Leased from ANA (VH-ABR) at the start of World War II while the RAAF acquired its own transport fleet. VH-ABR still registered in 2023. Photo from: Library and Archives NT

Briefly A30-3 Sep 39>May 40 with RAAF.

Beautiful VH-ABR seen departing Avalon is a fine tribute to Ansett and ANA Airlines.

VH-ABR continues to fly as a tribute to Ansett Airlines.

Remained with ANA and its successors for over 60 years, ending only with the demise of Ansett in 2001. Photo from: Civil Aviation Historical Society, Melbourne, Australia

At the Avalon Airshow 2007

This DC-3 first entered the Australian Register on 31 October 1938. Served with military honours as A30-3.

Is the sole remaining airworthy 'genuine' (i.e. non-C-47) DC-3 left in Australia. Named 'Kanana', it was delivered to Australian National Airways in October 1938.

The third DC-3 to be imported into Australia, this historic aircraft was purchased by Australian National Airways for 32,000 pounds and first registered on 31 October 1938. After a wartime spell as A30-3, it was badly damaged in a forced landing following an engine fire on 4 Oct 1948. Taken over in 1957 by Ansett-ANA. To Airlines of South Australia in 1961 & 'retired' on 13 March 1971 with 67,224 hours. And that's only her first 33 years!

DC-3s parked at Adelaide in 1969, VH-ABR and VH-ANW.

'Kanana', the only 'genuine' DC-3 still airworthy in Australia taxies in at Hamilton, 70 years to the day after the first ever Ansett service departed for Melbourne. She has been with Ansett and its predecessors since new in 1938 - 68 of those 70 years!

Ansett Airways VH-ABR 'Kanana' Douglas DC-3-G202A c/n 2029. The third DC-3 to be imported into Australia. This DC-3 was purchased by ANA and first entered the Australian Register as VH-ABR in 1938 I was impressed as A30-3. It was taken over in 1957 by Ansett-ANA and had a further spell with Airlines of South Australia in 1961. it was retired in March 1971 and is now with the R.M. Ansett Historical Aircraft Society,

Ansett Airways VH-ABR 'Kanana' Douglas DC-3-G202A c/n 2029. The third DC-3 to be imported into Australia. This DC-3 was purchased by ANA and first entered the Australian Register as VH-ABRin 1938 It spent it's wartime registered A30-3. It was taken over in 1957 by Ansett-ANA and had a further spell with Airlines of South Australia in 1961. It was retired from airline service in March 1971 and is now operated by the R.M. Ansett Historical Aircraft Society,

Not in bad nick for a 68-year old aeroplane, although not quite original. The radio compass makes a fine sight, however it is not operational (dual ADFs and RMIs are fitted).

The third DC-3 to be imported into Australia, this historic aircraft was purchased by Australian National Airways for £32,000 and first registered on 31 October 1938. After a wartime spell as A30-3, it was badly damaged in a forced landing following an engine fire on 4 Oct 1948. Taken over in 1957 by Ansett-ANA. To Airlines of South Australia in 1961 & 'retired' on 13 March 1971 with 67,224 hours. And that's only her first 33 years!

The third DC-3 to be imported into Australia. It was purchased by ANA and entered the Australian Register as VH-ABR in 1938. It was impressed by the RAAF as A30-3 during World War II. In 1957 following the merger with Ansett Airways, it flew with Ansett-ANA. -ABR passed to subsidiary Airlines of South Australia in 1961. ASA retired the veteran DC-3 in March 1971 but it flew on doing charter work for Ansett Airlines of Australia until 1975. VH-ABR was displayed at Melbourne-Tullamarine before being restored in 1988 for the Australian Bicentennial. In the wake of the bankruptcy of Ansett, it passed to the R.M. Ansett Historical Aircraft Society,