Storage ex Guinea Airways via DAP Parafield |
| 14.8.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £300 to Mr. E.H.Loneragan c/o James Loneragan (Mudgee) Pty Ltd, Mudgee NSW |
| 7.10.46 | issued to purchaser ex CMU Mallala |
| E.H. "Tim" Loneragan, Managing Director of Jas Loneragan & Co,
Mudgee and Sydney car dealer and pilot Eric E. McIllree formed a
business partnership to sell RAAF disposals Ansons on the civil market.
They established Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons during 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. | |
| 5.3.47 | DCA allocated registration VH-AJL to EF989 on request of owner Mr.E.E.McIllree |
| Registration not proceeded with, registration allocation cancelled | |
| 3.3.48 | Civil Registration application: Aircraft Disposals Co, Mudgee NSW |
| 27.7.48 | Weighed on DCA scales at Bankstown at completion of civil conversion overhaul |
| 12.8.48 | CofA issued, pointed nose modification |
| 12.8.48 | Registered VH-BLF Aircraft Disposals Co, Mudgee NSW |
| 11.8.49 | Annual CofA expired, not renewed. |
| Probably stored in hangars at Camden Aerodrome with other unsold McIllree/Loneragan Ansons | |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Civil Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft |
| 8.51 | Aircraft
Disposals Co, Sydney letter to DCA: they expect to place Ansons VH-BLF,
VH-BME, VH-BFM in service shortly and requested their registrations be
reserved. |
| Stored at Camden | |
| 12.3.56 | Registered VH-BLF Self-Drive Cars Pty Ltd, Sydney c/- E.E.McIllree |
| .56 | Change of ownership: Sepal Pty Ltd, Sydney Airport NSW c/- M. Lawrence |
| Sepal Pty Ltd was an
aircraft spare parts business established by Morrie Lawrence. He became
Australian agent for US aerial survey company World Wide Surveys and
acquired RAAF disposals Mosquitoes for their use on mapping contracts
in Borneo. As part of that arrangement, Sepal Pty Ltd commenced aerial
survey as World Wide Aerial Surveys Pty Ltd, Sydney with Anson VH-BLF
and leased Hudson VH-SMM. Refer: http://www.goodall.com.au/australian-aviation/dh98/civilmosquito.html | |
| VH-BLF used for magnetometer mineral survey with a sensor "bird" on a cable deployed from an under belly installation. | |
| 57 | Sepal Pty Ltd and its air survey assets was acquired by rival Adastra Aerial Surveys Pty Ltd, Sydney. VH-BLF remained registered to Sepal Pty Ltd now at Adastra's Sydney Airport address, and operated by Adastra Aerial Surveys. |
| Operated
extensively by Adastra Aerial Surveys right up to the DCA Anson
grounding order 30 June 1962. To complete a photographic survey
contract Adastra requested an extension. | |
| 29.6.62 | DCA advise Adastra "...Director-General
agrees to an extension of the date for retirement of Avro Anson
aircraft VH-AGA & VH-BLF for 14 days. The CofA is deemed to be
suspended as from 15.07.62." |
| 15.7.62 | CofA suspended due DCA Policy |
| 7.62 | Retired with Anson VH-AGA at the Adastra hangar Sydney Airport |
| 18.7.62 | Struck-off Civil Register |
| 8.1.64 | VH-BLF
and VH-AGA noted parked on grass at the Adastra hangar Sydney Airport,
both in good external condition despite 18 months in the weather. |
| 64 | Harold
Thomas, founder of Camden Museum of Aviation removed parts from VH-BLF
to assist his restoration of VH-AGA which he had acquired and was
removing to Camden Airport. Harold Thomas' son Alan Thomas later wrote this summary for the Adastra site: "Originally Moorabbin Air Museum were going to acquire an Anson from Adastra but when they obtained VH-FIA down in Melbourne they had no further interest in an Adastra Anson. This left the way open for Father and I to acquire VH-AGA. At the same time VH-BLF was at Mascot with no future owner so we were allowed to remove any parts we thought useful. We removed one Cheetah, the main instrument panel, throttle box, undercarriage fairings and many small items. Before we took control of AGA a strong wind went through Mascot and AGA and BLF actually hit each other on the aileron and trailing edge of opposite wings. So we removed the undamaged trailing edge and aileron from BLF and fitted it to AGA." |
| .64 | VH-BLF towed away by Sydney Airport Fire Service, to whom it had been donated |
| c6.64 | Destroyed by fire at Sydney Airport in a crash training exercise |
previous picture has been replaced by a standard military nose section for use by the survey navigator.
Photo by Peter R.Keating
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as W2486 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 8.8.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2486. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 6.9.41 | Received No.1 Air Navigation School, Parkes ex 2AP |
| 12.9.43 | Received No.1 Wireless Air Gunners School, Ballarat ex 1ANS |
| 20.12.43 | Received No.2 Air Observers School, Mount Gambier ex 1WAGS |
| 7.3.45 | Issued Ansett Airways Essendon ex 2AOS for complete overhaul |
| 30.7.45 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 22.8.45 | Received 11EFTS Storage Benalla ex 1AD for undercover storage |
| 12.7.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £500 to Mr.E.H.Loneragan c/o James Loneragan (Mudgee) Co Pty Ltd, Mudgee NSW |
| 28.8.46 | Issued to purchaser ex CMU Benalla |
| 18.2.48 | Civil Registration application: Aircraft Disposals Co, Mudgee NSW c/- E.H.Loneragan |
| 21.10.49 | Test flown Mascot after civil conversion overhaul by Airflite, Mascot. |
| 21.10.49 | CofA issued, pointed nose modeifucation, cabin described as "executive interior" |
| 21.10.49 | Registered VH-BLG E.H. Loneragan, Mudgee NSW |
| 26.10.49 | Departed
on a private flight to New Guinea. E.H."Tim" Loneragan was
involved with the disposal of vast amounts of American equipment and
supplies left behind at Milne Bay PNG. He flew several of his Ansons on
trips to Port Moresby and Milne Bay. Returned to Sydney late
December 1949 |
| 50s | Operated in Private Category for the Loneragan family businesses, usually flown by E.H.Loneragan |
| .59 | Damaged in forced landing wheels-up near Mudgee NSW. Written-off. Pilot E.H. Loneragan was unhurt. He was reportedly carrying several live sheep at the time. |
| 26.6.61 | Struck-off Register as Withdrawn from Service |
| The damaged Anson was
dismantled and moved to Mudgee where it was left in the open
weather on a property alongside wrecked Percival Vega Gull VH-BQA owned
by a Loneragan company. The Gull had also been damaged in a forced
landing circa 1959. Neither were recorded in the annual DCA accident summaries of the time. | |
| 1.73 | Anson
and derelict Vega Gull inspected at Mudgee. The Anson fuselage was
intact back to the rear cabin door and interior was in fair condition
with seats. |
| 2.75 | VH-BLG fuselage collected by John S. White, Sydney NSW
and moved to Sydney for planned restoration as a museum display. The
Loneragan family also donated two Cheetah engines, undercarriage
assemblies with tyres, rudder, 16 bomb bay doors, radios and
instruments. |
| 81 | Fuselage
and cockpit under restoraton in a shed near Windsor NSW with other
aircraft collected by the embryo Historical Aircraft Restoration
Society including Beaufighters from Kalumburu, ex RNZAF Harvard. The Anson group comprised John White, Robert Greinert and Ralph Cusack who was based in Brisbane where he was rebuilding VH-AZU and had acquired the fuselage of MG867 from Warbirds Aviation Museum, Mildura in December 1980. |
| Cockpit and nose
interior restored to wartime configuration by HARS. Surviving
airframe of VH-BLG including the separated restored cockpit and nose
section traded by HARS to Australian War Memorial, Canbera ACT |
|
| Cockpit and nose on display at Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT. External painted yellow, with nose code "86" and nose art Ginger Meggs comic strip character with his dog |
"White Heather" on the nose promoted the Loneragan Australian agency for the Scotch whisky brand.
