Register Update

Deletions

AGX Maule M‑7‑235 Super Rocket 4078C 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
AKN Bell 47G‑2A 2701 24/12/07 Re-registered VH‑RTK
ANE Cessna 525 CitationJet CJ1 525‑0521 7/1/08 Re-registered VH‑YNE
BRY Corby CJ‑1 Starlet 343 25/1/08 Transferred to RAAus register
BTA Zenair CH701 STOL 7‑3674 28/12/07 Transferred to RAAus register
BXU Bell 206L‑4 LongRanger IV 52357 4/1/08 Exported to China
CHU Cessna 337G Super Skymaster 33701773 31/12/07 Crashed into sea off Cape
Liptrap Vic 17/11/07
CSI Bell 47G‑3B1 6504 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
EZB Beech 58 Baron TH‑97 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
FLD Air Tractor AT‑402B 402B‑1165 18/12/07 Exported to New Zealand (ZK‑RMW)
GTI Schneider ES 60/2 Boomerang 99 22/1/08 Re-registered VH‑VTI
HBC Robinson R22 0047 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
HBZ Robinson R44 Raven II 11878 18/1/08 Re-registered VH‑PJD
HCL Robinson R22 0017 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
HEF Robinson R22 0153 8/1/08 Crashed 4km N Kalkarindji NT 15/3/01
HFP Robinson R22 Beta 0646 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
HMJ Robinson R22 0130 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
JKK Robinson R22 Beta 1060 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
JTH Robinson R22 Beta 1216 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
JWC Kawasaki Bell 47G‑3B‑KH4 2105 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
JWL Robinson R22 HP 0237 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
JYT Beech E55 Baron TE‑1051 15/1/08 Re-registered VH‑LPZ
KRY Cessna 401 401‑0096 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
LOA Robinson R22 Beta 0943 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
LQM Robinson R22 0063 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
LYH Bell 412EP 36442 27/12/07 Exported to Indonesia
MEB Robinson R44 Raven I 1674 29/1/08 Crashed into River Yarra Vic 29/12/07
MEW Maule M‑5‑235C Lunar Rocket 7228C 1/1/08 Re-registered VH‑MEZ
MXW Bell 206B‑2 JetRanger II 1198 28/1/08 Re-registered VH‑ZCV
NAZ Heintz CH200 Zenith V102 18/12/07 Re-registered VH‑DYE
NDC Hughes 369HS 500C 46‑0811S 18/12/07 Exported to Philippines
NDI Bell 206L‑3 LongRanger III 51324 3/1/08 Exported to PNG
NGT Cirrus SR22‑G2 GTS 1618 29/1/08 Exported to New Zealand (ZK‑YUG)
OZV PA‑31‑350 Navajo Chieftain 31‑7405470 10/1/08 Withdrawn from use
PJD Robinson R44 Raven II 10345 19/12/07 Re-registered VH‑KRK
RPU DHC‑6 Twin Otter 300 485 31/1/08 Exported to PNG
RQI Robinson R44 Raven I 1786 16/12/07 Re-registered VH‑ZGT
SRP Robinson R22 Alpha 0449 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
TCS Cessna 172M Skyhawk 17264194 16/1/08 Crashed at Uaroo Station WA 15/11/07
TGQ Swearingen SA227‑AC Metro III AC‑610B 18/1/08 Re-registered VH‑OZV
THJ Hughes 369HS 500C 24‑0564S 18/12/07 Exported to Philippines
THU Kawasaki Hughes 369HS 500C 6629 18/12/07 Exported to Philipines
THX Hughes 369HS 500C 51‑0321S 18/12/07 Exported to Philipines
TNX DHC‑8‑102 Dash 8 33 7/1/08 Re-registered VH‑QQH
TOV Beech 95‑C55 Baron TE‑157 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
TPZ PA‑28R‑180 Cherokee Arrow 28R‑30436 10/1/08 Damaged
UXD Robinson R22 0103 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
UXT Robinson R22 Alpha 0453 8/1/08 Withdrawn from use
UYO DH.82A Tiger Moth 3623 1/2/08 010208 VH‑UYQ
WHB PA‑28‑181 Cherokee Archer II 28‑7690364 7/1/08 Re-registered VH-SFA
WLQ Cessna 172N Skyhawk 17271888 11/1/08 Crashed 20km N Elliott NT 10/11/07
YII Yakovlev Yak C‑11 171525 20/12/07 Exported
YVY Yakovlev Yak‑52 9611907 20/12/07 Exported to New Zealand

