VH-BMA  (1)   Avro 652A Anson 1

                                    

                                         This photo was taken by the late Gus Grulke (seen here via the Geoff Goodall collection) at Eagle
                                         Farm airport, Brisbane circa 1952 while the Anson was owned by Alf Aberline, a garage owner
                                         from West Wyalong NSW.  It was formerly with the RAAF during WW II as W2097.  Aberlione
                                         had been the local agent for South Coast Airways when they operated Ansons, the Lockheed 10B
                                         VH-UZO and Lodestar VH-FAD on passenger services from Sydney to West Wyalong via Cowra. 
                                         He purchased BMA from South Coast in November 1949 to start his own Condobolin-Sydney feeder
                                         service under the name Aberline Air Service, but did not get an airline licence so -BMA was leased
                                         back to South Coast Airways and later used for charter flying.  The shot below (also from Geoff's
                                         collection) shows the Anson in New Guinea circa 1955 whilst with Goilala Air Services,based at
                                         Tapini.  Goilala purchased it in March 1955 from Australian Aircraft Sales, fresh from a CofA
                                         renewal in Sydney.   However it only lasted a year in the harsh New Guinea climate, being struck
                                         off the register in June 1956 after being grounded by DCA due to wing spar deterioration.