| ADF.Serial | Const.No | Aircraft.Type | Aircraft History |
| A98-041 | 51041 | C-180D | Pre-delivery was N8641X. Delivered 12/10/61 but still held by Dehavilland Bankstown for assembly. To 16ALA Sqn 11/04/62. Crashed and burned on impact near Amberley Qld (Thorntom?) on 30/05/62. Remains still with 16ALA Sqn 29/06/62 for survey. Engine removed and to be repaired. Remainder of aircraft written off 29/08/63. |
| A98-042 | 51042 | C-180D | Pre-delivery was N8642X. Delivered 12/10/61 but still held by Dehavilland Bansktown for assembly. To 16ALA Sqn 11/04/62. To Dehavilland 27/08/62. To 16ALA Sqn 12/10/62. Crashed at Toowoomba Airport Qld on 15/11/64. Remains still held at 16ALA Sqn 12/04/65. Written off 30/06/66. |
| A98-043 | 51043 | C-180D | Pre-delivery was N8643X. Delivered 12/10/61 but still held by Dehavilland Bansktown for assembly. To 16ALA Sqn 11/04/62. Sometimes used the callsign VMHQK. To Dehavilland 15/11/62. To 16ALA Sqn 28/12/62. To Dehavilland 16/06/65. To 16ALA Sqn 09/07/65. Served with Australian Army 161 Recce Flight, Vietnam 30/09/65 to 19/11/67. To Dehavilland Bankstown 30/11/67. To 1 Aviation Regiment 22/03/68. To 161 Recce Flight Vietnam 08/03/68. Damaged during a forced landing into a paddy field on 26/08/68. The aircraft was recovered back to Nui Dat where it was subsequently written off on 29/08/68. Pilot: Steve Tizzard. The aircraft registered VH-WGD and marked as A98-043 is not really ex-Army. It is Owned by HARS and is really c/n 50739.
Images of A98-043. |
| A98-044 | 51044 | C-180D | Pre-delivery was N8644X. Delivered 12/10/61, I believe this was still awaiting assembly but we do not hold a status card. To 16ALA Sqn 1962. Served with Australian Army 161 (indep) Recce Flight, Vietnam 22/11/67 to 04/10/68 & 08/05/69 to 10/05/69. On the 10/05/69 the aircraft was extensively damaged during take-off at Fire Support Base ‘Blackhorse’. The aircraft was recovered back to Nui Dat where serviceable parts were removed and the aircraft was subsequently written off. Crew ok. Pilot: Errol Driver.
Images of A98-044. |
| A98-045 | 51045 | C-180D | Pre-delivery was N8645X. Delivered 12/10/61, I believe this was still awaiting assembly but we do not hold a status card. To 16ALA Sqn 1962. Served with Australian Army 161 Recce Flight, Vietnam 09/65 to 10/01/68 and 10/68 to 22/05/69 & 11/69 to 11/02/71 . Crashed 08/67, on takeoff Nui Dat Vietnam. This aircraft was the last Cessna 180 to be flown in Vietnam on 14/02/71 and at least part of the flight took place in formation with three Pilatus Porters. Returned to Australia and after being 'ground looped' on 26/03/73 the aircraft was retired from service. The aircraft was to be written off however, the aircraft was rebuilt and flown on 01 Sep 74. Currently on display at the Museum of Australian Army Flying at Oakey. Its last recorded flight was on 23 Sep 1987 and the total airframe hours of this aircraft are 6346.8 hours.
Images of A98-045. |
| A98-046 | 51046 | C-180D | Pre-delivery was N8646X. Delivered 12/10/61 but still held by Dehavilland Bankstown for assembly. To 16ALA Sqn 22/06/62. Crashed and destroyed at Gospers (near Putty/Glen Davis) NSW 18/11/63. |
| A98-063 | 51063 | C-180D | Pre-delivery was N8663X. Delivered 12/10/61. Served with Australian Army 161 Recce Flight, Vietnam 09/65 to 23/03/68, 28/09/68 to 11/07/69 & 10/01/70 to 05/70. Damaged 13/01/69, by ground fire. Damaged 23/02/69, by ground fire again. This time though the aircraft was forced to return to Nui Dat. On arrival it was found that the Prop, port wing, fuselage, starboard elevator and port flaps were damaged. Sold 29/08/75 to the Victorian Forestry Department and subsequently sold to Max Balfour of Murrwillumbah, NSW. Registration being VH-TVB.