Changes Of Owner Or Operator

AAU Kavanagh E‑180 KB280 6/12/07 Graham Kerr, “Felton” Longs Corner Rd Canowindra
NSW 2804
AIY Cessna 210E Centurion 21058526 18/1/08 Isma, 155 Spencer St Bunbury WA 6230
AKX Kavanagh E‑210 KB246 26/11/07 Go Wild Ballooning, 541 Middleborough Rd Box
Hill North Vic 3129
AUO Auster J/1 Autocrat 2331 12/12/07 Scott Snibson, 186 Mary St Richmond Vic 3121
AUP Kavanagh E‑260 KB297 20/11/07 Windsock, Lot 800 Langhorne Creek Rd Strathalbyn
SA 5255
BJI Cessna 172N Skyhawk 17271442 10/8/07 Alan Lane, “Elsinore” Blackall Qld 4472
BLS PA‑24‑260 Comanche C 24‑5005 7/12/07 Kevin Rankmore, PO Box 168 Wellington
NSW 2820
BQN Schweizer 269C‑1 300CB 0284 21/12/07 Mark Slater, 3 Myla Tce Tennyson 4105
CCL PA‑31‑350 Chieftain 31‑7752015 4/1/08 Soilmaster, PO Box 116 Hinty NSW 2658
CHH PA‑28‑140 Cherokee 28‑23730 20/12/07 Commonwealth of Australia, PO Box 280
RAAF Richmond NSW 2753
CKI Bell 206B‑3 JetRanger III 3048 23/12/07 Chopperline and Coastline Flight Training,
12 Pathfinder Dr Caloundra Airport Qld 4551
CKT Bell 206L‑3 LongRanger III 51074 1/12/07 Helicopter Holdings, 1/12 Newspaper Pl
Maroochydore Qld 4558
CKU Bell 205A‑1 30176 5/11/07 Buzz Aviation, PO Box 655 Cronulla NSW 2230
CMK Robinson R22 Beta II 4223 12/12/07 Chopperline and Coastline Flight Training, 12
Pathfinder Dr Caloundra Airport Qld 4551
CMN Cessna 182F Skylane 18254752 13/12/07 Dwight Williams, PO Box 83 The Summit
Qld 4377
CMP Cessna 172M Skyhawk 17263425 10/12/07 Lacy Contracting Services, 10 Carlson
Pl Usher WA 6230
COA DH82A Tiger Moth 1090 19/12/07 Andrew Pitcher, 1 MacGregor St Deakin ACT 2600
COW Bell 206B‑3 JetRanger III 2660 1/12/07 Aviation Tourism Australia, PO Box 3
Hamilton Island Qld 4803
CTX Bellanca 7GCAA Citabria 370‑78 15/12/07 Hastings Aircraft Maintenance, 15
Clearwater Cres Port Macquarie NSW 2444
CTY PA‑28‑140 Cherokee Cruiser 28‑7325092 11/12/07 John Papworth, PO Box 97
Coolah NSW 2843
DAS Robinson R22 Beta 1850 20/12/07 Lone Eagle (WA), PO Box 637 Kununurra 6743
DIT Piper J‑3C‑65 Cub 11410 13/12/07 Robert Marshall, 12 Collett Ave Ringwood 3134
DST Cessna 182K Skylane 18258237 17/12/07 Arcav Air, PO Box 3109 Albury NSW 2640
DTT Cessna 150M 15077807 14/12/07 Dale Chaffer, 74 Plymouth Rd Croydon Vic 3136
EIZ Cessna 182H Skylane 18256093 7/12/07 Gregory Hays, PO Box 1382 Nowra 2541
EOA Kavanagh E‑300 KB203 28/11/07 Adrenalin Hire (Australia), 438 Somerville Rd
West Footscray Vic 3012
ERC Erco 415D Ercoupe 1345 1/11/07 Anthony Stewart, PO Box 901 Mount Eliza 3930
