Ordered new by New Zealand National Airways Corporartion - 1952

Accepted at Hatfield by NZNAC - April 22, 1953

Entered onto the New Zealand Aircraft Register as ZK-BBN

Aircraft was named 'Matuhi' (New Zealand Bush Wren)

Used as the back-up Heron during the Royal Tour of New Zealand 1953 - 1954

Sold to Southern Airlines - January 20, 1958

Cancelled from the New Zealand Aircraft Register - January 22, 1958

Test flown at Christchurch as VH-GVI by Capt J. Salfas - January 22, 1958

Departed Christchurch on delivery flight to Australia - January 29, 1958

Arrived Melbourne at conclusion of delivery flight - February 1, 1958

Delivery route: Christchurch-Auckland-Norfolk Island-Coffs Harbour-Sydney-Melbourne

Underwent modification work at Essendon Airport before entering service

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-GVI - March 4, 1958

Registered to Southern Airlines Ltd

Operated first revenue service Melbourne-Bairnsdale-Melbourne - March 4 / 5, 1958

Aircraft was named 'Queen of the Islands' at naming ceremony on Flinders Island

Southern Airlines' operating licences were sold to A.T.I. (Operations) Pty Ltd - December 22, 1958

This aircraft was not owned or operated by Ansett Transport Industries (Operations) Pty Ltd

Sold to Qantas Airways Ltd - January 5, 1959

Registered to Qantas Airways Ltd, Sydney

Sold to Fiji Airways Ltd - February 24, 1959

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - August 10, 1959

Entered onto the Fijian Aircraft Register as VQ-FAX - August 10, 1959

Aircraft was badly damaged whilst landing at Suva Airport - November 9, 1966

As extensive corrosion was found in the aircraft's structure it was deemed uneconomical to repair

Scrapped and the remains donated to the Airport Fire Services as a training aide

VH-GVI. Southern - in the full livery at Essendon Airport, date unknown.