Looking much nicer with a fresh re-paint than when I photographed her 2 years ago! Registered new as G-APYP on 8 Mar 60. Imported into Australia for MMA and registered VH-MMP(2) 'RMA Pilbara' on 3 Feb 64. Used for charter work. In '69 it was due to charter for Ansett Airlines of PNG, but broke down at Horn Is on the ferry flight to New Guinea. After remaining there for 5 weeks, ferried to Bankstown, then Moorabbin. Sold to Motif Air, Melbourne, 12 Jul 70. Eventually became derelict at Bankstown.

The aircraft is seen arriving for RIAT 2005. It carries sharks teeth markings on the nose and just visible under the wings 20,000 +. This was a celebration of the fact that in June 2004 the aircraft passed a magnificent 20,000 flying hours.

Parked by the fence at the northern end of the aerodrome, advertising the HARS museum. Registered new as G-APYP on 8 Mar 60. Imported into Australia for MMA and registered VH-MMP(2) 'RMA Pilbara' on 3 Feb 64. Used for charter work. In '69 it was due to charter for Ansett Airlines of PNG, but broke down at Horn Is on the ferry flight to New Guinea. After remaining there for 5 weeks, ferried to Bankstown, then Moorabbinn. Sold to Motif Air, Melbourne, 12 Jul 70. Eventually became derelict at Bankstown.

Here's the characteristic gull-wing of the 'Pig'. Registered new as G-APYP on 8 Mar 60. Imported into Australia for MMA and registered VH-MMP(2) 'RMA Pilbara' on 3 Feb 64. Used for charter work. In '69 it was due to charter for Ansett Airlines of PNG, but broke down at Horn Is on the ferry flight to New Guinea. After remaining there for 5 weeks, ferried to Bankstown, then Moorabbinn. Sold to Motif Air, Melbourne, 12 Jul 70. Eventually became derelict at Bankstown.

A rather special guest of the EHVB airshow in 1997 was this Piaggio of 303 Gruppo.

Airlines of NSW started operations with VH-PQA in the Riverina region of New South Wales in January 1967 but within the year the aircraft was parked in the Essendon graveyard. The experience hastened the licensing of third-level (commuter) airlines in Australia to take over regional DC-3 services that were not viable with Fokker F27s. Third-level airlines typically paid general aviation wages, which was not an option for Ansett-owned Airlines of NSW. -PQA would return to scheduled services in 1968 with one of the new third-level operators, the aptly named Commuter Airlines, based at Essendon.

VH-PND following its withdrawal from Papua New Guinea. It found use with an operator based in Sydney - it was seen at both Sydney International and Bankstown airports - until finally struck off the register in 1976.

VH-PND was withdrawn from use at Bankstown, New South Wales, in September 1976.

VH-PGA was withdrawn from use in 1986. It was purchased by a farmer from Tingha, New South Wales, for use as a piece of playground equipment.

Previously I-PIAS

The Piaggio proved popular in Australia despite its unconventional appearance and the relative obscurity of Piaggio in Australia. Affectionately called Pigs, 17 were imported including eight for the Ansett group. These were distributed to airlines in the group, with VH-MMP going to MacRobertson Miller Airlines. It became one of the Piaggios traded to Hawker de Havilland in 1969 on new Twin Otters. -MMP passed through a string of owners until 2002 when it was withdrawn from use, the final P.166 on the register. Now displayed at HARS at Wollongong.

VH-GOE in the bronze and white livery it wore when operated by Air Research, the company's name and logo removed but not what it did. It found further work in aerial survey into 1971 but by the end of that year was operating as a freighter. -GOE continued cargo until withdrawn from use in 1976. It was purchased in 1984 by the Papua New Guinea National Museum with a view to displaying it in its original Ansett-MAL livery. It may have since been scrapped without any work being done.