ALL SURVEY AIRCRAFT KNOWN TO HAVE OPERATED IN AUSTRALIA

(TO 31 DECEMBER 2016)

 

TYPE REGN C/N OPERATOR REMARKS
REF
  
Aero Commander 500A VH-AGA 1253-77 Adastra  
1
Aero Commander 500S VH-BGE 3120 Bureau of Mineral Resources 27JUN90 to 22OCT99
4
  
Aero Commander 500U VH-BMR 1754-45 Bureau of Mineral Resources Into service MAY68. TAA provided flight crew, engineering and airworthiness responsibility. Noted at Karratha on 26JUN85 still in service with the BMR.
1/26/18
  
Aero Commander 680FLP VH-BTN 1695-35 Tasmap/Bayswater Rd/Sunmap QLD Aerotechnologies P/L Hobart 1985-2005
4
  
Aero Commander 690A VH-DLK 11321 South Australia Dept of Lands  
5
  
Aero Commander 500S VH-EXE 3053 Geoterrex  
2
  
Aero Commander 500S VH-EXH 3157 Aerodata/World Geoscience Corp Crashed 16APR88
12
  
Aero Commander 685 VH-EXN 12015 W.A. Dept of Land & Surveys  
1
  
Aero Commander 680FL VH-EXP 1490-94 Dept of Nat Dev/National Mapping 1971-75 Laser Terrain Profiling
13
  
Aero Commander 500S VH-EXR 1847-36 Aust Aerial Mapping NOV78
21
  
Aero Commander 500S VH-EXS 3069 Fugro  
1
  
Aero Commander 500S VH-EXV 646-45 Aerial Services Tasmania 1969
21
  
Aero Commander 680FL VH-EXX 1295-6 Qasco/Survair Adelaide  
4
  
Aero Commander 680E VH-EXY 3279 Dept of Nat Dev/National Mapping Aerodist 1965 only. Replaced by VH-EXZ.
13
  
Aero Commander 680FL VH-EXZ 1379-48 Dept of Nat Dev/National Mapping/BMR Aerodist 1966-74.
13
  
Aero Commander 500S VH-FGS 3315 Aerodata/WGC/Austirex  
12
  
Aero Commander 500S VH-FGZ 3071 Fugro  
1
  
Aero Commander 500S VH-KAC 3185 Fugro  
1
  
Aero Commander 500S VH-KAV 3164 Fugro  
1
  
Aero Commander 680F VH-KRA 1036-52 Adastra  
1
Aero Commander 500S VH-MEH 3258 Aerodata/World Geoscience Corp  
12
  
Aero Commander 680F VH-MJJ 933-6 Aero Service Morrie Lawrence & Ted McKenzie
2
  
Aero Commander 685 VH-MML 12054 Magnet Petroleum P/L Stinger nose. 1979-82.
4
  
Aero Commander 680 VH-PSG 422-96 SAATAS/LADS (trials only late 70s) Preserved at SAAM. See Issue #15
5
  
Aero Commander 500S VH-PWO 3055 Geoterrex  
1
  
Aero Commander 500S VH-SDO 3263 Aerodata/World Geoscience Corp  
12
  
Aero Commander 680F VH-SPP 1128-74 Aerodata/World Geoscience Corp Crashed Cloncurry 09NOV94
12/27
  
Aero Commander 500S VH-UJN 3151 GAM/Aerometrex  
16/2
  
Aero Commander 500S VH-UJU 3055 GAM/United Photo & Graphic c.94-99
16/3
  
Aero Commander 500S VH-WAM 3137 Fugro  
1
  
Aero Commander 690A VH-YJP 11173 General Aircraft Maintenance Contract in Bangladesh.
1
  
Aero Commander 500U VH-YJU 176549 GAM/Aerometrex  
16/2
  
Aero Commander 680E N830Q 828-65 Aero Service  
2
  
Aero Commander 500S N9005N 3054 Aerodata/World Geoscience Corp  
12
  
Aerostar 601P VH-WGK 61P-0452-174 Aerodata/World Geoscience Corp  
12
  
Aerospatiale SA315B Lama VH-BQT 2378 Getty Research and Development, by Dighem Limited Operated by Vowell Helicopters JUN82. Pilot was Vic Barkell.
2
  
Aerospatiale SA315B Lama VH-PDU 2029-A Dighem, Geoterrex et al  
2
  
Air Tractor AT-502B VH-AVN 502B-0251 Thomson Aviation  
14
  
ANEC III VH-UGF 3 Larkin Aircraft Supply Company Donald Mackay Expedition 1930.
2
  
ANEC III VH-UEZ 1 Larkin Aircraft Supply Company Donald Mackay Expedition 1930.
2
  
Auster J/5B VH-ADS 2947 Guinea Airways/S.A. Mines Dept  
1
  
Auster J/5G VH-API 3160 Guinea Airways/SA Mines Dept Uranium survey with scintillometer.
1
  
Auster J/5B VH-ASD 2936 John Newman on behalf North Australian Uranium Corporation Crashed near Cloncurry 09FEB55 while doing low level radiometric surveying looking for uranium.
2
  
Auster J/5B VH-ASZ 2922 Air Surveys Australia See Note: 3
1
  
Auster J/5B VH-DYY 2928 North Australian Uranium Corporation Registered to North Australian Uranium Corporation on 10JUL55, presumably as a replacement for VH-ASD (see above). Subject to confirmation.
2
  
Auster J/5B VH-GVC 2922 Southern Airlines/BMR Scintillometer. Aircraft named "Fifi"
19
  
Auster J/5P VH-RES 3192 Bureau of Mineral Resources TAA provided flight crew, engineering and airworthiness responsibility. Replaced by C180 VH-GEO
3/26
  
Avro Anson I VH-AGA R9883 Adastra  
1
Avro Anson I VH-AGG MG796 Adastra  
1
Avro Anson I VH-AGO MG162 Adastra  
1
Avro Anson I VH-AVS W2657 Aerial Surveys (WA) Pty Ltd Est 1948 by Kingsley Watson.
3
  
Avro Anson I VH-BEL W2121 George W. Lewis In 1961, Lewis won a contract for an extensive photographic mapping survey in the Kalgoorlie district of WA.
2
  
Avro Anson I VH-BFC R9899 Aerial Surveys (WA) Pty Ltd Est 1948 by Kingsley Watson.
3
  
Avro Anson I VH-BGO W2591 Adastra  
1
Avro Anson I VH-BKZ W2255 Adastra  
1
Avro Anson I VH-BLF EF989 Adastra  
1
Avro Anson I VH-BNS W1587 Adastra  
1
Avro Anson I VH-FIB AW967 Air Surveys Australia See Note: 3
3
Avro Anson I VH-FIC AW658 Air Surveys Australia See Note: 3
1
Avro Anson I VH-MMH W2088 Mac.Robertson Miller Airlines  
1
Avro Anson I VH-RAS W1532 Robbys  
1
Avro Anson I VH-RAU DJ322 Robbys  
1
Avro Anson V CF-HOT BRC-1567 Commonwealth Geophysical Chartered by Robbys 1957-59.
1
  
Avro Anson C.19 VM374 VM374 RAAF (some civilian crew on board) Uranium survey with scintillometer.
1
Avro Anson C.19 VM375 VM375 RAAF (some civilian crew on board) Uranium survey with scintillometer.
1
Beech AT-11 ZK-AHO 3691 NZ Aerial Mapping Co Ltd Norfolk Island 1944/1966/1968.
3
  
Beech C18S VH-KFD 8468 Brown & Dureau Ltd., Melbourne 1952-1955
3
Beech B23 Musketeer VH-BZO M-1075 Sunland Aviation 1974 vegetation mapping
16/19
  
Beech V35 Bonanza VH-CFV D-8190 Civil Aerial Surveys/Adastra  
1
Beech A36 Bonanza VH-IOL E-18740 Atlass Aviation 2008 LiDAR
16/4
  
Beech V35TC Bonanza VH-MQS E-666 Aerometrex 1980-1990
16/7
  
Beech B35 Bonanza VH-SDD D-8464 RQAC 1974 coal stockpiles Mt Isa & central QLD.
16/19
  
Beech E50 Twin Bonanza VH-CLP EH-18 Geometrics Leased for one job circa 1978.
2
  
Beech G50 Twin Bonanza VH-KPB GH-114 Kevron  
1
  
Beech A56TC Baron VH-AEA TG-91 Qasco/Airesearch/Reprographics  
3
  
Beech 58 Baron VH-CWV TH-1529 Tesla  
2
  
Beech C55 Baron VH-DHS TE-270 Tesla  
2
  
Beech 58 Baron VH-FDN TH-126 A.G.S. (Gina Rinehart)  
2
  
Beech E55 Baron VH-ILD TE-788 Geophysical Resources Dev Co circa 1971.
2
  
Beech 56TC Baron VH-KPY TG-41 Kevron  
1
  
Beech 56TC Baron VH-SUV TG-53 NSW Dept of Lands/Airesearch  
9
  
Beech D55 Baron VH-WDE TE-728 A.G.S. (Gina Rinehart)  
2
  
Beech 65 Queen Air VH-CTE LC-85 CFS/Kevron/Adastra  
1
Beech 70 Queen Air VH-CLH LB-20 Royal Australian Survey Corps circa 1984. Struck off Register 02SEP97 as WFU.
2
  
