VH-KED. Fairchild SA-227DC Metro 23. c/n DC-845B.

Was also registered as: VH-VEK.

 

This aircraft was first flown as 'N3023Q' - September 1993

Powered by Garrett Turbine TPE331-12U engines

Registered to Fairchild Aircraft Inc

Sold to Kendell Airlines - 1994

This was Kendell's fifth Metro 23

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-KED - March 10, 1994

Registered to Kendell Airlines (Australia) Pty Ltd, Wagga Wagga

It arrived at Wagga Wagga on completion of the delivery flight as N3023Q - March 14, 1994

Delivery route: San Antonio - Oakland - Honolulu - Pago Pago- Sydney - Wagga Wagga

The aircraft was named 'Spirit of King Island'

This was the first Kendell Metro to appear in the Ansett 'Union Jack' livery

Operated its first revenue service - March 18, 1994

Ansett suspended all operations due to bankruptcy - September 13, 2001

Operated its final revenue service Whyalla - Adelaide (West Beach) as AN5453 - September 13, 2001

Returned to service to operate Adelaide - Mount Gambia route - September 28, 2001

Dry-leased to Airnorth Regional for 3 months - October 31, 2001

Returned to Kendell Airlines at Adelaide (West Beach) - February 01, 2002

Returned to service under administration - February 05, 2002

Kendell Airlines was sold by the Administrators to Australiawide Airlines - August 01, 2002

Australiawide Airlines was renamed Regional Express Airlines (REX) - August 06, 2002

REX commenced services - August 06, 2002

Registered to Australiawide Airlines Ltd - September 19, 2002

Sold to Corporate Air - June 20, 2005

Sold to Vee H Aviation Pty Ltd - June 22, 2005

Reregistered as VH-VEK - July 06, 2005

Leased to Corporate Air as the registered operator

Current with Corporate Air - 2010

 

 

VH-KED. Kendell - in the Ansett 'flag' livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, May 1994.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1040-394.)

VH-KED. Kendell - in the Ansett 'Starmark' livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, June 02, 2001.

(R. Brown Copyright Image 1040-367.)

VH-VEK. Corporate Air - in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, April 12, 2006.

(R. Brown Copyright Image 1040-368.)