DH.83 FOX MOTH IN AUSTRALIA

Last updated 22 August 2022

DH.83 FOX MOTHS IN AUSTRALIA

A listing compiled by Geoff Goodall

VH-GAS c/n DHA6 was among the last airworthy Fox Moths in Australia, seen visiting an airshow at Mildura, Victoria in September 1962.

Photo: John Hopton Collection

The De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd designed the DH.83 Fox Moth as a rugged and economical 3 or 4 passenger aircraft suitable for short haul airline routes, charter or joyriding. It used standard DH.82 Tiger Moth wings, tail unit, undercarriage and engine mounts attached to a new design wood and ply fuselage. Its layout followed the concept of the successful DH.50 four passenger biplane, which had been powered by engines of 230 to 450 hp, but the Fox Moth brought remarkable economy of similar performance with a choice of 130hp DH Gipsy Major or 120hp Gipsy III engine.

The prototype DH.83 first flew at De Havilland's Stag Lane works on 29 January 1932, and a total of 98 Fox Moths were built at Stag Lane and later Hatfield until production ended in 1934. Many were exported and operated as landplanes, floatplanes or on skis. Prewar two were built in Australia and 7 copies produced in Japan. Following WWII an additional 54 were built in Canada as bush aircraft.

The cabin was separate from the pilot and standard configuration was for 3 passengers (2 ‘hammock-like’ seats together on the rear cabin wall and a third ‘dicky’-type seat, facing the rear. A baggage-rack was fitted above the rear seat & the cabin was fitted with sliding windows. Contact with the pilot was via a speaking-tube. British authorities allowed a fourth passenger in the cabin, but in Australia the CAB insisted that the cabin was too small to carry a fourth passenger squeezed on to the hammock seat, even on short joyriding flights. Prewar the CAB rigidly enforced this ruling despite strong protests from several owners, however post-war the reformed DCA had a more relaxed attitude and allowed Fox Moths in New Guinea to carry 4 native passengers of small stature providing seat belts were worn.

Eight new Fox Moths were shipped to Australia 1933-34, followed by 14 second-hand machines imported from Great Britain. The enclosed cabin could accommodate a stretcher and medical attendant which made them effective aerial ambulances and the type had extensive use prewar with Australian Aerial Medical Service (renamed Flying Doctor Service of Australia in 1942, and Royal Flying Doctor Service in 1955). AAMS operations were contracted to airlines: MMA in WA, ANA in western NSW and Qantas in outback Queensland.

During WWII four civil Fox Moths were impressed for use by RAAF as A41-1 to -4. Two were used for military ambulance duties by No.2 Air Ambulance Unit, based at Kingaroy and Archerfield, with detachments in Australia and New Guinea.

Australian built Fox Moths

Such was the Fox Moth's suitability for flying doctor work, three years after British production ceased and second-hand examples could not be found overseas, De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney satisfied two orders received in 1937 for ambulance DH.83s by constructing VH-UZS and VH-AAA at their Mascot hangar. The company’s woodwork craftsmen had gained considerable expertise by fabricating new components for the DH range at Mascot.

Five years earlier on 23 June 1932 Major Alan Murray Jones of De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney had written to the parent De Havilland company in England proposing Australian production of the DH.83. He mentioned that the General Aircraft Company at Mascot was completing the first of its "imitation of the type" (the Genairco Cabin series) but he estimated that it would be quite heavy and lacking in power with only a Hermes III engine. Later that month Murray Jones cabled Hatfield asking for prices to supply assembled DH.83 fuselage and metal fittings less parts common to the DH.60. However Australian production did not eventuate until 5 years later.

This listing is presented in order of appearance on the Australian Civil Aircraft Register:

c/n 4010 Miss Currie, Dromana VH-UQM

	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex. Gipsy III engine
	Ordered new by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney for Holymans Airways
15.6.32	British CofA issued De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW
	Shipped to Australia
15.8.32	CAB inspection report after assembly at Mascot
22.8.32	Registered VH-UQM De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney NSW
22.8.32	Australian CofA issued
20.9.32	Change of ownership: Holyman Bros Pty Ltd, Launceston Tasmania
24.9.32	Arrived at Western Junction airfield, Launceston on delivery flight from Sydney, pilot Captain Victor C. Holyman. Cabin fitted for 3 passengers and has sliding windows.
27.9.32	Commenced regular service between Launceston and Flinders Island in Bass Strait
1.10.32	Change of operating name: Tasmanian Aerial Services Pty Ltd, Launceston Tas Named Miss Currie, after a town on King Island in Bass Strait
23.10.32	Ground collision while taxying at Western Junction aerodrome, Launceston, pilot Victor C. Holyman. Struck the company's Desoutter VH-UEE parked outside their hangar. Both quickly repaired
7.5.33	Damage to undercarriage in a forced landing in a farm paddock at Woolnorth Tas due to weather. Pilot Victor Holyman and 3 passengers unhurt.
10.33	Change of operating name: Holyman's Airways Pty Ltd, Launceston Tas
28.1.34	Tipped on nose after the propeller was hand swung to start the engine, Latrobe Tas, Pilot W. F. Stewart
16.4.36	Tipped on nose landing on muddy ground, Cox Bight Tas. Pilot Alex Barlow unhurt
1.11.36	Change of operating name: Australian National Airways Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic Renamed Dromana
17.2.37	Tipped on nose landing on muddy ground, Queenstown Tas. Pilot C. H. Scott
5.37	Hired to Australian Aerial Medical Service, Broken Hill NSW. To be operated by ANA who supplied the piiot and maintenance. Pilot for the first year was Captain F. B. Annear, and AAMS doctor was Dr. J. G.Woods
5.37	Modified at Essendon to aerial ambulance, with fittings for a stretcher
18.5.37	Delivered Essendon-Broken Hill
18.6.37	Tipped on nose during engine start at Wilcannia NSW, pilot F. B. Annear
26.6.37	Struck trees on takeoff Pine Ridge NSW, 100 miles from Broken Hill. Pilot F. B. Annear and the AAMS doctor unhurt
12.8.37	Testflown at Pine Ridge after repair. An ANA engineer had carried out the rebuild in the grounds of the Pine Ridge hotel then the Fox Moth was towed to the airfield.
6.38	AAMS Broken Hill write to CAB expressing concern with VH-UQM. It has suffered numerous engine troubles, has very poor performance in hot weather and AAMS considers it is unsuitable for ambulance duties
8.38	Major overhaul by ANA at Parafield. ANA Dragon VH-URG was loaned to AAMS at Broken Hill as a replacement.
6.9.39	Destroyed in hangar fire Broken Hill NSW. The fire started with an explosion at 11pm and completely burnt out the hangar. Also destroyed were Aero Club DH.60 Moths VH-ULA & AAL and Tiger Moth VH-AAE. The police investigation established that the fire had been deliberately started, and because of the war situation, it was rumoured to be German sympathisers.

VH-UQM of Tasmanian Aerial Services flying off Barren Island. Neil Follett collection

VH-UQM with ANA rudder flag, at Broken Hill NSW. State Library of South Australia

c/n 4020 Jacqueline VH-UQP

	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
20.10.32	British CofA issued: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW
	Shipped to Australia
9.12.32	Registered VH-UQP W. R. Carpenter & Co Ltd, Salamaua, New Guinea
5.1.33	VH-UQP & UQQ arrived at Salamaua as freight on coastal steamer SS Macdui. They were WRC's first aircraft based in New Guinea Wings of Gold states: "The long threatened W. R. Carpenter aerial service finally became a reality in 1933. On 5th January the SS Macdhui berthed at Salamaua, carrying the two Fox Moths VH-UQP and VH-UQQ, together with the manufacturer's representative, Major Hereward de Havilland and his wife, and pilot Colin Ferguson. On hand to greet them was R.O.Mant, newly appointed WRC chief pilot, formerly instructor with the Aero Club of NSW, who had arrived the previous month to make preliminary arrangements for the new venture."
1.33	Testflown Salamaua after assembly, pilot Major Hereward de Havilland
10.1.33	First flown by W.R.Carpenter pilot R.O.Mant, who was checked out on type by Major de Havilland
11.1.33	Australian CofA issued
14.1.33	Christening ceremony at the new W. R. Carpenter hangar at Salamaua airstrip. VH-UQP was named Jacqueline and UQQ Jill after the young daughters of W. R. Carpenter's Salamaua manager Jack B. Sedgers. Joyrides were flown for guests, and a dance held that evening
1.33	UQP & UQQ commenced W.R.Carpenter's flying operations. At first they only flew supplies between the company's trade stores in New Guinea. Sparked bitter freight price war with Guinea Airways who supplied Carpenter's chief competitor Burns Philp's stores. W.R. Carpenter pilot Dick Mant recalled: "Carpenters and Burns Philp were both at Salamaua and were the main companies trading in the area. Carpenters had their trading store there with freezes and other facilities amd they also had a store at Wau. A lot of the time we were flying the DH.83s between Salamaua and Wau, replenishing the stocks at the Wau store. We would also take freight into some of the smaller strips likr Surprise Creek, Upper Watut and Sunshine. We carted in rations of rice, tinned meat, biscuits, tins of tobacco, papers and matches as eell as beer, flour and general supplies."
9.36	Change of operating name: Mandated Airlines Ltd, Wau, New Guinea
15.3.40	Crashed near Golden Ridges, New Guinea. Pilot Brian Carpenter was on an early morning flight from Wau to Sunshine airstrip when he struck the top of a mountain spur. Carpenter and his one native passenger both injured.
	Savaged and rebuilt
17.9.41	Damaged at Wau when the stationary Fox Moth was struck by taxying Mandated Airlines' DH.60G Gipsy Moth VH-UJM
30.10.41	Crashed Bitoi Valley, New Guinea. Aircraft wrecked, pilot Fred T. Bryce.
17.11.41	Struck-off Register

Two views at Wau with original W.R.Carpenter & Co Ltd emblem on the rudder. Photos: National Library of Australia

c/n 4021 Jill VH-UQQ

	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
26.10.32	British CofA issued: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW
	Shipped to Australia
5.1.33	VH-UQP & UQQ arrived at Salamaua by sea. Wings of Gold records: ""The long threatened W. R. Carpenter aerial service finally became a reality in 1933. On 5th January the SS Macdhui berthed at Salamaua, carrying the two Fox Moths VH-UQP and VH-UQQ, together with the manufacturer's representative, Major Hereward de Havilland and his wife, and pilot Colin Ferguson. On hand to greet them was R.O.Mant, newly appointed WRC chief pilot, formerly instructor with the Aero Club of NSW, who had arrived the previous month to make preliminary arrangements for the new venture."
9.12.32	Registered VH-UQQ W. R. Carpenter & Co Ltd, Salamaua, New Guinea
1.33	Test flight Salamua by Major Herward De Havilland
14.1.33	Christening ceremony at the new W. R. Carpenter hangar at Salamaua airstrip. VH-UQP was named Jacqueline and UQQ Jill after the young daughters of W. R. Carpenter's Salamaua manager Jack B. Sedgers. Joyrides were flown for guests, and a dance held that evening.
18.1.33	Australian CofA issued.
1.33	UQP & UQQ commenced W.R.Carpenter's flying operations. At first they only flew supplies between the company's trade stores in New Guinea. Sparked bitter freight price war with Guinea Airways who supplied Carpenter's chief competitor Burns Philp's stores.
16.12.34	Struck trees, crashed, Black Cat Creek, Bitoi Valley. Pilot E. D. "Joss" Crisp departed Salamaua for Wau with a load of general stores, beer and spirits. Caught in severe downdraft from an electrical storm in the Bitoi Valley towards Black Cat Gap, forced into tree tops. The forward fuselage and cabin broke away and fell 70 feet to the ground, the cargo spilling out of the shattered cabin. Crisp was not injured but was strapped into the remains of the cockpit wedged in the fork of a large tree. Crisp climbed down the tree with the aid of vines in torrential rain and began walking to Black Cat next day. He was found by a searching ground party the following day.
	Only the engine and a few parts were recovered by Carpenters
20.5.35	Struck-off Register

c/n 4017 VH-UQR

	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
11.8.32	Registered G-ABYR De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd, Stag Lane
24.9.32	Winner of Hillman Trophy Air Race, pilot Hugh Buckingham
22.11.32	British CofA issued: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW
11.32	Struck-off British Register as sold
	Shipped to Australia
15.3.33	Arrived at Lae, New Guinea on board ship SS Montoro
3.33	Assembled at Lae, first flight by Guinea Airways pilot John Jukes
21.3.33	Registered VH-UQR Guinea Airways Ltd, Salamaua, New Guinea
21.3.33	Australian CofA issued
10.4.33	Flown Lae-Bena Bena-Wahgi River by Guinea Airways pilot Ian Grabowsky, carrying a load of 600 pounds of food and supplies to a gold prospecting party deep inside Highlands warlike native territory. Grabowsky carried a .44 Winchester rifle and .45 Colt revolver in case of forced landing. The prospectors had cleared the narrow short Wahgi landing area just for his arrival and over a thousand natives gathered to watch.
27.4.33	Flown Lae-Bena Bena-Mount Hagen by Ian Grabowsky, carrying another load of supplies to the same gold prospecting party.
28.4.33	Flown Lae-Bena Bena-Mount Hagen with 300 pounds of supplies, Guinea Airways pilot Bob Gurney. He was unable to locate the small Mount Hagen strip, diverted to Wahgi low on fuel where he found the white police post under siege from hostile native warriors. Unloaded the supplies then flew to Bena Bena for the night. Next day Grabowsky flew VH-UQR back to Wahgi, seriously overloaded with fuel, supplies, Gurney and patrol officer Jim Taylor who placated the tribesmen.
30.4.33	Flown Lae-Mount Hagen by Gurney, then two return trips to Wahgi strip to collect the supplies he had left there
5.33	In May and June 1933 UQR flown by Bob Gurney made a series of survey flights for gold prospectors from Mount Hagen over unexplored territory
30.10.33	Crashed on takeoff Bulwa, New Guinea when engine failed. Pilot Orm Denny and two passengers were uninjured. Aircraft badly damaged with crumpled wings, forward fuselage and undercarriage destroyed.
11.33	Fuselage flown to Lae in Guinea Airways Junkers G31 VH-UOW
	Rebuilt by Guinea Airways at Lae
29.4.34	UQR made first landing at newly cleared Yodda Goldfields Ltd airstrip at Evei, pilot Orm Denny.
6.35	UQR flown by H. R. Clarke logged 30 hours 20 minutes flying time over 7 consecutive days shuttling between Port Moresby-Bulldog strip-Tauri supplying gold mining camps
14.9.37	Overturned on landing (location not recorded). Pilot and 2 passengers uninjured
20.10.41	CofA renewed after rebuild?
24.12.41	UQR flew Bolulo-Wau carrying the Territory Administrator
21.1.42	Destroyed on ground Salamaua by Japanese air attack
11.3.42	Struck-off Register as Destroyed by Enemy Action
	See Footnote – Norm Wilde’s Fox Moth at end of this listing

At Wau, Guinea Airways Ltd titles below the cockpit. Neil Follett collection

c/n 4019 VH-UQS

	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
24.11.32	British CofA issued: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW
	Shipped to Australia
11.3.33	Testflown Mascot after assembly
21.3.33	Registered VH-UQS De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney NSW
21.3.33	Australian CofA issued
23.4.33	Flown Sydney-Brisbane by Major Murray Jones, General Manager of De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, flying time 4 hrs 35 min with a refuelling stop at Coffs Harbour NSW. Carried two passengers on a demonstration tour. On arrival at Archerfield, parked at the Qantas hangar, who were DH agents. Planned to fly demonstration flights from Archerfield next day.
31.10.33	Change of ownership: Guinea Airways Ltd, Salamaua, New Guinea
	Purchased by Guinea Airways the day after their Fox Moth VH-UQR was wrecked in a takeoff crash in New Guinea 30.10.33. Purchase price £1,5575
1.11.33	Shipped from Sydney on board SS Montoro
9.11.33	Arrived at Port Moresby, New Guinea on SS Montoro
15.11.33	Entered Guinea Airways service
3.34	Overturned at Wau airstrip, New Guinea, pilot A. A. Koch. Aircraft extensively damaged.
14.10.35	Crashed at Sandy Creek, New Guinea. Badly damaged, assessed as 90% write-off.
5.11.35	Struck-off Register
	Rebuilt by Guinea Airways ground engineer Rube Murray who constructed a completely new fuselage and most fittings, completing its cabin using upholstery from wreck of Stinson Reliant VH-URC which crashed at Wau 27.8.37.
11.37	Restored to Register VH-UQS: Guinea Airways Ltd, Salamaua, New Guinea
12.3.38	Crashed, destroyed by fire, near Surprise Creek, New Guinea. Crashed near Slate Creek, pilot Edward W. Ditton was pulled from burning wreck by natives. He received burns and other injuries.
12.3.38	Struck-off Register

At Wau, New Guinea with Guinea Airways Ltd titles below the cockpit. Neil Follett collection

Damaged VH-UQS at Wau March 1934 being loaded on a Guinea Airways Junkers G31 trimotor for transport to Lae for repair.

