BEECH
P35 BONANZA VH-AWC
MSN D-7227
(AA000070)
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BEECH
P35 BONANZA VH-AWC
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QAM thanks
Guy Cahill for this aircraft which was donated through the Australian
Government’s Cultural Gifts Program.
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02OCT63
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Aircraft assembled and test flown (40 min) by de Havilland Aircraft, Bankstown, NSW. Log Book No. 1 opened with 8 hr "transfered from tachometer". Aircraft had been received crated with Export Certificate No. E.60541. Fitted with Continental IO-470-N s/n CS95701-3-N (Source: Log Book No. 1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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03OCT63
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Registered VH-AWC to Queensland Primary Producers Co-operative Society, Longreach, Qld. The aircraft was brand new and one of 467 P35s built. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The registration VH-AWC
was derived from the initials of Alan Walter Campbell O.B.E., C.M.G. (1880-1972)
who founded the Queensland Primary Producers' Co-operative Association
Ltd. in 1920, coincidentally the same year that QANTAS was founded. By
this time Alan Campbell's business acumen was already widely recognised
so the founders of QANTAS were quick to enlist his help in setting up
the new company. Sir Hudson Fysh records in his history of QANTAS:
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10FEB64
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100 hourly inspection by Howard Aircraft Pty Ltd, Townsville. (Source: Log Book No. 1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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30SEP64
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CofA renewal by Hawker de Havilland at Bankstown. Total Time: 597 hr 15 min. (Source: Log Book No. 1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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05JUL65
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CofA renewal by Hawker de Havilland at Bankstown. Total Time: 1071 hr. (Source: Log Book No. 1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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its time with Queensland Primary Producers, the log book was frequently
certified by Fred Bird (Lic. No. 1861) (Source: Log Book No. 1) |
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22NOV66
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Photographed at Bankstown, NSW. (Source: Kevin Murphy) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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22NOV66
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The log book records 5 hr 20 min and 3 landings on this date. (Source: Log Book No. 1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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26NOV66
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100 hourly inspection by Hawker de Havilland at Bankstown, NSW. Total Time: 1695 hr 46 min. (Source: Log Book No. 1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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13MAR67
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Maintenance Release issued by Rex Aviation (Qld) Pty Ltd at Longreach, QLD. (Source: Log Book No. 1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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02AUG67
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100
hourly inspection by Hawker de Havilland, Archerfield. Total Time: 1994
hr 19 min, 2121 landings. (Source: Log Book No. 1) |
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04SEP67
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Registered to Hawker de Havilland, Archerfield, Qld. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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09JUL68
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Major inspection and 100 hourly by Hawker de Havilland at Archerfield. Total Time: 2364 hr 40 min. (Source: Log Book No. 1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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21AUG68
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Registered to Dr. Alan Willis, Corryong, Vic. During 1968, Dr. Willis moved to Coonamble as the town doctor, leaving his family in Corryong so that his children could complete the year's schooling. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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04SEP68
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Log Book No. 2 opened with 2463 hr 47 min brought forward. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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04OCT68
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100 hourly by Hawker de Havilland at Bankstown. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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05DEC68
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Alan Willis and Ken Mewburn flew VH-AWC from Coonamble to Corryong so that Alan Willis could return with his family by road. Ken Mewburn ferried VH-AWC back to Coonamble. (Source: Ken Mewburn - QAM member, Nov 07) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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23JUL69
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100 hourly by Davey Air Services Pty Ltd at Dubbo. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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07OCT69
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Photographed at Coonamble, NSW. At this time the aircraft was turquoise, white and black. (Source: John Hopton) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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22JUL70