Beech 70 Queen Air VH-EZM LB-30 Unionair Dest in hangar fire Toowoomba 15SEP71.
22
  
Beech A65-8200 Queen Air VH-FWG LC-298 Unionair/Army Aerodist & radar.
22
  
Beech A65-8200 Queen Air VH-RUU LC-311 Unionair/Army WREMAPS II Laser Profiler & RC10.
22
  
Beech A65-8200 Queen Air VH-TYV LC-295 Unionair/Army Aerodist PNG 1969. Crashed Shepparton 30NOV69.
22
  
Beech A23A Musketeer VH-CTR M-983 Adastra  
1
  
Beech B60 Duke VH-IFD P-40 Kevron 1980s
16
  
Beech B60 Duke VH-KPB P-466 Fugro  
1
  
Beech 200 Super King Air VH-ITH BB-344 Interair  
1
  
Beech 200T Super King Air VH-LAB BT-23 Air Affairs (Aust) P/L  
2
  
Bell 47G-2 VH-AHF 668 Rotorwork Lindsay Ingall's helicopter gravity survey in SA circa 1964.
2
  
Bell 47G-3-B1 VH-AHG 2935 Rotorwork Lindsay Ingall's helicopter gravity survey in SA circa 1964.
2
  
Bell 47G-3-B1 VH-AHH 2940 Rotorwork Lindsay Ingall's helicopter gravity survey in SA circa 1964.
2
  
Bell 47J-2 VH-INM 1853 Dept Nat Dev/National Mapping Charter from Ansett-ANA Aerodist 63 & 64
23
  
Bell 47J-2 VH-INZ 2841 Dept Nat Dev/National Mapping Charter from Ansett-ANA Aerodist 63 & 64
13
  
Bell 206L-1 VH-BJX 45337 GeoInstruments  
2
  
Bell 206B VH-BKG 3129 Dept Nat Res/National Mapping Cent Aust Heli/1984 camera hatch for 70mm
13
  
Bell 206A VH-FHB 528 GeoInstruments  
2
  
Bell 206B VH-FHY 3097 Heliwork/Fugro Fitted with stinger
2
  
Bell 206L VH-HHS 45404 GeoInstruments  
2
  
Bell 206B VH-JWF 3421 GeoInstruments  
2
  
Bell 206B VH-RLV 781 GeoInstruments  
2
  
Bell 206B VH-WOK 3072 Aerodata/World Geoscience Corp  
12
  
Boeing B-17G CF-HBP 32455 Kenting  
1
Boeing B-17G F-BEEA 8552 Institut Geographique National  
1
Boeing 707-338C VH-EAA 19621 Qantas/Adastra  
1
Bristol Sycamore VH-INO 13403 ANA/Adastra  
1
B.A. Eagle Mk II VH-UUY 128 Adastra  
1
BN2A Islander VH-CPG 236 Kevron/Dept Conserv & Land Mgmt Photography 80s.
16
  
BN2A Islander VH-CWG 188 Aust Aerial Mapping/Bayswater Road Camera and/or LiDAR
16
  
BN2A Islander VH-EDI 227 Barringer Research/Geometrics  
2
  
BN2A Islander VH-FLD 158 GRD, Geometrics  
2
  
BN2A Islander VH-FLE 89 GRD, Aerial Agriculture  
2
  
BN2A Islander VH-FLF 141 GRD, Geometrics  
2
  
BN2A Islander VH-ISA 159 Kevron/Dept Conserv & Land Mgmt Photography 80s. Tail stinger at one stage.
16
  
BN2A Islander VH-RQW 73 Aust Aerial Mapping/Bayswater Road Camera and/or LiDAR
16
  
BN2A Islander VH-TRW 815 ? Aeromag 1981.
2
  
BN2A Islander VH-UWV 654 Geometrics  
2
  
BN2A Mk III Trislander VH-BGS 322 Barringer Geosurveys NW Shelf WA early seventies.
2
  
BN2A Mk III Trislander VH-NKW 381 Questor/Aerodata/WGC ex C-GNKW
12
  
CASA C-212-200 Aviocar VH-TEM 138 Fugro (a/c known as the "TEMPEST") Time Domain Electromagnetic survey (TEM)
18
  
Cessna 170A VH-CAS 19090 Dept of Resources & Energy/Nat Map Natmap owned & operated MAR78-DEC82
13
  
Cessna 180 VH-ASP 31599 Adastra  
1
Cessna 180A VH-CLE 50083 Dept Nat Dev/National Mapping Connellan/Spot photography 1962
13
  
Cessna 180 VH-GEO 50554 Bureau of Mineral Resources TAA provided flight crew, engineering and airworthiness responsibility until mid 1968.
1/26
Cessna 180 VH-MZK/MZR 32235 Morry Lawrence/Aero Services Re-registered VH-MZR 25JUL60
2
  
Cessna 182A VH-EMT 34294 Wongela Geophysical Ltd., Brisbane AMEG survey October 1964 from Narromine
2
  
Cessna 182P VH-DXC 18261312 Dept Nat Res/National Mapping Transwest/1975 camera hatch for 70mm
13
  
Cessna 182E VH-RHJ 18253687 Unknown Kalgoorlie early 70s. Instrument on rear seat.
24
  
Cessna 182F VH-TMG 18254545 Tamair  
16/9
  
Cessna 185 VH-AGE 0254 Adastra  
1
Cessna A185E VH-BVY 1850113 GEOEX Geophysics 03DEC76-25MAR81
5
  
Cessna A185F VH-ESE 18504133 GEOEX Geophysics 27NOV80-09DEC83
5
  
Cessna 185B VH-KPA 0549 Kevron  
1
  
Cessna 185E VH-KPF 18501771 Austirex International  
1
  
Cessna A185F VH-PSS 18504121 GEOEX Geophysics 17OCT80-06DEC83
5
  
Cessna A185E VH-RKZ 1851392 GEOEX Geophysics 24FEB78-30MAR83
5
  
Cessna TU206A VH-AAM U2060511 Australian Aerial Mapping  
2
  
Cessna U206G VH-ADH U20604223 Aerodata/World Geoscience Corp  
12
  
Cessna U206 VH-ASY U2060385 Air Surveys Australia See Note: 3
1
  
Cessna U206G VH-AZG U20605999 Aerodata/World Geoscience Corp  
12
  
Cessna U206A VH-BBX U2060439 Austral Aerial Surveys circa 1974-78
2
  
Cessna U206G VH-BXG U20605009 UTS TBC. Fitted with magnetometer boom.
2
  
Cessna U206G VH-CPZ U20603991 Austirex International  
1
  
Cessna TU206A VH-DGD U2060522 Adastra/Qasco  
1
Cessna U206F VH-ESU U20602258 Dept of Resources & Energy/Nat Map Natmap owned & operated NOV82-MAY87
13
  
Cessna U206C VH-IMP U2061006 Aerodata/World Geoscience Corp  
12
  
Cessna U206G VH-JEK U20606774 Atlass Aviation 2007 LiDAR
16/4
  
Cessna U206G VH-KFF U20604106 Aerodata/World Geoscience Corp Ditched offshore Pt. Lincoln 06JUL94.
12/27
  
Cessna TU206G VH-KPG U20605696 Fugro  
1
  
Cessna U206F VH-KRR U20603210 Westralian Aviation Services P/L Morawa, WA, March 1978.
10
  
Cessna U206G VH-LCD U20604523 Tesla  
2
  
Cessna P206 VH-PLE P2060146 Aerial Surveys P/L, Jandakot., WA. 1965-1975 RC9
3
  
Cessna U206B VH-RXT U2060701 McPhar Geophysics WA 1972
3
  
Cessna TU206A VH-SIB U2060637 Mapmakers/Northern Air Surveys  
16/9
  
Cessna TU206A VH-SVY U2060623 Qasco/Vekta  
8
  
Cessna U206G VH-UPK U20605477 Aerodata/WGC/Fugro  
12
  
Cessna 206H VH-UTQ 20608067 UTS Geophysics Tail stinger
2
  
Cessna 206H VH-UTW 20608079 UTS Geophysics Written off Nullarbor Plain 18DEC09.
25
  
Cessna 207 VH-UBU 20700119 Aust Aeronautical Academy, Essendon 1990-2000
16/14
  
Cessna 208B VH-AGS 208B0615 ?  
1
  
Cessna 208B VH-FAY 208B0884 Fugro Tail stinger
1
  
Cessna 208 VH-FGQ 20800251 Fugro Tail stinger
1
  
Cessna 208 VH-FLL 20800359 Advance Aviation Cameras?
4
  
Cessna 208B VH-KSA 208B0516 Fugro/GPX Surveys/Ozshore Magnetometer and Gravity Meter.
15
  
