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VH-TVE. Vickers Viscount 720. c/n 048. |
This was the fifth of six Viscounts ordered new by Trans-Australia Airlines - August 19, 1952 Built at the Vickers-Armstrong Hurn factory Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-TVE - June 22, 1954 Registered to Australian National Airlines Commission, Melbourne First flown - December 23, 1954 It arrived at Melbourne (Essendon) on completion of the delivery flight - January 22, 1955 Delivery route: Hurn - Hamburg - Rome - Athens - Beirut - Bahrain - Delhi - Calcutta - Rangoon - Singapore - Jakarta - Denpasar - Darwin - Alice Springs - Melbourne Ferry crew: Captains D. Winch, R. Keig, J.C. Johnston; Navigator J. Pelletier The aircraft was named 'Charles Sturt' Operated its first revenue service - February 02, 1955 Converted to '720C' standard during its early career Set a speed record between Melbourne (Essendon) - Adelaide of 144 minutes (Captain L. Thrift) - July 16, 1955 Set a speed record between Sydney (Kingsford Smith) - Adelaide of 128 minutes (Capt R. Andrews) - June 08, 1956 Set a speed record between Melbourne (Essendon) - Launceston of 50 minutes (Capt A. Hawkesford) - August 09, 1956 This aircraft was dry-leased to Ansett-ANA on a cross-charter agreement - March 06, 1960 It was leased for 160 pounds 18 shillings per day Returned to Trans-Australia Airlines at the end of the lease - October 12, 1966 Returned to service with Trans-Australia Airlines - November 23, 1966 The aircraft was renamed ' John Ross' It operated its final passenger service - April 07, 1967 Withdrawn from use and stored at Melbourne (Essendon) It was prepared for return to service as a freighter aircraft - January 1968 The seating was removed and 'cargo-liners' were installed in the cabin Returned to service in the freighter configuration - January 29, 1968 It operated its final freighter service - April 01, 1968 Withdrawn from use and placed in open storage at Melbourne (Essendon) - April 02, 1968 The intended sale to Keegan Aviation Ltd did not eventuate Sold to Simsmetal for scrapping and scrapped on site - December 18, 1969 Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - January 30, 1970 Aircraft had flown 29,383 hours with 21,680 cycles |
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VH-TVE. TAA Trans Australia Airlines - 'Charles Sturt' in the original livery at Brisbane Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0129-179.) |
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VH-TVE. TAA Trans Australia Airlines - 'Charles Sturt' in the original livery at Brisbane Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0129-311.) |
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VH-TVE. TAA Trans Australia Airlines - 'Charles Sturt' in the original livery at an unknown location, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0129-365.) |
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VH-TVE. TAA Trans Australia Airlines - 'Charles Sturt' in the original livery at an unknown location, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0129-322.) |
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VH-TVE. Ansett-ANA - in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0129-109.) |
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VH-TVE. Ansett-ANA - in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0129-441.) |
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VH-TVE. Ansett-ANA - in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, September 10, 1966. (G. Bennett Collection Copyright Image 0129-366.) |
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VH-TVE. TAA The Nation's Jeline - 'John Ross' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0129-009.) |
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VH-TVE. TAA The Nation's Jeline - 'John Ross' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0129-474.) |
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VH-TVE. TAA The Nation's Jeline - 'John Ross' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, April 03, 1968. (G. Bennett Copyright Image 0129-502.) |
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VH-TVE. TAA The Nation's Jeline - 'John Ross' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, September 20, 1969. (G. Bennett Copyright Image 0129-339.) |