Photo: David Vincent collection
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as W1943 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 31.3.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W1943. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 11.5.41 | Received 3 Service Flying Training School, Amberley ex 2AP |
| 6.4.42 | Received 6SFTS Mallala ex 3SFTS |
| 16.2.44 | Issued to Ansett Airways Essendon ex 6SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 17.10.44 | Received 6SFTS Mallala ex 1AD |
| 21.5.45 | Transferred to 6SFTS Storage ex unit strength for undercover strorage |
| 4.10.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £450 to Mr.Spalding, New England Airways, Sydney NSW |
| 29.11.46 | Issued to purchaser ex CMU Mallala |
| William
Spalding was a founding Director of the newly-established New England
Airways which operated Ansons and Dragons on airline services between
Sydney and the New England district of northern NSW. W1943 was among RAAF disposals Ansons held in reserve without civil conversions prior to New England Airways being taken over by Butler Air Transport, Sydney effective 17 May 1948: refer http://www.goodall.com.au/published-articles/neawansons.pdf | |
| 7.6.48 | Civil Registration application: Butler Air Transport Pty Ltd, Sydney Airport NSW |
| 10.8.48 | CofA issued after civil conversion |
| 10.8.48 | Registered VH-BLL Butler Air Transport Pty Ltd, Sydney Airport NSW |
| 20.10.50 | Change of ownership: Overland Airways Pty Ltd, Condobolin NSW |
| 20.11.51 | Damaged
while parked at Bankstown Aerodrome, Sydney. Struck by the wing of
taxying Anson VH-AZX of Marshall Airways. VH-AZX swung and also struck
parked Tiger Moth VH-BCE . |
| 20.2.52 | Change of ownership: W.H.Morley & J.R.Palmer trading as Air Charter Pty Ltd, Bankstown NSW |
| 19.10.56 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from use |
| 10.1.57 | Restored to Register VH-BLL: Papauan Air Transport Ltd, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea |
| 18.6.58 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service. Register ledger has hand-written "Discarded", suggesting airframe deterioration in tropical climate |
Tranquil scene at Tooraweenah airfield NSW circa 1949 with Butler Air Transport Anson VH-BLL and the BAT bus
which carried passengers between Tooraweenah and regional towns. Roger McDonald collection
which carried passengers between Tooraweenah and regional towns. Roger McDonald collection
annual car trial across remote areas of the Australian outback. Photo by Eddie Coates
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as DG913 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 25.5.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DG913. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 5.8.43 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 2AP |
| 1.9.42 | Received No.71 Squadron, Bundaberg ex 8SFTS |
| 20.4.44 | Issued Ansett Airways Mascot ex 71 Sqn for complete overhaul. Total time 1,443 hours |
| 30.4.45 | Received 2AD Richmond ex Ansett Airways |
| 3.5.45 | Received No.200 Flight, Leyburn Qld ex 2AD |
| 26.11.45 | Received 2AD Richmond ex 200 Flight |
| 17.12.45 | Received 10EFTS Storage Temora ex 2AD for under-cover storage |
| 8.8.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission to Mr.D.N.Dalton c/- Baker Motors, Albury NSW |
| 23.10.47 | Collected by purchaser ex CMU Temora |
| Ferried to Belmont Common airfield Geelong Vic for civil conversion by Brown & Dureau Ltd. Denys N.Dalton operated as Air Taxis Pty Ltd, Albury with Percival Proctors. | |
| 10.3.48 | CofA issued Belmont Common: 7 removable passengers seats for easy conversion to freighter/ A DCA memo states "this aircraft was given a thorough civil conversion with many passenger refinements" |
| 10.3.48 | Registered VH-BLP Baker Motors, Olive Street, Albury NSW c/- A.E.Baker and I.L.Cameron |
| 6.48 | VH-BLP
is still at Belmont Common, not yet collected by Mr.A.E.Baker. He is in
New Guinea involved with war disposals salvage at Milne Bay and due
back in Albury 26 June |
| 1.11.48 | Change of ownership: John McInnerney c/- Greenfields Air Taxis, Albury NSW McInnerney had been Denys Dalton's partner in the business Air Taxis Pty Ltd, Albury, which they had just sold to A.M. "Gus" Greenfield of Albury. |
| 17.11.48 | CofA renewed at Essendon |
| 11.49 | DCA
file correspondence: Anson VH-BLP and Proctore VH-AYV both owned by
John McInnerney are operated by Mr. A.M.Greenfield trading as
Greenfield's Air Taxis, Albury.
Greenfield wants maintenance on both to be carried out by Riverina
Aircraft Services which had established a workshop at Albury Aerodrome
but DCA rule thatRAS is not approved for Anson category aircraft types.
|
| 23.12.49 | Annual CofA renewed at Essendon |
| 12.49 | VH-BLP's logbook records 89 hours over past year, including 19 Albury-Melbourne flights. Not fitted radio |
| 22.12.50 | CofA expired, not renewed. |
| 2.51 | Being maintained by Riverina Aircraft Services, Albury which is now approved for the type. |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft |
| 9.51 | Undergoing CofA renewal overhaul by RAS |
| 15.10.51 | CofA renewed at Albury. 7 passengers seats, Charter Category |
| 15.10.51 | Registered VH-BLP John McInnerney, Tooma NSW operated by Greenfield's Air Taxis, Albury NSW |
| 27.8.52 | VH-BLP commenced a scheduled passenger service Albury-Holbrook-Wagga return, operated by A.M. Greenfield trading as Albury Air Service, Albury. |
| 24.9.52 | Schedule service ceased due low passenger demand |
| 14.10.52 | CofA expired. |
| Inspection for CofA renewal found the wing spar was in poor condition. In a letter to the compiler Gus Greenfield recalled a frog was found living in the sodden rotting wood layers of the spar. Work was abandoned and aircraft left parked outside at Albury aerodrome. | |
| VH-BLP written-off due wing spar deterioration. | |
| (Planned to be replaced by
Anson MH120 purchased ex RAAF disposals 23.2.53 at RAAF Tocumwal in the
name Greenfields Air Taxis, Albury. VH-BLP was reserved for MH120 but
no civil conversion carried out, later sold to become VH-BAF) | |
| 7.10.53 | Struck-off Register |
| 11.1.55 | VH-BLP noted at Albury derelict, "Albury Air Service" painted above windows. Anson MH120 was parked nearby still in RAAF paintwork. |
deterioration of the wood structure. Ed Coates Collection
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as DJ287 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 31.8.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DJ287. Received Dispersal Area Montague ex UK |
| 28.9.42 | Under assembly at Point Cook |
| 4.10.42 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex Point Cook |
| 28.10.42 | Received No.71 Squadron, Bundaberg ex 8SFTS |
| 28.4.44 | Received 2AP Bankstown ex 71 Sqn |
| 12.2.45 | Received General Reconnaissance School, Bairnsdale ex 2AP |
| 21.1.46 | Transferred to GRS Storage ex unit equipment |
| 11.2.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to Mr.W.Dwyer,Melbourne Vic |
| 19.5.47 | Issued to purchaser ex CMU Bairnsdale |
| William T. Dwyer operated as Dwyer Airways, Essendon, flying fresh seafood from Tasmania. He purchased a total of 13 Ansons, most of which were parked in RAAF markings at Essendon until resold. | |
| .48 | Dwyer sold DJ287 to Flt Lt H.A. McDonald, RAAF Laverton Vic McDonald also acquired Ansons W1532, W2575, LV211 from Commonwealth Disposals Commission |
| 6.48 | DJ287 Underdoing civil
conversion at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong by Corio Air Engineers
(D.J.Bourke) which has taken over the Brown & Dureau Ltd business
at Belmont Common. Bourke was formerly senior engineer for B&D |
| 16.6.48 | David J. Bourke of Corio Air Engineers wrote to DCA: "DJ287 is almost ready for test flight. It involved more than twice the normal work required for conversion and CofA due to its disappointing condition when we opened her up. McDonald has held up work on his W2575 and W1532, both are in the open at Belmont Common. We have covered them with tarpaulins in an attempt to protect them from the weather." |
| 1.7.48 | DCA allocated registration VH-BLS to Anson DJ287 at request of owner Flt Lt McDonald |
| 5.8.48 | CofA issued at Belmont Common |
| 5.8.48 | Registered VH-BLS: Flt Lt Henry Alexander McDonald, RAAF Amberley Qld |
| 12.48 | Registration lapsed, owner has not paid Air Route Fee. His address now Balmain, Sydney |
| 22.12.48 | New Registration Application: Mr. H.A.McDonald, Balmain, Sydney NSW VH-BLS will be based at Evans Head NSW, operated as a freighter |
| 15.2.49 | DCA approve VH-BLS ferry flight Belmont Common to Evans Head by pilot Mr.Hughes prior to payment of Air Route Fee. |
| 49 | Operated by company Freightwings, 113 Marsh Street, Armidale NSW |
