One of 200 CA-6 trainers built by CAC, bought as war surplus for £20 in 1946 after RAAF service as A3-139. In January 1962 its owner was flying from Melbourne to Perth when compass malfunction took hime well off course on the leg between Caduna and Cook, SA. He landed in the desert low on fuel. A 19-day search failed to locate the pilot, his remains never being found. The aircraft was not located until spotted by an Adastra survey Hudson in 1965, messages scratched into the fuselage paintwork. The aircraft was recovered in 1977 and restored in 1981

This Dove was delivered 1958 and spent its whole active life with the same operator fitted out as an air ambulance. Withdrawn from use in 1978 on replacement by the GAF Nomad, it was stored here at Alice Springs till sold to Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation - CSIRO in 1980. Although flown to Adelaide-Parafield, SA, it was never operated by CSIRO and in 1982 it was acquired by CAAM, a permit for ferry flight from Parafield to Bond Springs airfield, 15 miles north of Alice Springs being used in December 1982. It was then roaded down to the CAAM at Townsite Aerodrome.

Built as standard Heron 2D with Gipsy Queen engines and delivered to the WGAF as CA+001, this was one of two for the Chief of Staff and Chancellor, returning as G-ASFI in 1964. It was sold on to Transportes Aereos de Guinea Portuguesa as CR-GAT and bought by Connellan Airways in 1970, who rebuilt VH-CLW at Alice Springs in 1972 as a Riley Heron with four Lycoming IO-540 engines and 3 blade props. It was leased to Kendell Airlines in 1976 and sold to Air Tungaru, Kirabati becoming T3-ATA in 1981 and then DQ-FDY with Sunflower Airlines, Fiji in 1984. Back to Australia in 1997 and to CAAM in 2012

One of three Beech 18s used by Connellan Airways here at Alice Springs in the early/mid 1960s. Ex ZK-BQE, N3010V and NC80013. The same registration was later used by Connellan on a Queen Air.

Exceedingly difficult to satisfactorily photograph whole! This C-47 is actually VH-BAA, which flew with Brain & Brown Airfreighters until 1979, painted to represent VH-EWE of Connellan Airways colours as operated from here at the old Alice Springs airport. Previously VH-EBW/EBH/EAL/BAK with Qantas, A65-49 and 42-93199

Acquired by the Central Australian Aviation Museum in 1995 and moved to Alice Springs. Displayed in Connair colours as VH-EWE.

Manufactured in 1946, this Beech 18 was used by Connellan Airways from 1960 to 1966. The aircraft was acquired from Trans Island Airways in New Zealand, who had in turn acquired it from the U.S.A. Three Beech 18's were used by the Airline in the 1960's until replaced by the Beech Twins of the 1970's. After being withdrawn from use in 1966, the aircraft languished in Alice Springs until moved to Mildura for display by the Warbirds Museum. In 1984,it became part of the collection.

Manufactured in 1941, this Percival Proctor was acquired to represent the Percival Vega Gull used by Eddie Connellan, founder of Connellan Airways, to operate the first station mail run between Alice Springs and Wyndham in August, 1939 and is now marked as VH-ACM. The Proctor was a military version of the Vega Gull. VH-AVG was flown to Australia from the UK by Jack Williams in 1955. It was then purchased and flown by Mr K. Treloar of Olary, SA, until it was deemed non-airworthy in 1966 due to glue deterioration.

CA001 (WGAF), G-ASFI, CR-GAT. To VH-CLW (1970) Converted to Heron 2E/A1, fitted with Lycoming Engines in 1972. To T3-ATA 1981, then DQ-FDY 1984. Acquired from Bankstown and restored.

This Dove flew its entire life as a medical aircraft for the Northern Territory Medical Service which is now part of the RFDS - Royal Flying Doctor Service. Since 2003 it has been part of the Collection of the Central Australian Aviation Museum

VH-BEC force-landed in the desert 135km from Maralinga, South Australia, on January 14, 1962. Despite an extensive search, its fate remained a mystery until three years later when the crew of an Adastra Hudson spotted it. The aircraft was intact but 40 degrees off course. No trace of the pilot was found. In 1977 -BEC was recovered and restored as a static display.

VH-FDC was acquired by the museum in 1978. It was recovered from the Adelaide Airport fire dump.

Preserved at the Central Australian Aviation Museum is this Auster VH-ASQ.

ex. CA001 (WGAF), G-ASFI, CR-GAT. To VH-CLW (1970) Converted to Heron 2E/A1, fitted with Lycoming Engines in 1972. To T3-ATA 1981,then DQ-FDY 1984. Acquired from Bankstown and restored. Photo by S.Surman.

Preserved near the Central Australian Aviation Museum

This Dove flew its entire life as a medical aircraft for the Northern Territory Medical Service which is now part of the RFDS - Royal Flying Doctor Service. Since 2003 it is part of the Collection of the Central Australian Aviation Museum

VH-FDC was acquired by the museum in 1978. It was recovered from the Adelaide Airport fire dump.

VH-BEC force-landed in desert 135km from Maralinga, South Australia, on January 14, 1962. Despite an extensive search, its fate remained a mystery until three years later when the crew of an Adastra Hudson spotted it. The aircraft was intact but 40 degrees off course. No trace of the pilot was found. In 1977 -BEC was recovered and restored as a static display.

Harry and Edmund Schneider designed and built gliders in Australia. They are not connected to the German Rolladen-Schneider glider manufactuer. Before the war, Edmund was famous in Germany for his Grunau Baby which was built in huge numbers in the 1930s. He and son Harry immigrated to Australia in 1949 and set up a glider factory in South Australia. Edmund was the designer and Harry handled manufacturing.

G-AUKA force landed in the Tanami Desert on April 10, 1929. The two crew had perished from dehydration before they were found. -AUKA was destroyed in a grass fire before it could be recovered. It then remained missing until an extensive search relocated it in 1978. The remains were moved to the museum and exhibited as they were found. The museum is at the old Alice Springs Townsite Aerodrome which closed in 1968.