Last updated 17 July 2023

RYAN ST-M IN AUSTRALIA


A listing compiled by Geoff Goodall



    Ryan ST-Ms VH-AHC, VH-AHD and VH-CXR were based together on farming property “Carnarney” near Jerilderie NSW during the 1960s.

          They were rolled out of their sheds for this group picture in May 1967.                                      Photo by Geoff Goodall   

                                                                                                                                                                                      

                    The Ryan ST-M (Sport Trainer-Military) series was an export military version of the pre-war ST-A civilian sports aircraft, powered by a 150hp Menasco C4S Pirate engine. The ST-Ms were built at Ryan Aeronautical Co's works at Lindbergh Field, San Diego in southern California. 


All Australian examples were STM-2 models, which had been previously delivered to the Netherlands Naval Air Service in the Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). The Netherlands Government in Exile in New York had placed a series of orders for a total of 108 Ryan STM-2s between June and October 1940

- 60 for Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL-ML): serials RO-120 to RO-69, c/ns 407 to 446

                     - 48 for Netherlands Naval Air Service (Marine Luchtvaart Dienst) MLD: serials S-11 to S-58, c/ns 447 to 494


The Naval order included 24 aircraft with strengthened airframes with twin floats, designated STM-S2. These could be also fitted with landplane undercarriage and the orders included 12 additional sets of wheeled undercarriage. The Ryans were built at San Diego in three batches, then shipped to Java:

  November 1940: 18 built

  December 1940: 12 built

  January 1941:     18 built



                            Ryan publicity picture of Netherlands East Indies Ryan STM-S2 S-11 on a test flight at San Diego in 1940.

                          
                                  A formation of Naval Air Service (MLD) Ryan STMs in Netherlands East Indies with different markings.
                                                                                                                   Photo: Air History.net Archive

 

                     MLD Ryan STM-S2 and Fokker floatplanes, Netherlands East Indies 1941 .      Frank F. Smith collection

                        


By the outbreak of war with Japan on 8 December 1941, the MLD had lost 8 Ryans in accidents, and more were lost during the Japanese advance through the NEI. During January 1942 as the NEI war situation worsened, the MLD Naval Flying School decided to move to Australia to continue its essential work of training Dutch pilots for a future fight against the Japanese occupation.  At least 37 dismantled Ryans were loaded on the Dutch cargo ship MS Tjinegara which left Sourabaya Naval Air Station in Java on 17 February 1942 bound for Australia.  Also shipped was a stock of Ryan spare parts which could have included damaged fuselages.  Details of where the Ryans were off-loaded in Australia has not come to light, but Tjinegara arrived at Adelaide 4 March and Sydney Harbour 9 March 1942, indicating it had berthed elsewhere in the previous weeks. A small group of Ryans were off-loaded at Brisbane docks and, with outer wing panels still removed from shipping, were towed on their main wheels behind trucks in a convoy down Ipswich Road to Archerfield Aerodrome.  The reporter confirms they were Dutch Ryans.

Four months later the Tjinegara was sunk when torpedoed by a Japanese submarine between Brisbane and Noumea on 25 July 1942, however all crew were rescued.


                  The MLD Naval Flying School initially continued Dutch pilot training at RAAF bases Laverton and Point Cook near Melbourne, but it was decided that RAAF seaplane station Rathmines would bemore suitable especially for the floatplane Ryans. The MLD Ryans were flown by Dutch pilots at the RAAF Rathmines on Lake Macquarie NSW. However in the meantime the American Government agreed to assist the formation of a new Royal Netherlands Military Flying School at a USAAF airfield at Jackson, Mississippi which would train Dutch airmen scattered around the world for naval or air force flying.  The MLD in Australia prepared to move to the United States and handed their aircraft over to RAAF.  This was part of a military agreement that saw new Dutch aircraft being delivered by ships enroute to NEI diverted to Australia as "refugee cargo" being taken over by USAAF and RAAF. Types included Vought Sikorsky Kingfisher, P-38 Lightning, P-39 Airacobra, P-40 Kittyhawk, A-20 Boston, Brewster Buffalo.