Civil Aviation Historical Society/John Kingsford Smith Collection

The burnt remains of VH-UQS at Surprise Creek, New Guinea March 1938. Civil Aviation Historical Society

c/n 4051 VH-UQU

3.33	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
14.3.33	British CofA issued VH-UQU: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW
	Shipped to Australia
4.9.33	Registered VH-UQU Adastra Airways Ltd, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney
4.9.33	Australian CofA issued
5.2.34	VH-UQU operated Adastra Airways' inaugural passenger service Sydney-Bega NSW flown by company founder Frank W. Follett
20.8.34	Flew Bega-Sydney in record time of 90 minutes aided by a strong tailwind, pilot N. Adam
3.8.35	Blown on to nose on the ground at Nowra NSW by winds
15.1.36	Damaged when struck by taxying Genairco VH-UOG at Mascot
14.4.36	Badly damaged in collision during takeoff from Mascot on scheduled service to Bega with two passengers. Struck DH.60 VH-UOZ which was taking off at right angles. Fox Moth pilot Beverley Shepherd pulled up in an attempt to climb over the Moth but its undercarriage struck the Moth. Both aircraft were badly damaged but injuries were minor. Press reports call the Fox Moth the Bega Mail Plane
2.38	Statistics for the Sydney-Bega airline service for previous 12 months up to 28.2.38: 423 return flights by Adastra Airways: 100 by Fox Moth UQU, 323 by Waco VH-UOX
3.38	UQU replaced by Adastra Airways with DH.90 Dragonfly VH-AAD
25.3.38	Change of ownership: Guinea Airways Ltd, Lae, New Guinea
8.9.38	Damaged during landing at Salamaua on boggy ground, struck Guinea Airways Junkers W34 VH-UOX. Fox pilot was Eric J. Chater.
15.7.39	Swung into a ditch while taxying at Wau
30.8.41	Damaged landing Sonia airstrip, Wau, pilot Charles H.Gray
21.1.42	Destroyed by enemy action, New Guinea
11.3.42	Struck-off Register

Mascot. “Royal Mail Sydney Bega” on fuselage. Neil Follett collection

VH-UQU in Guinea Airways service on the sloping hillside airstrip at Wau. Civil Aviation Historical Society

Wau airfield, New Guinea 30 August 1941.

c/n 4084 VH-URI

12.33	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
14.12.33	First flight Stag Lane
15.12.33	British CofA issued VH-URI: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW
12.33	Shipped to Australia
13.2.34	Australian Registration application: Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Ltd
2.34	Assembled at Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane by Qantas Ltd. Airframe time: 1 hr 15 mins
15.2.34	Test flown Archerfield after assembly, pilot Qantas Works Manager W.A.Baird
22.2.34	Registered VH-URI Qantas Ltd, Brisbane Qld
22.2.34	Australian CofA issued. 3 passenger cabin
15.3.34	Flew Archerfield-Lismore on a charter, pilot Hudson Fysh
10.12.34	Change of owner's name: Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, Brisbane-Archerfield Qld
31.3.35	Testflown Cloncurry Qld after annual CofA renewal overhaul by QEA. Airframe time: 294 hrs
8.1.36	Crashed on takeoff Wandoola Station Qld, a scheduled stop on the Cloncurry to Normanton air service. Struck stumps on takeoff from a boggy surface. Pilot E.C.Sims and two passengers were uninjured.
5.5.37	Testflown Archerfield Qld after annual CofA renewal overhaul by QEA, pilot W.A.Baird. Airframe time: 1328 hrs
22.4.38	Testflown Cloncurry Qld after annual CofA renewal overhaul. Airframe time: 1717 hrs
27.1.39	Forced landing Cowmungin Island at the mouth of the Mitchell River, Queensland due weather and low fuel, pilot D.A.Tennent. At the end of the landing run a wheel struck a ditch and the aircraft overturned. Posted missing, large aerial search, pilot and passengers located after 7 days. Aircraft repaired on site and flown out.
26.4.39	Testflown Archerfield Qld after annual CofA renewal overhaul by QEA
25.4.40	Testflown Cloncurry Qld after annual CofA renewal overhaul. Airframe time: 2205 hrs
6.5.42	Forced landing near Normaton Qld due magneto failure, no airframe damage. Pilot H.G.Mills, operating Cloncurry-Normanton Mail Service
10.3.43	Forced landing 80 miles north of Cloncurry Qld due broken oil line
2.2.44	CofA renewed at Archerfield
3.10.45	CofA renewed at Archerfield
23.1.46	Undercarriage collapsed on takeoff Wandoola Station Qld. Operated in Queensland for Flying Doctor Service of Australia
18.10.46	CofA renewed at Archerfield
9.47	QEA write to DCA requesting approval to carry children under age 5 sitting on parent's knee in the cabin of VH-URI while operating on the Normanton mail service. DCA approved subject to not exceeding Maximum All Up Weight quoted on CofA.
6.11.47	CofA renewed at Archerfield
18.11.48	CofA renewed at Archerfield
29.6.50	CofA renewed at Archerfield
	Transferred to QEA New Guinea Internal Division
23.11.50	Overturned in high grass after engine failed on takeoff Boana, New Guinea. Pilot Nick Carter and one passenger minor injuries.
29.8.51	CofA renewed at Lae after repair
30.4.52	Change of ownership: Norman R. Wilde, Wau, New Guinea
9.12.52	Damaged in taxying accident at Wau, pilot F.M.Wilde (owner N.R.Wilde)
57	Reportedly operated on charter by Jack Gray
	(Jack Gray killed in crash of his Tiger Moth VH-AQS at Arona Gap 1.6.57)
26.6.58	Civil Register Change of ownership: Miss J. K. Gray, Goroka, New Guinea (Jack Gray's daughter)
	Retired in hangar at Goroka, became derelict
	Reportedly taken over by Territory Airlines. Dennis Buchanan of TAL states he purchased VH-URI on 1.1.58
.58	Donated to Goroka Pre-School playground by Dennis Buchanan of TAL
13.11.58	Struck-off Register

Qantas' VH-URI refuelling at Croydon, Queensland with wings folded. State Library of Queensland

c/n 4096 VH-USL

34	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
30.8.34	Civil Aviation Branch allocated registration VH-USL to De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney for a DH.83 to be imported
.34	Shipped to Australia
26.10.34	Press announcement by Arnhem Land Gold Development that they had ordered a new Fox Moth from De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney. The company is currently using a DH.60.
28.12.34	Registered VH-USL Arnhem Land Gold Development (NL), Sydney NSW
28.12.34	Australian CofA issued
1.35	Shipped to Darwin on board the coastal steamer Marella. The aircraft will carry supplies to the Arnhem Land Gold Development mine, flown by pilot Ronald Cropley. The company Moth which Cropley previously flew will now be flown by pilot L. Stanborough of Sydney.
26.1.35	Flown Darwin to Bathurst Island and return by Cropley to collect milk from the aboriginal mission on the island
3.35	Unserviceable at Darwin NT due to a leaking oil tank, which the De Havilland company in Sydney does not hold a replacement. Arnhem Land Gold Development pilot Ronald Cropley is using a smaller aircraft to carry Wet Season supplies to the company's mine.
30.4.35	Flew Darwin to Arnhem Land Gold Development gold line then on to Pine Creek, pilot Cropley with two policemen as passengers.
1.5.35	Cropley departed Darwin in VH-USL for Sydney for a 6 week holiday.
28.6.35	Change of ownership: Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, Brisbane Qld
1.7.35	Flown Sydney-Brisbane by Arthur Baird of Qantas. To be fitted out for ambulance work and expected to take up residence at Longreach Qld later that month.
6.8.35	Delivered Archerfield-Longreach by QEA pilot Alfred L.Ashley who will be in charge of the aircraft at Longreach. He is an experienced ground engineer and will also maintain the aircraft. It will be used for charter and for the flying doctor contract, replacing a DH.60 Moth previoused based at Longreach and ferried to Brisbane by Ashley on 2.8.35
12.37	Based Cloncurry Qld for flying doctor contract
31.12.37	Flew Winton-Longreach-Winton, pilot A. L. Ashley
1.1.38	Blown over and wrecked by dust storm, Winton Qld. Aircraft was tied down on the aerodrome when torn away by a violent wind and dust storm and blown a distance where it ended up upside down with most airframe woodwork smashed. The wreckage was stored in the town waiting instructions from Qantas head office.
1.1.38	Struck-off Register

VH-USL at Mascot soon after assembly by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd. Ed Coates Collection

c/n 4041 VH-UTY

	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
24.1.33	Registered G-ACCA The Honorable Brian E. Lewis t/a Brian Lewis & Co, Heston Lewis was a popular racing car driver
2.2.33	British CofA issued as Speed Model Fox Moth with hooded cockpit and wheel spats
7.33	Sold to Portsmouth, Southsea and Isle of Wight Aviation Ltd, Portsmouth Operated on Portsmouth-Ryde ferry holiday services.
8.8.33	Damaged in aborted takeoff, Portsmouth
	repaired
3.35	Purchased through brokers W. S. Shackleton Ltd, London by George W. Lewis, Kalgoorlie WA, operating as Goldfields Airways. Lewis' financial backer was American Joe Thorne, manager of the Lake View and Star gold mine at Kalgoorlie.
	Shipped to Australia as cargo on SS Chitral
16.3.35	Letter to CAB from George Lewis, Kalgoorlie WA: “A Fox Moth has been has been purchased on my behalf in England and is expected at Fremantle in about five weeks.”
21.5.35	Unloaded from SS Chitral at port of Fremantle, Perth
22.5.35	Moved by road from Fremantle to Maylands Aerodrome where assembled by West Australian Airways
23.5.35	Press photograph shows Fox Moth G-ACCA being assembled in MMA hangar at Maylands, "P & I O W A" painted under cabin windows.
25.5.35	Due for test flight after assembly. New owner George Lewis is travelling by Transcontinental railway from Kalgoorlie to collect the aircraft
28.5.35	Test flown Maylands after assembly, pilot Harry F. Cannonball Baker of West Australian Airways. Total airframe time when assembled: 1,012 hours
30.5.35	Flown at Mayands by new owner George Lewis. CAB Maylands approve his operation of the aircraft pending issue of certificates from CAB Head Office Melbourne.
30.5.35	Ferried Perth-Kalgoorlie by George Lewis: 2 hrs 30 mins with a strong tailwind.
4.6.35	Registered VH-UTY George W. Lewis t/a Goldfields Airways, Kalgoorlie WA Used for charter and medical flights on contract to Australian Aerial Medical Service
4.6.35	Australian CofA issued. Fitted with raised decking to cockpit and cockpit canopy.
	George Lewis described it in his autobiography Lewy of the Inland Skies: "The addition to the family was Fox Moth speed model DH83, seating a pilot behind the cabin, three seats inside, with alternate arrangement for stretcher and attendant. It had an honest cruise of around 90 miles an hour and landed slowly enough to be safe in the bush. There was a canopy over the pilot and a heater for the cabin from where the pilot got a slight temperature rise. The engine was substantially the same as the one in our Moth VH-UPD making for standardisation there. Within a couple of days (my pilot) Alec Whitham took UTY out to Madura, a sheep station on what was to become the East-West highway. He took Dr. Webster with him as it was a medical flight and everything went according to plan despite there being no landing ground at Madura."
15.7.35	Flew Kalgoorlie-Madura Station on the Nullabor Plain to collect a seriously ill patient. Pilot Alex Witham and Doctor A.B. Webster. Stretcher fitted in the cabin.
12.35	VH-UTY flown by George Lewis from Kalgoorle to Rawlinna railway siding on the Nullabor Plain to collect a seriously ill patient. The cabin was fitted with the strecher and the return flight was at night.
7.6.36	Test flown Maylands by George Lewis after annual CofA renewal by MMA. 1388 hrs
21.7.37	Test flown Kalgoorlie by George Lewis after annual CofA renewal overhaul. 1675 hrs
10.37	Probably the Fox Moth used by Airlines(WA) Ltd for at least a month on their Perth-Wiluna-Kalgoorilie scheduled services
13.2.38	Flew medical emergency flight Kalgoorlie-Wiluna-Perth, pilot Clive Formanm with a nurse
12.6.38	Test flown Kalgoorlie by George Lewis after annual CofA renewal overhaul. 1922 hrs
11.7.39	Test flown Maylands by George Lewis after annual CofA renewal overhaul. 2119 hrs
11.5.40	G.W.Lewis wrote to DCA: “Re UTY this machine has been out of use since the war started because the pilot whom I had to assist me joined the RAAF.”
10.7.40	CofA expired, parked at Kalgoorlie.
13.10.40	Telegram from G.W.Lewis to DCA requesting approval under wartime restrictions to sell VH-UTY to Guinea Airways, Adelaide SA
15.10.40	DCA telegram to Lewis approving the sale and authorizing Lewis to fly UTY solo with expired CofA from Kalgoorlie to Adelaide.
16.10.40	Tipped on nose while taxying over soft ground on airfield, Ceduna SA. Propeller bent.
18.10.40	Lewis fitted a spare propeller at Ceduna and continued to Adelaide, delivering the aircraft to Guinea Airways at Parafield that same day.
18.10.40	Change of ownership: Guinea Airways Ltd, Parafield Aerodrome, Adelaide SA
11.40	CofA renewed at Parafield by Guinea Airways
2.12.40	Log book Guinea Airways Captain N.S.Buckley: VH-UTY local flying at Parafield
17.12.41	Annual CofA renewal at Parafield by Guinea Airways
11.2.42	Flew Parafield-Cowell, pilot N.S.Buckley
15.1.43	Annual CofA renewal at Parafield by Guinea Airways
6.4.43	Nosed over while taxying at Parafield after landing from a scheduled flight. Propeller blade bent. Pilot Main
19.7.43	Test flight Parafield, pilot N.S.Buckley
25.8.43	Returned to Parafield due weather on scheduled air service, pilot Frank P. Gill
27.10.43	Forced landing Parafield due engine failure after takeoff on scheduled service to Port Pirie and Whyalla. No airframe damage. Pilot J.C.Armstrong
14.1.44	CofA due to expire. DCA approved a 4 week extension requested by Guinea Airways on the grounds that the company was currently carrying out CofA renewal inspection of Bush Church Aid Society’s Fox Moth VH-AAA to allow the Society’s pilot/engineer Mr.A.Chadwick at Ceduna to continue medical services.
27.2.44	CofA renewed at Parafield by Guinea Airways
26.2.45	CofA expired. Guinea airways advised DCA that they had retired UTY pending overhaul.
13.9.45	CofA renewed at Parafield by Guinea Airways
45/51	Used by Guinea Airways, Adelaide for charters, ambulance and aerial photography work, mainly flown by Captain Desmond Gillespie. It flew a regular newspaper delivery run to SA country towns
3.2.46	Forced landing at Waikerie SA, propeller damaged. Back in service by 13.3.46
23.10.46	Annual CofA renewal at Parafield by Guinea Airways
2.10.47	Annual CofA renewal at Parafield by Guinea Airways
1.10.48	CofA expired. DCA approved a two month extension until 10.12.48 at the request of Guinea Airways to allow VH-UTY to fly the air mail route Adelaide to Kangaroo Island in lieu of a DC-3 during a period of severe post-war fuel rationing.
4.2.49	Annual CofA renewal at Parafield by Guinea Airways
21.4.50	Annual CofA renewal at Parafield by Guinea Airways
1.6.51	Annual CofA renewal at Parafield by Guinea Airways
8.51	Guinea Airways report: the Fox Moth is used mostly as a chartered ambulance, but has also been used to drop poisoned baits to wild dogs in the north of SA
7.5.52	Guinea Airways Chief Pilot N. S. "Nobby" Buckley returned to Parafield in VH-UTY after a 5 day dingo bait dropping contract in the north of SA for the SA Lands Department. He dropped over 80,000 poison baits along the rabbit roof fence.
20.8.52	Change of ownership: Kingsford Smith Aviation Service Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport, Sydney Traded on Auster Autocar VH-ADS which Guinea used for aerial survey contracts
24.8.52	Hire purchase transfer by KSAS to Papuan Air Transport Ltd, Port Moresby. New Guinea (compiler’s note: KSAS sold new Austers and second-hand aircraft on extended repayment financing contracts. KSAS usually retained ownership until the final payment was made. Papuan Air Transport had just commenced charter operations from Port Moresby on 8.8.52 with Waco cabin biplane VH-UYD)
8.52	UTY reported in service with Patair in New Guinea by late August 1952. (compiler’s note: Patair founder Cliff Jackson recalls that VH-UTY was delivered to New Guinea only a few weeks after their first aircraft Waco YKS-6 VH-UYD also purchased from KSAS. The Waco remained in KSAS ownership from 27.9.51 until transferred to KSAS associate company Austerserve Pty Ltd, Bankstown 7.9.60. It had been operated by Patair from 8.52 until it departed Port Moresby 16.11.59 on ferry to Sydney.
7.11.52	Annual CofA renewal at Bankstown
2.9.53	Change of ownership: Papuan Air Transport Ltd, Port Moresby, New Guinea
17.11.53	Crashed in swamp Lake Myola, near Kokoda, New Guinea. Pilot Frank Goosens
	The accident is described in Balus - The Aeroplane in Papua New Guinea: "On 17 November Frank Goosens left Port Moresby in VH-UTY, bound for Kokoda. The biplane was loaded to capacity with mail, freezer meat, bread, Christmas parcels and general cargo. Frank Goosens remembers 'I had to circle and circle to climb over the Gap. I jumped over the ridge to get over Lake Myola, and had to tackle one more ridge. Instead of getting an updraft, I was in a downdraft, tried to turn back and in doing so, dodging around the hills, I fell into a spin, caught not get out and wrapped the Fox Moth around a tree. The plane was a wreck but apart from a bleeding forehead I was unscratched. Everything in front of the pilot's cabin was crushed. The engine was pushed right back and must have just missed my head." Goosens attempted to walk out on the Kokoda Trail but after being seen by a searching DC-3 returned to the wreck and slept in the cockpit for two nights while waiting the arrival of the ground search party.
12.53	Patair purchased Fox Moth VH-GAS to replace VH-UTY
20.2.54	Struck-off Register

Speed Model Fox Moth G-ACCA at Portsmouth 1934, blue and silver. Photo: Jack Meaden collection

Maylands WA May 1935, with owner George Lewis smiling in the cockpit. This print was attached to the CofA form

Maylands WA 1935, showing raised decking and cockpit canopy. Geoff Goodall collection

Now all silver, in the WA bush with Goldfields Airways, Kalgoorlie. Ben Dannecker collection

VH-UTY painted in camouflage.while in service with Guinea Airways at Parafield during WWII.