Cessna 208B VH-NWT 208B0733 Polar Aviation JUL-SEP07 aeromag in Mekong Delta.
16/34
  
Cessna 208B VH-UTJ 208B2305 UTS Geophysics Arr PER 09SEP12 as C-GZTB. Tail stinger.
2
  
Cessna 208B C-GSGA 208B1228 Sander Geophysics Ltd (Canada) Arr Jandakot 16DEC11. Last flew MAR12.
18
  
Cessna 208B C-GSGJ 208B1187 Sander Geophysics Ltd (Canada) Noted at Jandakot on 22DEC16.
2
  
Cessna 210L VH-AQS 21059952 Thomson Aviation  
2
  
Cessna 210N VH-BNZ 21064837 Tesla/Fugro  
2
  
Cessna 210-5 VH-CVJ 2050274 Qasco  
8
  
Cessna 210L VH-IBY 21060696 Ozshore Aviation/GPX Aerial Surveys/SuperAir, Armidale Tail stinger. Used by GPX in 2016.
12/27
  
Cessna 210L VH-IDM 21060331 Thomson Aviation  
2
  
Cessna 210N VH-JBH 21063562 Tesla  
2
  
Cessna 210N VH-JHF 21063845 Thomson Aviation  
14
  
Cessna 210-5A VH-KMF 2050553 Adastra  
1
Cessna 210L VH-KSS 21061536 Nearmap  
16
  
Cessna 210L VH-KWW 21059928 GPX Aerial Surveys/UTS  
12
  
Cessna 210N VH-LDC 21064696 Tesla Airborne Geoscience Crashed 14MAY97 near Emerald, Qld.
16
  
Cessna 210M VH-MDG 21061622 UTS/Nearmap/Ozshore Avn/GPX  
2
  
Cessna 210N VH-MIQ 21064179 Jandakot Flight Centre/Nearmap  
16
  
Cessna 210L VH-MNN 21060746 GPX Aerial Surveys  
12
  
Cessna 210R VH-MOK 21064933 Fugro  
1
  
Cessna 210N VH-MTC 21063790 Nearmap  
16
  
Cessna 210L VH-PZO 21060298 Ozshore Aviation/GPX  
16/10
  
Cessna 210M VH-STB 21062771 GPX Aerial Surveys/SuperAir, Armidale Used by GPX in 2016.
12/27
  
Cessna 210M VH-SUX 21061042 Thomson Aviation  
14
  
Cessna 210N VH-TFT 21063448 Nearmap  
16
  
Cessna 210L VH-THS 21060031 Thomson Aviation  
14
  
Cessna 210L VH-TIJ 21060591 GPX Aerial Surveys  
12
  
Cessna 210M VH-TKQ 21062878 UTS/Nearmap  
2
  
Cessna 210R VH-ZID 21064923 NearMap  
1
  
Cessna 210N VH-ZIO 21064644 NearMap  
1
Cessna 310C VH-ACB 31035780 Mapmakers/Reprographics Pty Ltd  
3
  
Cessna 310B/A1 VH-TTM 31035654 Masling/Retalick Aeromag in WA. Pilot Lane Morrow. Operating for AMEG Pty Ltd
16/24
  
Cessna 320E VH-DRK 320E0075 Southbank Aviation/Adastra/Qasco  
1
Cessna 320D VH-AIY 320D0031 Aerometrex Crashed Redcliffe, Qld 09SEP02.
16/7
  
Cessna 320D VH-RLX 320D0097 Geophysical Resources Dev. Co  
2
  
Cessna 337F VH-JQN 33701457 Dept of Resources & Energy/Nat Map Natmap owned & operated MAY87-JUL95
13
  
Cessna 337 VH-RPY 3370168 Geophysical Resources Dev Co TBC. Lates sixties.
2
  
Cessna 402 VH-BKL 4020004 Qasco/GRD, Geometrics Intl Corp Fitted with a tail stinger.
2
  
Cessna 402 VH-CJA 4020089 Aerial Surveys P/L / Qasco  
8
  
Cessna 402B VH-CKN 402B0121 Aerial Surveys P/L, Jandakot., WA.  
3
  
Cessna 402B VH-KCL 402B0597 Photomapping Services/Interair Pty Ltd  
6
  
Cessna 402B VH-MAX 402B1018 Qasco/Vekta  
6
  
Cessna 402 VH-MWG 4020154 Australasian Mapping Services Coal mounds at Hay Point in late 90s.
17
  
Cessna 402B VH-PEH 402B0913 Rainbow Airlines, Albion Park BHP et al RC9 1990s
16/12
  
Cessna 402B VH-SVQ 402B0601 Qasco/Vekta  
8
  
Cessna 404 VH-ANV 404-0820 Kevron  
1
  
Cessna 404 VH-AZU 4040803 Fugro  
1
  
Cessna 404 VH-CBM 4040430 Carr Boyd Minerals  
1
  
Cessna 404 VH-LAD 4040224 Aust Aerial Mapping/Bayswater Rd Camera and/or LiDAR
16
  
Cessna 404 VH-LAM 4040627 Airlines of Tasmania/AAM/Bayswater Rd Camera and/or LiDAR
16
  
Cessna 404 VH-OZO 4040653 Ozshore Aviation/GPX  
16/22
  
Cessna 404 VH-TRC 4040129 Fugro Spatial TBC
2
  
Cessna 404 VH-VEC 4040217 Vee H Aviation/Corporate Air  
11
  
Cessna 404 VH-WGB 4040435 World Geoscience Corp Previously PK-FKR
24
  
Cessna 404 VH-WGH 4040430 World Geoscience Corp 05OCT94-25FEB98 Cr in Africa
2
  
Cessna 404 VH-WGS 4040686 Aerodata/World Geoscience Corp/Fugro LiDAR surveys. Prev A2-AIS, N6763R
12/24
  
Cessna 404 A2-AIU 4040082 Aerodata/World Geoscience Corp Source 24 claims did not operate in Aust.
12/24
  
Cessna 404 N4489L 4040029 Aerodata/World Geoscience Corp  
12
  
Cessna 411A VH-AYE 411A0228 Reprographics  
16/54
  
Cessna 411 VH-TDB 4110007 Aerial Surveys P/L, Jandakot., WA.  
3
  
Cessna 421B VH-DRB 421C0256 Dept of Resources & Energy/Nat Map Natmap owned & operated SEP82-JUL95
13
  
Cessna 421B VH-ECF 421B0436 Australian Aerial Surveys  
1
  
Cessna 421C VH-NSW 421C1103 NSW Dept of Lands  
2
  
Cessna 441 VH-LEM 4410081 Kevron/Fugro  
1
  
Cessna 441 VH-VEH 4410238 Vee H Aviation/Corporate Air  
11
  
Cessna 441 VH-VEW 4410264 Vee H Aviation/Corporate Air  
11
  
Cessna 441 VH-YFD 4410157 Fugro LiDAR surveys & aerial photography.
18
  
CV Catalina/Canso VH-AGB CV-359 Adastra  
1
CV Catalina/Canso VH-EXG CV-369 Geoterrex  
1
CV Catalina/Canso VH-UMS 1649 Selco  
1
DH.80A Puss Moth VH-UQB 2051 Unknown Donald Mackay Expedition 1937.
2
  
DH.80A Puss Moth VH-UQL 2088 Unknown Donald Mackay Expedition 1935.
2
  
DH.84 Dragon VH-AAO 6112 Air Travel & Survey P/L, Sydney 1938-1942. Incl RAAF Survey Flt.
3
  
DH.84 Dragon VH-AGC 2045 Adastra  
1
DH.84 Dragon VH-AON 2019 Air Surveys Australia See Note: 3
1
DH.84 Dragon VH-URF 6045 Western Mining. Eagle IV camera  
3
  
DH.84 Dragon VH-URG 6046 Western Mining. Eagle IV camera  
3
  
DH.89 Dragon Rapide VH-UVG 6314 North Aust Survey Committee 1936 Op by RAAF painted as VH-UVG (later A3-2)
3
  
DH.98 Mosquito N1596V ex A52-306 WWAS  
1
DH.98 Mosquito N1597V ex A52-313 WWAS  
1
DH.98 Mosquito VH-WWS ex A52-306? WWAS Uncertain which became VH-WWS.
1
DH.90 Dragonfly VH-AAD 7508 Adastra  
1
DH.90 Dragonfly VH-ADG 7516 Airlines (WA) Ltd Photo surveys Lake Grace WA JAN47 and northern WA and NT in OCT47.
2
  
DH.90 Dragonfly VH-UXA 7533 Unknown Donald Mackay Expedition 1937
2
  
DHC-2 Beaver VH-AAS 144 Aerial Agriculture Survey Division Canadian Aero Service
23
  
