THE FAR EAST

 

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AUSTRALIA

 

East West Airlines, Ltd. - (EW/EWA)

Tamworth, New South Wales

Following a demonstration with a Series 402AP which the manufacturer leased from Philippine Airlines in June 1969, an order was announced for a single Series 475 in December 1970 for this airline. However, the deal was not concluded.

 

Royal Australian Air Force.

Fairbairn, Canberra

The RAAF ordered two Series 217EAs with delivery in January and February 1968.  The aircraft were initially fitted with two executive cabins of 26 and 30 passenger seats and were operated in the VIP transport rôle by 34 (ST) Squadron based at Fairbairn, Canberra.  Uniquely, these aircraft had a navigator’s position in the cockpit and were affectionately known as “Trucks” in RAAF service.  The aircraft were fitted with non-standard Rolls-Royce Spey Mk.511-14s and had a beefed up undercarriage with larger low pressure tyres for improved airfield performance and for use to destinations with runways with low bearing strengths.  The aircraft were later fitted with a more luxurious 2 X 2 29 seat cabin to the rear while the forward section comprised a galley/bar area forward with a four place table crew area.  The main cabin was fitted with four huge pivoting lounge chairs.  Between the main lounge and the rear cabin was another four place table with electric typewriter connection on one side of the cabin while on the other side was a three seat divan which folded out into a King Size bed.  Apart from operating to most Australian airfields with runways in excess of 6,000 ft length and maintaining regular ministerial shuttles between Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney, the aircraft were flown to destinations throughout the Far East and Pacific and to India, Iran and even a one off trip to Glasgow in the UK in June 1973.  The aircraft were also used for special VIP flights such as carrying the Governor General, the Shah of Iran, the President of Burma and the UK Royal Family on various occasions.  Overseas points visited included Apia (Samoa), Bali (Indonesia), Christmas Island, Cocos Island, Honiara (Solomon Islands), Jakarta (Indonesia), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Manila and Zamboanga (Philippines), Norfolk Island, Noumea (New Caledonia), Nuku Alofa (Tonga), Port Moresby and Rabaul (PNG), Port Vila (Vanuatu), Rarotonga (Cook Islands), Singapore, Suva and Nadi (Fiji) and Tarawa (Kiribati) in the immediate vicinity while further afield points visited included Bangkok (Thailand), Bombay, Calcutta and Delhi (India), Guam, Hong Kong, Kwajelein (Marshall Islands), Okinawa, Tokyo (Japan), Ponape (Micronesia), Pyonyang (N.Korea), Seoul (S.Korea), Beijing, Shanghai and Shenyang (China), Srinigar (Kashmir) and Teheran (Iran) while various points in New Zealand were regular training destinations.  The fleet was retired in early 1990 having flown over 28,000 hours and carried out over 30,000 landings.

 

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

A12-124

124

217EA

12Jan68

28Feb90

To G-EXPM

A12-125

125

217EA

08Feb68

30Jan90

To G-KROO

 

A12-124

 

 FIJI

 

Air Pacific, Ltd. - (FJ/FJI)

Suva

Air Pacific ordered two Series 479FUs laid out in a 74 seat single class configuration with delivery in March 1972 and August 1973.  A used Series 413FA was later bought in June 1978.  The type inaugurated service on 2nd April 1972 and was used to operate scheduled services from Suva and Nadi to Apia (Samoa), Auckland, Brisbane, Honiara (Solomon Islands), Noumea (New Caledonia), Pago Pago (American Samoa), Papeete (Tahiti), Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea), Port Vila (Vanuatu), Tarawa (Kiribati) and Tongatapu.  The Nadi to Papeete flight was at one time operated as a joint service with Union de Transports Aériens – UTA.  One of the Series 479FUs was leased to Air Malawi from July 1974 to November 1975.  The type was finally withdrawn in March 1984.

 

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

DQ-FBQ

245

479FU

04Mar72

Mar84

To ZE433

DQ-FBV

250

479FU

14Aug73

Mar84

To ZE432

DQ-FCR

116

413FA

25Jun78

08Sep81

B/U

 

DQ-FBV 1

 

DQ-FBV 2

 

INDIA

 

Citylink Airways, (XF)

Delhi

Citylink Airways commenced scheduled services with two leased Romavia Series 561RCs on 19th November 1992. The aircraft were operated in a two class configuration on scheduled routes from Delhi to Bombay and Calcutta. Operations ceased in October 1993 and the aircraft were returned to the lessor.

