Airlines
of South Australia
The name �Airlines of South Australia� came into
being on 21 December 1959 to replace Guinea Airways Ltd. Ansett
Transport Industries Ltd had previously gained control of Guinea
Airways on 23 October of that year.
On 18
January 1960 Airlines of South Australia commenced operations, after
Guinea had formally ceased services at midnight the previous day. In
addition to the takeover of Guinea Airways five DC-3�s and one Auster,
a 52 seat Convair 440 VH-BZH was added to the �new� airline�s fleet.
Publicity flights to Port Lincoln, Port Pirie and Whyalla by VH-BZH
�Colonel William Light� were carried out to enable country people to
inspect the Convair airliner. All ex-Guinea DC-3�s were gradually
repainted in the distinctive �South Australian� markings, featuring an
eagle emblem.
ASA�s
inaugural timetable listed flights on the following routes:
(a) Adelaide/Port Lincoln/Minnipa/Ceduna
(b)
Adelaide/Cowell/Cleve/Kimba
(c) Adelaide/Radium Hill/Broken Hill
(d)
Adelaide/Kangaroo Island
(e) Adelaide/Port Pirie/Whyalla
(f) Adelaide/Renmark/Mildura
(g) Adelaide/Woomera
The
first Manager of ASA was Mr P D Stedman, who served in that capacity
until the following year when Mr �Mick� Connelly (Previously Manager
of Ansett-ANA Mackay)
was
transferred to the position, Mr Stedman went on to become Manager of
Ansett-MAL and later Airlines of New South Wales, while Mr Connelly
remained with ASA until it closed.
An
additional Convair 440 VH-BZN was added to the fleet in March 1960 and
one DC-3 plus the Auster were sold. Following the rundown of mining at
Radium Hill that port was deleted from the Airline�s network on 3 June
1962. Naracoorte and Millicent were added to the network from 13
October of that year; DC-3s were used on that service until a new Piaggio P166 �Portofino� VH-ASA was delivered in February 1963. The
Piaggio�s role was to takeover routes, which were not attracting
sufficient passenger traffic to justify DC-3 aircraft.
In the
winter of 1963 the Piaggio operated flights from Alice Springs to
Ayers Rock on behalf of Ansett-ANA. On 2 February 1964 the
Renmark/Mildura operation was changed to the P166, and in the same
period DC-3/P166 aircraft jointly operated Port Pirie services.
An
Airlines of New South Wales Douglas DC-4 Skymaster VH-INJ operated on
ASA routes in February-March 1964 whilst one of the Convairs was
having a major overhaul in Melbourne. This was the only four-engined
aircraft ever operated on ASA routes.
Tours to
Hayman Island QLD from Adelaide were pioneered in 1964/65 using
Convairs. Passengers were flown to Proserpine and then transferred to
Hayman Island by launch.
In
September 1965 an order for one Fokker F27 Friendship was announced
for delivery during 1966. This was to be the first turbo-prop aircraft
in ASA�s fleet. Following the delivery of this F27 VH-FNP in September
1966 a major rationalisation of the fleet and areas served by the
Airline began.
Naracoorte and Millicent had previously been deleted from timetables
on 23 August 1965; Port Pirie was deleted on 19 September 1966,
Renmark and Mildura on 2 August 1967 and Cowell on 2 February 1968.
All these ports were subsequently taken over by various commuter
airlines using a variety of twin-engined light aircraft.
On
1 November 1968 �Airlines of South Australia� was renamed �Ansett Airlines
of SA� (AASA) in keeping with the new Ansett policy of eventually
having all its subsidiary airlines aircraft in the same basic colour
scheme while still carrying the individual airline�s name.
The Convairs and DC-3�s however, were not repainted as they were expected
to be retired in the near future. A second F27 was added to the fleet
on 26 February 1971 to replace the remaining DC-3�s. These DC-3�s
VH-ABR and VH-ANW were ferried to Essendon Vic to be retired. However,
they returned a fortnight later as one of AASA�s F27�s was transferred
to Ansett to replace an F27, which had been burnt in a hangar fire at
Essendon. This was to be a respite of only six months for the DC-3�s
as VH-ANW & VH-ABR were ferried to Essendon again on 4 & 5 October
1971 respectively. AASA�s fleet then consisted of two Fokker F27�s (VH-FNB,
FNI) and the two Convair 440�s (VH-BZF & BZN).
