Bankstown - Around The Hangers 2011

[Grahame Hutchison]

Saturday morning looked just perfect for a wander around the hangers at Bankstown, with just a little haze and some early fog in the west. Interesting to note that two weeks after the accident, the wreckage of the burnt out Squirrel is still there, protected by a small tent like cover with the tail boom hanging out one end. The Catalina guys were working hard on the refurb, changing both main tyres this morning, and DC-3 VH-CWS was now parked back on the grass near the Toll hanger.

Although quite first up, traffic movements picked up quickly, and there were some interesting aircraft parked around the hangers and aprons.

VH-VEB Beech 58 Baron (TH-399) 1974 - Vee H Aviation


VH-TMB Cessna 182Q (18267103) 1979 - Bilyara Aviation Services. The aircraft arrived and parked as I was photographing the RFDS
B200 along side it. I had a quick chat to the female pilot, who said that although it was hazy this morning, the visibility was still quite
good.


VH-SGA Piper Navajo PA-31P (31P-7300166) 1973 - Bayswater Road Pty Ltd


VH-PHM Eurocopter EC135 P2+ (914) 2010 - NSW Police Force Aviation Support. According to a crew member, this chopper was only
delivered last week.


VH-IJD Piper Pa28-151 Warrior (28-7615319) Regalair Pty Ltd. There are a couple of Warriors around now with this wave paint style.


VH-CWS Douglas DC3C-S1C3G (9286) 1943 - Peter Christoudias. The wreckage of the Squirrel is just off to the right.

VH-PHZ Kawasaki BK117 B-2 (1043) 1990 - NSW Police Force Aviation Support. This chopper flew along the Northern Beaches and
overhead my home later in the afternoon.


N45917 Sikorsky S61V-1 (61271) 1965 - Siller Helicopters - Yuba City California


VH-NSB Cessna 550 Citation (550-0306) 1981 - Professional Jet Aviation

N258CC Cessna 208B Caravan (208B2258) 2011 - Cessna Aircraft Co - Wichita Kansas. Presumably a new delivery.

[Grahame Hutchison]

N258CC Cessna 208B Caravan (208B2258) 2011 - Cessna Aircraft Co - Wichita Kansas.


VH-BZL Beechjet 400A (RK-139) 1997 - Business Aviation Solutions. (I did not record the registration of this aircraft, however I think it
is correct based on the paint scheme and other images I have seen). Unfortunately it was parked right on the shadow line, so it was
difficult to get a good shot.


VH-BZL Beechjet 400A (RK-139) 1997 - Business Aviation Solutions.

VH-UNJ Diamond DA 40 (40.1073) 2010 - University Of NSW. I like to look of the Diamonds, except for that crazy nose wheel.

VH-EJE Piper PA-31 Navajo (31-585) 1970 - Mabena Pty Ltd


VH-TAK Piper PA-28-161 Warrior (2842276) 2007 - J&J Aviation. This is the other Warrior I have seen with the wave paint scheme.


VH-ZZT Cabri G2 (1020) 2010 - Helicopter Transport & Training Pty Ltd. Manufactured in France, this is one of only two on the Australian
Register at present.


VH-KWT Robinson R44 II (13016) 2010 - Notuse Pty Ltd. Give way to the Robbie on taxiway Kilo.


VH-SVY Agusta AW139 (31126) 2008 - Lloyd Off-Shore Helicopters Pty Ltd. Descending onto Runway 29R with the Robbie taxiing
on Kilo and the Red Bull aircraft vacating 29C and about to cross 29R. Shooting to the south, the brown haze is very noticeable.


VH-SVY Agusta AW139 (31126) 2008 - Lloyd Off-Shore Helicopters Pty Ltd. About to touchdown on Runway 29R with Warrior VH-BVM
holding at Uniform 1.

[Shayne G]

Great photos! My favourite here is probably the Sikorsky S61V-1. I was wondering why I kept seeing that eurocopter doing the flights around my area that the police helicopters normally do, thought it had a police paintjob too and now I finaly know the police have one so thanks for that

[Mike W]

I also enjoyed the photos, but for me it was the Warriors with the "Wave" paint schemes. I've had a wave of my own but it's nostalgia. This has brought back to me how I miss flying in the Warriors having to bail from my lessons after only 30 hours up to 2004 to get married, pay a mortgage, be a father, yada yada.

Still, I wouldn't swap it but I do miss trekking down to Bankstown as I used to do once a fortnight.

[Tim B]

Great photos.
Years ago, when I was able to walk amongst aeroplanes before security fencing was invented, I was able to capture a couple of photos of the Beechcraft Starship at Bankstown.



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[Grahame Hutchison]

Very nice Tim, I have one shot of the Starship departing Mascot 16L many years ago.