 

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

YR-BRH

408

561RC

Nov92

Oct93

Lsd from Romavia

YR-BRI

409

561RC

Nov92

Oct93

Lsd from Romavia

 

INDONESIA

 

Bouraq Indonesia Airlines, P.T, - (BO/BOU)

Jakarta

Bouraq was reportedly operating a Series 401AK in 1995 between Jakarta and Banjarmasin

.

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

PK-PJF

065

401AK

95

96

 

 

Citra Aviation.

Obtained a Series 401AK from Pelita Air Services in September 1995 but nothing further is known of this aircraft other than the fact that it was last reported operating in a VIP configuration.

 

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

PK-PJF

065

401AK

Sep95

???

 

 

Dirgantara Air Services, P.T. - see Freeport Indonesia.

 

Freeport Indonesia, P.T. - ( )

Timika

In June 1987 this organisation obtained a Series 401AK which was operated on the company’s behalf by Dirgantara Air Services from mid August 1987 until late January 1992 primarily for the carriage of mining staff between Timika in West Irian and Cairns in Queensland.  The aircraft was painted in Pertamina’s colours with ‘Freeport’ titles and was later noted in Berlin and Amsterdam in May 1992.  The aircraft was subsequently sold to Pelita Air Services in March 1993.

 

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

N117MR

065

401AK

Jun87

01Dec87

To PK-PJF

PK-PJF

065

401AK

03Dec87

28Jan92

To Pelita Air Service

 

Indonesia Air Transport, P.T. - (IDA)

Jakarta

This organisation took delivery of a Series 492GM in December 1994, a Series 488GH in March 1996, a Series 422EQ in July 1997 and a Series 423ET in April 1998.  The aircraft were used on worldwide charter flights usually executively configured.  The Series 488GH was disposed of in October 1998 and the Series 422EQ in May 2000.   The last time these aircraft was reported active was in October 2002 when one of the aircraft visited Perth in Australia and late August 2003 when the other was seen flying at Kuching.  The Series 492GM was scrapped in October 2012 while the Series 423ET remains in store at Jakarta.

 

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

PK-TAL

259

488GH

02Mar96

04Oct98

To G-MAAH

PK-TRU

262

492GM

21Dec94

2004

B/U Jak Halim Oct12

PK-TSR

126

422EQ

26Jul97

05May00

To VP-BBA

PK-TST

118

423ET

11Apr98

2004

Stored Jakarta Halim

 

Merpati Nusantara Airlines, P.T. - (MZ/MNA)

Jakarta

In August 1971 two Series 401AK were painted in Merpati’s colours.  One of these was delivered to Jakarta.  However, no import licence was granted and the aircraft was returned to American Airlines Inc in November 1971 without use.  From mid 1977 to May 1978 Pelita Air Services Series 416EK was used to operate a scheduled service from Denpasar to Darwin in Australia.

 

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

N5018

058

401AK

---

---

Not delivered

N5032

074

401AK

13Aug71

15Nov71

Never operational

PK-PJC

166

416EK

77

May78

Lsd from Pelita

 

Pelita Air Services, P.T. - (EP & 6D/PAS)

Jakarta

This organisation obtained a Series 416EK in January 1973 for ad hoc charter work and also to fly on behalf of Pertamena Oil.  The aircraft operated a scheduled service for Merpati Nusantara from 1977 to May 1978 before it was sold in June 1979.  A Series 401AK was painted in this company’s colours for operation on behalf of Freeport Indonesia by Dirgantara Air Services from mid August 1987 until late January 1992.  The aircraft was registered to Pelita Air Services in March 1993 and sold in September 1995.

 

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

PK-PJC

166

416EK

26Jan73

Jun79

To BIA G-CBIA

PK-PJF

065

401AK

03Dec87

Sep95

To Citra Aviation

 

Name used on aircraft:-

PK-PJC - Aron

 

MALAYSIA

 

Wirakris Udara, (M) Sdn. Bhd.