The
Convairs were to survive the DC-3�s by only a few months, due to the
delivery of a third F27 (VH-FNV) to Adelaide on 7 February 1972. This
saw the final retirement of the Convair-liner from Australian airline
service. VH-BZN ferried to Essendon
on 140272 and VH-BZF on 150272. They were stored until sold to South East Asia.
As the AASA fleet consisted of just three F27�s further
rationalization of the route structure continued with Minnipa, Cleve
and Kimba services all ceasing in January/February 1973.
A first
for AASA came in 1974 with the introduction of special interest
weekend flights. These started when the Airline flew passengers to see
the inland sea caused by Lake Eyre�s flooding. These flights were very
popular and were expanded. Weekender trips were then operated to such
far-flung places as Tasmania, Canberra & Cooma, Victorian Snowfields
and Central Australia.
Mount
Gambier received AASA services for the first time on 17 June 1975;
Ansett had previously serviced that city through their Fokker F27
service Adelaide/Mount Gambier/Hamilton/Melbourne.
The gas
fields of Moomba provided additional work for AASA from March 1979
with charter flights carrying workers and equipment.
The
regular airline connection to Woomera was terminated on 20 April 1979
when the F27 VH-MMR operated the last Ansett Airlines of SA flight to
that port. These services had been flown from Parafield, RAAF
Edinburgh and West Beach since Guinea Airways had pioneered the route
in January 1951.
In the
years 1979/80 the airline was placed under intense competition for
passengers by SA commuter airlines operating on AASA routes. However,
many of these competitors were unable to sustain high enough passenger
loads and most eventually moved onto other routes.
A major
change in policy was effected by AASA late in 1980 when a route
sharing agreement was commenced with Rossair. AASA would operate
services at peak times with F27s whilst Rossair Cessna 402s would do
the off-peak flights. Rossair also began operating a new route
Adelaide � Roxby Downs on behalf of AASA.
In early
1981 Ansett Transport Industries announced that all their intrastate
subsidiaries would be renamed and have local management boards
appointed. Accordingly, in July Ansett Airlines of SA was renamed
�Airlines of SA�. All aircraft were repainted in a distinctive SA
colour scheme, featuring the �The Piping Shrike� emblem. F27 VH-MMR
was the first aircraft painted in the new scheme and rolled out on 11
July 1981 being displayed at West Beach four days later. F27 VH-MMV
was rolled out in the new scheme on 6 October 1981 followed by VH-FNP
on 19 February 1982.
At a
ceremony held at West Beach on 14 March 1982 three F27�s were named
after famous South Australians; they were: VH-FNP Christened �Sir
Thomas Playford� but carried the name �Tom Playford�, VH-MMR
Christened �Sir Hans Heysen� but carried the name �Hans Heysen�,
VH-MMV Christened �Sir Douglas Mawson� but carried the name �Douglas
Mawson�. F27 VH-FNR was Christened �Daisy Bates� on 13 September 1982
and entered service the following day. Being a QC model FNR flew
passenger services during the day and at night was utilised on the
Adelaide/Melbourne/Adelaide freight service.
ASA
became the first official sponsor of this state�s 1986 150th
Jubilee celebrations by purchasing from the State Government the right
to the use of piping shrike emblem on the aircraft tailfins.
The
Adelaide to Ayers Rock route was operated between 31 July and 30
October 1985.
ASA
continued to labour on with significant competition and in 1985, after
the loss of the lucrative Santos contract to Moomba, it was announced
that affiliate airline �Kendell Airlines� would progressively move
onto SA routes.
On 19
February 1986 the formal announcement was made that ASA would phase
out all its operations by July.
Mount
Gambier received its last passenger service on 15 November 1985.
Ceduna
received its last passenger flight on 7 March 1986.
Broken
Hill received its last passenger flight on 9 March 1986 when F27
VH-FNP operated the final flight.
Kingscote received its last flight on 4 April 1986 when F27/200 VH-MMR
operated the final service.
Port
Lincoln received its last passenger flight on 27 June 1986 when F27
VH-FNP operated the final service.
Whyalla
received its last passenger flight on 27 June 1986 when F27 VH-MMR
operated the final service.