DHC-2 Beaver VH-AAX 1411 McPhar Geophysics Turbo-Beaver
2
  
DHC-2 Beaver VH-IDH 1534 Aerial Agriculture/McPhar Geophysics  
3
  
DHC-2 Beaver VH-SMH 646 Aerial Agriculture Survey Division Canadian Aero Service
2
  
DHC-6-200 Twin Otter VH-BMG 219 Bureau of Mineral Resources Into service 12MAR70. TAA provided flight crew, engineering and airworthiness responsibility which ceased on 30JUL81. Noted at Karratha on 26JUN85 still in service with the BMR.
1/26/18
  
DHC-6-300 Twin Otter N162DE 429 Rampart Aviation, Franklinton, NC Arrived Darwin 11JAN13.
4
  
DHC-8-202 Dash 8 VH-LCL 492 Fugro/LADS Corp  
1
  
Diamond DA-42 Twin Star VH-FGC 42.354 Fugro Nose mounted stinger.
1
  
Diamond DA-42 Twin Star VH-FGO 42.199 Fugro Nose mounted stinger.
1
  
Diamond DA-42 Twin Star VH-FNV 42.182 Fugro Nose mounted stinger.
1
  
Dornier Do-28B-1 VH-EXA 3071 Dept Nat Dev/National Mapping Executive Air Svcs/Spot photography 1966
13
  
Douglas Dolphin NC14286 1282 Australasian Petroleum Company Aerial photography PNG JAN-SEP39
2
  
Douglas A-26B Invader N4000K 28041 Aero Service  
1
Douglas DC-3 VH-AES 6021 TAA/MMA  
1
Douglas DC-3 VH-AGU 32668 Adastra  
1
Douglas DC-3 VH-BUR 19934 BMR/NSW Lands Dept  
1
Douglas DC-3 VH-DAS 6051 South Aust Dept of Lands  
1
Douglas DC-3 VH-EWE 6007 East-West Airlines/BMR  
1
  
Douglas DC-3 VH-MIN 13459 Bureau of Mineral Resources  
1
Douglas DC-3 VH-MJR 6353 Aero Service  
1
Douglas DC-3 VH-MMF 12540 Mac.Robertson Miller Airlines  
1
Douglas DC-3 VH-MML 16197/32945 Mac.Robertson Miller Airlines  
1
Douglas DC-3 VH-PWM 11970 East-West/CGG Aeromag Kangaroo Is DEC68. Also Indonesia
2
  
Douglas DC-3 G-AIRH 12445 Silver City Airways/Zinc Corp Broken Hill Jan-Jun 49.
2
Douglas DC-3 G-AMYW 33020/16272 Hunting Surveys  
1
Douglas DC-3 N189UM 6262 Aero Service Fly River PNG.
2
  
Douglas DC-3 N67000 1498 Aero Industries Inc, Addison Texas Gamma ray uranium detection. Dec 68
3
  
Douglas/Basler BT-67 C-FTGX 25769 Bell Geospace Turbo DC-3. Arr DRW 24FEB13.
20
  
Douglas/Basler BT-67 ZS-ASN 16833/33581 Spectrem Turbo DC-3.
1
  
Douglas DC-6B N6105C 44105 Westinghouse  
1
Edgar Percival EP.9 VH-DAI 28 Austral Exploration Svcs/Airesearch Aeromag 1970
2/3
  
Eurocopter AS-350BA VH-AFO 1105 Geoterrex, GeoInstruments 1990s
2
  
Eurocopter AS-350B VH-BLU 1154 Geoterrex  
2
  
Eurocopter AS-350BA VH-HRX 1592 Geoterrex  
2
  
Eurocopter AS-350B3 VH-IPW 3466 Geotech Airborne EM + Mag
28
  
Eurocopter AS-350D VH-JWD 1135 Heli-Muster  
1
  
Eurocopter AS-350B3 VH-OUF 3271 Geotech Airborne EM + Mag
28
  
Eurocopter AS-350BA VH-PTH 1653 Fugro  
2
  
Eurocopter AS-350BA VH-RTV 1290 Geoterrex, Fugro  
2
  
Eurocopter AS-350B VH-SRA 1034 Aero Country/Geoterrex Kempsey
3
  
Eurocopter AS-350B2 VH-SRB 1896 Geoterrex  
2
  
Eurocopter AS-350B3 VH-THU 3663 Geotech Airborne EM + Mag
28
  
Eurocopter AS-350B3 VH-VTN 4527 Geotech Airborne  
1
  
Eurocopter AS-350B3 VH-VTX 4753 Geotech Airborne EM + Mag
28
  
Eurocopter AS-350B VH-XCF 1608 GeoInstruments?  
2
  
Eurocopter AW119Ke VH-KEJ 14719 Geotech Airborne EM + Mag
28
  
Eurocopter AW119Ke VH-VTQ 14793 Geotech Airborne EM + Mag
28
  
Fairchild 24W Argus VH-AVN 314 Guinea Airways For SA State Uranium Survey.
1
  
Fletcher FU24-950 VH-AFN 224 GPX Aerial Surveys/SuperAir, Armidale Tail stinger. Used by GPX in 2016.
12/27
  
Fletcher FU24-950M VH-CYU 56 UTS  
29
  
Fletcher FU24-950M VH-ENI 165 UTS  
29
  
Fletcher FU24 VH-EOG 3 ? Pilbara late 1960s.
16/13
  
Fletcher FU24A-950 VH-EOW 164 UTS Geophysics Tail stinger.
2
  
Fletcher FU24/A4 VH-FLA 134 Geophysical Resources Dev Co  
1
  
Fletcher FU24/A4 VH-FLB 95 Geophysical Resources Dev Co  
1
  
Fletcher FU24-954 VH-HVP 282 UTS Geophysics  
2
  
Fletcher FU24-950 VH-UTR 209 UTS Geophysics  
1
  
Fokker FVIIb/3m VH-USU 4954 C.E. Kingsford Smith "Southern Cross"
1
  
Fokker F27-100 VH-CAT 10132 CSIRO Survey infrared profiling & many other tasks.
2
  
Fokker F27-400M VR-BLY 10469 Field Survey Flight Radar flourescent and magnetic survey (ALF technology - first system) over Australian territory in the NW Shelf, Timor Sea and Arafura Sea in 1989. Also operated for BP during MAY-JUL91.
2
Fokker F.27-500 VH-EWP 10534 Fugro/LADS Laser Airborne Depth Sounder.
1
  
GAF Nomad N22C VH-ATO N22C-108 Aust Aerial Mapping/Bayswater Road Camera and/or LiDAR
16
  
GAF Nomad N22B VH-CPX N22B-50 Austirex (Kevin Radford)  
1
  
GAF Nomad N22B VH-DNM N22B-25 Dept of Nat Dev/National Mapping Natmap owned & operated JUL76-SEP82
13
  
GAF Nomad N22B VH-FZP N22B-58 Austirex (Kevin Radford & Geopeko)  
2
  
GAF Nomad N22SL VH-SFR N22S-90 Reprographics  
16/54
  
GAL ST-12 Monospar VH-UTK ST12/38 New England Airways Donald Mackay Expedition 1935.
2
  
Gates Learjet 35A VH-FOX 427 Aust Jet Charter/Aust Army High level photography PNG.
2
  
Gates Learjet 35A VH-LRX 192 Air Affairs (Aust) P/L  
2
  
Gates Learjet 25C VH-TNN 181 Dept of Resources & Energy/Nat Map Stilwell Aviation/Door camera pod 1976-81
13
  
Gates Learjet 35A VH-TPR 400 Kevron/Laos Govt 92/93 Also Aust Army PNG & Solomons 92/93
2
  
Hiller UH-12C VH-THA 769 CRA May-October 1957
2
  
Hiller UH-12C VH-BHI 831 Enterprise Exploration Pty Ltd (Zinc Corp/CRA subsidiary) May-October 1957. Crashed Cape York 21OCT57 later restored as VH-THC
2
  
Hughes 269A VH-IHB 33-0179 Australian Helicopters Pty Ltd Helicopter gravity survey around Lake Eyre etc 1963.
2
  
Hughes 369HS 500C VH-HZZ 43-0466S World Geoscience Corp  
2
  
Lockheed 12 VH-ASG 1302 Associated Airlines Aeromag S.A.1957
3
Lockheed 12A VH-ASV 1236 Air Surveys Australia See Note: 3
1
Lockheed Hudson IV VH-AGE 6039 Adastra  
1
Lockheed Hudson III VH-AGG 6486 Adastra  
1
Lockheed Hudson III VH-AGO 6429 Adastra  
1
Lockheed Hudson III VH-AGS 6041 Adastra  
1
Lockheed Hudson III VH-AGX 6051 Adastra  
1
Lockheed Hudson IV VH-SMM/AGJ 6464 Adastra  
1
Lockheed Hudson IV VH-SMO/AGP 6034 Adastra  
1
Maule M-5-235C Lunar Rocket VH-LJA 7258C World Geoscience Corp / Aerodata / Aerotrac Infra-red cameras W.A. 1988
2
  
