DCA purchased five current model Beechcraft Bonanzas commencing in 1964 - this S35 model, three V35s and an A36 - one each year. This aircraft was purchased at a cost of A$41,000, as part of a policy to operate modern production light aircraft. This aircraft was among the last of the run of the well-known V-tail Bonanzas which had been in continuous production by Beechcraft since 1946.

VH-CAB (c/n D-7376) was registered new to the DCA on 8 June 1964 and is pictured above and below during acceptance flights from the Australian Beechcraft dealer, Hawker de Havilland, at Sydney’s Bankstown Airport. Note that the DCA insignia has not yet been applied to the aircraft.

This aircraft was the third DCA aircraft to carry the marks VH-CAB. The earlier aircraft were a Lockheed Lodestar and an Avro Anson.

Click here to see the aircraft in a later colour scheme and read more about its history.