VH-BFA. Bristol 170-31 Freighter. c/n 13179.

Was also registered as: G-18-171; S4416; AP-AMN; ZK-CVK.

This aircraft was built as a B-170-31M Freighter by the Bristol Aeroplane Company, Bristol, England

Construction completed - June 25, 1954

First flown as 'G-18-171' - June ?, 1954

Sold to the Royal Pakistan Air Force as 'S4416' - September 26, 1954

It was operated by ATC/6 Squadron at Peshawar

The word 'Royal' was dropped from the name, becoming the 'Pakistan Air Force' - ? 1956

ATC/6 Squadron was transferred to Chaklala - October 20, 1959

It was withdrawn from service and stored at Drigh Road, Karachi - ?, 1961

Transferred to the Pakistan Government - June 29, 1961

Sold to Ansett-A.N.A. - July ?, 1961

Allocated the registration 'AP-AMN' for the delivery flight to Australia

It arrived at Melbourne (Essendon) on completion of the ferry flight from Pakistan - July 29, 1961

Ferried Melbourne (Essendon) - Sydney (Bankstown) - ?

The aircraft was overhaulled by Bristol Aviation Services at Sydney (Bankstown)

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-BFA - October 10, 1961

Registered to Ansett-ANA, Melbourne

Test flown at Sydney (Bankstown) following overhaul and conversion to Ansett's requirement - ?

Certificate of Airworthiness (#3451) issue - ?

Entered service Melbourne (Essendon) - Hobart carrying 2 elephants - October 21, 1961

Appeared at an air display at Melbourne (Moorabbin) - February 25, 1962

Appeared at an air display at Hobart (Western Junction) - September 09, 1962

Transported racehorses for R. M. Ansett Melbourne (Essendon) - Hamilton - April 23, 1963

Transferred to Ansett-M.A.L. - March 1964

Registered to Ansett-M.A.L. - May 22, 1964

Departed Melbourne (Essendon) on the delivery flight to Port Morseby in the 'Ansett-M.A.L.' livery - May 26, 1964

Temporarily withdrawn from service at Goroka - January 1967 - April 1967

Returned to Ansett-M.A.L. service. - June 30, 1967

Withdrawn from use and stored at Goroka with flaps, ailerons and rudder removed - ?

The aircraft was returned to full airworthy standard in preparation for sale to SAFE Air, New Zealand

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - October 30, 1967

Sold to SAFE Air New Zealand as a source of spare parts - November 1967

Entered onto the New Zealand Aircraft Register as ZK-CVK - November 03, 1967

Departed Brisbane on the ferry flight to Blenheim (Woodbourne), New Zealand - November 16, 1967

Crew: Captains V. L A. Powell; G. T. Stuart

The aircraft was parted out after its arrival at Woodbourne

It was observed at Blenheim (Woodbourne) basically intact but without engines - November 17, 1969

Cancelled from the New Zealand Aircraft Register - April 05, 1972

The remains were still extant at Blenheim (Woodbourne) - November 23, 1975

Broken up for scrap

VH-BFA. Ansett-ANA Air Cargo - in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, date unknown.

(B. Colledge Copyright Image 1920-109.)

VH-BFA. Ansett-ANA Air Cargo - in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, September 26, 1963.

(J. Hopton Copyright Image 1921-082.)

VH-BFA. Ansett-ANA Air Cargo - in the standard livery at an unknown airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1920-039.)

VH-BFA. Ansett-ANA Air Cargo - in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1920-214.)

VH-BFA. Ansett-ANA Air Cargo - in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, date unknown.

(L. Wise Copyright Image 1920-461.)

VH-BFA. Ansett-M.A.L. Air Cargo - in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, date unknown.

(G. Bennett Collection Copyright Image 1920-295.)

VH-BFA. Ansett-M.A.L. Air Cargo - in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1920-038.)

ZK-CVK. Ansett-M.A.L. Air Cargo - in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, November 1967.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1920-215.)

ZK-CVK. Safe Air - in the basic 'Ansett-MAL' livery at Woodbourne Airport, date unknown.

(E. D. Daw Collection Copyright Image 1920-216.)