VH-ZPB. SAAB 340B. c/n 403.

Was also registered as: N403XJ.

This aircraft was built by Saab Aircraft AB, Linkoping, Sweden - 1996

First flown with the test registration 'SE-B03' - September 16, 1996

Powered by General Electric CT7-9B engines of 1870 hp

Sold to Lambert Leasing - October 11, 1996

Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N403XJ - October 11, 1996

Accepted by Northwest Airlines at Minneapolis - November 01, 1996

Sub-leased to Mesaba Airlines as the registered operator

Registered to First Union National Bank of North Carolina - December 30, 1996

Leased to Fairbrook Leasing

Sub-leased to Mesaba Airlines as the registered operator

Registered to Wachovia Bank - September 01, 2001

The sub-lease to Mesaba Airlines as the registered operator continued

Northwest Airlines merged with Delta Airlines - October 28, 2008

Mesaba Airlines was renamed Delta Connection / Northwest Airlink following the merger

Operated its final revenue service - ?

Ferried Detroit - Nashville on return to the Lessor for storage - October 03, 2009

Leased to Peninsula Airways operating as PenAir as the registered operator - December 10, 2009

The aircraft was named Spirit of Aniak'

The aircraft was modified to accommodate an increased rear cargo hold and seating for 31 passengers

Ferried Nashville - Anchorage - December 18, 2009

Registered to US Bank NA - January 25, 2010

Leased to PenAir as the registered operator

The aircraft was returned to the Lessor and placed in storage at Springvale (Montana) - ?

Cancelled from the United States Aircraft Register - June 07, 2016

Test flown Springvale - Springvale in PenAir livery as 'VH-ZPB' - June 12, 2019

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-ZPB - June 12, 2019

Registered to REX Investment Holdings Pty Ltd, Sydney

Leased to Regional Express Pty Ltd, Sydney as the registered operator

Departed Springvale on the ferry flight to Australia - June 12, 2019

It arrived at Adelaide (West Beach) on completion of the ferry flight from the United States - June 16, 2019

Ferry route: Springvale - Dumas (Texas) - Hilo - Apia - Brisbane - Orange - Adelaide

Operated its first revenue service - ?

Current with Regional Express

VH-ZPB. Pen Air The Spirit of Alaska - 'Spirit of Aniak' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, June 16, 2019.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 1045-095.)

VH-ZPB. Pen Air The Spirit of Alaska - 'Spirit of Aniak' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, June 16, 2019.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 1045-094.)

VH-ZPB. Pen Air The Spirit of Alaska - 'Spirit of Aniak' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, October 07, 2019.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 1045-117.)

VH-ZPB. Rex Regional Express - in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, June 07, 2022.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 1045-171)

VH-ZPB. Rex Regional Express - in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, August 13, 2022.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 1045-177.)

VH-ZPB. Rex Regional Express - in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, August 28, 2022.

(T. Haynes Copyright Image 1045-166.)