This and the following two photographs were taken by Allan Betteridge, via Civil Aviation Historical Society

Apron scene outside the Guinea Airways hangar at Parafield circa 1943, photo taken over the nose of a company Lockheed 10 Electra.
Fox Moth VH-UTY with a Guinea Airways DH.89 Rapide behind and Flying Doctor Service DH.84 Dragon VH-URE to the right

VH-UTY with wings folded, Parafield circa 1943

Parafield early postwar, still with sliding canopy. Civil Aviation Historical Society of SA

c/n 4058 John Flynn VH-USJ, ZK-USJ, VH-USJ

3.33	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
15.3.33	Registered G-ACEB Scottish Motor Traction Co Ltd, Glasgow-Renfrew Fleet No.25.
13.4.33	CofA issued
13.4.33	Delivered to Scottish Motor Traction Co
	Scottish Motor Traction Co purchased eight new Fox Moths during 1933 to operate air services through the Highlands and the Hebrides. Their Fox Moths and various other types often flew to unprepared landing sites throughout the Scottish Highlands. The Fox Moths were later sold when replaced by DH.84 Dragons.
19.4.33	G-ACEB was first aircraft to land in the Shetland Islands, when it arrived at Sumburgh bringing officials of The Commercial Bank of Scotland. Captain W.B.Caldwell.
5.34	Change of ownership: Southend Flying Services Ltd, Southend
.34	G-ACEB inaugurated the Thames Air Ferry between Southend and Rochester
	Operated by Southend Flying Club
24.5.34	Crashed on takeoff Wisbech
	Repaired
4.35	MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co Ltd, Perth ordered two second-hand Fox Moths through brokers W. S. Shackleton Ltd, London. Each to be modified to carry a stretcher, for use on the Australian Aerial Medical Service contracts to be based at Port Hedland and Wyndham.
27.4.35	Registered to W. S. Shackleton Ltd, Heston
	Purchased by MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co Ltd, Perth WA
	Shipped to Australia on the S.S.Waimana
7.35	Struck-off British Register as sold abroad
26.6.35	Arrived at Fremantle wharves. Taken by road to Maylands Aerodrome for assembly
28.6.35	Testflown Maylands after assembly by MMA, pilot Captain Horrie Miller
1.7.35	MMA company records 'Taken In' date. Listed in their 1935/6 Depreciation Schedule as having a value of £914 5s 9d.
5.7.35	First flight Maylands after assembly
9.7.35	Registered VH-USJ MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co Ltd, Maylands Aerodrome, Perth WA Operated for Australian Aerial Medical Service(WA Section), Port Hedland WA
9.7.35	Australian CofA issued
5.10.35	Named John Flynn in a ceremony at Maylands during an aero club pageant at the airfield. It is due to start the Port Hedland flying doctor service within a few days.
10.35	Based at Port Hedland WA, the first flying doctor base established in WA. Operated by MMA as a reserve aircraft for their Perth-North West airline service, and to service their contract to AAMS. The town doctor Dr. Allen Vickers was flown by the resident MMA pilot Max Campbell who was based at Port Hedland for the next 5 years
30.10.35	Operated its first medical flight from Port Hedland to Marble Bar and Warrawagine Station
26.2.39	Pilot log: local flight Maylands, MMA pilot William Anderson
.39	Held in reserve by MMA when replaced at Port Hedland by MMA DH.84 Dragon VH-UVN.
10.40	VH-USJ returned to Port Hedland when Dragon VH-UVN was issued with an Impressment Requisition for RAAF. Port Hedland resident MMA pilot Max Campbell enlisted in RAAF
17.7.41	MMA report: USJ is reserve aircraft for the Wyndham-Daly Waters section of their North West service, and also the flying doctor aircraft at Port Hedland. MMA intend to sell USJ to AAMS to operate in their own right, and MMA will use their Cessna C37 VH-UZU as reserve aircraft on the Wyndham-Daly Waters route.
6.41	The Government Medical Officer at Port Hedland, Dr. Harold G. Dicks, was not prepared to continue beyond the terms of his appointment, which ended 30.6.41, unless he was permitted to fly the aircraft himself. MMA would not allow their aircraft to be flown by other than a company pilot and AAMS did not desire this because up to date the doctor had always been a passenger. However no other doctor was available, so to comply with Dr. Dicks' request, AAMS commenced action to purchase the Port Hedland aircraft from MMA for Dicks to fly. A price of £750 was agreed upon. In the event it was a most satisfactory and efficient arrangement. Dr. Dicks went on to a long career with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (WA Section).
11.8.41	Change of ownership: Australian Aerial Medical Services (WA Section) Inc, Perth WA. Based Port Hedland
16.3.42	VH-USJ was commandeered by RAAF and flown to Darwin by MMA Captain E. T. Dablestein for urgent duties in northern Australia
31.3.42	Returned to Port Hedland after AAMS wrote to the Australian Prime Minister seeking help to secure it release from miltary use.
13.4.42	Crashed on takeoff Port Hedland-Seven Mile airfield when departing on a medical flight. The undercarriage struck obstructions that had been placed at the end of the runway in case of Japanese landings. Aircraft seriously damaged but pilot Dr. Harold Dicks and passenger unhurt.
42	Shipped to Perth for rebuild by MMA at Maylands
42	Replaced at Port Hedland during repair by BA Swallow VH-UUM
22.10.42	Returned to AAMS service, the Port Hedland base moved to Marble Bar WA as a precaution in case of Japanese coastal landings.
18.10.43	Damaged at Mount Magent WA when struck a structure on airfield, pilot Dr. H.G.Dicks. Temporary repairs carried out and ferried to Maylands for repair by MMA
2.7.45	Dr Harold Dicks flew USJ over and guided a US oil carrier ship with a sick sailor to a safe port at Cape Lambert WA, where Dr.Dicks operated on the sailor
1.3.46	Damaged on landing at Mulga Downs Station, Wittenoom when struck a strip marker due to poor brakes. Pilot J.H.Williams.
.46	Held in reserve by AAMS after they purchased DH.84 Dragon VH-AGJ from RAAF disposals to be based at Port Hedland.
23.6.47	Testflown Maylands after annual CofA renewal
.47	Change of owner's name: Flying Doctor Service of Australia (WA Section) Inc, Perth WA
17.2.48	Flew an aerial search from Port Hedland for missing Avro Anson VH-AGX. The Anson was sighted on the ground at the Pardoo Station airstrip.
7.49	Report: Fox USJ and Dragon AGJ are based at Port Hedland with FDS. The Dragon flies the majority of the medical work.
7.10.51	USJ arrived Port Hedland from Perth, flown by Dr. Dicks who then left for Perth 9.10.51 by scheduled MMA service. USJ will be based Port Hedland as reserve for the MMA Anson on contract to FDS, the Fox Moth will be flown by Bernie McCune as required.
23.10.51	Flown Port Hedland to Bamboo Springs Station (500 miles) and back to Hedland by pilot Bernie McCune after a pedal radio call advising of a critically injured man at Bamboo Springs. The MMA Anson on contract to FDS was away on a scheduled mail flight.
4.9.52	USJ was being flown from Port Hedland to Roy Hill Station by Father J.F.O'Sullivan, who became unsure of his position and landed at Warrie Station. On takeoff at Warrie a wing was damaged. Temporary repairs carried out then aircraft flown to Port Hedland. Wings removed and sent to Perth for full repair by MMA
53	Report: USJ based Port Hedland as a reserve aircraft for when MMA's Avro Anson is not available for FDS callouts. The Fox Moth is maintained by MMA's Port Hedland based ground engineer.
10.53	USJ flew a medical emergency flight Port Hedland-Wittenoom, pilot Father J. F. O'Sullivan
20.11.53	Minor damage when landed short of airstrip Wittenoom, pilot J.R.M.Wolfe
11.53	Report: USJ based Port Hedland is usually flown by "honorary FDS pilots" Father O'Sullivan and J.R.M.Wolfe. It has also been flown for 28 hours in past year by Father Edward Bryan
3.54	medical emergency flight, pilot Father J.F.O'Sullivan
55	Change of owner's name: Royal Flying Doctor Service (WA Section) Inc, Perth WA
10.55	medical emergency flight, pilot Father J.F.O'Sullivan
8.56	Ferried Port Hedland-Perth for overhaul and installation of stetcher
12.57	USJ based Meekatharra WA for next 7 months pending delivery of new RFDS Cessna 180 on order
9.3.58	Lower wing damaged when struck scrub on takeoff Wongawell Station on medical flight to Meekatharra, pilot Don Ende
2.59	USJ still based Meekatharra as reserve aircraft for the resident RFDS Cessna 180
4.59	DCA Inspection report: aircraft in excellent condition
6.12.59	Undercarriage and low wing damaged in taxying accident at Mount Magnet WA when struck a runway marker, pilot Dr. H.G.Dicks. Aircraft sent to Meekatharra by truck due threat of vandalism from the many aboriginal children at Mount Magnet. Stored in hangar at Meekatharra pending repair.
3.60	Ferried Meekatharra-Maylands
12.3.60	CofA expired. Stored at Maylands
11.60	Advertised for sale by RFDS
3.3.61	Letter to DCA from W.G.Knight, CFI of Wimmera Aero Club, Nhill Vic: the club intends to purchase VH-USJ and requests approval for ferry from Perth to Melbourne where the CofA will be renewed. Appears the purchase not finalised.
17.5.61	Change of ownership: Reginald C. Currell, Perth WA
5.5.62	Change of ownership: Robert S. Couper t/a Bob Couper and Co, Cunderdin WA Bob Couper Co was an established aerial agricultural company with a large fleet of Tiger Moths. VH-USJ was used as a utility aircraft ferrying supplies, fuel and pilots.
8.7.63	Change of ownership: William E. Dermody, Shackleton WA
16.3.64	Damaged on engine start, aircraft turned over on to its back, damaging upper wings and tailplane. Location not stated but probably on Dermody's farm at Shackleton WA
16.3.64	Struck-off Register at owner's request
.64	Repossessed by Bob Couper and Co, Cunderdin WA
	Moved by road to Cunderdin, stored in Bob Couper hangar
5.64	noted at Cunderdin in Bob Couper hangar, standing on wheels, damaged, wings folded
5.7.64	noted at Cunderdin in Bob Couper hangar, unmoved
14.9.67	noted at Cunderdin in Bob Couper hangar, unmoved. Still carries "Royal Flying Doctor Service (WA Section) Inc" titles and insignia, covered with dust.
8.6.68	noted at Cunderdin in Bob Couper hangar, unmoved
.68	USJ and a collection of DH.82 Tiger Moth spare parts in an exchange deal between Bob Couper personally and Jim Stokes, Cunderdin WA in lieu of monies owed. The Fox Moth was complete but damaged. At least 12 Tiger Moth fuselage frames and many wings, most in poor condition all moved to Stoke's farm near town.
2.1.69	VH-USJ noted in shed on Jim Stoke's farm, Cunderdin. Complete fuselage on wheels, wings removed. The Tiger Moth parts collection also stacked in the same shed. One complete Tiger Moth fuselage VH-AMP on its wheels, fitted with rudder from VH-WFQ
17.10.69	Unchanged on Jim Stoke's farm
.71	USJ and majority of the Tiger Moth parts collection sold to Les Kordys, Trayning WA
13.11.71	USJ and Tiger Moth parts collection noted stored in a shed at Les Kordy's motor garage in the main street of Trayning. Kordys owns airworthy Tiger VH-AMY.
11.2.75	Unchanged in shed at Trayning
2.75	noted stored dismantled in shed at Trayning with collection of Tiger Moth parts
26.5.76	USJ fuselage noted at Kellerberrin WA in hangar, under restoration to airworthy by engineer Wally Thompson.
15.6.78	Registration VH-USJ reserved for Fox Moth under rebuild
10.4.80	USJ fuselage noted at Kellerberrin WA, suspended from hangar roof, work abandoned
.89	VH-USJ and Tiger Moth parts collection sold by Les Kordys to Ray Windred, Luskintyre NSW. Windred established a Tiger Moth restoration production line at Luskintyre airfield.
	Fox Moth remained stored at Trayning WA
17.6.94	Purchased as restoration project by John Markham, Perth WA
.94	Moved from Trayning WA to York WA for restoration by Lynton Forster's Aerobuilt Vintage Aircraft Restoration Co at Brooklands Airfield, York
95	stored dismantled in Forster's hangar at Brooklands
20.4.96	Moved by road from York to Jandakot Airport, Perth, where stored in Royal Aero Club of WA hangar
6.11.96	Packed into container in Royal Aero Club of WA hangar at Jandakot
6.12.96	Shipped from Fremantle to NZ consigned to Colin Smith t/a Croydon Aircraft Co, Mandeville NZ
.96	Croydon Aircraft Co are experienced vintage aircraft rebuilders, engaged to restorethe Fox Moth to airworthy
98	Report: restoration of John Markham's VH-USJ is making good progress at Croydon Aircraft Company, fuselage and wings nearing completion. They had previously restored a Fox Moth to airworthy for Sir Tim Wallis and had other DH.83 projects under way
00	Complete fuselage shell and engine cowlings at Mandeville, painted dark blue
.02	Rebuild completed at Mandeville
11.11.02	Registered ZK-USJ Croydon Aircraft Co Ltd, Old Mandeville Aerodrome, Gore NZ
22.11.02	First flight Mandeville after rebuild. Completed with Speed Model features of rtaised upper fuselage deck and cockpit canopy, main wheel spats. Painted as "VH-USJ" and named John Flynn
11.02	Flown by John Markham from Mandeville to Wanaka in company with Croydon Aviation Heritage's DH.83 ZK-ADI to join Sir Tim Wallace's DH.83 ZK-AEK for photographs
16.12.02	Shipped from NZ to Australia on board SS New Plymouth, transferred at Port Melbourne to SS Claudia bound for Perth
29.12.02	Arrived Perth on SS Claudia
24.3.03	Struck-off NZ Register
28.3.03	Restored to Australian Register VH-USJ John R. P. Markham, Perth WA
18.4.03	First flight Perth after assembly
25.4.03	VH-USJ participated in an Anzac Day flypast over Perth
27.4.03	Participated in a fly-in landing at Langley Park, adjacent to Perth city, site of the first Perth airfield in 1921
-	Damaged during landing WA
10	Returned to Mandeville NZ for repair
23.10.10	Flying at Mandeville NZ after repairs
	Returned to Perth WA
19.3.11	noted at Jandakot Airport, Perth, airworthy
3.12	Advertised for sale: Total airframe time 5,352 hrs, flown 45 hours since full restoration
16.9.12	Change of ownership: Umberto (Bert) Filippi Perth WA. Operated by P. J. A. Smith, Perth WA
	Current

VH-USJ John Flynn at a northern WA airfield. Photo: Civil Aviation Historical Society of SA

Dr. Allan Vickers and MMA pilot Max Campbell with VH-USJ at Port Hedland in 1935. Geoff Goodall collection

Near Meekatharra WA 1959, still in RFDS service. Photo by Don Ende

VH-USJ stored damaged at Cunderdin WA, September 1967. Photo by Merv Prime

VH-USJ and a dozen agricultural Tiger Moths stored on a farm Cunderdin WA. Photo by Geoff Goodall

Mandeville NZ in October 2010 after repairs. Photo by Gavin Conroy

VH-USJ departs at a fly-in on the grass of Langley Park in Perth city, September 2015. Photo by Jim Woodrow