Kuala Lumpur

A Series 481FW was reportedly leased by this carrier from September 1992 to operate cargo flights. It had been returned to the lessor by March 1993.

 

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

7Q-YKF

243

481FW

Sep92

Mar93

 

 

PAKISTAN

 

AERO ASIA International (Pvt), Ltd. - (E4/RSO)

Karachi

AERO ASIA inaugurated scheduled services with two leased TAROM Series 561RCs on 6th May 1993 over the routes Karachi to Islamabad and Lahore initially both flown twice daily. The aircraft were operated in a 109 seat all economy layout. On 26th July 1993 Pasni was added to the network with Peshawar following on 1st August 1993 by which time a third Series 561RC had been leased. By early 1994 Faisalabad and Multan had been added to the destinations served and the fleet raised to five aircraft. The fleet was standardised at four aircraft and these were registered in Pakistan in August 1995. Additional were leased at various times both from TAROM and Romavia. By early 2000 domestic frequencies had been considerably reduced and the international destinations of Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai and Muscat added to the network. By 2002 the fleet had been withdrawn and the four aircraft put in storage.

  

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

AP-BFC

401

561RC

16Aug95

2002

Stored OTP

AP-BFD

404

561RC

17Aug95

2002

B/U Karachi 2015

AP-BFE

406

561RC

02Aug95

2002

B/U Karachi 2015

AP-BFF

407

561RC

15Aug95

2002

B/U Karachi 2015

YR-BRA

401

561RC

04May93

16Aug95

To AP-BFC

YR-BRB

402

561RC

24Dec83

17Mar94

Lsd from TAROM

 

 

 

03Jul94

10Oct94

Lsd from TAROM

 

 

 

23Feb95

13Jun95

Lsd from TAROM

YR-BRD

404

561RC

30Apr93

17Aug95

To AP-BFD

YR-BRE

405

561RC

26May94

01Aug94

Lsd from Romavia

 

 

 

07Jan95

23Feb95

Lsd from Romavia

 

 

 

28Apr95

19May95

Lsd from Romavia

 

 

 

17Sep95

30Oct95

Lsd from Romavia

YR-BRF

406

561RC

17Jul93

02Aug95

To AP-BFE

YR-BRG

407

561RC

08Jan94

15Aug95

To AP-BFF

YR-BRH

408

561RC

07Mar94

???

Lsd from Romavia

YR-BRI

409

561RC

07Nov94

1995

Lsd from Romavia

 

PHILIPPINES

 

Philippine Air Force.

Nichols Air Base-Manila

A used Series 408EF was obtained by the Central Bank of the Philippines in July 1974. After fitting out as a corporate aircraft in the USA it was delivered to the Nichols Air Base near Manila in July of the same year. From here it was operated by the Philippine Air Force on Presidential and VIP flights by 702 Squadron of the 700th Special Mission Wing until it was disposed of in February 1984.

 

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

RP-C1

128

408EF

08Jul74

Feb84

To G-NIII

 

Philippine Airlines, Inc. - (PR/PAL)

Manila

This airline ordered two Series 402APs on 2nd November 1964 with an option on a third to replace its Vickers Viscount 784 fleet.  This option was taken up on 28th December 1965 when a fourth aircraft was optioned.  Although the latter option was taken up on 3rd May 1967, the aircraft was not delivered nor was a fifth aircraft assigned to this carrier.  The aircraft were delivered in April and September 1966 and November 1967 laid out in a 74 seat single class configuration.  A Series 432FD was leased from the manufacturer from October 1969 to February 1971 to replace one of the initial aircraft lost in an accident.  Four Series 527FKs laid out with 94 seat single class cabins were ordered on 6th August 1970 of which only three were delivered in October and November 1971.  These aircraft replaced the Series 400 aircraft which were withdrawn from service in November 1971 and returned to the manufacturer in January and February 1972.  Two further Series 527FKs were later ordered with delivery in June and July 1974 while eight used examples of Series 500s were also bought.  These comprised two Series 524FFs with delivery in April and November 1974, two Series 517FEs with delivery in September and November 1975, a Series 501EX with delivery in March 1977, a Series 518FG with delivery in August 1978 and a Series 516FP and a Series 523FJ both delivered in July 1980.  The first Series 402AP was introduced into service on 1st May 1966 and the type was used on international services from Manila to Denpasar, Hong Kong, Saigon and Taipei while the type was used domestically on routes from Manila to Bacolod, Cebu, Davao and Iloilo.  With the arrival of the Series 500s, the type was mainly employed in flying domestic routes to the numerous Philippine Islands following its introduction to service on 11th November 1971.  Destinations served from Manila included Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Cotabato, Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Laoag, Legaspi, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, San Jose, Tacloban, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga while many of these points had direct flights between them.  Internationally the type also served Bandar Seri Begawan, Beijing, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu and Xiamen from Manila in the early days.  With the introduction of Boeing 737-300s in August 1989, the One-Elevens were progressively withdrawn from service starting in February 1990.  By mid May 1992 only one aircraft remained in service as a back-up to the Boeing fleet.  On 31st  May 1992 RP-C1185 operated the last One-Eleven service for Philippine Airlines when it flew into Manila from Legaspi as PR278, so ending twenty-six years of uninterrupted One-Eleven service with this carrier.