THE
FLEET
Auster J5G
VH-BYU C/N 3155 Owned from 180160. Sold to A W Webb,
Wirrega 260860.
Douglas DC-3
VH-ABR
C/N 2029 i/s 011061, WFS and ferried to Essendon Vic 150371 � returned
010471. WFS & ferried to Essendon 051071.
VH-ANN
C/N 3272 i/s 180160 (ex VH-GAH 250160). WFS and ferried to Essendon
Vic 160466. Total flight time 47,329 hours.
VH-ANP
C/N 4096 i/s 180160 (ex VH-GAI 250160) to Victorian Air Coach 171261.
VH-ANS
C/N 6010 i/s 180160 (ex VH-GAJ 250160) WFS and ferried to Essendon Vic
December 1966
VH-ANW
C/N 13624 i/s 180160 (ex VH-GAK 250160) WFS and ferried to Essendon
Vic 150371 � returned 280371. WFS & ferried to Essendon 041071.
VH-ANZ
C/N 9559 i/s 160466, wfs May 1968 and ferried to Essendon Vic
VH-INB
C/N 9285 i/s 180160 (ex VH-GAL 250160) to Ansett-ANA 110260.
Convair 440
VH-BZF
C/N 431 i/s May 1962, wfs 120272 and ferried to Essendon Vic 150272.
VH-BZH
C/N 458 i/s 180160 �Colonel William Light�. WFS 140562 and ferried to
Essendon Vic.
VH-BZN
C/N 449 i/s 130360 �City of Adelaide�. WFS 110272 and ferried to
Essendon Vic 140272.
Piaggio P166
VH-ASA
C/N 409, i/s 190263, WFS 300666.
Douglas DC-4
VH-INJ
C/N 42927 wet leased from Airlines of NSW 240264 � 230364.
Fokker F27
VH-FNB
F27/200 C/N 10136 i/s 260271 � 280371, 031071 � 050776.
VH-FNI
F27/200 C/N 10181 i/s 100568 until 130877. �City of Whyalla�. A/c had
been hijacked at Alice Springs on 151172 whilst on Ansett Airlines
flight.
VH-FNJ
F27/200 C/N 10264 i/s 30676 to 240777.
VH-FNO
F27/400 C/N 10304 was delivered from the manufacturer in Airlines of
SA colours but never operated.
VH-FNP
F27/200 C/N 10305 i/s 160966 until May 1968 �City of Whyalla�.
Returned 230777 and used until 270686. Ferried to Melbourne on 280686.
In the last �ASA � colours carried the name � Tom Playford�.
VH-FNR
F27/400QC C/N 10317 delivered to West Beach 100882, i/s 140882. Named
�Daisy Bates� 130982. WFS and ferried to Melbourne on 031285.
VH-FNU
F27/400 C/N 10334 i/s 190985 � 081185.
VH-FNV
F27/200 C/N 10252, delivered to West Beach 070272, i/s 080272 �
011077.
VH-MMR
F27/200 C/N 10303 i/s 031277 � 270686. �Hans Heysen�. Ferried to
Melbourne on 280686.
VH-MMV
F27/200 C/N 10355 i/s 010877 � 180985, 091185 � 100486, ferried to
Melbourne 110486. Was named �Sir Douglas Mawson� on 140382.
KEY
C/n =
constructor�s number
I/s = in
service date
WFS �
withdrawn from service-
Route
Structure
Adelaide
to Ayers Rock 310785 to 301085
Adelaide
to Ceduna (via Port Lincoln) 180160 to 070386
Adelaide
to Cowell, Cleve, Kimba 180160, ceased Cowell 020268, the rest Jan
1973
Adelaide
to Kingscote 180160 to 040486
Adelaide
to Minnipa (via Port Lincoln) 180160 to 050273
Adelaide
to Mount Gambier 170675 to 151185
Adelaide
to Naracoorte, Millicent 131062 to 230865
Adelaide
to Port Lincoln 180160 to 270686
Adelaide
to Port Pirie, Whyalla 180160, ceased Port Pirie 190966, ceased
Whyalla 270686
Adelaide
to Radium Hill, Broken Hill 180160, ceased Radium Hill 030662, ceased
Broken Hill 090386.
Adelaide
to Renmark, Mildura 180160 to 020867
Adelaide
to Woomera 180160 to 200479
Compiled by Nigel Daw.