It would have been a rare event for an RAAF Convair to cross the "ditch", as the Tasman Sea is known, to New Zealand. It is more than 2000km with only one island airport in between. Almost 20 years after this photo, an engine failure on an RAAF BAC 1-11 on a Tasman flight saw then prime minister Whitlam insist on four-engine VIP aircraft for all his international travel. The RAAF acquired a fleet of used 707s, some of which were also used as tankers. The RAAF VIP fleet in 2025 is all twins. Photo from: Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Was impounded at that time. The airframe ended up as Restaurante Los Aviones in Puerto Rico.

Delivered November 1958 to Royal Australian Air Force (A96-353), where until July 1968 when sold to US. Registered as N588E, N912PS, N912AL until Feb 1995 registered PZ-TGA under Inter Tropical Aviation. But back as N912AL already Apr 1996. Ended up as part of restaurant in Puerto Rico. Address: Carr. 143, Km. 57.0 Bo, Barranquitas 00784, Puerto Rico

On a wintry Canberra tarmac, the man standing by the stairs with a hat on his head is then prime minister Robert Menzies. The Bentley car, with the registration C1, was acquired in 1964. Menzies retired in January 1966, narrowing the photo down to the winters of 1964 or 1965 but probably 1964. In the winter of 1965 two Viscounts were in service but that does not entirely exclude the use of Convairs for carrying the PM.

Ex RAAF VIP aircraft. Later became an off-airport restaurant in Puerto Rico.

Delivered new in 11.56 to RAAF as A96-353, serving until 07.68. Then N912PS from 12.68. N912AL with American Liberty Oil from 02.74 until sold. in early eighties. Later PZ-TGA and returned to N912AL in 08.97

Sold in the US as N588E in 1968.

A96-353 with the dayglow panels used by the RAAF on transport and training aircraft at the time.

A supplied photo of A96-353 departing its base at Canberra. Photographer's name not known.

Unit: 34 Sqn. A96-353 was operated by the RAAF as a VIP aircraft from 1956 until withdrawn from use in 1968. It was sold in the US as N588E.

Built for the Royal Australian Air Force as A96-353. Operated by GDC from December 1970 until November 1973.

Unit: 34 Sqn. Sold in the US as N733E in 1968