Noorduyn Norseman VH-BHG/GSG 269 Air Research Pty Ltd  
1
Pacific Aerospace Cresco VH-KPY 021 Fugro  
1
  
Pacific Aerospace Cresco ZK-LTP 009 KiwiAir/UTS Broome 2007
16
  
Pacific Aerospace 750XL VH-EAJ 0132 Australian Aerial Surveys  
1
  
Pacific Aerospace 750XL VH-EAK 0110 Australian Aerial Surveys  
1
  
Pacific Aerospace 750XL VH-KZC 0171 UTS  
16/10
  
Pacific Aerospace 750XL VH-TEQ 0147 Thomson Aviation  
14
  
Pacific Aerospace 750XL VH-UTW 0187 GeoTech/UTS  
25
  
Partenavia P68C VH-CFT 414 Atlass Aviation 2011 LiDAR
16/4
  
Partenavia P68C VH-KBO 448/C Atlass Aviation 2011 LiDAR
16
  
Percival Gull 4 VH-UQW D.24 Donald Mackay Donald Mackay Expedition 1933.
2
  
Percival Prince VH-AGF P43 Adastra  
1
Piaggio 166 VH-FSA 360 Qasco  
8
  
Piaggio 166 VH-GOB 400 Control Surveys Aust/Qasco  
1
  
Piaggio 166 VH-GOE 373 Air Research Pty Ltd  
3
  
Piper PA-23-160 Apache VH-BUA 23-1227 Aerial Surveys P/L, Jandakot., WA.  
3
  
Piper PA-23-160 Apache VH-MJL 23-1051 Aero Service  
1
  
Piper PA-23-250B Aztec VH-AVR 27-2192 Avis/ABEM Aeromag in Solomons 1966
2
  
Piper PA-23-250B Aztec VH-AVW 27-2132 Avis/ABEM Aeromag in Solomons 1966
2
  
Piper PA-23-250C Aztec VH-COC 27-3328 Mapmakers  
8
  
Piper PA-23-250C Aztec VH-ETJ 27-2970 Aero Service (Aust) Pty Ltd  
30
  
Piper PA-23-250 Aztec VH-FWH 27-490 James Air Charter  
16/23
  
Piper PA-23-250 Aztec VH-PYY 27-3229 Qasco  
9
  
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo N9219Y 31-284 Geometrics 1984. Later VH-HUO
2
  
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo VH-DEQ 31-8012091 Coolabah Aviation 2008-2013
16/15
  
Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-FHJ 31-819 Interair Pty Ltd  
6
  
Piper PA-31P Navajo VH-SGA 31P-7300166 Aust Aerial Mapping/Bayswater Road Camera and/or LiDAR
16
  
Piper PA-31-325 Navajo C/R VH-ETW 31-8112012 Thomson Aviation Aeromag and spectrometer
28
  
Piper PA-31 Turbo Navajo B VH-MYG 31-7300976 Thomson Aviation Aeromag and spectrometer
28
  
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo VH-TSO 31-7652102 TS Air Charter 2006-2013
16/15
  
Piper PA-31-350 Navajo VH-WJK 31-7652051 Kevron Geophysics  
1
  
Piper PA-31 Navajo VH-XGL 31-30 Interair Pty Ltd  
6
  
Piper PA-32R-300T VH-SXX 32R-7887029 Northair Surveys, Mareeba  
16/9
  
Reims F406 VH-EYQ F406-0047 Aust Aerial Mapping/Bayswater Road Camera and/or LiDAR
16
  
Reims F406 VH-LAA F406-0012 Aust Aerial Mapping/Bayswater Road Camera and/or LiDAR
16
  
Robinson R44 VH-HBT 2004 Aerosystems Stinger boom. See Issue 21.
2
  
Robinson R44 VH-HZH 1712 Aerosystems  
2
  
Scottish Avn Twin Pioneer VH-AIS 540 Aero Service  
1
  
Short SC-7-3M Skyvan VH-WGG SH.1913 Aerodata/WGC/Fugro Destroyed by arson at Ravenna, Italy JAN01
12
  
Short SC-7-3M Skyvan VH-WGL SH.1914 Aerodata/World Geoscience Corp Destroyed by arson at Ravenna, Italy JAN01
12
  
Short SC-7-3M Skyvan VH-WGT SH.1960 Fugro Fit includes an electromagnetic loop.
1
  
Sikorsky S-51 A80-374 51-017 RAAF/BMR (operators & equipment) Carcoar and Tenterfield NSW 1953
2
  
Sud Est Caravelle N1001U 86 Aero Service  
1
Waco YKS6 VH-UYD 4534 Adastra  
1
Westland Wapiti A5-7 ? RAAF Cecil Madigan expedition in August 1929
2
  
Westland Wapiti A5-8 ? RAAF Cecil Madigan expedition in August 1929
2
  

 

Further information and images are available for selected aircraft marked with the arrow icon. It is not an objective of this project to provide this additional material for every aircraft on the list. To view this information click on the arrow or alternatively, all aircraft that have this additional information are grouped on this page.

 

QUESTIONS & AVENUES FOR FURTHER RESEARCH
1. Douglas Dolphin PNG 1930s:
UPDATE 08JAN23: Identified as NC14286 transferred to them by USA partner in PNG, Standard Oil. Aerial photography was flown Jan-Sep 1939. Aircraft was donated to Australian Govt May 1940 and taken on charge as A35-1. Aircraft added to list.
 
2. Donald Mackay Expedition - aircraft not known:
UPDATE 08JAN23: Aircraft used by the Donald Mackay Pioneering Expeditions 1930, 33, 35, 37 have been added to the list as the aircraft carried surveyors/mappers and specific surveying/navigation aids to help them plot the drainage, lakes and terrain in the unexplored areas they surveyed. It is not known if any cameras were carried but the maps they compiled from the 1930 survey were of good quality. The 1930 survey used two ANEC III VH-UGF and VH-UEZ. The 1933 survey used Percival Gull VH-UQW and a DH 60 which hasn't been identified. The 1935 survey used GAL ST.12 Monospar VH-UTK and a Puss Moth VH-UQL. The 1937 survey used Dragonfly VH-UXA and Puss Moth VH-UQB. These were such pioneering aerial surveys that these aircraft have been added to the list.
 
3. Second and maybe third Twin Pioneer additional to VH-AIS (Aerial Agriculture):
UPDATE 08JAN23: The compilers are satisfied that VH-AIS was the only Twin Pioneer used for aerial survey.
 
4. PNG photoships 1930s:
UPDATE 08JAN23: The Australasian Petroleum Company and overseas partners reportedly used four aircraft on petroleum exploration aerial photography in PNG in the 1936-39 era. Records show they spent £165,300 on aerial surveys in the era - which is a significant sum. Non aviation sources report a Douglas Dolphin and a '3 engine Ford' both belonging to Guinea Airways were used. Probably the other two would have been the contracted aerial photographic aircraft supplied by the Dutch KNILM group and Fairchild Aerial Surveys. It is not known what KNILM used in PNG but they did use a Sikorsky S-38 in Dutch New Guinea and maybe it crossed the border. Also it is not known what Fairchild used - perhaps the Ford Trimotor? Also Anglo-Persian Oil Co used two RAAF Seagulls on pioneering aerial photographic surveys in PNG. APC used a couple of Ford Trimotor 5-AT-C, VH-UTB and VH-UBI but it is not clear if either was used on photography but it is known UTB had exploration involvement and was noted as carrying APC geologists in August 1937.
 
5. Western Mining Corp aerial survey aircraft 1930s:
UPDATE 08JAN23: DH.84 Dragons VH- URF and VH-URG are already on the list.
 
6. Dornier (GRD/Aero mid 1960s):
UPDATE 08JAN23: The compilers are satisfied that this is the same Do-28 VH-EXA which is already on the list.
 
7. Cessna 337 (GRD mid to late 1960s):
Added as VH-RPY. To Be Confirmed.
 
8. DH.61 1933 WA:
UPDATE 08JAN23: This aircraft remains unidentified but it was most likely VH-UQT or VH-UTL.
 
9. Selection Trust and other mining companies (e.g., Pechiney, Newmont etc ):
Nil update.
 
10. Survey aircraft used by Geosurveys in South Aust in the 1960s:
Nil update.
 
11. Piper Comanche used by AMEG in the 1960s:
UPDATE 08JAN23: This is now accepted to be Piper Aztec VH-ETJ that John Boyd worked with as AMEG (and its then owner John Newman) for a short time as a joint venture with Aero Service. John Newman personally installed his gear into VH-ETJ. This aircraft is already on the list.
 
12. Survey aircraft used by Scintrex in the 1960s and 70s:
Nil update.
 
13. Hurel-Dubois HD-34 of IGN worked in SE Asia. Did it ever come to Australia?:
UPDATE 08JAN23: Ongoing research has failed to find any record of this aircraft coming to Australia.
 
