VH-ABR Australian Aircraft Registration Details

Four DC-3-232 aircraft were imported prior to World War 2, these being VH-UZJ, -UZK, -ABR & -ACB. The first of these was for Airlines of Australia, Ltd., the remainder for Australian National Airways Pty., Ltd. The third of these, the now venerable VH-ABR, is the only one that survives to-day. It was issued with Import Licence no. 71 on 02 July 1938, and its' construction was completed at Santa Monica, California on 01 September 1938, it then being partially dissembled and shipped to Melbourne where it arrived - via the s.s."Clydebank" - at Port Melbourne on 17 October 1938. Unloaded, it was towed to Essendon Aerodrome for re-assembly, and test-flown there on the 29th, whereupon Certificates of Registration and of Airworthiness nos. 720 and 677 respectively were issued on the 31st. It was named "Kanana", translated as either 'quiet' or 'silent'.



On 19 September 1939, the four DC-3's were formally leased to the Commonwealth Government - NOT, as many claim, impressed! They were allotted the consecutive R.A.A.F. serial numbers A30-1 to -4, camouflaged, and issued to No. 8 Squadron for transport duties. However, their military careers were of short duration, A30-3 being returned to the 'register as VH-ABR on 17 May 1940. It was largely used on the east-coast routes but by late 1945 was employed on the east-west routes. Post-'War, VH-ABR was initially used over similar routings, and suffered a minor accident at Mildura, Victoria on 23 December 1947, which was followed by an emergency landing nr. Bowning, N.S.W. on 04 October 1948 - after a fire in the port engine, the aircraft was extensively damaged in the ensuing forced landing, but repaired and placed back in service.



VH-ABR has had a very long and interesting career . . . and maybe, when time permits, more of that history can be added to this file

The Collector