FEC Cessna A185F Skywagon 18503511 23/6/07 Kelly Long, 5 Cuba Ave Palm Beach
Qld 4221
FGH Cessna 172P Skyhawk 17275647 19/12/07 Anthony Lynch, PO Box 905 Port Macquarie
NSW 2444
FGI Fuji FA‑200‑160 Aero Subaru 23 5/1/08 Colin Trueman, 21 Fulmar Way Seville
Grove WA 6112
FGM Beech 95‑C55 Baron TE‑194 4/10/07 Hoholt Financial Consulting, 39 Marsh St
Armidale NSW 2350
FWE Beech V35A Bonanza D‑8825 28/12/07 Paul Classon, 9 Wright St Kew East 3102
FZK Cessna 182P Skylane 18265140 15/1/08 Quarterbern, PO Box 38912 Winnellie 0821
GAF Cessna 182C Skylane 52874 18/12/07 Michael Ryan, 2/17 Ross St Ballina 2478
GCG LET L‑13 Blanik 025424 4/12/07 Copper Creek, PO Box 116 Tocumwal NSW 2714
GID Pilatus B4‑PC11 092 2/12/07 David Millward, 22B Graeme Ave Montmorency 3094
GJD Hoffman H‑36 Dimona 3645 27/11/07 John Mason, 15 Waratah St Leeton 2705
GKC Schempp‑Hirth Duo Discus 261 20/10/07 Orana Soaring Club, PO Box 240 Narromine
NSW 2821
GKG Mooney M20K 231 25‑0162 30/12/07 John Priddle, PO Box 67 Sylvania Southgate
NSW 2224
GVC PA‑28‑235 Cherokee 28‑10168 8/8/07 Eden Farms Developments, 10781 New
England Hwy Highfields Qld 4352
HAI Robinson R44 Raven I 1676 11/4/07 Strath Civil, PO Box 562 Strathalbyn SA 5255
HFE CAC CA‑25 Winjeel 25‑57 4/12/07 Robert Anderson, 3/398 Lonsdale St Melbourne
Vic 3000
HFJ Robinson R22 Beta II 4160 20/12/07 Lone Eagle (WA), PO Box 637 Kununurra 6743
HGZ Cessna T210L Centurion 21060430 20/12/07 Scott Krieg, PO Box 1729 Kununurra
WA 6743
HIB Robinson R44 Raven I 1775 6/12/07 Duncan Investments (Qld), PO Box 385
Clermont Qld 4721
HLC Robinson R22 Beta 0990 20/12/07 Lone Eagle (WA), PO Box 637 Kununurra 6743
HPC Robinson R22 Beta II 4145 5/11/07 Riveren Nominees, PMB 18 Katherine NT 0852
HQJ Robinson R22 Beta 1958 20/12/07 Lone Eagle (WA), PO Box 637 Kununurra 6743
HQW Robinson R44 Raven II 11908 19/11/07 Marcoola Custodians, 150 Todds Rd
Lawnton Qld 4501
HSS Robinson R22 Beta II 3033 3/12/07 Stephen Fielder, 234 Turner Rd Malanda 4885
HTX Robinson R22 Beta II 3053 12/12/07 David Morton, PO Box 407 Flagstaff Hill 5159
IGS Cessna 172N Skyhawk 17270677 6/1/08 Darryl Schutz, “Waterloo” Saddleworth 5413
IJC PA‑32‑300 Cherokee Six 32‑7540005 11/12/07 John Chapman, PO Box 337 Yeppoon
Qld 4703
IPG Bell 407 53208 27/12/07 Grant Kenny Aviation, 1/12 Newspaper Pl Maroochydore
Qld 4558
ITY Cessna 172N Skyhawk 17270285 24/11/07 MCB Cartage, 12 McCarthy Ct Wallan
Vic 3756
JBK Fletcher FU24‑950M 82 10/12/07 J and R Wild, 16 Duncan St Tenterfield NSW 2372