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100 hourly by Davey Air Services Pty Ltd at Dubbo. Total Time: 2947 hr 30 min. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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14NOV70
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Registered to Ron Muir / Port Macquarie Spares, Port Macquarie, NSW. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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29JAN71
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100 hourly by Navair Pty Ltd at Bankstown. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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10FEB71
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Photographed at Bankstown, NSW. (Source: Nigel Daw) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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17APR71
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Photographed at Parafield, SA. (Source: Nigel Daw) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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02OCT71
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Photographed at Broken Hill, NSW. (Source: Nigel Daw) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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06DEC71
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Damaged at Goulburn, NSW. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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24FEB72
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100 hourly and "major airframe repairs" by Navair Pty Ltd at Bankstown. (Nature of work suggests a nosewheel collapse) Total Time: 3405 hr. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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22MAR72
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Registered to Hawker de Havilland, Yagoona, NSW. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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23JUN72
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Registered to Grahame Jones, St Lucia, Qld. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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30JUN72
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100 hourly by Hawker de Havilland at Archerfield. Total Time: 3505 hr. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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OCT72
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Noted at Archerfield competing in the Retailer's Warana Air Race as Race Number 23 flown by E. Felmingham. At this time the aircraft carried "Border Plumbing" titles. (Source: Richard Hitchins) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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OCT73
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Noted
at Archerfield competing in the Hinkler 1000 Air Race as Race Number 75
flown by E. Felmingham. (Source: Richard Hitchins) |
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03AUG74
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Photographed at Mount Isa, Qld. (Source: Nigel Daw) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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09SEP74
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Registered to Hawker de Havilland, Lidcombe, NSW. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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09DEC74
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Fitted with Continental IO-470-L converted to IO-470-N s/n 92391-6-L-RCN (Source: Engine Log Book No. 1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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13FEB75
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Registered to Brisbane Flying Group, Kelvin Grove, Qld. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brisbane Flying Group Pty Ltd (BFG) was a company established to provide low cost flying for pilots. VH-AWC was placed on the Sunland Aviation line and made available for charter operations with Sunland pilots when group members were not wanting the aircraft. VH-AWC was affectionately known as “Ave a Whiskey Charlie”. (Source: Warren Burrows, Maintenance and Security Director of BFG) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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well known member of the Brisbane Flying Group was Brisbane radio announcer
John Knox. John recalls many happy hours flying VH-AWC with his wife Val
who was treasurer of the group. In addition to the more familiar "Ave
a Whiskey Charlie", the aeroplane was also known for a time as the
"Flying Crocodile". This name resulted from the efforts of several
well-meaning group members who thought that they could save money for the
club by painting the aeroplane themselves. Unfortunately, the second coat
was applied before the first coat had cured and the paint took on the cracked
appearance of crocodile skin! (This misadventure probably had its culmination
in the February 1976 repaint mentioned below). John also recalls one noteworthy flight from Archerfield to Tuncurry (Forster) with Senator Neville Bonner as a passenger. (Neville Bonner was Australia's first Aboriginal Senator). Shortly after departure from Archerfield, the storm window flew open and John had to effect an temporary repair with a shoelace borrowed from the good Senator! They returned to Archerfield immediately where the storm window was quickly repaired. (Log Book No 2 records on 27JUL76 "DV window repaired" so this may refer to the incident in question). |
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12APR75
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First flight in VH-AWC by Warren Burrows as part of his endorsement on the aeroplane. (Source: Log book of Warren Burrows) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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18FEB76
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The
aircraft was completely dismantled including the removal of both tailplanes.