14. Herbert Gepp 1937-41 RAAF aircraft but possibly involving civilians:

UPDATE 08JAN23: The RAAF aircraft used for aerial photography on the Aerial Geological and Geophysical Survey of Northern Australia (AGGSNA) program during the period 1937-41 were fully crewed by RAAF personnel. Historically, AGGSNA was the most important aerial exploration program pre WW2. Adastra flew the photography for the last year or so of the AGGSNA program. The following notes are based on the six monthly parliamentary reports which are general in nature and only mention aircraft types in the narrative.

Period Ending
Aircraft Used
JUN 1935
 Fokker F.VIIb-3m VH-USU Southern Cross.
DEC 1935
 Two unidentified aircraft from No 1 Sqn, Laverton (only Gannet A14-1 identified).
JUN 1936
 Gannet A14-1 and Dragon Rapide A3-2.
DEC 1936
 Gannet A14-1 and 'two seaplanes' (possibly Seagull Vs A2-7 and A2-8, not confirmed).
JUN 1937
 Two Gannets A14-1 and A14-2 and Dragon Rapide A3-2.
DEC 1937
 Two Gannets A14-1 and A14-2 and Dragon Rapide A3-2.
JUN 1938
 Gannet (three of them) A14-3, A14-4 and A14-5, Seagull A2-22 and Dragon Rapide (not noted).
DEC 1938
 Gannet A14-3 and A14-4, Seagull two noted A2-19 and A2-22.
JUN 1939
 Gannet (assumed to be both A14-3 and A14-4) and Dragon Rapide (not noted). Seagull A2-20 enroute to PNG stopped off to fly an area in FNQ for the AGGSNA project.
DEC 1939
 Gannet (two used in this period) A14-3 and A14-4.
JUN 1940
 Flown by Adastra.
DEC 1940
 Flown by Adastra.
 
15. Madigan NT expedition 1929 RAAF aircraft but possibly involving civilians:
UPDATE 08JAN23: The RAAF aircraft used on the Cecil Madigan expedition in August 1929 were the two Wapitis A5-7 and A5-8. A total of nine aerial photographic flights out of Birdsville (A5-7 was the 1st aircraft to land at Birdsville), Maree, Broken Hill, Alice Springs and Oodnadatta. These aircraft have been added to the list as it is deemed to have been a pioneering survey.
 
16. Beaver VH-PGL possibly flew aeromag in Antarctica:
Nil update.
 
17. Geometrics used an unidentified Hughes 500 to do a gamma ray survey for BP Minerals based out of Apollo Bay Victoria in either 1973 or 1974:
 
18. "Australia on Paper - The Story of Australian Mapping" by John D. Lines:
This work identifies several examples of early aerial mapping in Australia, some military and some civilian, without identifying specific aircraft. The following list has been extracted and in some cases elaborated upon by Doug Morrison.

Lines noted that the first aerial photography and map mosaics by Australians took place in 1917 in WWI in the Middle East (Egypt or Palestine) by Australian Flying Corps BE.2C or BE.2E aircraft and crews attached to Royal Flying Corps 67th Sqn/ RFC 5th Wing. Lines cites AFC photographer H.V. Leckie in an unidentified manuscript held by the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Leckie says that RFC 5th Wing took credit for this.

A) January 1922: First vertical aerial photos used to produce a map. Over Launceston Tasmania by Herbert J. King for City of Launceston Council. A total of 81 exposures were obtained in a 'French engined 60HP Farman biplane' belonging to Shaw-Ross Engineering and Aviation Co. Pilot was F.G. Huxley, King was photographer. A further mention appears in The Argus of Tuesday 14 Feb 1922. The article mentions photography over Essendon, Mordialloc golf course, a farm in Moorabbin, Williamstown then French Island. Although not stated, it is possible that these were test flights before the Launceston survey. Lines cites 'City of Launceston Records'. The aircraft was almost certainly one of three Farmans G-AUDL, G-AUBV or G-AUDC known to have been operated by Shaw-Ross around 1921-22.

B) 1923: RAAF Fairey IIID over Western Port, Victoria and April-Sept 1924 a part of Great Barrier Reef Queensland.

C) Sept 1924: First systematic aerial photography of a mining field over Mt Isa for the Chief Government Geologist of Qld. In an 'Avro'. Pilot 'Captain Tracy', photographer 'Mr King Arnold' - 60 photos in three runs. The aircraft was likely an Avro 504. Lines cites Annual Report, Queensland Department of Mines 1924.

D) 1927: Air Surveys Ltd (a Norman Brearley company) used a DH50 carrying an Eagle IV camera (Lines cites Nat Aus Archives CP 211/2 item Bundle 39) of an area covering the centre of Perth (Lines cites City of Perth Minute Book 25 July 1927). The second survey they flew apparently was in 1929 over the Darling Ranges (Lines says the negatives are still held by the Water Authority of Western Australia).

E) 1928: Qantas flew an area near Barcaldine for Qld Lands Dept in a DH9 (Lines cites "Qld Survey Office records") The Advertiser, Adelaide Saturday 7 July 1928 mentions the Barcaldine flight. Contemporary newspaper reports indicate that Qantas was conducting training in aerial photography. Although not stated, it is likely that this was vertical photography. Other Qantas mentions include Toowoomba photos in May 1927, "pistol" camera triggering in 1930 and photography of Lady Elliott Island in 1938.

F) 1928: RAAF Seagull III off Mackay Qld and a passing reference to a survey by a Seagull over Windsor NSW 1926.

G) April 1928: RAAF allocated one aerial photographic DH9A to both 1 and 3 Squadrons but they were soon replaced by Wapitis. In Jan 1929 two DH Moths flew areas south of Sydney and Canberra. Also noted other early RAAF aerial photography:
Fairey IIID: ANA-1/A10-1 1922 photography Western Port Vic.
Fairey IIID: ANA-2/A10-2 1923 photographic experiments and 1924-25 Barrier Reef Qld.
Fairey IIID: ANA-3/A10-3 in 1924 Barrier Reef Qld.
Fairey IIID: ANA-4/A10-4 in 1924-25 Barrier Reef, Qld. (Lines cites NAA file MP 133/2 item 143/10/29).
Supermarine Southampton: A11-1 in 1930 SW Tasmania and 1934 Sydney-Newcastle.
Wapiti: A5-36 of No 1 Sqn on a survey of selected oil fields September 1932.
 
19. Curtiss Seagull: Two Curtiss Seagulls were used on what are believed to have been the first aerial photography operations in Australia. These notes were contributed by Doug Morrison.
G-AUCV - Curtiss Seagull (c/n MF419/28) owned by Lebbeus Hordern, piloted by Andrew Lang with photographer Alexander Hill. Both Lang and Hill were also aircraft engineers. On 13th march 1921 G-AUCV departed Sydney on a coastal aerial reconnaissance photographic survey to northern Tasmania, arriving Launceston 20th May 1921 before returning to Sydney on the 4th July 1921. G-AUCV was accompanied by a support sailing launch Acielle skippered by ex RFC World War One pilot Charles W Snook [see item 5 in this table regarding Snook's involvement with the WMC aerial photographic surveys in WA in the 1930s]. This survey of the east coast was planned to continue as far north as Cape York but did not occur. [Source - primarily 1921 newspaper articles (and photographs) summarized online in Tasmanian Aviation Historical Society Report No. 2021.012.0 The Log of the Sea Gull… etc.]

G-AUCU - Curtiss Seagull (c/n MF419/29) owned by Lebbeus Hordern and used by the famous photographer and explorer Frank Hurley in PNG on a pioneering exploration and aerial photographic survey there in 1922. Hurley's diaries from this expedition have survived at the NLA (online in Trove). G-AUCU is identified in one of the diaries. It is unclear whether the seaplane was left in Port Moresby or Thursday Island at the end of the survey. It seems it was used again on survey in PNG in 1923 and then possibly again in 1924 under contract to Australian Petroleum Company (APC). A photograph of G-AUCU purportedly taken in 1924 is included in the book The Kutubu Discovery by Frank Rickwood OBE 1992, page 65.