c/n 4039 Dunbar Hooper VH-UTF, VH-RAL, VH-UAL

	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
.33	Registered D-2408 Udet Schleppschrift GmbH, Udet, Germany
17.2.33	British CofA issued as D-2408
	photo in England, all silver, "D-2408"
	Probably not delivered to Germany
23.6.33	Registered G-ACID Leonard Ingrams, Heston
23.6.33	CofA renewed
1.2.35	Sold. New British owner not nominated, struck-off British Register
14.2.35	Civil Aviation Branch allocated registration VH-UTF to De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney for a DH.83 to be imported
4.35	MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co Ltd, Perth ordered two second-hand Fox Moths through brokers W. S. Shackleton Ltd, London. Each to be modified to carry a stretcher, for use on the Australian Aerial Medical Service contracts to be based at Port Hedland and Wyndham.
13.5.35	British CofA renewed: De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW
	Shipped to Australia on the S.S.Waimana, along with VH-USJ
24.6.35	Arrived at Fremantle Docks WA. Taken by road to Maylands Aerodrome for assembly. Reported to have an enlarged cabin door to assist loading of patients
29.6.35	Fully assembled at Maylands, named Dunbar Hooper in ceremony at Maylands by Thomas White, Minister for Trade. (Dunbar Hooper was a member of the Australian Inland Mission committee which founded the AAMS in 1927, and became President)
1.7.35	MMA company records 'Taken In' date. Listed in their 1935/6 Depreciation Schedule as having a value of £950.
9.7.35	Registered VH-UTF MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co Ltd, Maylands Aerodrome, Perth WA Operated for Australian Aerial Medical Service, Wyndham WA
9.7.35	Australian CofA issued.
7.35	Flown from Perth to Wyndham by MMA pilot James Woods with passenger newly hired pilot Willis L. B. Reeve (previously with Holymans Airways, Tasmania), who would be based at Wyndham with the Fox Moth. VH-UTF took up residence at Wyndham WA to operate the AAMS flying doctor contract and MMA's scheduled Wyndham-Ord River mail service. First Wyndham flying doctor was Dr. Ralph Coto.
11.7.35	The first MMA flight from Wyndham, operating the mail service to Ord River Station via properties and towns in the Kimberley District of WA. Returned to Wyndham 16.7.35, pilot Willis L. Reeve. From then on, this was a weekly return service. The Fox Moth overnighted at Ord River Station along with the MMA Dragon on the empire airmail service from Daly Waters to Perth. Mail for Wyndham would be transferred to the Fox Moth
16.8.35	Operated the first medical flight from Wyndham, pilot W.L. Reeve with Dr. Ralph Cato.
	Reeve quit after only 2 months & was replaced by Robbie R. Robinson, who flew it for the next 3 years. Melbourne pilot Howard K. Morris is also reported to have flown the aircraft at Wyndham
18.5.37	Wheel damaged in forced landing on Victoria River Downs Station NT, pilot Anthony V. Cundy and Dr. A. J. King unhurt
20.5.37	MMA Captain Jimmy Woods flew the relief Fox Moth from Perth to Victoria River Downs, with pilot R.Robinson as passenger. Woods then traveled overland on the property to reach VH-UTF's forced landing site. He replaced the damaged wheel with a wheel from the the relief Fox Moth, then flew Dunbar Hooper to the VRD homestead. Another wheel arrived at VRD 24.5.37 by MMA scheduled DH.84 Dragon Ashburton which allowed both Fox Moths to depart: UTF to Perth and relief Fox to Wyndham flown by R.Robinson
5.37	UTF ferried VRD to Maylands by Cpt. Woods, carrying pilot A.V.Cundy. It will undergo an overhaul at Maylands
2.9.37	UTF Dunbar Hooper departed Maylands for Wyndham after overhaul. Flown by Captain Horrie Miller Miller who will return in the replacement Fox Moth from Wyndham.
1.38	Renamed John Flynn.
23.7.38	UTF operated its last medical flight for MMA, Wyndham to Argyle Downs Station. Then replaced by MMA DH.84 Dragon VH-URF. The Fox Moth had flown a total of 53 medical flights.
	Ferried from Wyndham to Perth and advertised for sale by MMA
13.9.38	George Lewis traveled Kalgoorlie-Perth on the ANA East-West service DC-2 VH-USY Bungana to take delivery of another Fox Moth
14.9.38	Change of ownership: George W. Lewis t/a Goldfields Airways, Kalgoorlie WA Operated for Australian Aerial Medical Service, Kalgoorlie WA
20.9.38	Delivered Maylands to Kalgoorlie by George Lewis.
	George Lewis later wrote in his autobiography Lewie of the Inland Skies: "A log entry on 20 September 1938 records a flight from Perth to Kalgoorlie with another Fox Moth VH-UTF strapped to my tail. We bought this from Horrie Miller's outfit: not so much that we needed it on operations, but with aeroplanes there's quite a lot of down time when the various inspections, overhauls and whatnot must be done. The acquisition of UTF improved our serviceability outlook to have a plane ready whenever needed, and TF turned out to be a good workhorse."
18.9.41	George Lewis wrote to DCA advising that he wants to sell VH-UTF, which is at present used for flying doctor work at Kalgoorlie. He has a sale pending to New Guinea and plans to import a Ryan S-C from USA to replace the Fox Moth. Sale to New Guinea not finalised, UTF continued with Goldfields Airways
.42	AAMS renamed Flying Doctor Service of Australia Inc
9.2.46	Change of ownership: Roy M. Edwards, Darwin NT
5.46	Roy Edwards carries fresh fish from Daly River to Darwin most days of the week. They are netted from a 30 feet boat by his partners at a camp at Daly River and collected each morning from Edwards who departs Darwin at 6am, returning with the catch by 9am.
10.46	New air charter service at Darwin commenced by Harry Moss, using Fox Moth VH-UTF and Percival Gull VH-UTP. Moss continues the fresh fish run from Daly River early each day.
17.6.47	Change of ownership: Harry V. Moss, Darwin NT
12.7.47	Forced landing with no damage on the racecourse at Laura Qld near Cooktown after Harry Moss departed Normanton Qld for Coen Qld, enroute to Thursday Island, with 2 passengers
17.7.47	Moss departed Thursday Island for Darwin, refuelling at Karumba, Burketown.
10.2.50	Change of ownership: Maxwell Bond c/- Robby's Aircraft Repair Co Ltd, Adelaide SA Max Bond was Managing Director of Robby's Aircraft Repair Co Ltd, Parafield
29.3.50	Change of ownership: Robby's Aircraft Repair Co Ltd, Parafield Airport, Adelaide SA
50	Robbys Aircraft conducted cloud seeding from Parafield as experiments to produce rain, in conjunction with an Adelaide chemical company. Using a Tiger Moth and Fox Moth, the seeding had generated rain at Smithfield SA.
14.7.50	CofA expired after DCA approved an extension of validity period beyond expiry 15.6.50
4.51	DCA memo: work to renew CofA by Robbys is at an advanced stage.
3.7.51	VH-UTF noted at Parafield in Robbys Aircraft hangar, cream and red colour scheme
6.8.51	Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft
22.5.53	Testflown Parafield after overhaul. CofA renewed
22.5.53	Restored to Register as VH-RAL Robby's Aircraft Repair Co Ltd, Parafield SA. To be used for charter operations
19.3.56	Change of ownership: Australian Aircraft Sales, Sydney NSW
11.8.58	Change of owner's name: Australian Aircraft Sales Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW
9.12.58	Change of ownership: M. Kennedy, Sydney NSW. Registered in Private category
20.7.61	Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service
26.10.62	Restored to Register VH-RAL: Austerserve Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport, Sydney NSW
16.11.62	VH-RAL noted at Bankstown paerked outside. All silver finish, excellent condition
8.1.63	VH-RAL noted at Bankstown in a hangar, all silver
5.4.63	Re-registered VH-UAL Austerserve Pty Ltd, Bankstown Airport, Sydney NSW Change required due DCA administrative error in allowing Robbys Aircraft at Parafield to re-register Beaver VH-AAL to their VH-RA series as VH-RAL in November 1962.
30.5.63	Change of ownership: D. R. Walters, Toowoomba Qld
2.5.64	Damaged Fraser Island Qld. Details unknown. Not listed in DCA 1964 Accident summary
	Repaired
6.12.65	Struck a boundary fence during an aborted takeoff at Barney View Qld. No injuries.
20.4.66	Change of ownership: PJ Pastoral Co, Goomeri Qld
17.3.68	VH-UAL noted at Gympie Qld, flying. Now painted yellow with white trim
1.8.68	Struck water, sank, while flying near Carlisle Island, near Brampton island Qld. DCA accident report: "When flying at low level over the sea in the lee of an island pinnacle 1300 feet high, the aircraft encountered a substantial down draft and severe turbulence. The pilot was unable to arrest the descent before the aircraft struck the water." Pilot was unhurt
1.8.68	Struck-off Register
c68	Major Charles A. Miller, Canberra ACT who was a pilot with Australian Army Aviation based at Oakey Qld acquired components of VH-UAL salvaged from the ditching. Miller stored these parts at Clifton Qld along with the wreck of DH.83 VH-CCH: refer VH-CCH

VH-UTF Dunbar Hooper at Wyndham WA 1934. Neil Follett collection

Stretcher and attendent in the cabin. Neil Follett collection

Tennant Creek NT 1948. "Harry Moss, Darwin" on the cabin door. Photo by Mike Cosgrave

VH-UTF at Darwin "Harry Moss Darwin" on cabin door. Civil Aviation Historical Society

Reregistered VH-RAL, at Bankstown in November 1962. Photo by Brian Baker

Reregistered again to VH-UAL, at Archerfield Qld in 1966. Photo by Bob Livingstone

Repainted in a bright yellow and white scheme, seen at Gympie Qld in March 1968. Photo by Dave Thollar

Fox Moth VH-UAL seen behind Tiger Moth VH-SJC and DH.60 Moth VH-AFN during a gathering at Pilaba Qld during 1968.
Photo by Reg Barnewall, Manager of Island Airways at Pialba.

c/n 4015 John Flynn VH-UVL, A41-2, VH-UVL

.32	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex. Gipsy III engine
6.32	Registered G-ABXS Major Herbert G. Travers, Stag Lane
7.9.32	British CofA issued
1.33	Change of ownership: Philip A. Wills, Stag Lane
2.4.35	Change of ownership: The Honorable Brian Lewis t/a Brian Lewis & Co, Heston Lewis was a popular racing car driver
32	Operated by Ayreshire Aero Club
.35	Sold to MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co Ltd, Perth WA
3.7.35	Struck-off Register as sold abroad
8.35	Shipped to Australia on board SS Comorin
	Assembled at Maylands Aerodrome by MMA. Aircraft still painted as G-ABXS when unpacked
31.8.35	MMA company records 'Taken In' date. Listed in their 1935/6 Depreciation Schedule as having a value of £927/2/7
3.9.35	Civil Aviation Branch allocated registration VH-UVL to H. Miller for a DH.83
5.9.35	Testflown after assembly at Maylands, pilot Horrie Miller
6.9.35	Registered VH-UVL MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co Ltd, Maylands Aerodrome, Perth WA Operated for Australian Aerial Medical Service, Port Hedland WA
6.9.35	Australian CofA issued
	Immediately put into service in the North-West of WA, as standby aerial ambulance for the AAMS contract also to handle heavy traffic on MMA scheduled services to the north. It was painted with a 23cm-high Red Cross in each side of the fuselage.
36	Based Port Hedland WA on AAMS contract, resident pilot Max Campbell
25.10.37	Pilot log book 25-28.10.37: VH-UVL Perth-Wiluna-Cue-Perth, MMA pilot William Anderson
11.1.39	Badly damaged when hangar collapsed on it during a cyclone, Port Hedland WA. Wings were destroyed and damage to fuselage and undercarriage.
	Newspaper report on the cyclone quoted MMA Captain James Woods: "When we landed at Port Hedland on Saturday we found that our hangar was flat on the ground. A Fox Moth used by the flying doctor and valued at about £900, was underneath, almost a total wreck."
2.6.39	Wreck sold to Sidney D. Marshall t/a Marshall Airways. Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney NSW
.39	Wreck shipped to Sydney for rebuild by Marshall
2.40	Under rebuild at Mascot by Sid Marshall
3.4.40	Change of ownership: Sidney D. Marshall, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney NSW
c4.40	Rebuild completed, entered service on aerial ambulance contract to NSW country centres. VH-UVL painted with Red Cross on fuselage sides. Operated as Sydney Aerial Ambulance Service.
	Clear The Runway - A history of the air ambulance in NSW, by Edward W. Docker: "Meanwhile another pre-war ambulance service in NSW was conducted by Marshall Airways of Mascot. A modest publicity-shy airman.....Sid Marshall had spent most of the 1930s flying in New Guinea. Now 45 and approaching an age where a more settled existence began to appeal, Marshall flew his Westland Widgeon from Port Moresby to Sydney in September 1937 and set up a charter business. He was soon in touch with various Macquarie Street specialists, doctors with friends and contacts among the grazier community even as far afield as central Queensland. When rung with news of a serious case they were accustomed to have Marshall fly them to the country or else fetch the patient for them using a Fox Moth, which he had adapted to his own specifications. In reserve he kept a twin engined Short Scion for occasions when he needed to fit in relatives or medical attendants as well. In the four years 1937-1941 Marshall certainly had his adventures. Battling headwinds on the return journey to Sydney he was sometimes forced down short of the Blue Mountains, and he and the nurse would have to care for the patient as best they could. The Sydney Aerial Ambulance Service never lost a patient nor suffered a serious accident. Mental patients were occasionally a problem....at other times he would take whooping cough cases up to 10,000 feet, circling over Sydney until they were violently ill, the standard remedy in those days. In 1941 (sic) operations were temporarily suspended when the RAAF commandeered the Fox Moth for its own ambulance purposes."
12.3.41	Annual CofA renewal at Mascot
4.42	By now painted in camouflage as per DCA order for civil aircraft.
	Because of wartime fuel rationing, Marshall Airways concentrated on RAAF aircraft maintenance work in the Mascot hangar. Arthur Butler wrote in his book Flight when describing Butler Air Transport's wartime military aircraft overhaul contracts: "My partners and I decided that all work undertaken for war purposes by BAT should be without profit, our manhour rates were therefore lower than other contractors, with one exception, those of Sid Marshall. This remarkable man did a wonderful job during the war for a mere pittance compared with other contractors engaged on similar work. In addition to being a good engineer, Marshall was an excellent aviator who was always willing to help anyone when an emergency arose."
.42	Impressment Requisition issued by Australian Government.
7.10.42	Impressed by RAAF to be used for Rescue and Communications work in combat areas
12.10.42	Struck-off Civil Register.
21.10.42	Taken on RAAF charge as A41-2, received 4EFTS Mascot ex S.D.Marshall. Gipsy Major 1. Allotted No.1 Rescue & Communications Flight, Port Moresby
22.10.42	Due to depart Mascot for RAAF Garbutt, Townsville
3.11.42	Received 1R&CF, Garbutt ex 4EFTS.
3.12.42	Unit renamed No.1 Rescue & Communications Squadron (1RCS), Port Moresby Detachment
4.12.42	Received No.12 Recovery & Salvage Unit , Charters Towers ex 1RCS for overhaul
15.12.42	Received 1RCS Port Moresby ex 12RSU
27.10.43	Aircraft condition report: damage to all airframe and undercarriage
5.11.43	Received No.8 Communications Unit, Vivigani, Goodenough Island, New Guinea
17.11.43	Due to obsolete aircraft type and parts not obtainable, complete overhaul considered not economical. Request authority to convert to components.
23.11.43	Received 26 Repair & Salvage Unit, Goodenough Island ex 8CU
30.11.43	Approved for conversion to components

early 90s	DH.83 fuselage constructed in NZ for Ken Orrman, Shepparton Vic
10.93	fuselage sold to Ken Orrman, Shepparton Vic. Basis for an airworthy DH.83 restoration project Ken Orrman was De Havilland enthusiast who owned a number of vintage aircraft which he flew and housed in a climate-controlled hangar at Shepparton Airport
.98	VH-UVL reserved for Fox Moth by K.E.Orrman
27.7.00	Registered VH-UVL Ken E. Orrman, Shepparton Vic Identity quoted as "4015", built 1935: DH Gipsy Major engine This was a new-build restoration: unlikely that any part of the original VH-UVL was used.
	Flew at Shepparton, painted in Australian Aerial Medical Service scheme, name John Flynn
9.4.02	Change of ownership: Robert "Roy" Fox, Sydney NSW.
.02	Fabric problems during delivery flight from Shepparton to Bankstown.
	Stored at Bankstown after arrival
12-16	Restoration at Matt Weber’s maintenance facility at Luskintyre Airport NSW
10.10.16	First test flight Lyskintyre, pilot Paul Bennett
17	Flying again
	Current

VH-UVL being assembled by MMA at Maylands in September 1935. Geoff Goodall collection

VH-UVL in the same paintwork, at a northern WA airfield. James Woods collection/State Library of WA

Newspaper picture of VH-UVL under the wrecked hangar at Port Hedland WA in January 1939

Mascot 1941 as an ambulance aircraft after rebuild by Marshall Airways. Geoff Goodall collection

The new-build Fox Moth which adopted VH-UVL's identity visiring a fly-in at Echuca Vic in March 2017. Photo by Phil Vabre

Another splendid Phil Vabre photo, at a later Echuca fly-in March 2019

The Flying Doctor Service badge as painted on the "new" VH-UVL. Photo by Phil Vabre

c/n 4090 Roberta VH-UBB

4.6.34	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
4.7.34	First flight
10.7.34	Registered G-ACRK John Grierson, Rochester Named Robert Bruce
11.7.34	CofA issued as floatplane. Modified by De Havilland Aircraft Ltd with Short Bros floats.
20.7.34	Grierson departed Rochester for planned flight to Canada via Iceland and Greenland
7.34	Damaged at Reykjavik, Iceland
	Grierson returned to England by sea bringing damaged wing and float for repair
21.8.34	Departed Reykjavik on resumption of flight to Canada
30.8.34	Arrived at Ottawa, Ontario
6.9.34	Crashed in Ottawa River during test flight near Rockcliffe airfield
	Repaired
11.9.34	Arrived New York
5.35	Struck-off Register as sold abroad
	Shipped to Australia
9.35	Assembled at Salamaua, New Guinea
24.9.35	Test flown Salamaua after assembly, pilot E.D.Crisp
7.10.35	Registered VH-UBB W. R. Carpenter & Co Ltd, Salamaua, New Guinea Named Roberta
7.10.35	Australian CofA issued. Total airframe time 110 hours
35	By that time Australian sequential registration allocations had reached the VH-UU series, but CAB allocated a group of previously withheld markings, including those with double letters
30.9.36	Change of owner name: Mandated Airlines Ltd, Wau
6.10.36	Testflown Salamaua after CofA renewal overhaul, pilot R.O.Mant
16.10.36	Overturned in forced landing Marralinijin, New Guinea. Engine failed after takeoff, undercarriage torn away, pilot W.T. Grey unhurt
15.12.37	Testflown after CofA renewal overhaul at Salamaua, pilot E.D.Crisp
19.12.38	Testflown after CofA renewal overhaul at Salamaua, pilot E.D.Crisp
22.5.39	DCA Inspection Report at Wau, numerous faults listed to be rectified. MAL reprimanded over the aircraft's poor condition. Airframe total time 2081 hrs
18.10.40	Testflown after CofA renewal overhaul at Salamaua, pilot E.R.Nicholl. Total time 2243 hrs
7.7.41	Major damage in forced landing Bulolo River, near Bulolo airfield, New Guinea. Due engine failure, pilot A.J.Myers unhurt, but the passenger received minor injuries
21.1.42	Destroyed by Japanese air raid on Salamaua aerodrome, New Guinea
11.3.42	Struck-off Register

G-ACRK Robert Bruce in New Guinea, prior to being registered VH-UBB, although W.R.Carpenter’s star emblem has
already been painted on the rudder. Note the sliding canopy for the cockpit.