 

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

PI-C1121

091

402AP

19Apr66

10Nov71

To BAe

PI-C1131

092

402AP

24Sep66

12Sep69

W/O

PI-C1141

094

402AP

30Nov67

14Nov71

To BAe

PI-C1151

161

402AP

---

---

Not accepted

---

160

402AP

---

---

Not accepted

PI-C1151

157

432FD

14Oct69

19Feb71

Lsd from BAe

PI-C1161

213

527FK

26Oct71

01Mar74

To RP-C1161

PI-C1171

215

527FK

29Oct71

01Mar74

To RP-C1171

PI-C1181

226

527FK

05Nov71

01Mar74

To RP-C1181

PI-C1191

231

527FK

---

---

Not accepted

RP-C1161

213

527FK

01Mar74

21May76

W/O Zamboanga

RP-C1171

215

527FK

01Mar74

04Mar91

B/U Manila

RP-C1181

226

527FK

01Mar74

13Apr92

To EAL VR-BEB

RP-C1182

246

527FK

14Jun74

04Aug84

W/O Tacloban

RP-C1183

248

527FK

05Jul74

13Jun91

B/U Manila

RP-C1184

190

524FF

12Apr74

03Jan92

B/U Manila

RP-C1185

195

524FF

27Nov74

31May92

To EAL VR-BEA

RP-C1186

188

517FE

27Sep75

09Feb90

B/U Manila

RP-C1187

189

517FE

25Nov75

08Apr90

B/U Manila

RP-C1188

209

501EX

01Mar77

02Sep90

B/U Manila

RP-C1189

204

518FG

10Aug78

11Aug91

B/U Manila

RP-C1193

231

516FP

07Jul80

21Jul89

W/O Manila

RP-C1194

199

523FJ

14Jul80

10Jun90

B/U Manila

 

Name used on aircraft:-

RP-C1183 - Imelda

 

SINGAPORE

 

Mr. Robin Loh took delivery of a used Series 416EK in early November 1971. After initial use as an executive aircraft, it was later fitted out in airline configuration and leased to Air-Siam Co from mid May to the end of December 1972. The aircraft was sold the following month.

 

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

9V-BEF

166

416EK

03Nov71

25Jan73

To PK-PJC

 

Flightways Air Services. Pte Ltd. - (FS/FSI)

Singapore

This company, which was a subsidiary of Flightways Air Services Pty Ltd of Perth, Australia, used a Series 401AK of Flightway Inc to operate scheduled services between Singapore and Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean by May 1987 until Feruary 1988 with ‘Flightways’ titles and FW on the fin.

 

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

N172FE

056

401AK

May87

Feb88

To N491ST

 

THAILAND

 

Air-Siam Air Company, Ltd. (VG)

Bangkok

Air-Siam leased a Series 416EK from Mr Robin Loh of Singapore to operate scheduled flights between Bangkok and Hong Kong from May to December 1972.

 

Registration
c/n
Type
Delivery
Withdrawn
Notes

9V-BEF

166

416EK

19May72

Dec72

Lsd from Robin Loh

 

9V-BEF

 

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