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VH-BUJ. Airspeed AS-57 Ambassador 2. c/n 5230.
Was also registered as: G-AMAH.
This was the last Airspeed Ambassador to be constructed It was built at Airspeed's Christchurch, Hampshire factory Entered onto the British Aircraft Register as G-AMAH - April 05, 1950 Registered to British European Airways Corporation Powered by Bristol Centaurus 661 radial engines of 2,625 hp Certificate of Airworthiness issued - March 06, 1953 Delivered to British European Airways - March 06 1953 Aircraft was named 'Sir Christopher Hatton' The purchase of three Airspeed AS-57 Ambassadors was announced by Arthur Butler - May 31, 1957 Sold to Butler Air Transport for approximately 190,000 Pounds - June 06, 1957 Ferried to Australia with the other two Airspeed Ambassadors that were purchased Departed Darwin on the ferry flight to Sydney - June 16, 1957 It arrived at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) in formation with the other two aircraft - June 18, 1957 Ferry route: Darwin - Cloncurry - Charleville - Sydney Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-BUJ - August 02, 1957 Registered to Butler Air Transport Pty Ltd It was configured to seat 47 passengers with 18 rear-facing seat forward and 29 forward facing seats at the rear The aircraft retained the name ' Sir Christopher Hatton' Operated its first revenue service - September 1957 It was used on services to Bourke, Casino, Coffs Harbour, Coolangatta, Dubbo, Moree, Oakey, Parkes and Walgett Butler Air Transport Pty Ltd was acquired by Ansett-A.N.A. - March 1958 As a result of take-over the Airspeed Ambassadors were not required and were returned to BEA for resale Withdrawn from service August 04, 1958 Departed Sydney (Kingsford Smith) on the ferry flight to England - August 05, 1958 It arrived at London (Heathrow) Airport on completion of the ferry flight - August 14, 1958 Ferry route: Sydney - Darwin - Biak - Saigon - Calcutta - Delhi - Karachi - Teheran - Ankara - Athens - Paris - London Flight crew: Captain E. Schumann; F/O J. Corlette; Engineer S. Hobday; Hostess N. Corlett Three Ansett staff travelled as passengers on this flight Handed over to BEA and parked at London (Heathrow) Airport in basic BAT livery without titles Offered for immediate sale by aircraft brokers W. S. Shackleton Ltd Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - November 06, 1959 Entered onto the British Aircraft Register as G-AMAH - November 12, 1959 Sold to Dan-Air Services (UK) Ltd - February 17, 1960 Operated its first Dan-Air revenue service - June 11, 1960 Damaged whilst taxiing at London (Gatwick) Airport when nose-wheel was lost - June 30, 1963 Repaired on site and returned to service Operated its final revenue service Newcastle - London (Gatwick) - October 31, 1970 Ferried London (Gatwick) - Lasham for storage - November 01, 1970 Scrapped at Lasham - March 1971 Cancelled from the British Aircraft Register - January 14, 1972 |
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G-AMAH. Dan-Air London - 'Sir Christopher Hatton' in the metal livery at London Heathrow Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1920-677.) |
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G-AMAH. Dan-Air London - 'Sir Christopher Hatton' in the final livery at London Heathrow Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1920-701.) |
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G-AMAH. Dan-Air London - 'Sir Christopher Hatton' in the metal livery at London Heathrow Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1920-702.) |
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G-AMAH. Dan-Air London - 'Sir Christopher Hatton' in the final livery at an unknown airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1920-739.) |