JJP Robinson R44 Raven II 11994 28/12/07 Pentridge, PO Box 395 Kings Meadows 7249
JKS Robinson R22 Beta 0995 1/12/07 Lindsay Foster, PO Box 1772 Noosaville Qld 4566
JNM Robinson R22 Beta 1322 17/1/08 Helipoint, 23 Ala Moana Rd East Kurrajong 2758
JUT Cessna 150L 15073997 30/11/07 Ralph Burnett, 53 Festing St Albany WA 6330
JXH Cessna A188B Agtruck A1 18803085T 12/1/06 Gale Air Services, PO Box 294
Chinchilla Qld 4405
JXZ Robinson R22 Beta 1436 20/12/07 Lone Eagle (WA), PO Box 637 Kununurra 6743
KAU Beech G36 Bonanza E‑3811 20/12/07 Findelta, 13 Rothwell Cir Glenwood 2768
KBA Auster J/5 Adventurer 2895 3/1/08 Matthew Grigg, 710 Wilson St Ballarat Vic 3350
KDL Beech C23 Sundowner 180 M‑1912 4/12/07 AW and WE Peters, 115 Pearson St
Sale Vic 3850
KLE Bellanca 7GCAA Citabria 329‑76 30/11/07 Richard White, 13 Scobie St Avenel 3664
KOL Agusta A119 Koala 14532 19/12/07 Mineralogy, GPO Box 1538 Brisbane Qld 4001
KRA Robinson R22 Beta II 4213 21/12/07 Aerotune, 50 Windermere Ave Northmead 2152
KTQ PA‑34‑200T Seneca II 34‑7870298 17/12/07 Moorabbin Aviation Services, 125
Second Ave Moorabbin Airport Vic 3194
LHB PA‑18‑150 Super Cub 18‑7076 15/12/07 James Hart, 85 Flinders Hwy Port Lincoln
SA 5606
LHE PA‑31‑350 Navajo Chieftain 31‑7305028 18/12/07 Coastjet, Lot 11 Abbott Cl Port
Macquarie Airport NSW 2444
LHS Cessna U206G Stationair U20606616 5/12/07 Peter McAuley, “Answer Downs”
McKinlay Qld 4823
LNN Cessna 208B Grand Caravan 208B0801 1/12/07 Aviation Tourism Australia, PO
Box 3 Hamilton Island Qld 4803
LOX Robinson R22 Beta 1713 20/12/07 Lone Eagle (WA), PO Box 637 Kununurra 6743
LUO Robinson R22 Beta 1324 20/12/07 Lone Eagle (WA), PO Box 637 Kununurra 6743
LXS Cessna 182P Skylane 18261222 19/12/07 SDA, PO Box 581 Alice Springs NT 0841
LYZ Ted Smith Aerostar 600 60‑0184‑081 12/10/07 Scott North, PO Box 220 North
Carlton Vic 3054
MHZ PA‑44‑180 Seminole 44‑7995103 8/12/07 Pacific Flight Services, PO Box CP20
Condell Park NSW 2200
MJR Beech A23‑19A Musketeer MB‑335 15/12/07 Kevin Chen, 218/396 Scarborough
Beach Rd Osborne Park WA 6017
MKJ Cessna 150B 15059450 7/12/07 Steven Newing, 9 Continental Ct Gatton Qld 4343
MMX Cessna 172N Skyhawk 17269475 5/12/07 Michael Robertson, PO Box 348 Esperance
WA 6450
MWL Cessna R182 Skylane RG R18201743 19/12/07 Edward Bell, PO Box 633 Innisfail
Qld 4860
MXI Robin R‑2160 Sport C206 14/9/07 Freestyle Aviation, Hangar 276 Bankstown
Airport NSW 2200
NDG Robinson R22 Beta II 4203 29/11/07 Double A Aviation, PO Box 4088 Rockhampton
Qld 4700