| 4.8.49 | Annual CofA expired. Not renewed. DCA letters to McDonald returned as location unknown |
| 12.50 | DCA file memo: "it is understood the Repatriation Department has repossessed VH-BLS and are exploring possibilities of selling it." |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Civil Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft. Withdrawn From Service 4.8.49. |
| Sold to Alfred A. Aberline, Brighton-le-Sands, Sydney NSW | |
| 25.2.52 | Sold to Reginald Geary trading as Sydney Air Taxi, Bankstown Aerodrome, Sydney NSW. Legal agreement of that date transfers ownership of Ansons VH-BKA and VH-BLS from Aberline to Geary based on a cash payment to Abeline in addition to Geary taking over the £256 hangarage fees owed to DCA. |
| 3.52 | Geary negotiated a payment scheme of £30 per month with DCA so that he could take delivery of the Ansons which he intended to put into service as soon as possible. Sydney Air Taxi operated Percival Vega Gull VH-BQA, Proctor VH-BQQ and Genairco Cabin VH-UUI. |
| - | Ansons VH-BKA and VH-BLS ferried to Evans Head NSW where unused RAAF hangars were available for aircraft storage |
| 12.4.55 | VH-BLS CofA renewed at Moorabbin Vic |
| 12.4.55 | Restored to Register VH-BLS: West Darling Air Service Pty Ltd, 40 Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross Sydney NSW. To be based Bourke NSW |
| WDAS
was one of eight charter or aerial agricultural businesses associated
with Australian Aircraft Sales Pty Ltd and registered at AAS address 40
Darlinghurst Road, King Cross. Some aircraft traded by AAS were
transferred between these associated companies. | |
| 5.55 | Passenger seats being installed |
| 7.10.55 | Struck-off Civil Register as Withrawn From Service. |
| 6.56 | DCA
refuse to renew Charter Licence for Reginald Geary, previously trading
as Sydney Air Taxi. The file includes the following reference: "Geary also has outstanding payments due for hangarage at Evans Head for Avro Ansons VH-BKA and VH-BLS which he had purchased from A.Aberline, Sydney in February 1953 (stet)." |
This and next photograph both taken by Eddie Coates
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as W2041 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 7.4.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2041. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 22.5.41 | Received No.4 Service Flying Training School, Geraldton ex 2AP |
| 14.6.41 | Ground collision Geraldton, struck by taxying Anson N4916 |
| 29.4.43 | Heavy landing Geraldton, undercarriage collapsed |
| 19.5.43 | Issued to ANA, Maylands ex 4 SFTS for repair |
| 25.10.43 | Received 4SFTS ex ANA Maylands |
| 23.1.45 | Transferred to 4SFTS Storage ex unit equipment |
| 2.8.45 | Transferred to No.87 Operational Base Unit, Geraldton ex 4 SFTS Storage |
| 24.3.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to Airlines (WA) Ltd, Perth WA |
| 6.5.47 | Issued to purchaser ex CMU Geraldton |
| Ferried to Maylands Aerodrome, Perth where civil conversion carried out in the company hangar. Airlines (WA) Ltd purchased 14 Ansons from RAAF Geraldton, of which 8 were converted to civil. Later conversions were carried out in the Airlines (WA) Ltd hangar at the new Guildford Aerodrome, Perth after the company moved its maintenance and administration from Maylands. | |
| 48 | Civil conversion overhaul by Airlines (WA) Ltd at Guildford Aerodrome |
| 29.7.48 | Civil Registration application: Airlines (WA) Ltd, Perth WA |
| 2.11.48 | Registered VH-BLY |
| 5.11.48 | Test flight Guildford on completion of civil conversion. CoFA issued |
| 11.48 | Entered service on the multi-stops South West newspaper delivery service |
| 8.2.49 | Minor damage when brakes failed during landing at Guildford, swung off runway. |
| 1.11.49 | Annual CofA expired |
| 11.49 | Airlines (WA) Ltd advise DCA that VH-BLY has been withdrawn from service, CofA will not be renewed |
| 30.10.50 | Airlines (WA) Ltd records state VH-BLY scrapped this date |
| 10.4.51 | Struck-off Register |
Airines (WA) Ltd motif was painted on the tailplane. Photo attached to DCA CofA form
| /41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as W2097 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 14.4.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2097. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 26.8.41 | Received No.3 Service Flying Training School, Amberley ex 2AP |
| 6.4.42 | Received 6SFTS Mallala ex 3SFTS |
| 21.3.44 | Issued to Ansett Airways, Essendon ex 6SFTS for major overhaul |
| 14.11.44 | Received 1AD Laverton ex Ansett Airways |
| 4.1.45 | Received 6SFTS Storage Mallala ex 1AD for under-cover storage |
| 9.2.45 | Transferred to 6 SFTS unit strength ex storage |
| 21.5.45 | Transferred to 6SFTS Storage Mallala ex unit strength, under-cover storage |
| 4.10.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £450 to Mr.Spalding, New England Airways, Sydney NSW |
| 14.12.46 | Issued to purchaser ex Care and Maintenance Unit Mallala |
| William Spalding was a founding Director of the newly-established New
England Airways which operated Ansons and Dragons on airline services
between Sydney and the New England district of northern NSW. W2097 was among RAAF disposals Ansons held in reserve without civil conversions prior to New England Airways being taken over by Butler Air Transport, Sydney effective 17 May 1948: refer http://www.goodall.com.au/published-articles/neawansons.pdf | |
| 22.6.48 | Civil registration application: New England Airways, Sydney NSW |
| 18.8.48 | CofA issued |
| 18.8.48 | Registered VH-BMA |
| 26.8.48 | Change of ownership: Wollongong and South Coast Aviation Services Pty Ltd, Wollongong NSW. Established by Walter E. James, this company operated Anson airline services between Sydney, Wollongong, West Wyalong and Nowra. It was later renamed South Coast Airways using Lockheed Lodestars. |
| 11.11.49 | Change of ownership: Alfred A. Aberline, West Wyalong NSW Aberline was West Wyalong businesman who was a W&SCAS financial backer. He advised DCA that he had been the owner of VH-BMA which he leased to W&SCAS. It was no longer needed by them so its ownership reverted to him. It will be based at Bankstown Aerodrome, Sydney for his personal use. |
| (DCA issued a Charter Licence to A.A.Aberline on 29.5.50 using VH-BMA based Bankstown and maintained by Marshall Airways.) | |
| 5.53 | VH-BMA visited Brunette Downs Station NT for the annual gala horse races |
| 18.11.53 | Change of ownership: Franciszek Antoni Wiza c/- Australian Aircraft Sales, Kings Cross, Sydney NSW Francis "Frank"Wiza was a decorated wartime RAF Polish fighter pilot who migrated to Australia in March 1948. He flew extensively for New Holland Airways, Sydney on European migrant charters in Lockheed Lodestars and Hudsons. Later flew Lodestars for Gibbes Sepik Airways in New Guinea for two years. Further detail refer: http://www.goodall.com.au/migrant-caper/themigrantcaper.pdf |
| 19.2.54 | CofA expired. Not renewed. |
| 3.4.54 | Change of ownership: John P. Conley c/- Australian Aircraft Sales, Hampton Court Hotel, 40 Darlinghurst Road, Kings Cross, Sydney NSW. John Conley at Broken Hill NSW was the founder in 1950 of Australian Aircraft Sales, which grew to become an international large-scale jet airliner sales business. |
| 7.7.54 | Change of ownership: Abe G. Saffron, Sydney NSW Abe Saffron was a notorious Sydney Kings Cross night club owner with no links to aviation. It is assumed this was a paper transaction to balance some financial deal. The aircraft was not flyable. |
| 10.1.55 | Struck-off Civil Register as Withdrawn From Service 19.2.54. |
| 21.3.55 | Restored to Register VH-BMA: Goilala Air Services, Tapini, Papua New Guinea Commenced scheduled airline services January 1953 between Port Moreesby and Tapini as Goilala Airways with Ansons. Service ceased August 1956. |
| 28.6.56 | Struck off Register "withdrawn due wing spar deterioration" |
| .44 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory to RAF order as MG975 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 20.3.44 | Taken on RAAF charge as MG975. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 20.4.44 | Received No.1 Air Observers School, Cootamundra ex 1AP |
| 18.12.44 | Received 2AOS Mount Gambier ex 1AOS |
| 28.5.45 | Transferred to 2AOS Storage ex unit equipment |
| 30.7.45 | Received Survey Flight, Canberra ex 2AOS. Code "SU-J" |
| 27.6.46 | Received Care and Maintenance Unit Narrandera ex Survey Flight for storage |
| 13.10.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £100 to Mr. E. E.McIllree, Sydney NSW |
| 4.2.48 | Collected by purchaser ex CMU Narrandera |
| E.H. "Tim" Loneragan, Managing Director of Jas Loneragan & Co,
Mudgee and Sydney car dealer and pilot Eric E. McIllree formed a
business partnership to sell RAAF disposals Ansons on the civil market.