 

REFERENCES
1
 Initial compilation by Ron Cuskelly, Geoff Goodall, Roger McDonald and Tony Arbon.
2
 Doug Morrison, 50 years ongoing experience in the airborne geophysical industry as well as being an industry historian.
3
 Geoff Goodall (noted Australian aviation historian)
4
 Russell Legg (authority on Aero Commanders)
5
 Nigel Daw (authority on aviation in South Australia)
6
 Gordon Reid (noted Australian aviation historian)
7
 Phil Vabre (Civil Aviation Historical Society)
8
 Bernie Moriarty (Qasco/Vekta)
9
 Ron Cuskelly (Webmaster)
10 Derek Macphail (Piloted C206 VH-KRR 7-9 March 1978, Morawa, WA)
11 Corporate Air (correspondence)
12 Greg Reudavey (former Director of Aerodata and World Geoscience Corp) now part owner and Managing Director of GPX Aerial Surveys.
13 www.xnatmap.org
14 Thomson Aviation (correspondence)
15 Max Davy (correspondence)
16 Various sources via the Professional Pilots Rumour Network. References are presented as 16/X where X is the number of the post on this thread:
http://www.pprune.org/dg-p-general-aviation-questions/508346-calling-all-aerial-survey-pilots.html
17 Darren Gray (correspondence)
18 David Eyre (Aviation Association of WA) (correspondence)
19 Sir Reginald Barnewall
20 Robert Calaby, Darwin
21 Allan Walker
22 James Jones and Calvin Grady. The latter flew the Unionair acceptance flight of Queen Air VH-EZM on 21MAY71. VH-EZM was intended to be used on the Army contract after VH-TYV crashed on 30NOV69 but EZM itself was destroyed in a hangar fire at Toowoomba on 15SEP71 before it actually operated any survey flights. The complementary work at WRE, under the leadership of F. F. Thonemann, was on the instrumental use of lasers. Several kinds were built, and experiments conducted on modulation, switching, and frequency multiplication. An early application was the development for the Division of National Mapping of an airborne system (WREMAPS) to measure ground profiles accurately. Later, using frequency doubling to obtain green light from a neodymium laser, they produced a more efficient system called WREMAPS II for the Royal Australian Survey Corps.
23 Ben Dannecker who was employed by Canadian Aero Service of Cammeray, NSW to fly Beavers VH-AAS and VH-SMH.
24 Grant Hamilton of CGG
25 Luke Aspinall of Heliwest
26 Australian Airlines Engineering Department Engineering Report 147 Aircraft Owned / Operated / Maintained by TAA. Provided by Leigh Ryan.
27 Mike Barrett airborne surveyor, ex-Hudson Bay Mining, Questor, Geoterrex, GeoSurvey, WGC, LASA, Tesla10, Kevron & GPX.
28 Peter McMullen, Geo Results
29 Russell McChesney, Geotech Airborne Pty Ltd.
30 John Boyd, Aero Service (Aust) Pty Ltd.

 

NOTES
1
 Aircraft are sorted alphabetically under manufacturer, then model then registration. Models are not sorted by sub-type. The most notable example is the list of Aero Commanders which are all sorted by registration only. Another example is the list of Cessna 210s which are sorted by registration and not sorted by sub-type, so a C210R can appear in the list before a C210L. The rationale behind this is that a reader is more likely to look for the type first and registration second.

Foreign registered aircraft appear after Australian registered aircraft.

In cases where the name of the manufacturer has changed over the years, aircraft are grouped under one name. In some cases this name is an arbitrary choice by the compiler with the purpose of grouping all similar aircraft together. For example, Aero Commander is used for all versions of the marque such as Rockwell and North American Rockwell. Similarly, all Squirrels are grouped under Eurocopter.
2
 TBC = To Be Confirmed. (Confirmation that the aircraft did operate survey flights).
3
 Flinders Island Airlines operated several aircraft which carried the name of their associated company Air Surveys Australia. It has not been possible to determine if all of these aircraft actually operated on surveys.

 

 

Criteria for Inclusion
The table includes all aircraft (including helicopters) that have conducted aerial survey operations within Australia and its Territories regardless of where the aircraft was registered. The table also includes Australian registered aircraft that conducted aerial survey operations overseas but not within Australia.
The aircraft must have been fitted with cameras (of any type) for aerial photography and/or electronic equipment (magnetometers, scintillometers, radars etc) for geophysical survey. Camera equipment must be a fixed installation in the airframe.
Aircraft that were used for logistical support of survey operations are excluded. This exclusion has been relaxed where the survey is deemed to have been of a pioneering nature.

Exclusions:
Military aircraft (unless there was a civilian involvement). This exclusion has been relaxed where the survey is deemed to have been of a pioneering nature.
Rockets
Spacecraft
UAVs

Minimum information required for addition to the list:
Aircraft type
Registration
Operator
SPECIAL NOTE: It was always intended that this would be an historical listing of survey aircraft in Australia. Recognising the impracticability of continuing the listing ad infinitum, the compilers have decided to impose a cut-off of 31 December 2016. Survey aircraft that operated prior to this date will continue to be added as details become available.

 

Issue
Date
Remarks
Total
52
06AUG24

Added Hiller UH-12C VH-BHI thanks to Doug Morrison.
381
51
01NOV23

Added Auster J/5B VH-DYY thanks to Doug Morrison.
380
50
18AUG23

Added Anson VH-BEL thanks to Doug Morrison.
379
49
10MAR23

Added Item #19 to the table of Questions & Avenues for Further Research.
378
48
10JAN23

Several of the exclusions listed above (e.g. military aircraft and logistical support aircraft) have been relaxed where the survey is deemed to have been of a pioneering nature.
Added the following thanks to ongoing research by Doug Morrison:

RAAF Westland Wapitis A5-7 and A5-8.
DH.90 Dragonfly VH-ADG.
Douglas Dolphin NC14286.
ANEC III VH-UEZ and VH-UGF.
Monospar VH-UTK.
Puss Moth VH-UQB.
Puss Moth VH-UQL.
DH.90 Dragonfly VH-UXA.
Percival Gull VH-UQW.

Although the previous identity of Mosquito VH-WWS is still uncertain, it is now believed to have been more likely A52-306 rather than A52-313 so the table has been altered accordingly.

The table of Potential Inclusions has been expanded to reflect the latest ongoing research into unresolved matters. This table has been renamed "Questions & Avenues for Further Research". Also added item #18 which provides historical background on early RAAF aerial mapping in Australia.
378
47
21DEC22

Noted that AC500 VH-BMR and Twin Otter VH-BMG were still in service with the BMR on 26JUN85 thanks to David Eyre.
367
46
25NOV22

Added Maule Lunar Rocket VH-LJA thanks to Doug Morrison.
367
45
29OCT22

Added Piper Aztec VH-ETJ thanks to John Boyd.
366
44
02OCT20

Added Fokker F27-400M VR-BLY thanks to Doug Morrison. Although the survey was over Australian territory, the aircraft may not have been based on mainland Australia.
365
43
19APR20

Added Bell 47J-2 VH-INM thanks to Ben Dannecker.
364
42
15MAY19

Added Beech 70 Queen Air VH-CLH thanks to Doug Morrison.
363
41
28MAY18

Added Cessna 182A VH-EMT thanks to Doug Morrison.
362
40
21APR18

Added a detailed account of the work performed in Australia by DC-3 G-AIRH thanks to Doug Morrison.
361
39
04APR18

Added Auster J/5B VH-ASD thanks to Doug Morrison.
361
38
27AUG17

Added Aerospatiale Lama VH-BQT thanks to Doug Morrison who worked with the helicopter on magnetometer surveys.
360
37
23FEB17

Added Cessna 208B C-GSGJ of Sander Geophysics Limited, Canada.

Please note that the compilers have now imposed a cut-off date of 31 December 2016. This recognises the impracticability of continuing the listing ad infinitum. Henceforth, only survey aircraft that operated prior to this date will be added to the table.
359
36
11NOV16

Added Fletcher FU24-950M VH-CYU and Fletcher FU24-950M VH-ENI thanks to Russell McChesney of Geotech Airborne Pty. Ltd.
358
35
22OCT16