NHE Cessna 172R Skyhawk 17280920 7/12/07 Chopperline and Coastline Flight Training,
12 Pathfinder Dr Caloundra Airport Qld 4551
NIV Cessna 207A Stationair 8 20700627 2/1/08 Margaret Prior, PO Box 162 Denham
WA 6537
NIX Robinson R44 Raven II 11652 28/11/07 ABC Brick Sales, PO Box 166 Arundel 4214
NJK PA‑28RT‑201T Turbo Arrow IV 28R‑8031030 11/1/08 Douglas Fuss, 43 Centre Rd
Vermont Vic 3133
NYT PA‑28R‑201T Turbo Arrow III 28R‑7803027 24/12/07 Airconstruct, PO Box 6822
Mackay Qld 4741
OIT Rolladen‑Schneider LS 8‑18 8392 5/12/07 Gregory Schmidt, 39/3 Lee Rd Runaway
Bay Qld 4216
OPR Neico Lancair IV‑P W265 27/12/07 S and K Investments, PO Box 205 Morley 6943
OWS Wittman W‑8 Tailwind V15 28/12/07 Harry Alcorn, PO Box 283 Balhannah SA 5242
PLH Cessna 182H Skylane 18256640 14/12/07 Kenneth Allport, 13 Connor Rd Tregeagle
NSW 2480
PQT Cessna U206 Super Skywagon U206‑0427 30/11/07 Peter Strong, 159 Gailey Rd
Taringa Qld 4068
RFQ Cessna 172M Skyhawk 17262023 1/9/07 Ross Muir, 160 Streeton Dr Chapman 2611
RHC Bell 206L‑4 LongRanger IV 52106 10/12/07 Southern Cross Aircraft Engineering
Service, PO Box 513 Sylvania Southgate NSW 2224
RIV Cessna 172D Skyhawk 17249577 13/12/07 Cicipark, PO Box 5121 Broken Hill 2880
RML Robinson R22 Beta II 4222 8/12/07 McMillan Pastoral, “Mount Roseby” Cloncurry
Qld 4824
RMN Robinson R44 Raven I 1780 7/12/07 Chopperline and Coastline Flight Training, 12
Pathfinder Dr Caloundra Airport Qld 4551
RMQ Jabiru J430 252 8/12/07 Simon Turner, PO Box 2105 Port Lincoln SA 5606
RNK Robinson R44 Raven I 1781 17/12/07 Riverina Rotor Work, PO Box 1456 Griffith
NSW 2680
RNX Robinson R44 Raven I 1785 10/12/07 NX‑01, PO Box 9165 Pacific Paradise 4564
RPN Robinson R22 Beta 2241 20/12/07 Lone Eagle (WA), PO Box 637 Kununurra 6743
RRO PA‑28‑140 Cherokee Cruiser 28‑7125283 10/1/08 Henry Aviation, PO Box 778
Aitkenvale Qld 4814
RXP Robinson R22 Beta II 4226 20/12/07 Savanah Helicopters, “Esmeralda” Croydon
Qld 4871
SAH Auster J/1N Alpha 3371 19/12/07 Godfrey Stevens, PO Box 241 Warrandyte 3113
SBO Seabird SB7‑L‑360A Seeker 070011 12/12/07 Michaels of Donald, 15 McCulloch St
Donald Vic 3480
SCL PA‑25‑150 Pawnee 25‑438 21/12/07 Soaring Club of Tasmania, 34 Clinton Rd
Geilston Bay Tas 7015
SLY Cessna 150G 15066402 14/11/07 Michael Poole, 117 Aquarius Dr Frankston 3199
SMG Cessna 172N Skyhawk 17269551 26/12/07 Suregold, PO Box 768 Kununurra 6743
TAL PA‑46‑310P Malibu 46‑8508013 1/12/07 Margaret River Aviation, PO Box 255
South Perth WA 6951