Two views of VH-UBB Roberta in later Mandated Airlines service, now all silver with W.R.Carpenter "C" star on the rudder

Photos courtesy Leon Hides

c/n 4063 VH-UDD

5.33	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
9.5.33	Registered G-ACGN Gravesend Aviation Ltd, Gravesend
18.5.33	CofA issued
18.5.33	Delivered to Gravesend Aviation
5.35	Took part in C. W.A. Scott's Air Display at venues around Britain
13.7.35	Change of ownership: Lancelot J. Rimmer t/a Scott's Air Display, Hooton Park, Cheshire
.35	Sold to MacRobertson-Miller Aviation Co Ltd, Perth WA
11.35	Struck-off Register as sold abroad
11.35	Shipped to Australia on SS Comorin
17.12.35	Arrived at Perth docks at Fremantle
	Moved by road from Fremantle to Maylands Aerodrome for assembly by MMA. This is their fourth Fox Moth and will be based in Adelaide.
	CAB allocated VH-UDD to the Fox Moth. Australian sequential registration allocations had reached the VH-UU series, but VH-UDD was allocated from a group of previously unallocated markings, including those previously withheld because of double letters
	The delivery to Adelaide was organised to take advantage of the ferry of a DH.60G Gipsy Moth VH-ULT which MMA had imported to Parafield in August 1929 and sold in SA. In late 1935 MMA's Parafield branch effected ULT's sale to a property owner at Carnarvon WA, and Parafield-based MMA pilot Cyril Kleinig ferried the Moth to Maylands 3-4.1.36 and returned to Parafield in the Fox Moth.
3.1.36	First flight Maylands after assembly
3.1.36	Australian Registration application: MacRoberston-Miller Aviation Co Ltd, Perth WA. To be based Adelaide.
5.1.36	Local flight Maylands, pilot familiarisation for Cyril Kleinig
7.1.36	Departed Maylands on delivery to Adelaide, flown by Cyril Kleinig with company owner Captain Horrie Miller as passenger. To be based Parafield for MMA's South Australian operations.
8.1.36	Arrived at Parafield, pilot Kleinig and passenger Captain H.C. Miller. 15 hours 20 minutes flying time from Perth
14.1.36	Registered VH-UDD MacRobertson-Miller Aviation Co Ltd, Adelaide SA
14.1.36	Australian CofA issued. For a period it was fitted with an amplifier for aerial advertising.
10.3.36	Flew a charter Parafield-Port Lincoln SA and return, pilot Cyril Kleinig with 3 passengers
29.3.36	Damaged during landing at Tanunda SA, undercarriage collapsed, pilot E.D.Anderson
24.4.36	Testflight Parafield by Cyril Kleinig after repair by MMA engineer D.W.Stallard
4.36	Loudspeaker fitted in undercarriage to broadcast advertising over public events
13.6.36	Captain H.C.Miller wrote to CAB complaining about their delay in approval and heavy-handed attitude towards modifications he wished to install in VH-UDD: an extra fuel tank and the advertising loudspeaker: 'There seems to be only one thing to do with this extra fuel tank to satisfy your Department, that is to take it out and throw it away and go back to the method of carting a few loose tins of petrol about in the aircraft." CAB finally approved the installation of the extra fuel tank in 9.36
10.7.36	Departed Parafield on a charter flight to Wyndham WA, pilot Cyril Kleinig
3.11.36	Flew Essendon-Parafield with pictures of the Melbourne Cup horse race, pilot Kleinig. Landed at Parafield at 9pm in the dark.
13.2.37	Pilot log: VH-UDD Parafield-Blyth SA, pilot William Anderson
20.2.37	Flew in an air race Parafield-Pekina SA, pilot J. Warwick, as part of SA Centenary celebrations. Company name "MacRobertson Miller Aviation Coy" painted in chocolate brown on the cowling.
20.2.37	On return flight from Pekina to Parafield, crashed near Black Rock SA. Pilot J. Warwick was flying at low altitude due to low cloud when caught in a downdraft and struck a hill. Undercarriage collapsed, propeller bent, engine mounts bent, lower mainplanes damaged. The pilot and 3 passengers were injured.
15.4.37	Test flown Parafield by Cyril Kleinig after repair. Aircraft total time: 936 hrs
8.8.37	Pilot log: Parafield-Parafield, 3 hours, pilot William Anderson
9.8.37	Pilot log: Parafield-Whyalla, pilot Anderson
14.8.37	Pilot log: Parafield-Pekina, pilot Anderson
15.8.37	Pilot log: Peterborough SA, pilot Anderson
16.8.37	Pilot log: Whyalla SA, pilot Anderson
22.8.37	Pilot log: Balaklava-Malla-Two Wells SA, pilot Anderson
11.9.37	Pilot log: Parafield local, pilot Anderson
13.9.37	Pilot log: Parafield-Cleve SA, pilot Anderson
25.12.37	MMA Fox Moth landed on beach at Policemans Point, Coorong SA to collect an injured woman and fly her to Parafield. The aircraft was fitted with a stretcher. Pilot J. Warwick.
14.4.38	Testflown Parafield by Cyril Kleinig after annual CofA renewal. Aircraft total time: 1341 hrs
14.4.39	Testflown Parafield by Cyril Kleinig after annual CofA renewal. Aircraft total time: 1539 hrs
13.1.40	Change of ownership: Madang Aerial Transport Co, Madang, New Guinea MAT was a syndicate comprising T.S.Johnson, W.R.Cahill and E.V.O'Brien, formed to transport goods and passengers to New Guinea highlands, and particularly serve the Catholic Mission at Alexishafen.
16.1.40	Departed Parafield for Essendon on delivery flight to New Guinea, pilot Stan Johnson
27.1.40	Undercarriage and lower wing damaged in forced landing when engine failed on takeoff at Essendon, pilot T.S.Johnson
11.3.40	Testflown Essendon after repaired by engineer J. Hart
3.40	Pilot Stan Johnson who had previously flown in New Guinea, returned as pilot for VH-UDD for a recently formed syndicate named Madang Aerial Transport, formed to carry supplies into a group of plantations.
11.4.40	Badly damaged on takeoff Koruga, New Guinea when veered off runway into trees, pilot Stan Johnson, no passengers.
25.5.40	Testflown at Alexishafen after repair by Stan Johnson, who was also a qualified engineer. Airframe total time 1688 hrs.
24.6.41	Testflown at Alexishafen by T.S.Johnson after annual CofA renewal overhaul by Johnson. Airframe total time 2009 hrs.
28.7.41	CAB inspection report when aircraft visited Salamaua: very good condition
2.42	The few remaining civil aircraft in New Guinea for which pilots were available flew extensive evacuation missions to bring civilians to Port Moresby ahead of the Japanese advance. See VH-UUS & -UTY in this listing
2.42	Impressed by Australian Army in New Guinea.
3.3.42	Father Glover of the Catholic Mission at Madang was authorized to take charge of Fox Moth VH-UDD. Glover had been flying Simmons Spartan VH-UKQ on loan from Norman Wilde for inland evacuations during the previous month. Father John C. Glover enlisted in New Guinea Volunteer Rifles (NGVR) effective 14.2.42 with rank of Captain. He enlisted in Australian Army on 23.2.43 at Wagga Wagga NSW.
11.3.42	Struck-off Register by DCA, assumed destroyed by enemy action
26.3.42	Glover departed Ramu on an attempted evacuation flight to Horn Island and Australian mainland with Carl Nagy, an engineer with Guinea Airways. They reached Mount Hagen, from where they planned to fly direct to Horn Island.
28.3.42	Glover and Nagy departed Mount Hagen. Nagy carried extra fuel in a lavatory pan and added it using a large syringe taken from the Seventh Day Adventist Mission medical store. They encountered heavy rain and poor weather in vicinity of Daru and because of insufficient fuel landed on a beach near the Dutch New Guinea border.
29.3.42	Glover persuaded natives to take them both to Thursday Island by canoe. On arrival in Australia Gover appealed to the authorities to evacuate the 78 civilians and solders stranded at Mount Hagen. Qantas commenced these evacuations on 13.5.42 using DH.86s VH-USC & USF operating from Horn Island.
	Fox Moth apparently recovered from the beach by Australian Army
19.1.43	Department of Air memo to DCA: "VH-UDD previously believed to be owned by the Catholic Mission at Alexishafen which was impressed by the Department of Army has been transferred to the Department of Air. This aircraft was received, together with other aircraft, in a badly damaged condition, at an Aircraft Depot and is not suitable for further service, and has been converted to components."

VH-UDD at Victor Harbour SA 1930s. Geoff Goodall collection

VH-UDD at Parafield 1936 with MMA. Ed Coates Collection

c/n 4044 Irene VH-UUS, A41-3, VH-UUS, VH-CCH

7.2.33	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
7.2.33	First flight Stag Lane
8.2.33	British CofA issued. Fitted with cockpit canopy.
13.2.33	Registered G-ACCS The Committee of the British Mount Everest Fight, Heston. Support aircraft for the Houston Mount Everest Expedition
16.2.33	Departed Heston bound for India, all silver, pilot The Marquis of Clydesdale
12.3.33	Badly damaged when torn from pickets by sandstorm at Allahabad
12.33	Rebuilt by De Havilland Aircraft Co Ltd as a speed model with "coupe head"
2.34	Advertised for sale by Air Transport and Sales Ltd, London
	Sold to Henlys Ltd
16.8.34	Registered to John A. Mairs, Portrush, Coleraine, County Antrim, Ireland
3.4.35	CofA renewed, owner J.A.Mairs
.36	Sold to Mandated Airlines Ltd, New Guinea
8.7.36	Civil Aviation Board allocated registration VH-UUS to a DH.83
8.36	Struck-off British Register as sold abroad
	Shipped to Australia
31.12.36	Australian Registration application: Mandated Airlines Ltd, Salamaua, New Guinea Application signed by MAL engineer M.A."Joe" Taylor
31.12.36	Inspection report after assembly at Salamaua by M.A.Taylor
18.1.37	Registered VH-UUS Mandated Airlines Ltd, Wau, New Guinea Named Irene, after a MAL pilot's wife
18.1.37	Australian CofA issued
3.9.37	Overturned during forced landing on Pancake Strip because of engine power loss due blocked fuel line. Flight from Ioma, pilot Norman D. Fader unhurt.
12.10.37	Testflown after rebuild at Salamaua, CofA renewed
23.10.38	Undercarriage collapsed and prop smashed when landed short of strip, Roamer NG. Pilot B. D. Bates
14.5.41	Overturned on landing in tall grass on Sonia strip, Watut after pilot stalled in severe gusty winds. Pilot B. A. Carpenter and the one passenger both injured.
19.1.42	CofA renewed Salamaua after rebuild
1.42	UUS was among the few civil aircraft to survive Japanese air attacks, used on civilian evacuation flights from Wau to Port Moresby ahead of expected Japanese advances. MAL pilots Fred Bryce and Arthur Collins made a number of emergency flights in VH-UUS, on one occasion Bryce carried 9 passengers in the cabin: two women on seats each nursing a child, 3 children sitting on the floor facing the tail and two more children were squeezed into gaps. Bryce flew 105 hours over 15 days.
	The following 1942 flights are from DCA and MAL records, compiled by Trevor Boughton from files held at National Archives of Australia. They form part of his research into Australian civil aircraft used in the New Guinea war zone 1942-43.
21.1.42	Flew Wau-Surprise Creek-Wau on charter to NG Administration
22.1.42	Wau-Lae-Wau, carrying Dr.McKenna on charter to NG Administration. Later in that day UUS flew another Wau-Lae-Wau, then Wau-Surprise Creek-Wau.
23.1.42	Wau-Lae-Salamaua-Wau
25.1.42	Wau-Lae-Wau
26.1.42	Wau-Salamaua-Wau-Nafdzab-Bulkwa
27.1.42	Wau-Nadzab-Wampit-Wau-Surprise Creek-Watut-Wau-Lae-Nadzab-Bulwa
29.1.42	Local flight Wau by Carpenter Airlines Captain R. J. Ritchie to inspect whether Carpenter's Lockheed 14 VH-ADS could be seen by Japanese aircraft. The Lockheed had been damaged by a truck and towed into a coffee plantation at the bottom of Wau airstrip where it was covered with camouflage. It was repaired and flown out several days later.
29.1.42	Wau-Salamaua-Wau. (MAL reference)
29.1.42	MAL pilot Fred Bryce flew VH-UUS from Wau to Bulolo, Nadzab, Lae being given route familiarisation by Carpenter Airlines Captain R. J. Ritchie, to prepare to evacuate civilians. At Nadzab they collected the sole survivor of a RAAF Catalina shot down at Lae, (Wings of Gold reference)
30.1.42	Wau-Salamaua-Wau and Wau-Ramu-Bulolo-Wau
31.1.42	Wau-Bulolo-Nadzab-Wau
1.2.42	Wau-Surprise Creek-Slate Creek-Upper Watut-Wau. Wau-Ioma-Port Moresby: evacuation flight carrying injured survivors of RAAF Hudson A16-106 which ditched in the sea on 24 January: copilot Sgt R.C. Richards and Sgt MacCallum, also DCA aircraft inspector Fred J. Howard being evacuated from Salamaua. (Full details in The RAAF Hudson Story Book Two, p172)
2.2.42	Wau-Bulolo-Salamaua-Wau
3.2.42	Wau-Port Moresby
4.2.42	Port Moresby-Wau-Port Moresby
5.2.42	Port Moresby-Wau-Port Moresby
6.2.42	Port Moresby-Wau-Port Moresby
7.2.42	Port Moresby-Wau-Port Moresby
8.2.42	Wau-Salamaua-Wau, Wau-Port Moresby returned due weather Wau-Bulolo-Nadzab-Wau-Port Moresby
9.2.42	Wau-Port Moresby
10.2.42	VH-UUS flown by Bryce and Avro Ten VH-UXX flown by Eric Stephens departed Port Moresby for Horn Island en route Australian mainland. Fox Moth flown by Fred Bryce.
12.2.42	VH-UUS Horn Island-Cairns Qld
14.2.42	W. R. Carpenter Fox Moth which had evacuated from New Guineas to Cairns was flown at Cairns in the search for Carpenter Airlines' Lockheed 14 VH-ADS which crashed after takeoff from Cairns at 4am on an evacuation shuttle to New Guinea. Fred Bryce flying the Fox Moth spotted the Lockheed in a mangrove swamp almost submerged by tide.
14.2.42	VH-UUS Cairns-Townsville
26.3.42	Letter to DCA from W.R. Carpenter Co Ltd (parent company of MAL) advising that the logbooks and CofA certificate for VH-UUS were among the aircraft records destroyed in the company hangar at Salamaua during the Japanese air attacks. Requests details from DCA records of last inspection reports to enable new log books to be created.
24.6.42	W. R. Carpenter Co Ltd cable DCA requesting Government approval under wartime civil aviation restrictions, to sell VH-UUS to Qantas. Total flying time 2,614 hrs
26.6.42	Change of ownership: Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, Sydney NSW
22.1.43	CofA expired. Aircraft dismantled in preparation for CofA renewal at Archerfield. Work was halted when QEA received advice that VH-UUS might be impressed by Government
8.5.43	Letter to DCA from Department of Air, RAAF Headquarters: "It is desired to obtain two Fox Moths for use in our Air Ambulance Unit in Australia. These aircraft are very suitable for ambulance duties in particular areas and it is desired to obtain them as quickly as possible. It is known that VH-UZD and VH-UUS at present owned by Qantas Empire Airways could be made available to the Department for this work. Would you please advise whether you have any objection to the impressment of these aircraft; if not, arrangements will be made for them to be inspected to ascertain their usefulness for air ambulance work. It is known that VH-UZD is already modified but it is understood that you have details of modifications required."
15.5.43	DCA replied "No objection is raised to the impressment of DH.83 aircraft VH-UZD and VH-UUS owned by Qantas Empire Airways Ltd. The Department does not hold details of the ambulance modification but we have been advised by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney that they hold drawings covering the ambulance installation."
6.43	DCA letter to Dept of Air: QEA suggest that as VH-UZD is still at Cloncurry and VH-UUS and VH-UZC are both ready at Archerfield, the latter two be impressed.
30.6.43	CofA renewed by QEA at Archerfield Qld
27.7.43	Letter to Qantas from Dept of Air: "Enclosed is formal Impressment Requisition No. 9049 covering VH-UUS. As it is desired to use this aircraft as an ambulance we would like you to carry out this work (conversion) before it is delivered to the Service."
2.8.43	Letter to DCA from Dept of Air advising that VH-UUS has been impressed and allotted RAAF identification number A41-3. "We consider that a fair value for the aircraft, which is not modified for ambulance work, would be £850."
8.8.43	Taken on RAAF charge as A41-3. Received 3AD Archerfield ex QEA
9.8.43	Allotted No.2 Air Ambulance Unit when completed modifications by 3AD to air ambulance
17.12.43	Received 2AAU Kingaroy ex 3AD
2.5.44	Received No.10 Recovery & Salvage Unit, Milne Bay, New Guinea ex 2AAU Detachment for report. Considered not fit for further service
4.5.44	Received 2AAU ex 10RSU
31.1.45	Received 2AD Detachment Evans Head for storage
7.12.45	Care & Maintenance Unit. Evans Head sends Survey of Damaged Aircraft Report to RAAF HQ requesting that airframe and engine be offered for disposal
19.12.45	Fox Moth A41-3 offered for disposal through Commonwealth Disposals Commission
20.2.46	Sold for £250 to Federal Methodist Inland Mission, Melbourne Vic
25.2.46	Issued to purchaser.
	(Note: Fox Moth A41-1 purchased and collected at the same time by FMIM and given CofA at Archerfield 3.46 as VH-ABU. Flown to Mt. Isa by FMIM Reverend C.W. Lanham 3.46)
	A41-1 stored by Methodist Inland Mission, probably at Archerfield
11.11.47	Sold to Clifford W. Lanham, Mount Isa Qld
13.11.47	Civil Registration application: C.W.Lanham, Mt Isa Qld: to be used on "semi-religious work, ambulance, air taxi"
24.12.47	Restored to Register VH-UUS Reverend C. W. Lanham, Mount Isa Qld
24.12.47	CofA renewed
1.48	Reverend Cliff Lanham based Fox Moths VH-UUS & VH-ABU at Mount Isa for Methodist Inland Mission. Known as "the flying padre" he flew extensively in western Queensland on pastoral work and emergency medical evacuations. VH-ABU moved to Camooweal that year flown by Rev. R. A. Lyons
3.48	DCA file memo: VH-UUS is currently operating in the Townsville Qld area
48/55	VH-UUS maintained airworthy, with annual CofA renewed each year
11.2.49	Annual CofA renewal at Cloncurry
20.4.50	Annual CofA renewal at Archerfield
21.4.51	Annual CofA renewal at Cloncurry
13.5.52	Annual CofA renewal
13.4.55	Change of ownership: Joh and A. Bjelke-Petersen, Kingaroy Qld
	Agricultural company formed by Joh and his sister Agnete Bjelke-Petersen in 9.54 with Tiger Moths sprayers. VH-UUS was used as a duster and seeder, fitted with hopper inside the cabin. A long hopper opening lever extended up to cockpit for manual operation by pilot
11.1.56	Crashed after takeoff near Taroom Qld on agricultural operations. DCA Report: "Soon after takeoff in hot, sultry conditions and high winds the aircraft lost height and struck the ground. The cause of the accident was pilot's lack of experience on the aircraft type under the prevailing conditions of load and weather." Pilot unhurt.
15.10.60	Change of ownership: Cropcair Aviation Pty Ltd, Brisbane Qld Shareholders of the newly formed Cropcair Aviation Pty Ltd were the Bjelke-Petersen family and pilot Frank Liddicoat who had been an original pilot from 1954.
12.60	Tipped on to its nose when encountered a localised whirlwind on landing at Wondai Qld
31.3.64	Reregistered VH-CCH
6.12.65	Crashed at Barney View Qld. DCA accident report: . "The pilot abandoned a downhll takeoff from a field when he considered there was insufficient distance remaining to become airborne, but he was unable to stop the aircraft before it collided with the boundary fence." Private flight. Pilot unhurt, no passengers. Pilot had total time 2100 hours on agricultural flying.
6.12.65	Struck-off Register
	Fuselage and recovered parts moved to Cropcair hangar at Archerfield Airport
11.66	Wreck noted in rafters of Cropcair hangar, Archerfield
c69	Wreck sold to Major Charles A. Miller, Canberra ACT Miller was an experienced pilot and aviation enthusiast with Australian Army Aviation based at Oakey Qld
c69	Miller stored VH-CCH's parts at Mr. Moore's house at Ipswich Qld
c69	Miller also acquired parts of DH.83 VH-UAL salvaged from ditching off Queensland coast 1.8.68.
73	DH.83 parts reported under restoration at Canberra Airport
.74	Strathallan Collection, Scotland negotiated with Miller to purchase his DH.83 restoration project but export approval was refused by the Australian Government under heritage provisions.
.75	Charlie Miller moved the parts of VH-CCH & UAL by road to John Bange's farm near Clifton Qld for storage (where Bange's Ryan VH-RAE, Porterfield VH-UVH and other aircraft were based).
1.7.76	Miller's collection of DH.83 parts were collected from Clifton and moved inside a furniture removals van to Canberra. Stored in a shed on "Carinya" Station, Geary's Gap near Canberra.
79	Miller's composite DH.83 restoration at "Carinya" well advanced. Fuselage standing on its undercarriage
13.2.79	Restored Fox Moth destroyed by bushfire which burnt out a shed on "Carinya" near Canberra. Reported as VH-UUS, however the complete fuselage of UUS escaped the fire and remained in storage, with other surviving parts
20.5.87	Registration VH-UUS reserved for Fox Moth by R. Lanham, Tugun Qld. Assumed a relative of previous owner C.W.Lanham for the restored aircraft
80s	Fuselage UUS and salvaged parts sold to Max Horsecraft, Perth WA Horsecraft was an experienced aircraft engineer who had worked on the restoration of a number of vintage aircraft in Perth
.91	Reported that a Fox Moth restoration project owned by Doug Muir, Perth WA would use a new-build fuselage constructed in New Zealand by Stan Smith & Myles Robertson
.96	Project stalled with the death of Max Horsecraft
01	VH-UUS fuselage and parts purchased by Greg Challinor t/a MothCair, Murwillumbah NSW
05	Restoration project under way at MothCair
6.12	Completed fuselage in MothCair hangar, white doped finish
13.9.14	Restored to Register VH-UUS: Greg Challinor, Murwillumbah NSW
21	Unconfirmed reports that VH-UUS was among vintage aircraft restoration projects which received water damage in the Mothcair hangar when the Murwillumbah airfield was submerged by flood waters.