They established Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons during 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. Unsold Ansons were stored in hangars at Camden NSW until 1960 when they were scrapped. | |
| 8.7.48 | Civil Registration application: U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney c/- E.E.McIllree |
| 2.12.48 | Registered VH-BMB: Aircraft Disposals Pty Ltd, Mudgee NSW |
| 5.49 | CofA
overhaul at Camden has not progressed while waiting for results of an
overseas tour by Mr.Eric McIllree in Anson VH-BMC hoping to find
markets for further Anson sales |
| 4.51 | DCA file report: VH-BMB has been painted with its registration letters, but no work on CofA overhaul |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Civil Register in DCA 1951 Census of unairworthy aircraft |
| 60 | VH-BMB
was reported among a group of unsold Ansons and Walrus amphibians
parked outside at Camden Airport NSW. They were in poor condition and
later that year had their engines and parts removed |
| 60 | Scrapped at Camden NSW |
MG975 with the Survey Flight in
1946.
Frank F. Smith collection
| .43 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory to RAF order as MG837 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 24.2.44 | Taken on RAAF charge as MG837. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 18.4.44 | Received No.4 Service Flying Training School, Geraldton ex 2AP |
| 19.11.44 | Received Air Gunnery School, Bairnsdale ex 4SFTS |
| 18.4.45 | Received General Recconnaissance School, Bairnsdale ex AGS |
| 29.5.45 | Received Survey Flight, Canberra ex GRS |
| 14.5.46 | Received Care and Maintenance Unit Narrandera ex SF for storage |
| 13.10.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £100 to Mr. E. E.McIllree, Sydney NSW |
| 1.12.47 | Collected by purchaser on 1.12.47 ex CMU Narrandera |
| E.H. "Tim" Loneragan, Managing Director of Jas Loneragan & Co,
Mudgee and Sydney car dealer and pilot Eric E. McIllree formed a
business partnership to sell RAAF disposals Ansons on the civil market.
They established Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons during 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. | |
| 8.7.48 | Civil Registration application: U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney c/- E.E.McIllree |
| 6.12.48 | CofA issued |
| 6.12.48 | Registered VH-BMC Aircraft Disposals Pty Ltd, Mudgee NSW |
| 17.3.49 | Departed Darwin for India flown by Eric McIllree on a sales tour hoping to generate sales for their remaining unsold Ansons. |
| 8.49 | Letter to DCA from Aircraft Disposals, Mudgee advised that VH-BMC was overseas in the hands of their Mr.McIllree. |
| 6.11.49 | Damaged in forced landing Agra India. Pilot Eric McIllree |
| Eric McIllree sold the damaged aircraft to American citizen Mr. Ronald Hudson from Texas. Indian DCA letters to Australian DCA advise that Mr.Hudson has left the aircraft in the hands of an Indian businessman at Agra to organise the repairs. | |
| 22.12.49 | Struck-off Register "sold in India" |
| 21.6.50 | Letter
to DCA from Australian Consul General, India: the Indian who Hudson
left in charge of the Anson is now in serious financial debt over the
repairs. Neither Hudson or McIlree can be located. DCA wrote to Aircraft Disposals, Mudgee which replied: "VH-BMC was sold by us in Agra, India to Mr. R.Hudson, Texas United States." |
| .43 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory to RAF order as EG422 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 13.9.43 | Taken on RAAF charge as EG422. Received No.1 Aircraft Park, Geelong ex UK for assembly |
| 22.10.43 | Received Central Flying School, Tamworth ex 1AP. CFS moved to Parkes, later Point Cook |
| 19.9.44 | Ferried from CFS Parkes to Point Cook |
| 18.3.46 | Issued Care and Maintenance Unit Cootamundra ex CFS Point Cook for storage |
| 4.9.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to Mr.E.H.Loneragan c/o James Loneragan (Mudgee) Co Pty Ltd, Mudgee NSW |
| 7.5.48 | Collected by purchaser ex CMU Cootamundra |
| E.H. "Tim" Loneragan, Managing Director of Jas Loneragan & Co,
Mudgee and Sydney car dealer and pilot Eric E. McIllree formed a
business partnership to sell RAAF disposals Ansons on the civil market.
They established Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons during 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. | |
| 21.7.48 | Civil Registration application: U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney c/- Mr. E. E.McIllree |
| DCA allocated registration VH-BMD | |
| 9.48 | U-Drive advise DCA that registration not being proceeded with due no prospective sale. |
| Probably among Aircraft Disposals Co Ansons stored in hangars at Camden NSW | |
| 10.10.51 | CofA issued |
| 10.10.51 | Registered VH-BMD Amphibious Airways Ltd, Rabaul, New Britain c/- E. E. McIllree |
| Amphibious
Airways was a short-lived New Guinea operation established by the
entrepreneurial Eric McIllree to carry contracted native labour between
plantations using his RAAF disposals Walrus/Seagull V amphibians and
Ansons. | |
| 9.52 | Amphibious Airways no longer operating. DCA file indicates VH-BMD never left Sydney for New Guinea |
| 15.11.52 | Change of ownership: Constructors (Engineering & Industrial) Pty Ltd, Brisbane Qld |
| 2.2.54 | Change of ownership: Papuan Air Transport Ltd, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea |
| 18.12.54 | Crashed landing Embi, Papua New Guinea. Swung off the grass runway during landing, undercarriage collapsed. Captain Frank Goosens and 14 native passengers unhurt. Aircraft declared a write-off. |
| 20.9.55 | Struck-off Civil Register "due accident" |
| .44 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory to RAF order as MG982 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 15.5.44 | Taken on RAAF charge as MG982. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 17.7.44 | Issued Survey Flight, Canberra ex 2AP. Code SU-E |
| 17.5.46 | Received Care and Maintennce Unit Narrandera ex Survey Flight |
| 13.10.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £100 to Mr. E. E.McIllree, Sydney NSW |
| 7.12.47 | Collected by purchaser on 7.12.47 ex CMU Narrandera |
| E.H. "Tim" Loneragan, Managing Director of Jas Loneragan & Co,
Mudgee and Sydney car dealer and pilot Eric E. McIllree formed a
business partnership to sell RAAF disposals Ansons on the civil market.