Images of A98-063. |
| A98-144 | 51144 | C-180E | Pre-delivery was N2644Y. Delivered 30/08/62. This aircraft was sold to the Queensland Police Department sold 03/09/75 and registered as VH-PFT. The aircraft was subsequently sold to the WA Skydiving Academy. In 1995 the aircraft crashed into the mangroves in Broome WA and declared a write off and subsequently removed from the civil register. The aircraft was purchased at auction by a New Zealander (Tim Austin) and shipped to New Zealand where it was rebuilt and registered as ZK-TUA. As at June 2000 the aircraft was still serviceable and being flown. |
| A98-146 | 51146 | C-180E | Pre-delivery was N2646Y. Delivered 31/08/62. Sometimes used the callsign VMHQQ. Served with Australian Army 161 (Indep) Recce Flight, Vietnam 12/01/68 to 14/12/68 & 12/06/69 to 28/10/69. This aircraft was damaged during landing at Nui Dat on 28/10/69 and was subsequently written off on 01/12/69. Pilot: Barry Donald. |
| A98-148 | 51148 | C-180E | Pre-delivery was N2648Y. Delivered 30/08/62. Served with Australian Army 161 (Indep) Recce Flight, Vietnam 22/05/68 to 16/12/68. On 30/10/75 this aircraft was sold to the Queensland Police Department and registered as VH-PFM. The aircraft was destroyed in storm at Archerfield Airfield, QLD in 12/80 and it is believed that it was subsequently written off.
Images of A98-148. |
| A98-150 | 51150 | C-180E | Pre-delivery was N2650Y. Delivered 31/08/62. Served with Australian Army 161 (Indep) Recce Flight, Vietnam 11/07/69 to 11/01/70. Damaged 01/70, over Phuoc Hai Vietnam. Hits taken on Port wing, Engine firewall and through perspex roof! Crew ok. On 02/08/75 the aircraft was sold to GAF in Victoria and registered as VH-AUT. The aircraft was damaged during landing at Moorabbin Airfield, Vic, and placed into storage at GAF before being removed from the civilian register and sold. Damaged in a heavy landing at Avalon VIC in Aug 1986. Purchased by Carl Boulton of Grafton NSW and transported to Lismore Airfield where it was rebuilt to flying status. Registered VH-CRB from 17/01/03. Test flown after a rebuild on 14/11/03.
Images of A98-150. |
| A98-336 | 50336 | C-180A | Pre-delivery was N5036E. Delivered 10/03/59. On 12/12/75 this aircraft was sold to the Victorian Forestry Department and registered VH-TVC. The aircraft was subsequently sold is flying as VH-HQA.
Images of A98-336. |
| A98-338 | 50338 | C-180A | Pre-delivery was N5038E. Delivered 15/04/59. To 2AD 21/04/59. To Base Sqn Canberra 12/05/59. To 16AOP FLight. Had an 'Incident' in the circuit area at Canberra, 03/12/59. Pilot: SQN/LDR H K McLoughlin. To 16 ALA Sqn 02/12/60. To Dehavilland 12/04/61 for survey submission and repair. To 16ALA Sqn 05/06/62. To Dehavilland 12/07/62. To 16ALA Sqn 24/08/62. Crashed and destroyed at Purga near Amberley, Qld on 15/03/63 after hitting power lines and crashing in a field. Pilot: Lt G Lilley 13998 was slightly injured. Struck off 11/04/63. |
| A98-340 | 50340 | C-180A | Pre-delivery was N5040E. Delivered 20/04/59. Served with 16AOP Flight. Had an 'Incident' in the vicinity of Canberra on 22/2/60. Pilot: SQN/LDR H K McLoughlin. Another at Yass on 15/7/60. Pilot LT Constable. On 20/08/75 this aircraft was sold to the Victorian Forestry Department and subsequently sold. Registered VH-TVA In 1995 this aircraft was owned and flown by Oscar Roche of Tottenham NSW with registration VH-TVA.
