Publicity photo probably taken by Vickers ahead of VH-TVA's delivery to Australia. It never entered service after suffering a training accident at Mangalore, Victoria, on October 31, 1954. The crew was attempting a three-engine take-off when control was lost.

TAA's first Viscount was delivered to the airline's Melbourne/Essendon base on 13 October 1954, to be greeted by a large crowd. However, VH-TVA never entered regular service as it was lost in a training accident at Mangalore a fortnight later, on 31 October. (CAHS/Mac Job collection)

Shown just after arrival in Australia. Scanned from a negative from the late Gus Grulke.

On static display at the Avalon Airshow 2011

Departing Hurn on it's maiden flight. Scanned from a large format slide received in 1962.

Photograph taken in the early days, nothing like the condition it's flying around today.

This Cessna 180 was built for the Australian Army. Allocated the 'trade-plate' N5040E for testing, it was delivered on 20 April 1959 and allocated the serial A98-340. It initially served with 16 AOP Flight and later with 161 Recce Squadron. Sold on 20 August 1975 to the Victorian Forestry Department and registered VH-TVA(2), but quickly on-sold. The current owner flew it extensively in New Guinea in the '60s. Seen at the Centenary of Military Aviation airshow.

This Cessna 180 was built for the Australian Army. Allocated the 'trade-plate' N5040E for testing, it was delivered on 20 April 1959 and allocated the serial A98-340. It initially served with 16 AOP Flight and later with 161 Recce Squadron. Sold on 20 August 1975 to the Victorian Forestry Department and registered VH-TVA(2), but quickly on-sold. The current owner flew it extensively in New Guinea in the '60s. Since I last photographed it the original Army colour scheme has been restored.

This Cessna 180 was built for the Australian Army. Allocated the 'trade-plate' N5040E for testing, it was delivered on 20 April 1959 and allocated the serial A98-340. It initially served with 16 AOP Flight and later with 161 Recce Squadron. Sold on 20 August 1975 to the Victorian Forestry Department and registered VH-TVA(2), but quickly on-sold. The current owner flew it extensively in New Guinea in the '60s and has plans to restore the former Army markings.

Final for Kyabram's Runway 19. This former Australian Army aircraft still carries a few reminders of its military origins on the panel, such as the blue rocket sequencer at top right. Thanks for the ride, Murray!

This Cessna 180 was built for the Australian Army. Allocated the 'trade-plate' N5040E for testing, it was delivered on 20 April 1959 and allocated the serial A98-340. It initially served with 16 AOP Flight and later with 161 Recce Squadron. Sold on 20 August 1975 to the Victorian Forestry Department and registered VH-TVA(2), but quickly on-sold. The current owner flew it extensively in New Guinea in the '60s and has plans to restore the former Army markings.

Picture scanned from a negative, photographer unknown, taken on the occasion of the only visit to Sydney by TAA's first Viscount. It was chance for airport staff to become familiar with the new aircraft. But VH-TVA never entered service and was lost in a training accident at Mangalore on October 31. The building behind the aircraft was built in the 1930s as a combined terminal and control tower. It remained in existence into the 21st century, its façade hidden by progressive expansions of what is now a section of Terminal 3. Negative held by Bill Gray.