They established Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons during 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. Unsold Ansons wer stored in hangars at Camden NSW until 1960 when they were scrapped. | |
| 21.7.48 | Civil Registration application: U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney c/- E. E. McIllree |
| 14.1.49 | CofA issued |
| 14.1.49 | Registered VH-BME Aircraft Disposals Co, Mudgee NSW |
| 13.1.50 | Annual CofA expired, not renewed |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft |
| 8.51 | Aircraft Disposals Co, Sydney letter to DCA: they expect to place Ansons VH-BLF, VH-BME, VH-BFM in service shortly and requested their registrations be reserved. |
| 60 | VH-BME was reported among a group of unsold Ansons and Walrus amphibians parked outside at Camden Airport NSW. They were in poor condition and later that year had their engines and parts removed |
| 60 | Scrapped Camden NSW |
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as DG870 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 29.3.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DG870. Received No.1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton ex UK for assembly |
| Stored Corpus Chrisie College, Werribee awaiting assembly | |
| 22.5.42 | Issued from Corpus Chrustie to Point Cook for assembly |
| 29.6.42 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 1SFTS Point Cook |
| 13.4.43 | Received No.71 Squadron, Lowood ex 8SFTS |
| 24.4.44 | Received No.2 Aircraft Park Bankstown ex 71 Sqn for complete overhaul. Total time 1,438 hrs |
| 14.2.45 | Receved 6SFTS Storage, Mallala ex 2AP for under-cover storage |
| 4.10.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £450 to Mr.Spalding, New England Airways, Sydney NSW |
| 29.11.46 | Issued to purchaser ex CMU Mallala |
| William Spalding was a founding Director of the newly-established New
England Airways which operated Ansons and Dragons on airline services
between Sydney and the New England district of northern NSW. DG870 was among RAAF disposals Ansons held in reserve without civil conversions prior to New England Airways being taken over by Butler Air Transport, Sydney effective 17 May 1948: refer http://www.goodall.com.au/published-articles/neawansons.pdf | |
| 31.8.48 | CofA issued |
| 31.8.48 | Registered VH-BMI New Egland Airways, Sydney NSW |
| 29.10.48 | Change of ownership: Kingsford Smith Aviation Service Pty Ltd, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney |
| 28.10.49 | Annual CofA expired, not renewed. Retired at Bankstown NSW |
| 6.8.51 | Struck-off Civil Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft |
VH-BMI retired at Bankstown 1952, deteriorating in the weather with engines and fittings removed.
The faired-over cabin windows suggest it may have been used as freighter. Photo by Eddie Coates
The faired-over cabin windows suggest it may have been used as freighter. Photo by Eddie Coates
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory to RAF order as EG128 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 8.2.43 | Taken on RAAF charge as EG128. Received No.2 Aircraft Depot, Richmond ex UK for assembly |
| 12.5.43 | Received No.1 Rescue and Communications Squadron, Port Moresby ex 2AD |
| 8.11.43 | Received No.2 Aircraft Park Banktown ex 1RCS for wingspar repair and complete overhaul |
| 14.12.43 | Received Ansett Airways Mascot ex 2AP for overhaul |
| 17.8.44 | Received 2AP ex Ansett Airways |
| 4.9.44 | Received 5AD Wagga ex 2AP |
| 10.9.44 | Received No.5 Service Flying Training School, Uranquinty |
| 20.2.46 | Unit reformed as No.1 Flying Training School, Utranquinty |
| 18.4.46 | Received Care & Maintenance Unit Cootamundra ex 1FTS |
| 4.9.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £150 to Mr.E.H.Loneragan c/o James Loneragan (Mudgee) Co Pty Ltd, Mudgee NSW |
| 7.5.48 | Collected by purchaser ex CMU Cootamundra |
| E.H. "Tim" Loneragan, Managing Director of Jas Loneragan & Co,
Mudgee and Sydney car dealer and pilot Eric E. McIllree formed a
business partnership to sell RAAF disposals Ansons on the civil market.
They established Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons during 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. Unsold Ansons were stored in hangars at Camden NSW up to 1960 | |
| 12.11.48 | Civil Registration application: U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW c/- E. E.McIllree |
| 11.48 | DCA allocated registration VH-BMM |
| Registration not completed due no prospective sale. Stored. | |
| 20.5.51 | CofA issued |
| 20.5.51 | Registered VH-BMM Self Drive Cars Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW c/- E. E.McIllree |
| 18.6.51 | Change of ownership: Amphibious Airways Ltd, Rabaul, New BrItain c/- E. E. McIllree |
| Amphibious Airways was a short-lived New Guinea operation established by the entrepreneurial Eric McIllree to carry contracted native labour between plantations using his RAAF disposals Walrus/Seagull V amphibians and Ansons. | |
| 1.6.54 | Change of ownership: Goilala Air Service, Tapini, Papua New Guinea |
| 20.2.56 | Struck-off Register. "Spars in deteriorated condition" |
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as W2000 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 16.5.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2000. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 27.7.41 | Received No.2 Air Navigation School, Mount Gambier ex 2AP. 2ANS moved to Nhill 9.41 |
| 13.1.42 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 2ANS |
| 10.5.43 | Struck water while low flying near Bundaberg |
| 9.5.44 | Issued to Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Archerfield ex 8SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 30.1.45 | Received No.3 Aircraft Depot, Amberley ex APL |
| 1.2.45 | Issued to No.1 Air Observer School Storage, Evans Head for under-cover storage |
| 28.4.45 | Received No.99 Squadron, Leyburn ex 1AOS |
| 8.7.45 | Received No.102 Squadron, Cecil Plains ex 99 Sqn |
| 12.9.45 | Received No.3 Central Recovery Depot, Amberley ex 102 Sqn for storage |
| 18.2.46 | Received 2AD Richmond ex 3CRD |
| 2.4.46 | Received Care and Maintenance Unit Cootamundra ex 2AD for under-cover storage |
| 4.9.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £250 to Mr. E.H.Loneragan c/o James Loneragan (Mudgee) Pty Ltd, Mudgee NSW |
| 7.5.48 | Collected by purchaser ex CMU Cootamundra |
| E.H. "Tim" Loneragan, Managing Director of Jas Loneragan & Co,
Mudgee and Sydney car dealer and pilot Eric E. McIllree formed a
business partnership to sell RAAF disposals Ansons on the civil market.
They established Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons during 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. | |
| 12.11.48 | Civil registration application: U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW c/- Mr. E.E.McIllree |
| DCA allocated registration VH-BMN. | |
| Registration did not proceed due no prospective buyer | |
| 26.5.50 | CofA issued |
| 26.5.50 | Registered VH-BMN Aircraft Disposals Pty Ltd, Mudgee NSW |
| 9.10.50 | Change of ownership: Charter Aviation Service (Australasia) Ltd, Lae, New Guinea |
| CAS
was established in 1950 at Lae with Ansons, intending to take over the
extensive New Guinea charter work left when Guinea Air Traders ceased
operations late 1949. CAS was to operate for only a year. | |
| .51 | VH-BMN ferried Lae to Sydney, returned to Mr. E.E.McIlree when CAS in financial difficulties |
| 17.3.54 | Change of ownership: Papuan Air Transport, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea |
| 22.12.54 | Crashed during landing Bereina, PNG. A wing was torn off, aircaft a write-off. Captain Frank Goosens and passengers were unhurt |
| 20.9.55 | Struck-off Civil Register "due accident" |
The modified civilian baggage hold pointed nose was a feature of Aircraft Disposal Co civil conversions.