Although the aircraft was paint stripped by the owners, the rest of the
work was performed by Curley Air Maintenance at Archerfield. The aircraft
was repainted in the following colours: Berger Autothane EK5533 Glacier White Dulux Enamel 393.12204 Indy Orange (Source: Log Book No. 2) Photos indicate that in 1975 the wings were painted orange but other photos show that the wings were painted white. It was probably during this repaint (replacing the "crocodile" paint job referred to above) that the wings were painted white. |
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01NOV76
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Damaged at Rockhampton, Qld. when the undercarriage collapsed after landing. It is surmised that the pilot mistakenly selected wheels up instead of flaps up after landing. A bump in the taxiway caused the undercarriage to collapse, the propellor struck the ground and the engine was extensively damaged. The aircraft was out of service for several months. (Source: Warren Burrows) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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28JUL77
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Repairs
completed by Anstey Rose Aircraft Engineers Pty Ltd at Rockhampton. Total
Time: 5082 hr. (Source: Log Book No. 2) |
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27APR79
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Flown from Archerfield to Maroochydore by Warren Burrows, his last flight in VH-AWC. (Source: Log book of Warren Burrows) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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11MAY79
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100 hourly by Hawker Pacific at Archerfield. Total Time: 5780 hr. During its time with the Brisbane Flying Group, VH-AWC was maintained by Hawker de Havilland (later Hawker Pacific) at Archerfield. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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22JUN79
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Registered to Tabulana Pty Ltd, Armidale with a postal address at Guyra, NSW. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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02NOV79
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Periodic inspection by New England Aerial Topdressing Pty Ltd, Armidale, NSW (trading as Superair). Both exhaust stacks were repaired by East-West Airlines at Tamworth. Total Time: 5870 hr 20 min. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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24DEC80
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Major inspection by New England Aerial Topdressing Pty Ltd, Armidale, NSW (trading as Superair). Total Time: 6039 hr. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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22MAR81
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Registered to Papa Sierra Pty Ltd / Thomas Caldwell, Coffs Harbour, NSW. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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05JUN81
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Narco AT150 transponder installed and compass swung by Air Gold Coast Pty Ltd at Coolangatta. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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10JAN84
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Major inspection by Coffs Aero Maintenance, Coffs Harbour. Total Time: 6340 hr. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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08FEB86
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Photographed at Innisfail, Qld. (Source: David Thollar) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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02MAR90
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Major
inspection by Coffs Aero Maintenance, Coffs Harbour. Aircraft was stripped
and repainted. US Paint Polyurethane Moon Dust EuroCryl VWL54Y Aqua Blau EuroCryl Incredible Black Total Time: 6902 hr. (Source: Log Book No. 2) |
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02FEB92
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Acquired by Guy Cahill. (Source: Correspondence with Guy Cahill) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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10APR92
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Periodic inspection by Port Aero Servicing at Coffs Harbour. Total Time: 7100 hr. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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01JUN92
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Registered to BC Opals (Guy Cahill), Bowraville, NSW. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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16APR94
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Periodic inspection by Jacaranda Aviation Pty Ltd, Bankstown. Total Time: 7292 hr. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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20MAR95
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Skin repairs and pilot's windscreen replaced. "All major hail dents dressed or filled as required" by Airag Aviation Services Pty Ltd at Bankstown. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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22JUL96
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Last flight recorded on Maintenance Release (No 08387) 2 hr 5 min. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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29JUL96
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Last Maintenance Release (No 08387) Total Time: 7458.1 hr. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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22AUG96
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Periodic inspection by Davison Aviation Service at Coffs Harbour. Total Time: 7458.1 hr. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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23JAN97
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Battery replaced by Davison Aviation Service at Coffs Harbour. This is the last entry in the log book with no increase in total time beyond 7458.1 hr. (Source: Log Book No. 2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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97
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Although it is not recorded in the log book, the aircraft was written off in a ground incident at Coffs Harbour, probably not long after the battery was replaced on 23JAN97. It is reported that the aeroplane rolled over a substantial drop at the side of the strip incurring serious damage. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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NOV02
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Noted derelict at Coffs Harbour, NSW. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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27JUN06
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Registration cancelled in Part 47 purge of the Register. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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08FEB07
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Donated to QAM under the Cultural Gifts Program by Guy Cahill (BC Opals). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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17APR07
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Trucked from Coffs Harbour to Brisbane by QAM. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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19APR07
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Trucked from Brisbane to Caloundra by QAM. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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