Mount Isa Qld circa 1950. Geoff Goodall collection

Toowoomba Qld 1961 fitted out as a seeder with Cropcair, with hopper in the cabin. Photo by Darryl Connell

VH-UUS under restoration at Murwillumbah NSW in June 2015. Photo by Ian McDonell

Restoration progressing well at Murwillumbah in July 2020. Photo by Dave Eyre

c/n 4048 VH-UZC, A41-4

2.33	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
13.2.33	Registered G-ACCU John C. Sword t/a Midland and Scottish Air Ferries Ltd, Renfrew Aerodrome, Glasgow
3.3.33	British CofA issued.
9.34	Company ceased trading and aircraft sold to a dealer
4.4.35	CofA lapsed
.36	Sold to De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney
12.36	Struck-off Register as sold abroad
	Shipped to Australia
2.2.37	Purchase date QEA
2.37	Civil Aviation Board allocated registration VH-UZC & UZD to Qantas for DH.83s
23.3.37	Registered VH-UZC Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, Brisbane Qld
23.3.37	Australian CofA issued
11.1.38	Ferried Brisbane-Longreach by M. Mather to be based Longreach, replacing Fox Moth VH-USL destroyed at Winton 1.1.38 by a dust storm. It will be flown by QEA's Longreach resident pilot Alf Ashley.
10.10.42	photo at Longreach Qld in camouflage, VH-UZC on fuselage sides with RAAF fin flash
8.5.43	Letter to DCA from Department of Air, RAAF Headquarters: "It is desired to obtain two Fox Moths for use in our Air Ambulance Unit in Australia. These aircraft are very suitable for ambulance duties in particular areas and it is desired to obtain them as quickly as possible. It is known that VH-UZD and VH-UUS at present owned by Qantas Empire Airways could be made available to the Department for this work. Would you please advise whether you have any objection to the impressment of these aircraft; if not, arrangements will be made for them to be inspected to ascertain their usefulness for air ambulance work. It is known that VH-UZD is already modified but it is understood that you have details of modifications required."
15.5.43	DCA replied "No objection is raised to the impressment of DH.83 aircraft VH-UZD and VH-UUS owned by Qantas Empire Airways Ltd. The Department does not hold details of the ambulance modification but we have been advised by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney that they hold drawings covering the ambulance installation."
6.43	DCA letter to Dept of Air: QEA suggest that as VH-UZD is still at Cloncurry and VH-UUS and VH-UZC are both ready at Archerfield, the latter two be impressed.
7.43	DCA letter to Dept of Air: Qantas advise that VH-UZC is ready at Archerfield and would prefer that this aircraft be impressed rather than VH-UZD.
27.7.43	Letter to Qantas from Dept of Air: "Enclosed is formal Impressment Requisition No. 9049 covering VH-UZC. The aircraft should be delivered to No.3 Aircraft Depot, Archerfield."
2.8.43	Letter to DCA from Dept of Air advising that VH-UZC has been impressed and allotted RAAF identification number A41-4.
2.8.43	Letter to DCA from QEA Ltd: "We consider that a fair value for the aircraft, already modified for ambulance work, would be £1000."
8.8.43	Taken on RAAF charge as A41-4. Received 3AD Archerfield ex QEA.
9.8.43	Allotted No.2 Air Ambulance Unit when completed modifications by 3AD to air ambulance
13.9.43	Received 2AAU Kingaroy Qld ex 3AD. Unit moved to Archerfield, Brisbane 2.44 but had detachments at Townsville, Noemfoor, Corunna Downs WA
20.3.45	Crash during forced landing, Dulaca near Miles Qld. Enroute Charleville to Archerfield carrying a civilian doctor and patient. 2AAU pilot W/O Jones decided to make forced landing when flying in severe turbulence, he was concerned that the aircraft had a structural failure when he observed fabric billowing in upper starboard wing and flying wire vibrating excessively. Making a low landing approach for a small cleared area, the tailwheel caught a telephone wire, which stretched then broke, throwing the aircraft tail high into the ground and overturning. No injuries.
27.3.45	Wreck received No.3 Central Recovery Depot, Amberley ex 2AAU. 3CRD collected the aircraft from crash site. Airframe total time 2750 hours.
31.5.45	Approved for conversion to components

G-ACCU at Castle Bromwich aerodrome 1934, white and red. Photo: Jack Meaden collection

In Qantas service, in front of the post office at an outback Queensand town. John Wilson collection

VH-UZC overturned during Qantas service. Neil Follett collection

In camouflage with Qantas in 1943. Ed Coates Collection

In RAAF service as A41-4 with No.2 Air Ambulance Unit. Geoff Goodall collection

c/n 4040 VH-UZD

	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
24.1.33	Registered G-ACBZ John C. Sword t/a Midland and Scottish Air Ferries Ltd, Glasgow-Renfrew
2.2.33	British CofA issued
8.2.33	Delivered
9.34	Company ceased trading and aircraft sold
9.3.35	CofA expired
12.36	Struck-off Register as sold abroad
	Shipped to Australia
2.2.37	Purchased date by Qantas Empire Airways Pty Ltd
2.37	Civil Aviation Board allocated registrations VH-UZC & UZD to Qantas for DH.83s
1.4.37	Registered VH-UZD Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, Brisbane-Archerfield Aerodrome Qld
1.4.37	Australian CofA issued
30.6.42	Crashed Helen Springs Qld, struck trees on takeoff. Both wings and undercarriage badly damaged. Captain D.M.Elphinstone was unhurt
19.3.43	RAAF internal memo re re-equipment for No.2 Air Ambulance Unit: Qantas Empire Airways DH.90 Dragonfly is now unavailable. "It is understood, however, that they could make available without interfering with their Flying Doctor Services a Fox Moth which is already fitted up for air ambulance work. Provided that this aircraft is in good condition, it is suggested that it might be acquired."
8.5.43	Letter to DCA from Department of Air, RAAF Headquarters: "It is desired to obtain two Fox Moths for use in our Air Ambulance Unit in Australia. These aircraft are very suitable for ambulance duties in particular areas and it is desired to obtain them as quickly as possible. It is known that VH-UZD and VH-UUS at present owned by Qantas Empire Airways could be made available to the Department for this work. Would you please advise whether you have any objection to the impressment of these aircraft; if not, arrangements will be made for them to be inspected to ascertain their usefulness for air ambulance work. It is known that VH-UZD is already modified but it is understood that you have details of modifications required."
15.5.43	DCA replied "No objection is raised to the impressment of DH.83 aircraft VH-UZD and VH-UUS owned by Qantas Empire Airways Ltd. The Department does not hold details of the ambulance modification but we have been advised by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney that they hold drawings covering the ambulance installation."
6.43	DCA letter to Dept of Air: QEA suggest that as VH-UZD is still at Cloncurry and VH-UUS and VH-UZC are both ready at Archerfield, the latter two be impressed.
10.43	QEA pilot Len McNeil endorsed on DH.83 type on VH-UZD. Based at Charleville Qld on Flying Doctor Service contract
21.10.45	Damaged Cresswell Downs NT when struck a post while taxying. Damaged main spar. Captain E.R.Robinson
1.48	Based at Cloncurry Qld to operate a weekly mail run to Normaton and maintain the Flying Doctor Service contract
10.1.48	Crashed Burketown Qld, struck fence during a crosswind takeoff and wrecked the undercarriage. No injuries.
1.3.49	Transferred to New Guinea
3.10.49	Crashed on landing approach to Tapini. New Guinea. Pilot Len McNeil injured.
	Len McNeil describes the accident in Balus - The Aeroplane in Papua New Guinea: He had been flying Qantas DC-3s in New Guinea when asked to take a Fox Moth from Port Moresby to Tapini. "So away I go. This is going to be a bit dicey I thought. I hadn't been in a Fox for some time, so I made sure that all my load sheets and everything were all right. I had three police boys with their rifles and gear in the cabin, plus two bags of rice, she was right up on the maximum legal takeoff weight. At Tapini you had to fly over a saddle then downhill over a creek and swamp then straight up on to the strip. You aimed just across the saddle, pretty close to the ground and you had no horizon whatsoever. Apparently I struck the catabatic effect of the air. I'm coming in there and I thought Jeez, I'm going to be flat out making this. I had full bore on the thing and the nose was up...anyway just didn't cross that saddle. Bloody near made it. Wiped the undercarriage completely off, then the Fox slid downhill all the way into the creek. I put my face into the instrument panel, had blood all over me. My passengers had all hopped out and left me - they thought that was the way you normally rode."
	The aircraft stopped just short of the runway at Tapini. Len MacNeil recalled that it was salvaged and planned to be repaired. A replacement undercarriage assembly was flown in from Karachi. However VH-UZD was not rebuilt.
17.11.49	Struck-off Register

Qantas' VH-UZD in western Queensland prewar. National Library of Australia

Tapini 3 October 1949. Qantas did not rebuild it. Photo: Len McNeil Collection via Greg Weir

c/n 4064 VH-UZL

4.33	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
12.4.33	Registered G-ACED Scottish Motor Traction Co Ltd, Glasgow-Renfrew
30.4.33	Construction completed
1.5.33	First flight Stag Lane
6.5.33	CofA issued
6.6.33	CofA issed Car Services, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
12.7.34	minor damage at Wallasey Beach
1.6.35	Change of ownership: Northern and Scottish Airways Ltd, Glasgow-Renfrew
.37	Sold to Light Aeroplanes Pty Ltd, Brisbane Qld
3.37	Struck-off Register as sold abroad
	Shipped to Australia on board S.S.Time
5.5.37	Letter to CAB from Light Aeroplanes Pty Ltd, Brisbane Qld, signed by Managing Director Wyndham Pike, advising that their Fox Moth G-ACED has arrived at Brisbane wharf and is now being assembled by Qantas at Archerfield.
7.5.37	First flight after assembly at Archerfield, pilot Qantas works manager W.A. Baird. Airframe total time 599 hours
27.5.37	Registered VH-UZL W. W. Pike t/a Light Aeroplanes Pty Ltd, Brisbane-Archerfield Qld
27.5.37	Australian CofA issued
23.11.37	Letter to Wyndham Pike from William Shackleton of aircraft brokers W.S.Shackleton Ltd, London: in response to his enquiry regarding floats for his DH.83, they have in stock a pair of second hand Fox Moth floats built by Fairchild in Canada. They were fitted to the DH.83 used by the Graham Land Antarctic Expedition, which returned to England some months ago. Shackletons purchased the aircraft, floats skis and spares stock and sold the aircraft to Parer in New Guinea. "Without question it was the best Fox Moth we have ever sold as it was the last machine of its type to be built by De Havillands and had only done 100 hours flying in all." These floats have damage from striking ice on the first flight in Antarctica but continued flying for the rest of the expedition.
12.37	Pike forwarded the Shackleton letter to CAB asking if these floats would be approved for his Fox Moth. CAB made enquiries which established the Fairchild floats were standard for the many Fox Moths operating in Canada. In a remarkably helpful gesture, the Controller of Civil Aviation sent a cable to T. E. Johnson, CAB Senior Aircraft Inspector who was visiting England at the time, asking him to inspect the floats at Shackletons to assess the damage. Johnson replied by cable that the floats were in reasonable condition. CAB wrote to Wyndham Pike approving these floats. No indication of any further action.
22.4.38	Letter to CAB from The Liquidator of Light Aeroplanes Pty Ltd: UZL is not being used and is being advertised for sale
26.5.38	CofA lapsed.
11.38	Sale being negotiated with Guinea Airways
11.11.38	Testflown Archerfield after CofA renewal inspection, pilot J.A.Bashford. Total time 731 hrs
11.11.38	CofA renewed
21.11.38	Change of ownership: Guinea Airways Ltd, Lae, New Guinea
11.38	Ferried from Archerfield to New Guinea
9.12.38	Test flight at Lae by Guinea Airways pilot Les Ross
23.5.39	CAB Inspection Report at Wau, total airframe time 917 hrs
23.1.41	Annual CofA renewed at Lae, total airframe time 1,565 hrs
21.1.42	Destroyed by Japanese air attack on Lae Aerodrome
11.3.42	Struck-off Register as destroyed by enemy action
	See Footnote – Norm Wilde’s Fox Moth at end of this listing