TAR PA‑31‑350 Navajo Chieftain 31‑7405207 18/12/07 Coastjet, Lot 11 Abbott Cl Port
Macquarie Airport NSW 2444
TBD Cessna TR182 Skylane RG R18201780 10/12/07 Maria McLaughlin, 7 Agnes St The
Range Qld 4700
TBT Robinson R22 Beta II 4211 10/12/07 Sunraysia Helicopters, PO Box 1611 Mildura
Vic 3502
TEA PA‑44‑180 Seminole 44‑7995119 31/12/07 Alison Telling, 8 Curalo Mews South
Lake WA 6164
TFP Cessna 310R 310R1844 15/1/08 Barrier Aviation, PO Box 41 Stratford Qld 4870
TFQ Swearingen SA226‑TC Metro II TC‑395 17/12/07 Central Highlands Air Transport,
PO Box 172 Emerald Qld 4720
TGL Grob G‑115A T‑Bird 8072 20/11/07 Atlass Aviation, PO Box 418 Muswellbrook 2333
TGU Grob G‑115A T‑Bird 8087 17/10/07 Basair Australia, PO Box CP234 Condell Park
NSW 2200
TGV Grob G‑115A T‑Bird 8074 17/10/07 Basair Australia, PO Box CP234 Condell Park
NSW 2200
TLM Cessna 172N Skyhawk 17270804 14/12/07 Royal Victorian Aero Club, Cnr First Ave
and Bundoora Pde Moorabbin Airport Vic 3194
UDH DH82A Tiger Moth 979/T313 21/11/07 John Fisher, 191 Fenton Dr Harcourt North
Vic 3453
UKO SZD‑48‑1 Jantar Standard 2 B‑1107 11/12/07 Harry Oxer, 331 Riverton Dr Shelley
WA 6148
UNN Cessna 152 15283917 15/1/08 Air Gold Coast, PO Box 116 Coolangatta Qld 4225
URK PA‑28‑181 Archer II 28‑8190102 11/1/08 Robert McNeill, 1/3287 Logan Rd Underwood
Qld 4119
VCL Cessna 182S Skylane 18280151 27/11/07 C2C Invest, 5 Borland St Roma Qld 4455
WHP Aerospatiale AS350B Squirrel 2289 14/12/07 The Helicopter Service Australia, PO
Box 1070 Tullamarine Vic 3043
WNN Cessna 172N Skyhawk 17268057 2/1/08 Madura Plains, GPO Box 1172 Adelaide
SA 5001
WWV Cessna 150M 15077972 10/12/07 Maria McLaughlin, 7 Agnes St The Range 4700
XFA Beech E55 Baron TE‑791 22/6/07 Nanchang Aviation, 10 Methuen Ave Mosman
NSW 2088
YAV Yakovlev Yak‑52 9010304 19/11/07 Christopher Abbott, 2A Abbott Dr Lavington
NSW 2641
YBD NZAI CT/4A Airtrainer 050 29/11/07 Denise Foster, 97 Sundance Way Runaway Bay
Qld 4216
YYZ Yakovlev Yak‑18T 0731 29/12/07 George Huse, 65 Mulcahy Rd Pakenham Vic 3810
ZBD Pilatus PC‑12/47 837 24/12/07 Tom Browne Aviation, 167 Brisbane St Dubbo 2830
ZEZ Cessna 152 (tailwheel conversion) 15280871 26/11/07 Arthur Davies, “Culpaulin”
Wilcannia NSW 2836
ZZT BN‑2B‑20 Islander 2279 26/10/07 Britten‑Norman, PO Box 7093 New England 2348
ZZV BN‑2B‑20 Islander 2281 27/10/07 Britten‑Norman, PO Box 7093 New England 2348
ZZW BN‑2B‑20 Islander 2282 26/10/07 Britten‑Norman, PO Box 7093 New England 2348
ZZX BN‑2B‑20 Islander 2283 19/12/07 Britten‑Norman, PO Box 7093 New England 2348

