CAHS neg 3579J

Another lovely shot by Aaron Murphy.

Originally VH-BAF of Brain & Brown Airfreighters which was based at Essendon, Victoria Australia.

VH-BAF seen here around the time it made its first flight with Avro 19 metal wings and tailplane. The tailplane came from VH-BIX, the wings from the RAAF which had them as spares. The modification allowed -BAF to escape the grounding of other wooden wing Ansons. -BAF would be used for both passenger and freight work. In New Zealand since 2002 (as ZK-RRA) and restored with the original glasshouse cabin.

ZK-RRA is ex VH-BAF.

This aircraft was manufactured in 1944 for the RAF as MH120 but was delivered to the RAAF. It was sold to Brain & Brown in 1952. it was also Registered in New Zealand as ZK-RRA. at Ballarat Vic.

"Mercury" was built in 1944 for the RAF as MH120 but was diverted to the RAAF. Sold in 1952. Operated by Brain & Brown as a freighter for many years. In 1963 they gave it a life extension upgrade which included metal wings from an Anson C.19, Cheetah Mk.15 engines and C.19-style cabin windows.

VH-BAF was the rare survivor from Australia's large fleet of civil Ansons. When the rest were grounded in 1962 due to safety concerns over their glued wooden wings, VH-BAF was fitted with the metal wings and tailplane from an Avro Nineteen. Other modifications included an hydraulic undercarriage and constant speed props. VH-BAF was withdrawn from use in 1974 but returned to the skies 10 years later. For 18 years it spent a lot of time in museums with the occasional air show appearance. In 2002 it was sold in New Zealand where it was restored with the original glasshouse cabin as ZK-RRA.