VH-EAW. de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter. c/n 241.

It was also registered as: VH-SBQ.

 

This was the first of four aircraft ordered by Qantas Airways Ltd - ?

Built by de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd, Downsview, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Powered by Pratt and Whitney R.1340 Wasp engines

The aircraft plus the amphibian kits were shipped from St. Johns, Canada on the S. S. Port Adelaide - March 01, 1958

Delivered by de Havilland Canada to de Havilland Australia at Sydney (Bankstown) - April 14, 1958

Purchased by Qantas Airways from de Havilland Australia, Bankstown

Accepted by Qantas in joint handover ceremony at Sydney (Bankstown) with VH-EAX - May 27, 1958

Entered onto Australian Aircraft Register as VH-EAW - May 27, 1958

Registered to Qantas Airways Ltd, Sydney

The aircraft was named ‘Kikori’ (Papua) at Port Moresby - June 04, 1958

Delivered for operations in Papua New Guinea as an amphibian

Sold to Trans Australian Airlines (T.A.A.) - September 01, 1960

Reregistered as VH-SBQ - December 08, 1960

The aircraft retained name ‘Kikori’ (Papua)

It was forced to ditch into sea 10 miles west of Samari, Papua New Guinea - April 14, 1961

The engine lost power due cylinder problems, 2 crew and 7 passengers were uninjured

The aircraft subsequently drifted onto rocks and was damaged beyond repair

It was salvaged and then reduced to spares

 

 

VH-EAW. Qantas - in the standard livery at Sydney Bankstown Airport, May 1958.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1920-395.)

VH-EAW. Qantas - in the standard livery at Sydney Bankstown Airport, May 1958.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1920-396.)

VH-EAW. Qantas - in the standard livery somewhere over western Sydney, May 1958.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1920-397.)

VH-EAW. Qantas - in the standard livery somewhere over western Sydney, May 1958.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1920-398.)

VH-EAW. Qantas - in the standard livery somewhere over western Sydney, May 1958.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1920-399.)

VH-EAW. Qantas - in the standard livery ay Sydney Bankstown Airport, May 1958.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1920-051.)

VH-EAW. Qantas - in the standard livery somewhere in New Guinea, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1920-228.)

VH-EAW. TAA Sunbird Services - in the standard livery at Port Moresby Jackson's Field, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1920-400.)