Both photos by Henry W.Pryor, via Ron Cuskelly
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as W2109 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 14.4.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W2109. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 22.5.41 | Received No.4 Service Flying Training School, Geraldton ex 2AL |
| 20.4.42 | Damaged when taxied into shelter slit trench Geraldton Aerodrome |
| 18.1.44 | Issued to ANA Maylands, Perth ex 4SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 17.7.44 | Received 4SFTS ex ANA Maylands |
| .45 | Transferred to No.87 Operational Base Unit, Geraldton ex 4SFTS for storage |
| 22.7.45 | Received Care and Maintenance Unit Evans Head ex 87OBU for under-cover storage |
| 11.3.46 | Received Care and Maintenance Unit Narrandera ex CMU Evans Head for storage |
| 13.10.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £100 to Mr. E. E.McIllree, Sydney NSW |
| 1.12.47 | Collected by purchaser ex CMU Narrandera on 1.12.47 |
| E.H. "Tim" Loneragan, Managing
Director of Jas Loneragan & Co, Mudgee and Sydney car dealer and
pilot Eric E. McIllree formed a business partnership to sell RAAF
disposals Ansons on the civil market. They established Aircraft Disposals Company, Mudgee which purchased a total of 42 Ansons during 1946-47 for civil conversion and resale. | |
| 12.11.48 | Civil Registration application: U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW c/- Mr E.E.McIllree |
| 11.48 | DCA allocated registration VH-BMO |
| Registration did not proceed due no prospective buyer | |
| 1.8.50 | CofA issued |
| 1.8.50 | Registered VH-BMO Charter Aviation Service (Australasia) Ltd, Lae, New Guinea |
| CAS was established in 1950 at Lae with Ansons, intending to take over the extensive New Guinea charter work left when Guinea Air Traders ceased operations late 1949. CAS was to operate for only a year. | |
| 8.2.51 | Minor damage while taxying Jacksons Strip, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. |
| c52 | Ferried from New Guinea to Sydney on return to Mr. McIllree |
| 12.3.53 | Change of ownership: Airport Driveyourself Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW c/- Mr. E. E.McIllree |
| 5.53 | Sold to Nanyang Airways Ltd, Kallang Airport, Singapore |
| 16.5.53 | Departed Darwin NT on delivery flight to Singapore |
| 26.5.53 | Added to Singapore Civil Register VR-SDT Nanyang Airways Ltd, Singapore |
| Nanyang
Airways purchased this aircraft from Australia because of an urgent
need to replace their Anson VR-SDL which crashed 11.4.53 at Kuala
Lumpur while on a schedued newspaper freight flight | |
| 1.1.55 | Ownership transferred to parent company Nanyang Press Ltd, Singapore |
| 11.10.55 | VR-SDT noted at Kallang Airport, operational, "Nanyang Airways Limited" titles |
| 17.9.58 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service |
| .42 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as DJ225 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 4.9.42 | Taken on RAAF charge as DJ225. Allotted Butler Air Transport Ltd, Mascot ex UK for assembly |
| 11.9.42 | Received BAT Mascot |
| 22.9.42 | Received No.2 Aircraft Depot, Richmond ex BAT |
| 3.12.42 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 2AD |
| 27.7.45 | Received Care and Maintenance Unit Narrandera ex 8SFTS for storage |
| 13.10.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £100 to Mr. E. E.McIllree, Sydney NSW |
| 4.2.48 | Collected by purchaser ex CMU Narrandera |
| 12.11.48 | Civil Registration application: U-Drive Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW c/- Mr E.E.McIllree |
| 11.48 | DCA allocated registration VH-BMP |
| Registration did not proceed due no prospective buyer | |
| 20.3.51 | CofA issued |
| 20.3.51 | Registered VH-BMP Charter Aviation Service (Australasia) Ltd, Lae, New Guinea |
| CAS was established in 1950 at Lae with Ansons, intending to take over the extensive New Guinea charter work left when Guinea Air Traders ceased operations late 1949. CAS was to operate for only a year. | |
| 2.2.53 | Change of ownership: Papuan Air Transport, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea |
| 1.8.57 | Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service |
| .43 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory to RAF order as LV281 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 19.10.43 | Taken on RAAF charge as LV281. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 27.12.43 | Received No.1 Air Observer School, Cootamundra ex 2AP |
| 12.2.45 | Issued to AFRU ex 1AOS, fitted Marconi wireless and astral domes |
| 3.10.45 | Transferred AFRU Storage ex unit equipment |
| 8.8.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £200 to Mr.D.N.Dalton c/- Baker Motors, Olive Street, Albury NSW |
| 26.8.47 | Issued to purchaser ex Care & Maintenance Unit Deniliquin |
| LV281 sold by Denys Dalton to Eric Condon, Wagga NSW | |
| 29.9.48 | Civil Registration application: Eric E. Condon, Wagga NSW |
| Civil conversion being carried out by Airflite (Training) Pty Ltd, Bankstown NSW | |
| 18.12.48 | CofA issued |
| 18.12.48 | Registered VH-BMQ Wagga Flying School, Wagga NSW c/- E. E. Condon |
| 17.12.49 | Annual CofA expired |
| 23.4.50 | CofA renewed at Bankstown |
| 5.50 | Advertised for sale by Wagga Flying School: 8 passengers seats, full year's CofA |
| 5.50 |
Inland
Airways Pty Ltd was formed by five Wilcannia NSW businessmen including the town
mayor. They had met experienced pilot Warren Penny who was passing
through Wilcannia in May 1950 and engaged him to set up an air service
and be their pilot. Funds were quickly raised from graziers on properties in the area. An office was set up in Broken Hill and a scheduled service advertised between Wilcannia, Broken Hill, Ivanhoe and Griffith. No application was made to DCA for an airline licence. Penny negiotiated with Wagga Flying School to purchase their Anson VH-BMQ for the Inland Airways venture. |
| 6.6.50 |
Warren Penny flew Sydney-Wagga to take delivery of VH-BMQ |
| 6.6.50 | Change of ownership: Inland Airways Pty Ltd, Broken Hill NSW c/- H.W.G.Penny |
| 6.50 | Warren Penny delivered VH-BMQ to Wilcannia and on to Broken Hill |
| Warren Penny later wrote: "I
flew the Anson from Wagga to Wilcannia and then on to Broken Hill where
I set up an office and started advertising. I commenced the run and
flew backwards and forwards over the route as per schedule about six
times and never carried a paying passenger. When the money ran out, I
left Broken Hill and returned the Anson to Wagga for hangarage on 19
July 1950." | |
| 15.7.50 | Gregory Board, a
former partner with Penny during the migrant charter period before
forming his own company New Holland Airways returned to Australia from
overseas and flew VH-BMQ for five days. From Greg Board's pilot log book: |
| 15.7.50 | Sydney-Lake Cargelligo-Hillston-Ivanhoe (with Warren Penny) |
| 16.7.50 | Ivanhoe-Hillston-Lake Cargelligo-Rankin Springs-Hillston-Ivanhoe |
| 17.7.50 | Ivanhoe-Broken Hill |
| 18.7.50 | Broken Hill-Wilcannia-Ivanhoe-Hillston-Narrandera |
| 19.7.50 | Narrandera-Wagga (Board and Penny). VH-BMQ stored in a hangar at Wagga while the owners of Inland Airways decided whether to continue. |
| 30.7.50 |
Penny in Sydney was requested to join in floods airlift relief operations at Tamworth. He recalled: "With practically no money, I took the train down to Wagga and got the Anson out of the hangar. It had enough petrol to get me to Cootamundra so I decided to try Cootamundra for petrol on credit. When I got there the local Stock and Station Agent said the townsfolk were very symnpathetic with the northerners and their flood problems, so they not only refuelled the aircraft for me, but also supplied about a ton of beautiful green sheep feed. I arrived in Tamworth on 31st July 1959, to be told I was too late and the whole operation was buttoned up. I was so angry I told the Flood Control people where to go and decided I would work on my own. I left Tamworth heading west and jjust on dusk I saw Narrabri ahead and landed. I was immediately pounced on by Gordon Grant, a Narrabri Stock and Station Agent who said he was in awful trouble. All the flood relief planes were working from Tamworth but his graziers were also stranded by the floods. We worked very hard that night making a dropping chute for the rear door and putting in a horn system with a press button on the pilot's control wheel so I could signal a man throwing the supplies out the door when to let them go. Next day I started by dropping the hay from Cootamundra to a flock of starving sheep on land surrounded by flood waters. Then the hard work really started. I finished up by being in Narrabri for over a year, on and off dropping supplies to stranded properties and animals. On 28 August I received a letter from a solicitor in Broken Hill asking me to return the Anson to its owners, the syndicate in Wilcannia. So I did and paid them £450 as a charter fee for my use if the aircraft. I came back to Sydney from Broken Hill on the Butler Air Transport airline service." Penny then chartered Sid Marshall's Anson VH-AZX and DH.84 Dragon VH-AQU for periods to fly continuing flood relief work at Narrabri, including shuttling railway passengers between Narrabri and Moree because the railway line was cut. In March 1951 he flew the Marshall Airways Douglas DC-2 VH-CDZ on a three Sydney-Narrabri-Moree passenger runs. |
| 21.9.50 | DCA
file memo: "Penny is no longer associated with Inland Airways.