Croydon, Queensland in 1937. Neil Follett collection

c/n 4059 VH-AAX

4.33	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
10.4.33	First fight Stag Lane
15.3.33	Registered G-ACEC Scottish Motor Traction Co Ltd, Glasgow-Renfrew
13.4.33	CofA issued
15.4.35	Change of ownership: West of Scotland Air Services, Rothesay, Isle of Bute Company owned by Glyn Roberts, based at Glasgow-Renfrew
4.37	Struck-off Register as sold abroad
.37	Ordered by Kevin Parer for New Guinea.
	Shipped to Australia
1.5.37	Letter to CAB from Kevin Parer at Wewak, New Guinea: he is expecting a Fox Moth to arrive from England in June and requests registration letters and approval to paint PARERS in large letters under the wings. CAB replied allocating VH-AAX and no objection to the signage under the wings
7.37	Assembled at Salamaua, New Guinea
20.7.37	First flown after ssembly, pilot Kevin Parer
23.7.37	CAB Inspection Report at Salamaua. Total airframe time 667 hrs
23.7.37	Registered VH-AAX Kevin Parer t/a Wewak Air Transport, Wewak, New Guinea
23.7.37	CofA issued
23.7.37	CAB memo: Mr. K. Parer has resigned from Mandated Airlines Ltd and intends establishing his own air service from Wewak to all aerodromes in the Sepik district.
	Wings of Gold records: "When Ray Parer returned to the Morobe Goldfield in 1937, his brother Kevin moved to Wewak and began his own aerial transport company. Originally this was called Wewak Air Transport, but by the outbreak of war the name had been changed to Parer's Air Transport Company. He started with a Fox Moth VH-AAX and by August 1937 he was flying into the hinterland of the Sepik District, supplying gold prospectors and outposts." Kevin Parer added Dragons and another Fox Moth VH-ABQ and by 1939 had captured most of the charter flying in the Sepik District.
By 8.38	Kevin Parer writing letters to CAB on letterhead Parer's Air Transport Co Ltd, Wewak
7.11.38	Overturned on landing at Tring airstrip, Sepik District. Pilot M. H. Blackman landed in high grass, which caused the aircraft to overturn. He and a native passenger were unhurt.
	Rebuilt at But
19.5.39	Testflown by Kevin Parer at But after rebuild, total time 2141 hrs
18.5.40	CofA expired, Retired pending overhaul
17.9.40	Testflown Wewak after CofA renewal overhaul, pilot M. H. Blackman
16.9.41	CofA expired, Retired pending overhaul
15.1.42	CofA renewed at Salamaua after CofA renewal overhaul
21.1.42	Destroyed by Japanese air raid on Salamaua, New Guinea
14.1.43	Struck-off Register

Salamaua, New Guinea 21 January 1942 after Japanese air raid. John Hopton Collection

c/n DHA.5 VH-UZS

11.36	Department of the Interior, Canberra announced it would purchase an ambulance aircraft for the use of Dr. Clyde Fenton, Government Medical Officer based Darwin NT. Fenton had personally provided a flying doctor service in the Northern Territory since 1934 using a succession of DH.60 Moths VH-UNI, -UOI, -UJN, -UQV most purchased by public donations. Fenton was an extremely popular character who fought bureaucracy and embarrassed the Federal Government over its lack of support for an aerial medical service in the Territory.
	Types evaluated were Tugan Gannet, DH.90 Dragonfly, Stinson Reliant. The DH.83 Fox Moth was in successful use by the flying doctor service in WA, but production had ended in England in 1934.
1.3.37	Major Alan Murray Jones of De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney wrote to Controller of Civil Aviation E. C. Johnson advising that the company was short of work and requesting that he recommend to the Minister of Interior a newly constructed DH.83. The proposal was accepted by the Minister of Interior two days later.
	Dr. Clyde Fenton specified luminous blind flying instruments, lighting for night flying, wheel brakes, extra 25 gallon fuel tank and be fitted to accept a stretcher through the cabin door.
4.6.37	Order for a DH.83 finally placed through the Department of Defence with De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd. The final agreed price with extras was £1,817/15/3 but DHA had still not received any payment from the Government by 1.3.38.
	Manufacture undertaken at Mascot Aerodrome to drawings and some metal fittings sent from the parent company at Hatfield, the rest of the airframe constructed at Mascot. The additional 25 gallon fuel tank could not be accommodated so a 17 gallon tank was designed and built at Mascot.
	De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd assigned construction number DHA.5, following c/ns previously allocated to DHA built DH.60 Moths.
9.37	Press photograph shows Fox Moth under construction at Mascot for Dr. Clyde Fenton
27.10.37	Testflown at Mascot, before detail finishing
30.10.37	First flown at Mascot by Dr. Fenton
8.11.37	Handed over to Dr. Fenton on behalf of the Department of Interior
11.11.37	Departed Mascot for Katherine NT, flown by Dr. Fenton. Based at Katherine.
17.11.37	Registered VH-UZS Department of Interior, Canberra ACT
12.39	Fenton flew UZS to Sydney for annual CofA renewal overhaul by DHA. A venturi system and Sperry blind flying panel. as well as AWA portable radio transceiver with a 12 volt battery.
2.40	Dr. Clive Fenton flew UZS Sydney-Essendon after annual overhaul. ANA Essendon had completed installation of blind flying instruments by 15.2.40. Fenton due to depart for Darwin 17.2.40.
21.2.40	Fenton arrived Darwin from Sydney in his Fox Moth after the overhaul. He carried new resident medical officer Dr. Catalino as passenger.
24.2.40	Crashed on takeoff Hodgson Downs Station, Roper Valley NT, pilot Dr. Clive Fenton, the patient and a nursing sister were unhurt. While being repaired Fenton use his own Moth Robin, which was a gift from the people of the Northern Territory.
6.40	Dr Clyde Fenton has relinquished his position as Darwin medical officer with the Dept of Health to enlist in RAAF. VH-UZS will now be flown by Darwin pilot Roy Edwards, carrying a doctor sent from Melbourne.
27.12.40	Roy Edwards flying the Department of Interior DH.83 VH-UZS located a crashed DH.60 near Oenpelli NT and brought pilot Neville Bell to the Darwin hospital.
10.10.41	Crashed destroyed by fire, on takeoff Katherine NT. Medical flight to Darwin with female patient and nursing sister. Aircraft suffered engine trouble after takeoff and pilot Roy Edwards attempted a forced landing among trees. Aircraft turned on to its back and crashed to the ground, burst into flames. Pilot and nursing sister were badly injured, but the female patient died.
11.41	Coroner's inquest in Darwin was told that the fuel tank was found intact after the crash and contained water in the fuel. The aircraft was refuelled prior to the flight by aboriginals under the supervision of pilot Roy Edwards.
10.10.41	Struck-off Register

Mascot November 1937, constructed by De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd. Keith Meggs collection

Dr. Clyde Fenton with VH-UZS. Katherine Historical Society

c/n 4089 VH-AAZ

6.34	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
28.5.34	Registered G-ACRU The Royal Geological Society, London Operated by The British Graham Land Expedition 1934-1937, Falkland Islands
4.7.34	First flight Stag Lane
11.7.34	British CofA issued, equipped for floats
34-37	Operated on floats in Graham Land, Antarctica in support of Rymill Expeditions, named Ariel
7.37	Arrived back in England at Heston
20.8.37	CofA renewed
.37	Sold to sales agents W. S. Shackleton Ltd, Heston
.37	Ordered by veteran Australian pilot Ray Parer to replace his Fairey Fox VH-UTR and Fairey IIIF VH-UTT, which had just been retired from New Guinea charter flying.
	Shipped to New Guinea
1.9.37	Civil Aviation Board allocated registration VH-AAZ to DH.83 imported by Ray Parer from Shackletons
20.11.37	Inspection report signed by M.A.Taylor of Mandated Airlines, after assembly at Salamaua. Airframe total time 102 hours.
20.11.37	Registered VH-AAZ Raymond J. P. Parer, Wewak, New Guinea Charter business established by partnership of Parer and gold mining friend Dick Glasson
20.11.37	Testflown at Salamaua after assembly by Ray Parer.
20.11.37	Australian CofA issued
37	Wings of Gold records: "VH-AAZ was flying on the goldfields routes in November 1937, by which time Ray Parer was back at his goldmining property on the Upper Watut, in partnership with his old friend, the prospector Dick Glasson. He used the Fox Moth mainly to bring in supplies for working the property, although from time to time he flew freight and passengers for the public, usually between Wau and Salamaua."
12.6.38	Crashed on landing Wau, New Guinea. Pilot Ray Parer had departed Lae at 7pm for Wau in fading light for Wau and expected to reach there in daylight, but it was quite dark and he undershot on landing approach and struck ground short of airstrip. Parer was unhurt but his one passenger received minor injuries.
17.8.38	Testflown at Wau by Ray Parer after repairs
10.38	Parer using letterhead Parers Air Transport Co, Wewak
11.12.38	While parked at Wau the Fox Moth was struck by taxying DH.50 VH-UAY owned by Stephens Aviation
19.12.38	Testflown Wau by Ray Parer after repairs. Airframe total time 644 hrs
39	Wings of Gold: "Early in 1939, the restless Ray Parer decided that he had had enough of goldmining, and still in partnership was Dick Glasson, re-entered the aerial transport business with serious intent. The first aeroplane used by the new Parer-Glasson syndicate was the Fox Moth, but something capable of lifting a really solid load was required before the syndicate could hope to compete with the three existing aerial transport companies." (Ray Parer purchased two Boeing 40H-4 biplanes in Melbourne and flew the first VH-ADX to New Guinea in May 1939)
3.39	DCA wrote to Wau police asking them to check if VH-AAZ was flying because it did not currently have a valid CofA. Matter not pursued.
25.5.39	DCA inspection report at Wau. Numerous defects listed, which were promptly repaired. The cabin is fitted with a reinforced false floor to carry tins of petrol
7.6.39	DCA memo:
6.11.39	Crashed Bitoi Valley, Black Cat Range, New Guinea. While flying from Salamaua to Wau, carrying 5 bags of rice and two drums of petrol, weather in the gap of the Bitoi Valley forced the aircraft into trees. The Fox Moth was wrecked and pilot William Forgan-Smith was injured. He was located by searching aircraft two days later. Pilot's accident report to DCA: "I tried to regain height after a downdraft by zig-zagging up the valley because there was not enough room to turn. I had full throttle, the trees were getting closer and closer and the nose higher and higher until the machine stalled. I throttled back and hoped for the best. I hit the trees and got out. I walked to the river but there was a big waterfall which I could not get up, so I walked down the river in the other direction." Forgan-Smith had been recently employed by Parer & Glasson, and had only arrived in New Guinea 4 days prior to the crash. He recovered to continue a long airline career.
6.11.39	Struck-off Register

New Guinea. National Archives of Australia

c/n 4047 VH-ABU, A41-1, VH-ABU, VH-GAV

2.33	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
13.2.33	Registered G-ACCT John C. Sword t/a Midland and Scottish Air Ferries Ltd, Glasgow-Renfrew
7.3.33	British CofA issued.
8.3.33	Delivered to Midland and Scottish Air Ferries. They operated 4 Fox Moths for scheduled services and charter work.
9.34	Company ceased trading and aircraft sold
24.7.35	Change of ownership: Glyn Roberts t/a West of Scotland Air Services Ltd, Glasgow-Renfrew
24.9.35	Crash in trees after takeoff Inveraray, Scotland
4.37	Change of company name: West of Scotland Airways Ltd, Glasgow-Renfrew
20.11.37	Struck-off Register as sold abroad
	Shipped to Australia
17.1.38	Unloaded from cargo ship Zealandic at the port of Fremantle, Perth WA. Packed in two crates, which were moved by road to Maylands Aerodrome the next day.
1.38	Assembled in Airlines (WA) Ltd hangar at Maylands. Press photo shows it under assembly, still painted as G-ACCT
18.1.38	Civil Aviation Board allocated registration VH-ABU to V. H. James for a DH.83
20.1.38	CAB Inspection Report at Maylands after assembly
20.1.38	Registered VH-ABU Vivian H. James t/a James Taxiplanes Ltd, Perth-Maylands WA
	R. O. Giles, Manager of Royal Aero Club of WA for many years wrote in his book Wings in the West describing their search for four replacement Moths in 1937: "Viv James seized the opportunity to sell his Gipsy Moth VH-UJX to the Club to finance the purchase of a four passenger 100 miles an hour DH83 Fox Moth. That remarkable Moth, in which the front cockpit was replaced with a 4 seat cabin, also had tankage for 6 hours with two passengers."
3.38	Viv James operated a road taxi service in Perth as well as his air charter and aerial photograhy business. He was also a standby pilot for Airlines (WA) Ltd's scheduled services. His main income from the Fox Moth came from joyriding at Maylands, when he initially carried 4 passengers. He was reprimanded by CAB who pointed out that the Australian CofA stipulated maximum of 3 passengers. James replied that he had purchased the aircraft because it was certificated in Britain for 4 passengers and challenged the restriction. In lengthy acrimonious correspondence James stated that apart from the occasional charter his main source of revenue was joyriding but his competitors in joyriding (MMA and Airlines (WA) Ltd) used mailplanes for which they received Government subsidies. The dispute culminated in a verbal altercation with the CAB Maylands OIC in January 1939.
2.40	Viv James advertised James Taxiplanes Ltd business for sale as a going concern, including the Fox Moth, spare engine and parts and a hangar at Maylands. The advertisement stated that the main business of the company was joyflights and flights to Rottnest Island, a holiday island just off the coast from Perth. No sale eventuated.
12.40	Annual CofA renewal at Maylands carried out by Airlines(WA)Ltd
12.4.41	RAAF HQ, Department of Air received a memo from Officer Commanding Western Area (Air Commodore H. F. Delarue) complaining at delay in issuing him with a light aircraft for communications duties. "This lack of communication aircraft has necessitated the use of Service Squadrons aircraft on a number of occasions, and it cannot be stressed too fully that this method is most undesirable."
16.4.41	OC Western Area cabled RAAF HQ: Communication Aircraft Western Area: James Taxi Planes Ltd Maylands have Fox Moth VH-ABU and spare Gipsy Major engine available for sale. Aircraft seating capacity pilot and three passengers. Range six hours equivalent five hundred miles approximately. Airframe and engine approximately 1000 hours since new engine about 400 hours since last overhaul airframe overhauled recently. Spare engine practically new and ready for 1000 hours. Price asked complete aircraft and spare engine £1100. Suggest this aircraft suitable for communication purposes and that action be taken to impress with spare engine."
7.41	Impressment Requisition No.9015 issued by Australian Government for use by RAAF. Requisition states that the aircraft will be used by RAAF Western Area for communications
7.41	Dept of Air internal memos enquiring on progress with this aircraft: "I understand from D. Supp. (Mr. Fogarty) that the Fox Moth offered by James Taxi Planes Ltd. has been impressed and is being overhauled prior to handing over to Western Area." A memo date 30.7.41 stated: "It is understood that the 180 hourly inspection being carried out on the Fox Moth at Pearce will be completed within 14 days."
20.7.41	Taken on RAAF charge as A41-1. Received RAAF Pearce HQ ex James Taxiplanes. Fitted Gipsy Major 1
24.11.41	Struck refuelling unit when pilot was moving into position
4.12.41	Forced landing near Gin Gin WA due engine trouble, no damage to airframe. Flying Officer R. M. Gilles, 25 Sqn Pearce.
.1.42	Pilot log: Pearce-Maylands-Geraldton-Pearce, 6 hrs 15 mins, pilot Flg Off R. R.Winter of Survey Flight (based Pearce with Gannet A14-7)
23.2.42	Issued to 35 Sqn, Maylands
11.4.42	Forced landing Waroona WA due engine failure, no damage to airframe. 35 Squadron. No injuries to pilot Sgt F. H. Dyke and two civilian passengers from Department of Interior.
18.5.42	Forced landing due engine failure, no damage to airframe
18.12.42	Fuselage, prop and starboard lower wing damaged in a forced landing due engine failure at Woodman Point WA during naval cooperation exercise. Flying Officer R. O. Giles, 35 Sqn.
29.12.42	Issued to MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co, Maylands for repair
6.4.43	Received 35 Sqn, Maylands ex ANA Maylands after repair
16.1.44	Issued to Qantas Empire Airways, Archerfield for overhaul
20.9.44	Received 3AD Archerfield ex QEA Archerfield
4.10.44	Received 2AAU, Archerfield
16.11.44	Issued to QEA Archerfield to complete conversion to aerial ambulance. Requires stretcher loading hatch and mods to allow stretcher to be loaded, Aircraft is painted in wrong camouflage.
24.3.45	Received 3AD Archerfield ex QEA Archerfield
2.4.45	Received 2AAU Archerfield ex 3AD
6.11.45	Received Care & Maintenance Unit Evans Head ex 2AAU for storage
7.12.45	CMU Evans Head sends Survey of Damaged Aircraft Report to RAAF HQ requesting that airframe and engine be offered for disposal
19.12.45	Fox Moth A41-1 offered for disposal through Commonwealth Disposals Commission
20.2.46	Sold for £250 to Federal Methodist Inland Mission, Melbourne Vic
25.2.46	Issued to purchaser.
	(Note: Fox Moth A41-3 purchased by FMIM and collected at the same time)
3.46	Civil certification inspection at Archerfield Qld
12.3.46	Restored to Register VH-ABU Methodist Inland Mission, c/- Rev. Cliff W. Lanham, Mount Isa Qld
27.3.46	Arrived Rockhampton Qld with Reverend C.W.Lanham and his wife and two children for a stay while en route to Mount Isa.
17.6.46	Reverend C.W. Lanham landed his Fox Moth at Mount Isa, behind the RAAF Avro York carrying the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester on an official visit.
8.2.47	Reverend C.W.Lanham arrived at Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane in his Fox Moth, carrying his wife and two boys for a holiday in Brisbane. The Flying Padre was a former RAAF pilot and has 2,500 hours experience. He has been a mission padre since 1935.
48	Ownership amended to: Methodist Inland Mission, c/- Rev. R. A. Lyons, Camooweal Qld
3.5.48	Flown from Camooweal to Archerfield by Rev. R. A. Lyons for annual overhaul. He was a transport pilot with RAAF 38 Squadron during WWII. His outback Queensland parish covers twice the area of the State of Victoria. The Fox Moth can carry a stretcher or 3 passengers.
10.48	MIM traded in the Fox Moth for a DH.80 Puss Moth VH-UPA which had been advertised for sale by Australian Air Traders, Sydney, the parent company of Guinea Air Traders.
20.10.48	Change of ownership: Guinea Air Traders Ltd, Lae, New Guinea
20.10.48	Re-registered VH-GAV
25.4.49	Crashed Bulolo. Forced landing due engine failure, struck a rock outcrop near Bulolo known to pilots as The Pimple. Pilot was GAT senior Captain R.C.T. (Dick) Burt, who usually flew the GAT Lockheed Hudson VH-BLA Silver Bullet.
20.7.49	Struck-off Register

