Beech V35 Bonanza VH-CAD

From 1964, DCA purchased five current model Beechcraft Bonanzas - three V35s, an S35 and an A36 model. They were purchased at a cost of A$41,000 each, as part of a policy to operate modern production light aircraft.

VH-CAD (c/n D-8041) was the second of DCA's Bonanzas and was registered new on 18 June 1966. Note the DCA insignia just beneath the windscreen. This VH-CAD was actually the third DCA aircraft to carry those marks, the previous being a Tiger Moth and an Avro Anson.

The location of the photo above is not known, however this particular Bonanza spent at least the latter part of its Departmental career based at Perth. The image below shows VH-CAD at Caiguna, WA, around 1970.

Beechcraft V35 Bonanza VH-CAD

From 1964, DCA purchased five current model Beechcraft Bonanzas - three V35s, an S35 and an A36 model. They were purchased at a cost of A$41,000 each, as part of a policy to operate modern production light aircraft. VH-CAD (c/n D-8041) was the second of DCA's Bonanzas and was registered new on 18 June 1966. Note the DCA insignia just beneath the windscreen. This VH-CAD was actually the third DCA aircraft to carry those marks, the previous being a Tiger Moth and an Avro Anson. The location of the photo above is not known, however this particular Bonanza spent at least the latter part of its Departmental career based at Perth. The image below shows VH-CAD at Caiguna, WA, around 1970.

The photos below show the later colour schemes of VH-CAD after being re-painted in Departmental 'house colours'. The image immediately below is interesting because it was taken at Perth/Jandakot on 28 August 1974. The aircraft still wears the DCA badge although by that time DCA had been amalgamated into the Department of Transport. Departmental aircraft operating in other States during this period had their DCA logos removed.

From 1973 to 1982 the aircraft was operated by the Department of Transport (Air Transport Group). The photo immediately below shows it in DoT house colours of royal blue and yellow, with the 'Irish compass' Departmental logo on the nose, in October 1980 at Perth/Jandakot, parked in the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia parking area.

In 1982 the DoT became the Department of Aviation. The photo below shows VH-CAD wearing DoA titles and in the house colours of light grey wings and lower fuselage, white upper fuselage and dark blue cheat lines at Karratha, WA, on 27 June 1985. The aircraft was sold in 1992 following the internal 'Review of Resources' which saw almost the entire Departmental aircraft fleet disposed of. As of 2017 VH-CAD is still registered and based in NSW.

(Photo: 1-Graham Bennett via Greg Thom; 2-CAHS collection; 3-Roger McDonald; 4-Chris O'Neill; 5-David Eyre) Back to the Departmental Bonanza index Back to the Departmental Aircraft index page If this page appears without a menu bar at top and left, click here