Added four helicopters which were used in early helicopter gravity surveys in South Australia in 1963/4. These were pioneering flights to measure gravity from the air. Thanks to Doug Morrison.
Bell 47G VH-AHF
Bell 47G VH-AHG
Bell 47G VH-AHH
Hughes 269A VH-IHB
Also corrected the dates for Hiller UH-12C VH-THA.
356
34
06MAY16
 Added the following six helicopters thanks to Peter McMullen of Geo Results.
AS350 VH-IPW
AS350 VH-VTX
AS350 VH-OUF
AS350 VH-THU
AW119 VH-VTQ
AW119 VH-KEJ
352
33
29APR16
 Added Piper Navajos VH-ETW and VH-MYG used by Thomson Aviation. Thanks to Peter McMullen of Geo Results for this information. Peter also advises that the "Thomson Caravan" we were seeking to include was in fact the PAC750XL VH-TEQ which is already on the list.
346
32
27APR16
 Added BN2A Islander VH-TRW.
344
31
19APR16
 Added Piper Navajo N9219Y which was used by Geometrics in 1984 to fulfill a contract requiring a transverse gradiometer magnetometer system i.e. a magnetometer sensor on each wingtip and another at the end of the tail stinger. It was used as an interim aircraft until a newly purchased Chieftain VH-WJK came on line. (Thanks to Doug Morrison). The aircraft went on to the Australian Register on 17JAN89 as VH-HUO (not necessarily as a survey aircraft).
343
30
24FEB16
 Added updates on the following aircraft thanks to Mike Barrett (Ref: 27)
VH-SPP Commander 680
VH-KFF Cessna 206
VH-STB & VH-IBY Cessna 210
VH-AFN Fletcher FU24
342
29
06FEB16
 Added information from Source 26 on TAA's involvement with aircraft of the Bureau of Mineral Resources. Thanks to Leigh Ryan.
342
28
22JAN16
 Added Edgar Percival EP.9 VH-DAI thanks to Doug Morrison.
342
27
30AUG15
 Added Cessna 208 VH-FLL thanks to Russell Legg.
Added Nomad VH-SFR thanks to PPRuNe.
341
26
29JUL14
 Added Beech C18S VH-KFD.
Cessna 180 c/n 32235 was originally registered VH-MZK but was subsequently changed to VH-MZR. It is not known which registration the aircraft carried when doing survey work or if indeed it was both.
Added P.68C VH-KBO.
Added Cessna 182E VH-RHJ.
Added Cessna 404 VH-WGB.
It is claimed that Cessna 404 A2-AIU did not operate in Australia. It remains on the list pending definite confirmation.
Added Cessna 206 VH-UTW.
Added PAC 750XL VH-UTW.
339
25
22FEB14
 Added Trislander VH-BGS thanks to Doug Morrison
333
24
04JUL13
 Corrected operator of DC-3 N67000 to Aero Industries Inc.of Addison, Texas.
332
23
08MAY13
 Added Bonanza VH-SDD
Musketeer VH-BZO
Cessna 208B VH-NWT
332
22
30MAR13
 Added Beaver VH-AAS.
329
21
10MAR13
 Robinson R44 VH-HBT was added in Issue 5 on 07JAN13 and claimed at the time to be the world's first mag boom installation on a piston engined helicopter. However, it has emerged that an early model Bell 47 operated with a magnetometer boom in Canada as early as 1946.
328
20
28FEB13

Added Reims F406 VH-LAA
Cessna 404 VH-LAD
Nomad VH-ATO
BN Islander VH-CWG
BN Islander VH-RQW
328
19
27FEB13

Added Beech Queen Air VH-EZM
Beech Queen Air VH-FWG
Beech Queen Air VH-RUU
Beech Queen Air VH-TYV
323
18
25FEB13

Added Basler BT-67 (Turbo DC-3) C-FTGX which arrived in Darwin yesterday!
Islander VH-CPG
Islander VH-ISA
AC560E VH-EXV
AC500S VH-EXR
Cessna 320 VH-AIY
319
17
23FEB13

Added Cessna 208B VH-KSA
Cessna 210N VH-MIQ
Cessna 402 VH-MWG
Sikorsky S-51 A80-374
Fokker F.27 VH-CAT
Cessna 208B C-GSGA
Beech Duke VH-IFD
AC500S VH-UJN
AC500U VH-YJU
AC500S VH-UJU
Cessna 206 VH-JEK
Beech A36 VH-IOL
Partenavia P68C VH-CFT
Beech V35 VH-MQS
Cessna 182 VH-TMG
Cessna 206 VH-SIB
PA-32 VH-SXX
PAC 750XL VH-KZC
Cessna 210L VH-PZO
Cessna 402B VH-PEH
Fletcher FU-24 VH-EOG
Cessna 207 VH-UBU
Piper PA-31 VH-DEQ
Piper PA-31 VH-TSO
Cessna 404 VH-OZO
Piper PA-23 VH-FWH
Cessna 310B VH-TTM
Cessna 210L VH-KSS
Cessna 210N VH-MTC
Cessna 210N VH-TFT
Cessna 210N VH-LDC
313
16
19FEB13

Added Bell 206 VH-FHY
Fletcher FU24 VH-EOW
Robinson R44 VH-HZH
Learjet 35A VH-FOX
Learjet 35A VH-TPR
Air Tractor 502B VH-AVN
PAC 750XL VH-TEQ
Cessna 210L VH-THS
Cessna 210N VH-JHF
Cessna 210M VH-SUX
282
15
11FEB13

Confirmed by Nigel Daw of the South Australian Aviation Museum that Aero Commander 680 VH-PSG was flown by John Raye of SAATAS in the 1970s. He, together with Vic Couch flew VH-PSG on some trial flights for the LADS project in the late 1970s. The flights were over Gulf St Vincent at forty five feet and only occurred on calm days. SAATAS aimed to use the aircraft for regular survey work but they never won the contract. A hatch was fitted in the belly of the aircraft for the laser sounding gear.
272
14
25JAN13

Added Bell 47J-2 VH-INZ
AC680FL VH-EXP
Nomad VH-DNM
Cessna 421C VH-DRB
Cessna 170A VH-CAS
Cessna 206F VH-ESU
Cessna 337F VH-JQN
Learjet 25C VH-TNN
Dornier Do-28 VH-EXA
Cessna 180A VH-CLE
Cessna 182P VH-DXC
Bell 206B VH-BKG
All thanks to Paul Wise.
272
13
24JAN13

Added Aztec VH-AVR
Aztec VH-AVW
Corrected the entry for VH-WOK from Cessna 206 to Bell 206.
260
12
21JAN13

Added Bell 206L VH-HHS
Hughes 500C VH-HZZ
Squirrel VH-HRX
Cessna 210 VH-JBH
Cessna 404 VH-WGH
Squirrel VH-XCF
Turbo-Beaver VH-AAX
258
11
18JAN13

Added Anson VH-AVS
Anson VH-BFC
Cessna P206 VH-PLE
Cessna 411 VH-TDB
Piper Apache VH-BUA
Cessna 402B VH-CKN
Cessna 206 VH-KRR
Cessna 337 VH-RPY (TBC)
Learjet 35A VH-LRX
Beech 200T VH-LAB
Cessna 206 VH-BXG (TBC)
Cessna 404 VH-TRC (TBC)
Cessna 441 VH-VEH
Cessna 441 VH-VEW
Cessna 404 VH-VEC
Dragon Rapide VH-UVG
Cessna 206 VH-IMP
Cessna 206 VH-WOK
AC500S VH-SDO
AC500S N9005N
Aerostar 601P VH-WGK
Cessna 404 N4489L
Cessna 404 A2-AIU
Cessna 210 VH-IBY
Cessna 210 VH-STB
Cessna 210 VH-TIJ
Fletcher FU24 VH-AFN
Piper Aztec VH-PYY
Avro Anson VH-FIB
Cessna 421 VH-NSW
Cessna 206 VH-AAM
251
10
15JAN13

Added AC685 VH-MML
AC680 VH-PSG
220
9
14JAN13

Added AC500S VH-BGE
AC680FLP VH-BTN
AC500S VH-EXH
AC680E VH-EXY
Lockheed 12 VH-ASG
218
8
13JAN13

Added Piper Aztec VH-COC
Short Skyvan VH-WGG
Short Skyvan VH-WGL
Improved site navigation
213
7
12JAN13

Added DH.84 VH-AAO
C206 VH-SVY
C402 VH-SVQ
Piaggio 166 VH-FSA
Beech Baron VH-SUV
C210-5 VH-CVJ
C402 VH-CJA
AC680FL VH-EXX
Twin Otter N162DE (which arrived Darwin yesterday!)
Made a slight refinement to the sorting order of the table. See Notes above.
210
6
11JAN13

Added C402B VH-KCL
PA-31 VH-FHJ
PA-31 VH-XGL
PA-31P VH-SGA
C180 VH-MZK
Beaver VH-IDH
DC-3 N67000
DH.84 VH-URF
DH.84 VH-URG
C206 VH-RXT
C310 VH-ACB
Beech Baron VH-AEA
Beech AT-11 ZK-AHO
VH-RLX corrected type from C402 to C320
201
5
07JAN13

Added C210 VH-KWW
Added Reims F406 VH-EYQ
Added C185 VH-BVY, VH-PSS & VH-RKZ
Added C208 VH-UTJ
Added C206 VH-UTS
Added Robinson R44 VH-HBT (Although claimed to be the world's first mag boom installation on a piston engined helicopter, an early model Bell 47 operated with a magnetometer boom in Canada as early as 1946.)
188
4
06JAN13

Added DC-3 G-AIRH
Added Cresco ZK-LTP
Added Squirrel VH-SRA
Added Piaggio 166 VH-GOE
Added Aero Commander 690A VH-DLK
Added table of "Potential Inclusions Requiring Verification"
180
3
05JAN13

Added a column to record references.
Added 47 aircraft thanks to Doug Morrison (Ref 2).
175
2
04JAN13

Added 40 aircraft from photo evidence on www.airliners.net
Added 3 aircraft from the Australian Register.
Commenced a running total of aircraft on the list.
Added a list of criteria for inclusion.
Deleted Auster VH-MAD
Added Cessna 206 VH-ASY
Added Anson CF-HOT
Cessna 185 VH-KPA
Beech Twin Bonanza VH-KPB
Beech Baron VH-KPY
128
1
02JAN13
 Original issue.  

 

If you have any additions or corrections, please contact Ron