Delivered to Australia as ZK-EAY and delivered to the RAAF as A19-062 on 21 January 1976. Retired and sold into civil hands and registered VH-PKY on 3 September 1993. Acquired by well-known warbird restorer Matt Denning and returned to immaculate condition in the original green and gold 'Plastic Parrot' scheme. Re-registered VH-CTQ(3) on 16 February 2010. Seen here at the Wide Bay International Airshow.

The 1984 edition of the Southern Cross Air Race was a 16-day official event, part of Victoria's 150th Anniversary celebrations. The race departed Moorabbin on 1 Nov and ended in Melbourne on 18 Nov, routing via Adelaide, Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, Mount Isa, Longreach, Brisbane, Bathurst and Mildura. The RAAF entered this CT-4A Airtrainer.

The first Airtrainer delivered to the RAAF is seen in service with No 1 FTS at Point Cook, which closed the next year. This aircraft was preserved in the RAAF Museum at the same airfield, repainted in its original green and yellow colour scheme.

AESL Airtrainer of No. 1 Flying Training School taxies out for take-off from its RAAF Point Cook base.

Airtrainer on delivery through Seletar to the Thai Air Force, wearing NZ civil delivery marks.

My uncle lived not far away so I visited the RAAF Museum, and got permission to photograph some Airtrainers of No 1 Flying Training School which was still operating at this time. This aircraft became VH-YBD.

A19-044 in its original "Plastic Parrot" colour scheme

Sold in 1993, became VH-YBD

Sold in 1993, became VH-AGH.

A19-047 wears the colour scheme that earned it the nickname Plastic Parrot in RAAF service. Sold in 1993 as VH-DAP.

Sold in 1993. Became VH-CDR.