Auster VH-CAM (2)

This Blackburn Cirrus-powered Auster J/5G Autocar (c/n 3094) was purchased new to replace the earlier Auster VH-CAM which crashed. It was added to the Register as VH-CAM on 16 March 1955 and allocated to the DCA's New Guinea Region. This photograph shows it at Laverton, Vic, on 30 March 1957.

It was sold to Dr J W Arundell of South Caulfield, Victoria, and re-registered as VH-FAM on 6 Feb 1961. After passing through a number of private owners, it was destroyed in a fatal accident on 31 December 1972. The elderly pilot, whose Private Pilot Licence had expired, was suspected to have suffered a heart attack.

(Photo: John Hopton collection)

Auster J/5G Autocar VH-CAM (2)

This Blackburn Cirrus-powered Auster J/5G Autocar (c/n 3094) was purchased new to replace the earlier Auster VH-CAM which crashed. It was added to the Register as VH-CAM on 16 March 1955 and allocated to the DCA's New Guinea Region. This photograph shows it at Laverton, Vic, on 30 March 1957. It was sold to Dr J W Arundell of South Caulfield, Victoria, and re-registered as VH-FAM on 6 Feb 1961. After passing through a number of private owners, it was destroyed in a fatal accident on 31 December 1972. The elderly pilot, whose Private Pilot Licence had expired, was suspected to have suffered a heart attack. (Photo: John Hopton collection)

Above: Another photograph of the DCA's Auster J/5G VH-CAM taken at Melbourne/Moorabbin in October 1960. The Royal Victorian Aero Club's Chipmunk VH-RVS is parked to the right. The original Moorabbin Control Tower, which was constructed in 1949, stands in the background. The tower cab was replaced in 1962. Click here to see a photo of the tower with its new cab. Click here to see another lovely photo of VH-CAM (2). (Photo: John M Smith collection) Back to Departmental Aircraft index page If this page appears without a menu bar at top and left, click here