De Havilland DH-89 Dragon Rapide VH-BKR Connellan Airways v1.0

De Havilland DH-89 Dragon Rapide VH-BKR Connellan Airways v1.0

This folder contains a repaint for the de Havilland DH-89 Dragon Rapide by Dave Garwood, in the colors of Dominie #6929 VH-BKR, the first of a number of Rapides flown by Connellan Airways in the 1940s and ’50s. It was actually Connellan’s first and was the former RAF Dominie RL947. VH-BKR was re-registered in the Connellan series as VH-CLH in 1958, and withdrawn from use in 1962.. Connellan Airways (later Connair) was an Australian air services company that was founded by Edward Connellan and operated in northern Australia.

Pilot Edward Connellan conducted two aerial surveys of the Northern Territory in 1938, and after discussion with the Federal Minister responsible for the Northern Territory, John McEwen, undertook a fortnightly mail run between Alice Springs and Wyndham, Western Australia and a contract with the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

In the midst of World War II Connellan consolidated his air services, which had grown viable and included more routes, and registered Connellan Airways on 23 July 1943. In the post war years Connellan Airways grew, acquiring new routes and equipment. In February 1951 it became a limited company, with many of the shares held by station people and staff. In 1963 Connellan Airways became a regular public transport operator. The Royal Flying Doctor Service continued to charter Connellan Airways aircraft up to 1965, when it purchased two aircraft from the company, but continued using Connellan pilots until 1973.

In 1970 the name was changed to Connair. Connair faced financial difficulty in the 1970s. On 5 January 1977, a disgruntled former employee flew a stolen plane into the Connair building at Alice Springs, killing four including Edward’s son Roger Connellan in what became known as the Connellan air disaster.

The company was sold to East-West Airlines on 14 March 1980. It went into liquidation shortly after. Upon being sold, the Connellan Airways Trust was set up. Repaint by Jan Kees Blom, based on the paintkit by Dave Garwood.