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VH-NPU “Meekatharra” is the second ex-Qantas F100 to be donated to HARS, following the arrival of VH-NHO at its Parkes museum earlier this year. QantasLink is phasing out its ageing F100 fleet, to be replaced with mid-life Embraer E190s.
The Avro 504K replica, modelled after the Flying Kangaroo’s first plane, is set to form part of the “Task Eternal” opening exhibit on the history of aviation, operated in partnership with Qantas. It will be suspended from the museum ceiling above a Cierva C.30A Autogiro and a Skycraft Scout Mark 1.
The UH-1B Iroquois “Huey” Helicopter, Serial 894, was removed from its pole in the South Coast town in 2023 after 25 years on display, with locals now able to vote on whether it should be replaced by an identical replica or by a model of a Seahawk.
VH-NHO touched down in Parkes on Tuesday afternoon after a flight from Perth, having flown 18 years for Network after its delivery in 2008. It comes as QantasLink looks to replace its Fokker 100s with newer aircraft, including mid-life Embraer E190s.
The 1950s de Havilland 'Drover', which was previously on display at George McCoy Park after being originally restored in the 1980s by combining two different aircraft, has been gifted to the RFDS after a five-month overhaul, and now can be seen from the highway as visitors approach the airport.
A DH-115 Vampire T.35, Gloster Meteor F.8, Cessna A-37B Dragonfly, Ryan STM-S2, English Electric Canberra, CA-27 Sabre, CT4A, and RE8, all from No. 100 Squadron, will be “transitioned with dignity” out of service, with the squadron to continue flying 11 other aircraft.
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