Register Review

The New Allocations section this month contains some very interesting aircraft including a Douglas B-26 Invader, the first example of Cessna’s new 400 (nee Columbia), the second AgustaWestland AW139 to come to Australia, the first production Whitney Boomerang and a highly modified Piper Aztec.

Randal McFarlane’s B-26 Invader VNI is arguably the most interesting warbird to come to Australia in recent times and is also probably the biggest. The Douglas A-26 first flew during July 1942 with three initial prototypes, in varying configurations, providing test flight data for the production aircraft. The three prototypes were configured as a light bomber, a heavy fighter and a night fighter with four half-inch machine guns mounted in a remotely controlled upper turret.

The culmination of these tests produced the production A-26B Invader which was able to carry around twice the bomb load required by the original specifications, included additional armour protection for the pilot and six nose mounted half inch machine guns. In addition up to ten more guns could be housed in underwing pods and in the nose, up to 2725kg of bombs could be carried internally and on underwing hard points and 16 rockets could also be hung on these hard points. Certainly a formidable fighting machine that exceeded all performance criteria laid down by the original contract. As production of the Invader ramped up further developments included a photographic/reconnaissance version, a light weight target tug for the US navy and a JATO version using a General Electric J31 turbojet engine for takeoff.

Douglas Invaders joined the European war effort in late 1944 and were also deployed successfully in Korea.

In all 2502 Invaders were built with the designation later changed from A-26 to B-26.

After the Invader was withdrawn from military duties several companies marketed converted B-26s as VIP transports with little or no success. The biggest problem being the wing spar which ran through the centre of the fuselage. The usual fix was to fit a huge metal ring which replaced the centre part of the spar to enable passengers to move between the fore and aft part of the cabin through the ring. This, of course, was heavy and unsightly and only a few Invaders were used in this configuration.

Interestingly Irish- American Pat Murphy brought a tail-less example of one of these conversions to Australia some years ago.

Promises of “a new tail will be arriving from the US any day” did not eventuate and the On-Mark Invader later returned to the US without any restoration work being done on it at all.

Randal’s B-26 was built during 1945 and was used for several years by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for radar research. During 1961 it was sold to Lear Inc at Santa Monica, California, and later was obtained by Aerospace Modifications of Coatsville, Pennsylvania, to be modified to race in the Reno Air Races.

Its next change of career was in 1971 when it was sold to Air Spray of Edmonton, Canada, who converted it to a fire bomber. After it was withdrawn from fire bombing duties the Invader sat in the open at Air Spray’s Red Deer, Alberta, facility for several years before Randal struck a deal to bring the aircraft to Australia.

The elderly bomber arrived in Brisbane during October 2006 after its long trans-Pacific delivery flight and remained sitting on the tarmac at Archerfield for some time until, only recently, being moved into a hangar for the commencement of work towards its Australian CoA.

The big twin will certainly make an impact on the local airshow scene with plenty of enthusiasts enjoying the sight and sound of this magnificent aircraft in years to come.

JEJ is the first Cessna 400 to be seen in this country and comes from the Columbia Aircraft’s production line in Oregon. The all compositeaircraft derives its designation from its predecessor the Columbia 400 although this goes against Cessna’s historic policy of using model numbers to indicate the general size and engine power of its models. The 400 series had previously been used for “twin engined, non jet aircraft over 600hp”. In another odd move Cessna has always included the model number as the first part of the serial number but in this case has used 411 for the model 400 – which is confusing as there is of course a Cessna 411 of which over 300 were built.

David Botes has imported EBT from South Africa and the type is officially quoted as an ‘Experimental Bitsa’. In fact the aircraft is a modified Piper Aztec although the exact modifications have eluded the author so far. Perhaps someone can enlighten me.

Two aircraft are listed as Returning to the Register this issue including Keiran Balkin’s Tiger Moth which has not been off the register but is returning to its old marking of UYQ. When the Tiger takes to the air later this year – for the first time in 33 years – it will be the oldest flying Tiger Moth in Australia.

VH-UYQ was one of 22 Tiger Moths built at Hatfield, England, between 1935 and 1938 specifically for export to Australia and to be used to train military pilots using equipment and personnel from local aero clubs. UYQ was allocated to the Newcastle Aero Club at Broadmeadow, NSW, during 1937 but crashed at an airshow at Orange on January 30 1939 after an incendiary device exploded prematurely in the cockpit of the aircraft.

