Aviation Center Australia

The legendary TAA DC-3 VH-AES Hawdon was originally delivered to the US Army Air Force in Nov 1942, and was transferred to the USAAF in Australia in January 1943 as 'Shanghai Lil'. Purchased by the Australian Department of Civil Aviation in August 1944, it was loaned to Australian National Airways for use as a civil airliner. After serving with ANA, it was then flown by Trans Australian Airlines as 'Hawdon' commencing July 3rd 1946 & flew with the new TAA airline's very first service on September 9th. It last flew in TAA service in September 1971, and was then immortalised by being suspended from a large hoop in front of the passenger terminal of the then new Tullamarine airport in Melbourne. It was restored to flying condition in 1988, and may be seen flying to this very day. Hawdon has many more flyng years ahead of her!

Ansett VH-ABR was initially built in September 1938, and was purchased new by Australian National Airways for AU$64,800, the third DC-3 to be imported into Australia. It was assembled at Essendon Airport and first flown in October 1938, registered as VH-ABR, named Kanana (Quiet). It was subsequently chartered by the Australian Commonwealth Government for use by the RAAF in September, 1939, following the outbreak of hostilities. It was impressed as A30-3 and issued to No 8 Squadron, Canberra in September 1939, and operated in full camouflage markings. The aircraft was returned to ANA in May 1940, and operated daily flying on the Melbourne-Deniliquin-Griffith-Narrandera-Wagga Wagga-Sydney service. The aircraft was registered to the merged Ansett-ANA airline in June 1961. and operated its last scheduled Ansett service on December 27 1972. It was placed in storage inside Hangar 151 at Melbourne's Essendon Airport, and has been reactivated and now flies occasional special charter flights and visits to airshows. The Armour Collection model of this legendary aircraft depicts Kanana as she appeared in the livery of the 1940s.