This aircraft was originally ordered by FLO Air (U.S.A.) as N12706 but it was not taken up

It became the first of two aircraft ordered by Trans Australian Airlines - ?

Built by De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd, Downsview, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Powered by2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-20 turboprop engines

First flown at Downsview - July 07, 1966

Accepted by Trans Australian Airline at Downsview - July 29, 1966

Arrived Sydney (Bankstown) on completion of the delivery flight - August 16, 1966

The aircraft was ferried to Australia by Air Capital Intetrnational Ferry Company

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-TGR - August 1966

Registered to Australian National Airlines Commission, Melbourne

This aircraft was not named

It was based in Papua New Guinea to operate TAA Sunbird services - October 1966

Operated its first revenue service Lae - ? - October 31, 1966

The aircraft was damaged beyond repair when it crashed 5 km from Kainantu, PNG - April 28, 1970

It was on a flight from Mt. Hagen and when climbing out from a dirt strip it struck a nrearby

mountain ridge in conditions of fog, drizzle and low cloud

There were a total of 1 crew (pilot) and 10 passengers on board

The pilot and 4 passengers were killed instantly, 3 passengers later died of injuries and 3 passengers survived

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - ?

VH-TGR. TAA Sunbird Services - in the standard livery at Sydney Bankstown Airport, September 1966.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1920-285.)

VH-TGR. TAA Trans-Australia Airlines - in the standard livery at an unknown airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1920-919.)