Airlines of South Australia

 

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20-12-2008

 

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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.

 

Looking  down the cabin of the Piaggio

Cockpit of the Piaggio - VH-ASA

These Piaggio photos courtesy of Bernie Ellson

See some of the history of Airlines of South Australia in pictures from terminals, staff, aircraft to contracts signed by ASA for the Woomera operation, by clicking on the thumbnails below and to the left.

Thanks must go to Paul Harrison for some of these pictures, Bobby Gardiner for the timetable covers and Fred Niven for the various logos. If you have any old pictures or information please contact [email protected] 

 

 

Copyright � 2002 Spirits of Ansett

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