The device was intended to be thrown at a target on the ground but exploded in the pilot’s hand, causing serious injury and loss of control of the aircraft. Unfortunately the pilot, EJ Buck, then chief flying instructor with the Newcastle Aero Club, died in the resulting crash. Although the Tiger was extensively damaged it was rebuilt by the Aero Club and went on to be impressed into the RAAF as A17-676 serving at Mascot, Narromine, Bankstown and Temora before returning to civilian use in 1946.

Dr Charles C Everingham bought the aircraft after its military service and flew it, using a personalised registration of CCE until it was eventually grounded in 1975.

Twenty years later Keiran Balkin obtained the aircraft with the intention of restoring it to its former glory and immediately delivered it to Ray Windred at Luskintye for the work to commence.

Although a long way off flying at the time Keiran registered the Tiger UYO, which was the closest available markings to the original UYQ.

After 13 years of tender loving care by Ray Windred the aircraft is close to flying again with the fuselage complete, the engine re-conditioned and a completely new set of wings being made. It is expected to take to the air again later this year and, unlike most Australian Tiger Moths that are painted in military colours, will be sporting a yellow scheme reminiscent of early British civil Tiger Moths.

With Auster Aiglet Trainer UYQ recently changing hands and the new owner, Robert Elder, electing to change it to a personalised registration, RIE, this has enabled Keiran’s Tiger Moth to take up its original markings prior to its first flight post rebuild. Although the aircraft is registered to Keiran Balkin it is believed that Dr Charles Everingham’s son still has a part interest in the Tiger, which is fitting as his father flew the aircraft for most of its civil life.

Fifty-three aircraft are shown in the Deletions section with almost half of these listed officially as “withdrawn from use” – due mainly to a massive clearout of aircraft from the Heli-Muster fleet that have been grounded for some time. Many of these have been involved in accidents or have just run out of hours over the years but have not been cancelled from the register until now.

Exports include two to PNG, three to New Zealand and four Helicopter Aerial Surveys Hughes 500Cs to the Philippines. Helicopter Aerial Surveys operated a fleet of 11 Hughes and Kawasaki Hughes 500Cs from Bankstown but this number has now decreased by almost one third as NDC, THJ, THU and THX have departed for the Philippines – no doubt on contract work.

Bell LongRanger BXU and Cirrus SR22 NGT have been cancelled again, as predicted in last months issue, after abortive export attempts recently to China and New Zealand respectively.

As usual several aircraft have changed markings for various reasons including Beech Baron JYT which is now flying as LPZ with Lajamanu Air. Lajamanu Air was only recently formed by the Lajamanu Progress Association (hence the ‘LP’ markings) to ensure that the local communities of Lajamanu, Kalkaringi and Yarralin retained an air service after the collapse of Aboriginal Air Services.

Janami Air (part of Aboriginal Air Services) previously operated an RPT service, using a Cessna 310 and a 208 Caravan, linking the local communities with Katherine and Darwin, but after the fall of Aboriginal Air Services, Janami Air also folded. This left Lajamanu without a regular air link until the Progress Association stepped in providing a Gippsland Airvan and the Baron for the fledgling airline. Lajamanu Air also operates a Cessna Centurion, which is cross hired, and offer a twice weekly closed charter service from Hooker Creek/Lajamanu to Katherine and Darwin via Kalkaringi and Yarralin/Victoria River Downs.

Catching up on some recent exports, the Queensland Government’s Hawker 800XP, which was shown in last month’s deletions as exported to the United Arab Emirates, is now known to be flying as A6-MAH, and Cessna 208 Caravan TWW, which was listed last month as being damaged was in fact exported to PNG.

We can now also expand on the fate of three RFDS Beech King Airs that were sold to an American aircraft broker during 2005. BQR became VQ-TIU with Air Turks and Caicos but was written off earlier this year when it ditched into East Bay, off the Turks and Caicos Islands.

BRQ was also sold to Air Turks and Caicos as VQ-TRS but was recently returned to the US where it now flies as N133US. BRF, which was the last of the three aircraft to depart Australia, was recently noted in the Flightstar Trading hangar at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, still undergoing conversion from air ambulance to passenger layout. o