Ordered new by Ansett

First flown - May 23, 1978

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-RML - June 8, 1978

Registered to Ansett Transport Industries (Operations) Pty Ltd

Departed Seattle on delivery flight to Australia - June 8, 1978

Arrived Melbourne at conclusion of delivery flight - June 11, 1978

Delivery route: Seattle-San Francisco-Hilo-Pago Pago-Nadi-Melbourne

Flight crew: Capts N. Murdoch, M. Wheaton, B. Lethbridge; F/Es C. Short, J. Crago; Navigator W.C. Kennedy

Operated first revenue service Melbourne-Sydney as AN6 - June 16, 1978

Temporarily named 'Southern Connection' for trial service Hobart-Christchurch-Hobart

Services operated under QF393/394 flight numbers

Inaugural service commanded by Capts A. James & W. Hanrahan - December 3, 1980

Operated last such service by an Ansett aircraft - March 3, 1982

Painted in colorful 'Rainbow Fantasy' color scheme for Variety Club 'Dream Flights' - June 10, 1989

Artists contributing were: Rolf Harris, Clifton Pugh & David Rankin

Over 800 disadvantaged children experienced a flight over two days

Operated final revenue service with Ansett from Adelaide-Melbourne (Capt N. Baker) - June 21, 1989

Withdrawn from use having flown 31,790 hours with 23,917 cycles

Departed Melbourne on delivery to United States as AN27 - June 23, 1989

Arrived Seattle at conclusion of ferry flight - July 29, 1989

Ferry route: Nadi-Apia-Kailua/Kona-Oakland-Paine Field Seattle

Flight crew: Capts C. Bird, A. Tonks, M. Bishop; F/E J. Gillett; LAME R. Chapple

Support crew: Capt N. Day; Engineers C. Almond, Y. Almond, K. Hosking

Ferried to Dothan & handed over to Federal Express in full 'Rainbow' livery - July 30, 1989

Sold to Federal Express - July 31, 1989

Entered onto the U. S. Aircraft Register as N243FE

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - July 31, 1989

Converted to freighter configuration during 1989

Aircraft was named 'Braden'

Current

VH-RML. Ansett Airlines of Australia - in the 'delta' livery near Seattle, June 1978.

VH-RML. Ansett Airlines of Australia - in the 'delta' livery at Sydney Airport, January 1980.

VH-RML. Ansett - in the 'Southern Cross' livery at Brisbane Airport, January 1988.

VH-RML. Ansett - in the 'Southern Cross' livery with special artwork at Brisbane Airport, June 1989.

VH-RML. Ansett - in the 'Southern Cross' livery with special artwork at Brisbane Airport, June 1989.