Without him the company is left without pilot, organisation or
engineering facilities and has little knowledge of Departmental
requirements." |
| 9.50 | VH-BMQ was ferried Wilcannia-Parafield SA for maintenance by Furness Aviation Services |
| 22.4.51 | Annual CofA expired |
| 27.4.51 | Inland Airways letter to
DCA. The company does not intend to renew the CofA. The Anson has been
hangared at Furness Aviation Services at Parafield and is being
advertised for sale. |
| 3.7.51 | VH-BMQ
noted at Parafield stored in a hangar: all silver, black registration
letters, "Inland Airways Pty Ltd" in red above the windows |
| 8.51 | Advertised for sale by Furness Aviation Services |
| 26.10.51 | Change of ownership: Airlines (WA) Ltd, Perth WA |
| Airlines
(WA) Ltd were purchasing Ansons at that time to replace their DH.104
Dove fleet, which had been grounded by DCA pending investigation into
the crash of their Dove VH-AQO at Kalgoorlie 15.10.51. The Dove's port wing had clearly detached in flight. | |
| 29.10.51 | Test flight Parafield in preparation for ferry flight to Perth |
| 30.10.51 | Departed Parafield on delivery |
| 11.51 | Overhaul at Perth Airport by Airlines (WA) Ltd to bring the aircraft up to their airliner standard |
| 27.11.51 | Test flown Perth by Chief Pilot Captain Nelson Hill. |
| 11.51 | Entered Airlines (WA) Ltd service. |
| 52 | Retired when Doves completed mandatory modifications and returned to all Airlines (WA) Ltd routes |
| 16.4.53 | Change of ownership: Yaringa Pastoral Co Pty Ltd, Yaringa South Station, via Geraldton WA. Included in the sale of airworthy Anson VH-BAU as a parts source. VH-BMQ was ferried to Maylands Aerodrome, Perth, parked outside Doggett Aviation and Engineering Co hangar, where VH-BAU was serviced. |
| 22.5.53 | Struck-off Register |
| 5.53 | VH-BMQ tailplane removed from airframe and used to repair tailplane of VH-BAU by Doggett Aviation |
| 12.55 | VH-BMQ and VH-BAU noted at Maylands, derelict together outside Doggett Aviation hangar. |
| 12.56 | Yaringa
Pastoral Co letter to DCA advising they have no further use for their
two Ansons at Maylands. They have instructed Doggett Aviation and David
Gray & Co to strip any usable parts and request that DCA dispose of
the remains of both aircraft. |
This and next photo both taken by Phil McCulloch
Note the original military bombardier nose has simply been sprayed over in silver.
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as AX441 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 6.2.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as AX441. Received No.2 Aircraft Depot, Richmond ex UK |
| 13.4.42 | Issued to Butler Air Transport, Mascot ex 2AD for assembly |
| 18.5.42 | Received 2AD ex BAT |
| 30.5.42 | Received 1AD Laverton ex 2AD |
| 18.6.42 | Issued Radio School, Laverton ex 2AD |
| 23.6.42 | Issued No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex RS |
| 6.7.42 | Received No.1 Radio Installation and Maintenance Unit ex 2AP |
| 14.1.44 | Received No.3 Communications Unit, Mascot ex 1RIMU |
| 24.4.44 | Received 2AP Bankstown ex 3CU |
| 23.11.44 | Received No.6 Service Flying Training School, Mallala ex 2AP |
| 30.7.45 | Transferred to 6SFST Storage ex unit equipment |
| 4.10.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £450 to Mr.Spalding, New England Airways, Sydney NSW |
| 29.11.46 | Issued to purchaser ex CMU Mallala |
| 20.9.49 | Registered VH-BMS Charterflite Aviation Service, Bankstown Aerodrome, Sydney NSW |
| 20.9.49 | CofA issued |
| 10.10.49 | Badly damaged by fire in hangar Bankstown Fire broke out during maintenance in Truscott Club for Aeronauts hangar. The starboard side of the cockpit, starboard wing and engine installation were badly damaged. Hand-held fire extinguishers were used to stop the fire spreading to other aircraft. |
| 29.11.49 | Struck-off Civil Register at owner's request |
| 40 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as W1587 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 3.12.40 | Taken on RAAF charge as W1587. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 22.12.40 | Received No.1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton ex 2AP |
| 23.1.41 | Received No.1 Air Navigation Scool, Parkes ex 1AD |
| 23.2.42 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 1ANS |
| 20.9.43 | Damaged in forced landing Bundaberg during night training exercise |
| 4.10.43 | Issued to Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Archerfield ex 8SFST for repair and complete overhaul |
| 29.6.44 | Issued 3AD Amberley ex APL |
| 22.7.44 | Received 8SFTS Bundaberg ex 3AD. |
| 6.7.45 | Received Care and Maintenance Unit Evans Head for under-cover storage ex RAAF Bundaberg |
| 28.2.46 | Received RAAF Maryborough ex CMU Evans Head for under-cover storage |
| 2.1.47 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £200 to Cairns Flying School, Cairns Qld |
| 10.1.47 | Issued to purchaser ex RAAF Marybrough |
| Ferried
to Cairns in RAAF camouflage paintwork. Cairns Flying School had been
formed by G.K.Bolton, Cairns who operated as Cairns Flying Service with
a DH.60G, DH.80 and several DH82s. | |
| 6.47 | DCA file report: W1587 at Cairns is being stripped for parts to maintain Cairns Flying School's airworthy Anson VH-BBC |
| Australian Air Traders, Sydney parent company of Guinea Air Traders approached Bolton to purchase both his Ansons for their growing GAT New Guinea business. The negotiations resulted in Bolton selling all his aircraft to GAT | |
| 8.47 | Sold to Australian Air Traders Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW |
| 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. | |
| Stored Sydney, no civil conversion for Guinea Air Traders | |
| 29.5.50 | W1587 Civil Registration application: Airflite (Training) Pty Ltd, Bankstown Aerodrome, Sydney NSW |
| 9.11.50 | CofA issued Bankstown |
| 9.11.50 | Registered VH-BNS Airflite (Training) Pty Ltd, Bankstown. |
| 11.50 | Airflite advise DCA that VH-BNS was registered for resale purposes only and Airflite will not be operating the aircraft |
| 29.1.53 | Change of ownership: Adastra Airways, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney NSW |
| Fitted for aerial photographic mapping | |
| 3.4.53 | Crashed after takeoff Moorabbin AerodromerMelbourne. Starboard engine failed immediateiy after the aircraft became airborne on take off. Pilot was unable to climb and made a forced landing wheels-up. The aircraft struck a ditch, crossed a road on the northern perimeter of the airfield and came to rest on its belly in a cleared paddock. Crew were not injured. |
| .41 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Newton Heath shadow factory to RAF order as W1954 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 7.4.41 | Taken on RAAF charge as W1954. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 14.7.41 | Received No.2 Air Navigation School, Mount Gambier ex 2AP |
| 14.10.41 | Received No.1 Aircraft Depot, Laverton ex 2ANS for 180 hourly check |
| 8.11.41 | Received 2ANS relocated to Nhill ex 2AD |
| 13.1.42 | Received No.8 Service Flying Training School, Bundaberg ex 2ANS |
| 23.5.44 | Mainplane found to be defective, airframe needs extensive reconditioing, request allotment to civil contractor |
| 10.7.44 | Issued to Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Archerfield ex 8SFTS for complete overhaul |
| 15.4.45 | Received 3AD Amberley ex APL Archerfield |
| 3.5.45 | Received 6SFTS Storage Mallala ex 3AD for under-cover storage |
| 8.4.47 | Issued to Air Ground Radio School, Ballarat ex CMU Mallala |
| 50-52 | Held at AGRS in hangar for ground instruction |
| 15.9.52 | Offered for dispsoal, stored in hangar AGRS Ballarat |
| 7.10.52 | Last RAAF record card entry |
| 15.12.53 | Registered VH-BSF Brain and Brown, Moorabbin Aerodrome, Melbourne Vic |
| 54 | Renamed Brain and Brown Airfreighters Pty Ltd, Moorabbin Aerodrome Vic |
| Operated air cargo charter flights, particularly between Melbourne, Tasmania and Bass Strait islands | |
| 60-62 | Regularly cross-hired to Flinders Island Airines, Moorabbin to join their Ansons on the FIA afternoon newspaper delivery contracts to Victorian county towns. |
| VH-BSF was in freight service right up to the DCA Anson type grounding order effective 30.6.62 | |
| 30.6.62 | Anson farewell formation over Melbourne, VH-BSF with FIA Ansons VH-FIA and VH-FIC |
| 30.6.62 | CofA suspended due DCA Policy. Retired at Moorabbin |
| 2.63 | Burnt for fire practice by Moorabbin Airport Fire Service |
| 3.3.63 | noted Moorabbin as a burnt out hulk |
The following month all Australian Ansons were grounded by DCA. Photo by Geoff Goodall
VH-BSF at Moorabbin in March 1963 after being donated to the airport fire service for a training exercise.