Maylands Aerodrome, Perth 1938. Geoff Goodall collection

c/n DHA.6 VH-AAA, VH-CAS, VH-GAS

37	Ordered from De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Sydney as a newly constructed aircraft by the Bush Church Aid Society. Built to the same arrangements as VH-UZS (see above)
	Manufacture undertaken by DHA at Mascot Aerodrome to drawings and some metal fittings sent from the parent company at Hatfield, the rest of the airframe constructed at Mascot.
	De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd assigned construction number DHA6. CAB Application for Registration form quotes manufacturer as "De Havilland Aircraft Pty Ltd, Mascot jointly with De Havilland Aircraft Co, Hatfield".
	CAB allocated registration VH-AAA, the first of the new VH-A series, which followed the full allocation of the VH-U series.
19.1.38	Dedication ceremony for the Fox Moth at St Andrews Cathedral, Sydney by the Archbishop of Sydney. Will be based at Ceduna on medical services by the Church of England's Bush Church Aid Society
6.2.38	Testflown Mascot by Major Alan Murray-Jones
23.2.38	CofA issued at Mascot
23.2.38	Registered VH-AAA Bush Church Aid Society of Australia and Tasmania, Sydney NSW Based Ceduna SA for medical clinic runs and emergency evacuations
.38	Delivered Sydney-Ceduna SA by Alan E. Chadwick who had joined BCAS earlier as pilot and aircraft engineer.
18.4.38	Commenced operations at Ceduna SA
	Operated on medical work from Ceduna throughout WWII, from 1942 painted in RAAF style camouflage with a blue & white fin flash and red cross in a white circle.
1.44	Annual CofA renewal at Parafield by Guinea Airways, for BCAS pilot/engineer A.Chadwick
3.46	Ferried Ceduna to Sydney by DHA Mosquito test pilot R. Gray who had ferried DH.84 VH-AGI to Bush Church Aid Society, who then returned to Sydney flying the BCAS Fox Moth for a major overhaul by DHA: 23.3.46 Ceduna-Cleve-Parafield 24.3.46 Parafield-Nhill-Point Cook 28.3.46 Point Cook-Wagga-Sydney: Total flying time15 hrs.
2.49	DCA sent a letter advising that VH-AAA was among a list of registrations no longer available due to conflict with International telephony procedures, standard radio callsigns or the Q Code. DCA suggested that BCAS select a replacement new registration
	BCAS replied suggesting VH-BCA for Bush Church Aid. DCA responded that this was already allocated to an Auster and suggested VH-BYA instead. BCAS wrote back asking for VH-CAS for Church Aid Society.
9.9.49	Re-registered VH-CAS Bush Church Aid Society, Ceduna SA
8.12.49	Annual CofA renewal Parafield. During the inspection, repainted from VH-AAA to VH-CAS
50	DCA Head office belatedly realised that this compromised their own VH-CA series for the Department’s aircraft fleet.
1.5.50	Letter from DCA to BCAS: "I regret to advise that a further alteration to your aircraft's markings will be necessary. The CA group are now restricted to aircraft owned and operated by DCA due recent change to Departmental policy. May I assure you of the Department's regret." The letter suggests a new registration VH-GAS to require minimum repainting.
13.6.50	W. R. Bedford of Kyancutta SA wrote to DCA to advise that VH-CAS had been repainted as VH-GAS
16.6.50	Re-registered VH-GAS Bush Church Aid Society, Ceduna SA
31.1.51	CofA expired after validity period extended by DCA
11.4.51	Annual CofA renewal at Parafield
1.7.52	Annual CofA renewal at Parafield
8.1.53	noted at Parafield under overhaul by Robbys Aircraft Repair Co
16.12.53	Change of ownership: John P. Conley t/a Australian Aircraft Sales, Sydney NSW
	John P. Conley of Australian Aircraft Sales acquired the Fox Moth from BCAS to satisfy an urgent request from Patair in New Guinea to replace their Fox Moth VH-UTY, which crashed near Kokoda 17.11.53. Conley promptly negotiated a deal with BCAS to exchange VH-GAS for a Percival Proctor 3 VH-BQR
18.12.53	Change of ownership: Papuan Air Transport, Port Moresby New Guinea t/a Patair
23.3.54	Crashed on takeoff Abau, New Guinea when undercarriage became entangled in high kunai grass at end of runway. Aircraft overturned. Pilot Henk Van Santen and the one passenger escaped injury.
3.55	Ferried Abau to Port Morsby after repairs on site.
6.55	Sold to Australia, probably to Kingsford Smith Aviation Service, Bankstown NSW who specialised in rebuilding damaged aircraft.
	VH-GAS remained on Civil Register owned by Papuan Air Transport Ltd
6.6.61	Change of ownership: Austerserve Pty Ltd, Bankstown Austerserve manager was John T. Brown had previously operated Kingsford Smith Aviation Service, which was reorganised in 1960 into Kingsford Smith Flying School, Yeoman Aviation and Austerserve.
.62	Change of ownership: Cox & Mathews, Yanco NSW
29.9.62	visited airshow at Mildura Vic
26.10.62	Struck-off Register as withdrawn from service
12.1.63	Crashed Rockdale Station near Yanco NSW. Struck power lines and plunged into an irrigation canal. Pilot P. Mathews and a passenger were injured. DCA accident report incorrectly quotes location as Narrandera NSW: "During an approach to land in strong gusty wind conditions, a downdraft forced the aircraft into collision with power transmission wires."
8.7.67	wreck of VH-GAS noted stored in a shed on Rockdale Station, Yanco NSW with airworthy Chrislea Super Ace VH-BRO
	Damaged airframe purchased by Robert Bunn, "Boxwood Park", Bungowannah NSW
	Rebuild commenced on their farm by aviation enthusiasts Robert and Donald Bunn
18.7.87	Registration reserved for Donald Bunn for Fox Moth c/n DHA6
15.2.94	Registered VH-AAA Robert A. Bunn, Bungowannah NSW.
99	noted at "Boxwood Park" farm, Bungowannah NSW in a shearing shed: newly constructed bare wooden fuselage with no fittings installed, on dirt floor next to the original damaged fuselage of VH-GAS
	Currently registered during restoration

In service with Bush Church Aid Society, based Ceduna SA. Neil Follett collection

VH-AAA continued with BCAS during WWII. Neil Follett collection

Parafield during WWII. Geoff Goodall collection

Re-registered VH-GAS, still with Bush Church Aid Society. Neil Follett collection

VH-GAS at Mildura Vic in September 1962. Photo by Bob Neate

c/n 4024 VH-ABQ

32	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
3.11.32	British CofA issued: Misr Airwork Ltd, Cairo, Egypt
11.32	Registered SU-ABG Misr Airwork Ltd, Cairo
8.35	By now returned to Heston from Egypt
13.8.35	Registered G-ADNF Charles T. Berry, Hunstanton Operated by Air Trips Ltd
21.8.35	British CofA renewed
8.35	Crashed on takeoff Hunstanton, badly damaged
.37	Second-hand Fox Moth ordered by Kevin Parer, Wewak through aircraft brokers W.S. Shackleton Ltd, London. Wings of Gold records: "When Ray Parer returned to the Morobe Goldfield, his brother Kevin moved to Wewak and began his own aerial transport company. Originally this was called Wewak Air Transport, but by the outbreak of war the name had been changed to Parer's Air Transport Company."
	Shipped to New Guinea
8.12.37	Testflown at Wewak after assembly
13.12.37	Cable to CAB Head Office from CAB Salamaua: ABQ has been test flown at Wewak. The log books have been mailed by Shackletons but not yet arrived. Request permission to commence operations pending formal issue of CofA
13.12.37	CAB Head office cable: ABQ approved to commence commercial operations
	Appears to have been operated for the first year in New Guinea on British CofA
3.8.38	Civil Aviation Board allocated registration VH-ABQ to K. Parer for DH.83 Compiler's note: despite this formal allocation, the aircraft was referred to as ABQ in CAB paperwork since its arrival in New Guinea in 12.37
1.10.38	British CofA issued VH-ABQ: Parers Air Transport Co, Wewak
7.10.38	Struck-off British Register as sold
21.1.39	Testflown Wewak after CofA inspection, pilot Maiben Blackman. Airframe time 650 hrs
16.2.39	Registered VH-ABQ Kevin Parer t/a Wewak Air Transport, Wewak, New Guinea
16.2.39	Australian CofA issued, 4 passenger straps approved
5.3.39	Forced landing at Maprik due engine failure after takeoff, no damage, pilot M. Blackman.
21.8.39	Inspection report at But. Airframe time 1,047 hrs
9.39	Change of operating name: Parer's Air Transport Co, Wewak
19.3.40	Testflown Wewak by M. Blackman after CofA renewal overhaul
3.1.41	Forced landing Salamaua due engine failure, no damage. Pilot M. Blackman
15.3.41	Retired at Salamaua to commence annual CofA renewal overhaul
15.9.41	Annual CofA renewed at Salamaua
25.1.42	Burnt at Wewak aerodrome to avoid falling into japanese hands.
	E.W.Haines was an engineer working for Parer’s Air Transport Company. His diary is held at Australian War Memorial. He describes the actions prior to he and others being ordered by the New Guinea Administration to evacuate Wewak on the evening of 25 January 1942 ahead of the Japanese invasion. VH-ABQ, spare parts and workshop gear were burnt before he departed. Wewak suffered its first air attack on 26^th January.

Jim Broabdent's Fox Moth in England 1934:

c/n 4091 G-ACSW

6.34	Built at Stag Lane, Edgeware, Middlesex.
29.5.34	Registered G-ACSW H. F. Broadbent, Hanworth Aerodrome, Middlesex
14.6.34	CofA issued
7.34	Flown by Broadbent in Kings Cup Air Race at Hatfield.
	Jimmy Broadbent planned to enter G-ACSW in the MacRobertson Centenary Air Race from London to Melbourne 11.34, but withdrew
2.1.35	Struck-off British Register, sold to India as VT-AFT

FOOTNOTE:

Norm Wilde’s Fox Moth

After many civil aircraft had been destroyed by Japanese air raids on New Guinea airfields during January 1942 and civil pilots had departed for Australia, a remaining Guinea Airways Fox Moth at Port Moresby was taken over by Stephens Aviation pilot Norm Wilde. With this aircraft he made heroic flights to evacuate civilians from the mountains to Port Moresby and safety in Australia.

The only airworthy Guinea Airways Fox Moths based in New Guinea at that time were VH-UQR and VH-UZL, both of which were previously assumed to have been destroyed on the ground by Japanese attacks on 21 January 1942.

However one of them survived to reach Port Moresby:

1.42	DCA Head Office in Melbourne sent Mascot District Inspector V.W. Burgess to Port Moresby to supervise the remaining civil aircraft in New Guinea and liaise with military authorities.
22.1.42	Burgess at Salamaua sent a cable to DCA Head Office listing aircraft damaged by Japanese air raid on the aerodrome that day. Fox Moth VH-AAX was listed as destroyed.
23.1.42	A Guinea Airways Fox Moth flew Wau-Port Moresby, where it was abandoned. Guinea Airways pilots were evacuated to Australia
27.1.42	Burgess at Port Moresby sent a cable to DCA Head Office stating that he had taken over a Guinea Airways Fox Moth at Port Moresby.
1.42	Stephens Aviation pilot Norm Wilde was willing to fly the requisitioned Fox Moth to continue urgent civilian evacuations, ahead of the Japanese advance across the Owen Stanley Mountains. Burgess allowed him to have the aircraft. (Ref: DCA War History)
	Eric Noble, engineer for Stephens Aviation in New Guinea in a talk described the evacuation of civilians from in January 1942. Eric Stephens was flying civilians, mainly chinese workers and their families from the highlands to Port Moresby in his Avro Ten VH-UXX and Tugan Gannet VH-UXE: "One of the shareholders in Stephens Aviation was Norman Wilde who flew with Stephens on his Avro trips from Wau to Moresby and return. On one occasion, Wilde noticed a Guinea Airways Fox Moth standing on the Moresby strip. So he went into town to see the agents Burns Philp and asked about it. Burns Philp told him that the Fox belonged to Guinea Airways and not to touch it, but Wilde knew all Guinea Airways staff had left for the south in their Junkers G.31, so he went back to the aerodrome, quietly refueled the Fox Moth and flew it across to Wau. He flew a lot of people from Salamaua to Wau in that aeroplane and on one trip had a total of 13 (sic) men women and children on board."
	Norm Wilde later said "I did not know in what condition the engine was, but I filled her up with petrol and hoped for the best. In this Fox Moth I flew eleven Chinese from Salamaua to Moresby in one hop. It took me a mile and a half to take off, and then I scraped some tree tops near the drome."
29.1.42	Norm Wilde, while flying over Salamaua sighted a Japanese shipping convoy
10.2.42	Stephens Aviation Avro Ten VH-UXX departed Port Moresby for Horn Island en route Australian mainland. Norm Wilde was among the six passengers
14.2.42	8^th Military District cable states a Fox Moth is available at Port Moresby for use by New Guinea Volunteer Rifles (local militia) but there is no pilot available
15.2.42	Burgess at Port Moresby sent a cable to DCA Head Office stating Guinea Airways Fox Moth is at Port Moresby but needs inspection.
c20.2.42	An unidentified civil Fox Moth was damaged badly on takeoff from Ioma. It had been flown in that day by RAAF Catalina pilot Flt Lt Godfrey “Goff” Hemsworth, to collect injured crew members Sgt J.Prider and FO R,M.Green from ditched RAAF Hudson A16-106. They had been waiting since 1.2.42 when other crew members had been flown out of Ioma by Fox Moth VH-UUS. After the Fox Moth was damaged beyond repair, Hemsworth and Green set off on foot next morning for a four day treck to Kokoda, leaving behind Prider who was injured and now had a fever. Prider and others eventually reached Port Moresby on 31.3.42 by a coastal schooner after walking to the coast at Ora Bay. (Full details in The RAAF Hudson Story Book Two, David Vincent p172)

References:

- Australian Civil Aircraft Register, Department of Civil Aviation, Melbourne and its successors

- DCA aircraft files, National Archives of Australia, Melbourne

- Accidents to Australian Civil Aircraft, DCA annual publication, 1955-1969

- RAAF Status Cards, A41- series, RAAF Historical, Dept of Defence, Canberra

- RAAF Accident Reports: Fox Moths, National Archives of Australia

- National Library of Australia - Trove newspaper archive website

- British Civil Aircraft Register: G-INFO website

- British Civil Aircraft Since 1919, A. J. Jackson, Putnam, London 1973

- De Havilland Aircraft Since 1909, A. J. Jackson, Putnam, London 1978

- DH.83 Production, series, Air Britain Archive, quarterly journal, September & December 2011;

- British CofA allocations, series, Air Britain Archive: numerous issues

- Aviation Historical Society of Australia Journal, 1960 onwards: Register and reports

- Captain R.O.Mant interview, Greg Banfield, Avation Heritage, Aviation Historical Society of Australia

- Australian Air Log, monthly newsletter, 1965-1968

- Alan Bovelt: research listings 1966-1975 on operators and aircraft in Papua New Guinea

- John Hopton: transcripts of DCA & RAAF file entries covering civil aircraft impressments in WWII

- Roger McDonald: personal interview with Cliff Jackson, founder of Papuan Air Transport

- Flypast A record of Aviation in Australia, Neville Parnell & Trevor Boughton, CAA 1988

- Allotment of Civil Registration markings, CAB & DCA file, National Archives of Australia,

Series A705 No.8/103/996 transcribed by Dion Makoswski, published in Man and Aerial Machines, quarterly, compiled by T.W.Boughton, April 1990

- Civil Aircraft in New Guinea war theatre 1942-1943, Trevor Boughton: research project 2012

- Historic Civil Aircraft Register G-AUAA to VH-UZZ, Bert Cookson, Austairdata 1996

- Units of RAAF: A Concise History, RAAF Historical Section, AGPS, 1995

- Airlines and Aircraft of the Ansett Group 1921-2002, CD, Fred Niven, Edition 8, 2011

- Aircraft Operated in Australia: DH.83, John Hopton, Avian journal Vol.1 No.3, September 1976

- Lewy of the Inland Skies, George W. Lewis, DB Publishing, Mandurah WA 2005

- Wings of Gold - How the aeroplane developed New Guinea, James Sinclair, Pacific Publications,

Sydney 1978

- Balus The Aeropane in Papua New Guinea, Volume 1 The Early Years, James Sinclair,

Robert Brown & Associates, Bathurst NSW, 1986

- Qantas Rising, Hudson Fysh, Angus & Robinson

- Qantas At War, Hudson Fysh, Angus & Robinson, 1968

- 10,000 Hours, Harry V. Moss, Hesperian Press 1988

- The RAAF Hudson Story, Book Two, David Vincent, self-published 2010 p173

- Clear The Runway - A history of the air ambulance in New South Wales, Edward W. Docker,

George Allen & Unwin, Sydney 1984

- Flight, Memoirs 1912-1958, C. Arthur Butler, published 2008 by his daughter Anna Yeats

- Aerial Agriculture in Australia, Derrick Rolland, Aerial Agriculture Assoc of Australia, 1996

- Australian-built Aircraft and The Industry, Vol 1, Keith R.Meggs, Finger Four Publishing, Victoria 2009

- The DH.82A Tiger Moth in Australia, Julian Forsyth, Skyline Publications, Melbourne 1995

- Rag & Tube, monthly journal of Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia, 1977 onwards

- Classic Wings Downunder magazine, renamed Classic Wings: editor Graham Orphan: various references to Fox Moth restorations

- Note on Diary of E,W.Haines of Wewak Territory of New Guinea, Australian War Memorial AWM54

- Cable to DCA Head Office Melbourne from DCA Inspector V.W.Burgess at Salamaua 22.1.42 listing aircraft damaged by Japanese air attack that day.

- Edgar C. Johnston papers, reports on civil aircraft in New Guinea 1942, held by Civil Aviation Historical Society, Melbourne
- Air Britain Information Exchange: DH.83 production listing: www.ab-ix.co.uk/dh83.pdf

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