Images of A98-340. |
| A98-342 | 50342 | C-180A | Pre-delivery was N5042E. Delivered 27/04/59. To 2AD 27/04/59. To Base Sqn Canberra 26/05/59. To 16AOP Flight. Damaged Bankstown NSW on 29/07/59. Pilot: P/LT Morris R S. To 2AD 31/07/59 pending survey. Approved for conversion to componants 04/03/60. |
| A98-343 | 50343 | C-180A | Pre-delivery was N5043E. Delivered 02/05/59. To 2AD 02/05/59. To Base Sqn Canberra 18/05/59. To 16AOP Flight. Destroyed 6 miles east of Bungendore NSW, 29/06/60 near Canberra. Pilot: Lt G C Precians. Still held by 16AOP Flight 20/07/60. Approved for convervsion to componants 03/10/60. |
| A98-344 | 50344 | C-180A | Pre-delivery was N5044E. Delivered 14/05/59. To 2AD 14/05/59. To 16AOP Flight 08/06/59. To 16ALA Sqn 02/12/60. Aircraft Crashed and destroyed near Eildon Weir VIC on 02/12/61. Converted to componants and written off 12/02/62. |
| A98-350 | 50350 | C-180A | Pre-delivery was N5050E. Delivered 08/06/59. The first recorded ADF flight of this aircraft was carried out by Sqn Ldr McLoughlin when he carried out the Acceptance Test Flight on the aircraft at RAAF Base Richmond on 06/07/59 and subsequently flew the aircraft from Richmond to RAAF Base Canberra to commence service with 16 AOP Flight. Throughout its military life the aircraft was primarily used for training purposes however there is some indication that it did go to New Guinea for a period of time in 1967. In addition the aircraft was used for ARDU Trials at Edinburgh during Apr/May 67. (Don Cockerell being the pilot). On 15/01/76 this aircraft was sold to the Victorian Forestry Department and subsequently sold to Dick Hourigan from Moorabbin Vic. Registered and flying as VH-TVD. Was sold abroad to Switzerland, but on its delivery flight the new owner sold the aircraft to:- R.Jaeggi, Malane Teken Terengguna Malaysia, who registered the aircraft in Australia on 09/06/00. Malaysia does not have a Warbird class, and if he was to re-register it in Malaysia, it would have to lose it Australian Army markings. Seen at Kuala Terenganu airport at Kuala Lumpur, Malasia. Now back in Australia still marked the same and registered VH-TVD. Currently at the Temora Aviation Museum and expected to move to QLD.
Images of A98-350. |
| A98-351 | 50351 | C-180A | Pre-delivery was N5051E. Delivered 02/06/59. To 2AD 02/06/59. To 16AOP Flight 04/06/59. Incident Report, 5 Miles North of Richmond Aerodrome Pilot: DS Bell. Into reserve 13/07/60. To 16ALA Sqn 09/12/60. To Dehavilland 29/08/62. To 16ALA Sqn 12/05/65. ARDU 30/05/66 for fatigue testing and weight and balance trials. Severely damaged at Laverton VIC on 17/06/66 while in service with ARDU. To 16ALA Sqn 06/08/66 for investigation with a view to repair. Was converted to a training aid prior to 15/02/67. Aircraft was allotted to the School of Army Aviation at Oakey Qld, for static display and was subsequently allotted to the Museum of Australia Army Flying at Oakey where it is to being restored for static display. Some parts of this aircraft were recovered for use with A98-045 which is on static display.
Images of A98-351. |
| 51-11969 | ? | O-1A | On 16 March 1968, Bernie Forrest flew to Phu Loi where he picked up 51-11969 and flew it back to Nui Dat where it commenced operations with the Flight on 17 March. Bernie was responsible for flying both Birddogs back to Phu Loi when they became due for their 100 hourly servicings or and special maintenance that was required. Birddog 51-11969 was originally an "A" model aircraft, built in 1952 and modified up to a "G" model, post 1956, before being sent to Vietnam. On 23 May 68, George Constable was flying 51-11969 when the aircraft was shot down and destroyed. George was killed in the crash. At the time he was shot down he was flying a vehicle convoy cover mission for an Australian convoy returning from Fire Support Base Coral. |
| 56-2608 | ? | O-1E | In 1967 the OC of 161 (Indep) Recce Flt, Major George Constable, organised the loan of a O-1 Cessna Birddog from the US Army, 54th Aviation Company, at Phu Loi. At that time the Flight was operating six Bell 47 G3B-1 Sioux helicopters and three Cessna 180 fixed wing aircraft. On 28 Aug 67, George Constable, Peter Robinson (EO) and John Wright (fixed wing pilot) flew to Phu Loi to pick up the "first" Birddog, serial number 56-2608. George Constable and Peter Robinson returned to Nui Dat in the Birddog which was an "E" model aircraft which was manufactured in April 1957. This aircraft began operations with 161 (Indep) Recce Flt on 29 Aug 67. On 07 September, Capt O'Malley from the 54th Avn Co flew conversion flights with David McFerran, Tom Guivarra and Bernie Forrest in 56-2608. Tom Guivarra only had two flights in this aircraft. The first on 07 Sept and the second on 08 Sept when he flew the aircraft from Nui Dat to the airfield at Black Horse. During the landing phase the aircraft slid off the runway and nose dived into a large ditch on the side of the runway. The aircraft was recovered to Vung Tau where it was repaired and returned to 161 (Indep) Recce Flt on 14 Oct 67 when George Constable with Peter Robinson as his passenger flew the aircraft back to Nui Dat. On 27 Feb 68, Bernie Forrest with Mike Boland (EO) flew this birddog back to Phu Loi and returned it to the US Army. |