Photo by John Hopton
Photo by John Hopton
| .43 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory to RAF order as LT587 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 2.8.43 | Taken on RAAF charge as LT587. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 17.1.44 | Received Air Gunnery School, West Sale ex 2AP |
| 14.11.45 | Transferred to AGS Storage ex unit equipment |
| 19.8.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £305 to Mr. Macarthur-Onslow, Camden NSW |
| The
Macarthur-Onslow family were wealthy graziers in the Camden area.
During the 1920s-1930s younger men of the family became flying
enthusiasts and established an aviation country club and airfield on
their property at Camden. Commercial companies formed and based at
Camden inciuded: - Light Aircraft Pty Ltd - Air Travel and Survey Pty Ltd - Macquarie Grove Flying and Gliding School Pty Ltd The airfield and accomodations were taken over by RAAF in 1939, postwar becoming Camden Airport, still in use today. After wartime service Lt Colonel Edward Macarthur-Onslow DSO re-established civil flying at Camden by forming Macquarie Grove Flying School Pty Ltd, which as well as flying training, also purchased RAAF disposals Tiger Moths (4), Lockheed Hudsons (14) and Ansons (2) for civil resale. | |
| Edward
Macarthur-Onslow made an arrangement with Sydney car dealer Eric
E.McIllree to market his two Ansons LT587 & LT780 along with the
Anson sales of the McIllree-E.H.Lonerage partnership business Air Disposals Co. McIllree and his Anson ferry pilot Charles H. Eather collected the two Macarthur-Onslow Ansons at West Sale | |
| 3.9.46 | LT587 test flown West Sale by Charles Eather |
| 5.9.46 | LT587 flown West Sale-Mallacoota-Camden by Charles Eather, in formation with LT780 flown by McIllree |
| 20.5.47 | DCA registration allocation list shows LT587 allotted VH-AVX to E.H.Loneragan, Mudgee NSW. At that time DCA prohibited the VH-AV series due conflict with new standard aviation telephony codes, and changed all VH-AV_ registrations to the equivalent VH-BV_ registration. |
| 8.9.47 | Civil Registration application: Agriculturists Aviation Services Pty Ltd, Brisbane Qld |
| 11.9.47 | Ferried Camden to Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane painted as VH-BVX on DCA ferry permit |
| 9.47 | Inspection at Archerfield to fit the aircraft with equipment for agricultural seed spreading |
| Serious
defects found in the airframe. Temporary repairs carried out by ground
engineer W.R.Dalgleish to allow ferry flight back to Camden where
Macquarie Grove Flying School will rectify the defects. | |
| Sale to Agriculturists Aviation Services was cancelled | |
| 15.7.48 | Registered VH-BVX Macquarie Grove Flying School Pty Ltd, Camden NSW |
| 15.7.48 | CofA issued |
| 7.9.49 | Change of ownership: Charterflite Pty Ltd, Camden NSW c/- R.W.J.Charlier & H.J.Bollingmoore |
| 16.9.49 | Letter
to DCA from Charterflite advises that VH-BVX is to be broken up because
of poor glue adhesion in the mainplane and tailplane. The company
is acquiring Anson VH-BMS to replace VH-BVX. |
| 5.10.49 | Struck-off Register as "used for spares" |
| Retired Camden NSW, broken up for parts |
| .43 | Built by A.V.Roe & Co Ltd at Yeadon shadow factory to RAF order as LT780 |
| Shipped boxed to Australia under the Empire Air Training Scheme | |
| 16.8.43 | Taken on RAAF charge as LT780. Received No.2 Aircraft Park, Bankstown ex UK for assembly |
| 12.12.43 | Received Air Gunnery School, West Sale ex 2AP |
| 8.7.45 | Transferred to AGS Storage ex unit equipment |
| 19.8.46 | Sold through Commonwealth Disposals Commission for £305 to Mr. Macarthur-Onslow, Camden NSW |
| The
Macarthur-Onslow family were wealthy graziers in the Camden area.
During the 1920s-1930s younger men of the family became flying
enthusiasts and established an aviation country club and airfield on
their property at Camden. Commercial companies formed and based at
Camden inciuded: - Light Aircraft Pty Ltd - Air Travel and Survey Pty Ltd - Macquarie Grove Flying and Gliding School Pty Ltd The airfield and accomodations were taken over by RAAF in 1939, postwar becoming Camden Airport, still in use today. Following wartime military service Lt Colonel Edward Macarthur-Onslow DSO re-established civil flying at Camden by forming Macquarie Grove Flying School Pty Ltd, which in addition to training, purchased RAAF disposals Tiger Moths (4), Lockheed Hudsons (14) and Ansons (2) for civil resale. | |
| Edward Macarthur-Onslow made an arrangement with Sydney car dealer Eric
E.McIllree to market his two Ansons LT587 & LT780 along with the
Anson sales of the McIllree-E.H.Lonerage partnership business Air Disposals Co. McIllree and his Anson ferry pilot Charles H. Eather collected the two Macarthur-Onslow Ansons at West Sale. | |
| 5.9.46 | LT780 flown West Sale-Mallacoota-Camden by McIllree, in formation with LT780 flown by Eather |
| 22.9.47 | Civil Registration application: Agriculturists Aviation Services Pty Ltd, Brisbane Qld |
| 22.10.47 | CofA issued at Camden |
| 22.10.47 | Registered VH-BVY |
| Delivered to Archerfield where fitted with equipment for agricultural seed spreading. | |
| The
modifications were installed by Aeronautical Supply Co which
commissioned Brisbane aeronautical engineer Mr. George Deitchman to
design and construct the fittings. When AAS disputed the costs and
failed to pay ASCo, Deitchman refused to submit his engineering
drawings to DCA for approval. | |
| VH-BVY
was unable to be flown while modified with the unapproved agricultural
equipment. It was parked outside in the weather during the lengthy
financial dispute. | |
| 21.10.48 | Annual CofA expired. Not renewed |
| Retired at Archerfield Qld | |
| 2.50 | DCA file: VH-BVY is still outside at Archerfield now in poor condition. DCA letters to owner AAS are being returned. |
| 5.51 | DCA file: VH-BVY is derelict at Archerfield, will not fly again |
| 1.6.51 | Struck-off Register |
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