Unlike DCA's
other two Fokker F.27s (VH-CAT and VH-CAV),
VH-TFE was not fitted for airways survey work.
The aircraft was initially leased from Trans Australia Airlines (TAA) in 1965, and subsequently purchased outright by DCA. It was used for some testing of visual landing aids, such as the Australian T-VASIS system, and also for crew training, VIP and general transport duties.
The beautiful shot above shows VH-TFE at an airshow at Portland, Vic, in April 1966.
The photo above shows VH-TFE on the apron outside the DCA hangar at Melbourne/Essendon, while that below shows it being towed past the Tower towards
the DCA hangar at on 15 May 1971. The view is to the
east-south-east.
The photo above shows VH-TFE out and about on Departmental business, possibly at Ceduna in the early 1970s. In the background is one of the original Aeradio buildings, by this time Flight Service.
The image below shows VH-TFE at an unknown location, possibly RAAF Edinburgh, in April 1973. In the background is an RAAF C-47 Dakota.
Based at Melbourne/Essendon throughout its Departmental service, VH-TFE
was eventually sold in the UK following replacement of the F.27s on survey
work by F28s.
(Photos: Top - Ern Mainka; Bottom - CAHS collection)
(Photos: 1-Geoff Goodall / 2-CAHS/Ben Dannecker collection / 3-Ern Mainka / 5&6-CAHS collection)
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