                  Hans de Vries was a 17 year old schoolboy living with his parents in Java when he started flying lessos in Tiger Moths. When war broke out he was promptly co-opted by the MLD as a Cadet Flying Officer. He later recalled:

   "In February 1942 we escaped by ship from the Dutch East Indies to Australia, docking at Fremantle, Western Australia. I was lucky as, from the three ships that started out, two got torpedoed and only one made it to Australia. The Netherlands Naval Air Force personnel were located at Lake Macquarie NSW where for two months we continued our flying training, on the water, and we were issued RAAF uniforms. We flew the Ryan STM on floats. The Ryan was a nice plane to fly and without the "slippers" could do stunts. 
                  In April 1942 the Netherlands Navy Air Service contingent were transferred to the USA as training facilities in Australia were very scarce and the RAAF cadets were transferred for training to Canada. In the USA we reverted to our own Dutch uniforms when off-duty and were trained by American instructors at a number of different bases. As a unit we were integrated with the US Army Air Force and known as the Royal Netherlands Military Flying School, and the Dutch Navy and Army Air Forces were combined in one unit."
         


          

This page from a Dutch pilot's personal logbook confirms that MLD Ryan floatplanes were flown by Dutch pilots at RAAF Rathmines during March and April 1942. S-35, S-43, S-46 & S-55 are logged. Interestingly S-43 did not come on RAAF strength. Also of note is

the departure date from Soerabaja (Sourabaya) of 19 February 1942 on MS Tjinegara along with the Ryans. This is at variance with

Dutch military historical records, which quote the ship sailing on 17 February 1942.                                   John Hopton Collection.


                                      

                                 Ryan in MLD camouflage and markings, at a RAAF station early 1942.      RAAF Museum


  
                  After initial use by Dutch pilots in Australia, the 34 Ryan STMs were taken over by RAAF under the type designator Ryan Trainer and allocated RAAF serials A50-1 to A50-34. At least three other airframes were held in reserve as part of the spares sent to Australia. They were received by the RAAF in poor condition and in May or June 1942 the first 28 were despatched to Qantas Empire Airways at Rose Bay flying boat base, Sydney, the remaining 6 to Australian National Airways (ANA) at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney for preparation for delivery to RAAF units.
                  The STM-S2 floatplanes had their floats removed and conventional landplane undercarriage installed. All Ryans operated by RAAF were landplanes. There were delays in their delivery from the civil contractors due to lack of parts, particularly tail wheel assemblies. Some aircraft were completed by Butler Air Transport, who also carried out other work on Ryans at their Mascot hangar, including applying RAAF camouflage paintwork.
                  The RAAF Ryan Trainers were in fact not used for pilot training but mostly communications and general flying duties, as shown in the individual aircraft histories listed below. Most were retired during 1944 and stored pending disposal. Towards the end of the war, discussions took place to determine payment for the Dutch aircraft and other assets taken over in Australia in 1942 by US and Australian military forces.  In August 1945 agreement was reached between the Netherlands and Australian Governments, for training aircraft, which were covered in the following terms:

"34 Ryan aircraft at 70% of cost price  £85,000 Australian Pounds

 29 spare engines at 70% of cost          £11,600

 Spare parts at 50% of cost                   £3,700 : Total £100,300

 6 Tiger Moths, one Link Trainer, spare parts and tools acquired by RAAF - no charge."

  

                 Short S23 Empire VH-ADU Camilla at Rose Bay flying boat base, Sydney in 1942. In the background are Dutch Ryan

             floatplanes issued to Qantas to be prepared for  the RAAF as landplanes.                       John Hopton Collection


    



 Civil disposal:

 The Ryan ST-Ms were among the first RAAF types made available to the newly-formed Commonwealth Disposals Commission early in 1945.  23 Ryans and 16 spare 150hp Menasco C-4S Menasco Pirate engines were on the first CDC aircraft list, tenders closing on 20 February 1945.   A tender from Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne was accepted on 9 March 1945 for the complete RAAF inventory of Ryan airframes, Menasco engines and spares. The majority were stored at RAAF Evans Head, where a number of aircraft were damaged the following month by a cyclone, which caused a hangar to collapse. The damaged and unserviceable Ryans were dismantled and sent to Melbourne by rail.


 Mr. Norman Adam, Manager Brown & Dureau Aviation Division wrote to DCA on 12 April 1945 referring to the storm damage: "we have been advised that nine Ryans were damaged by the storm which destroyed the hangar in which they were housed at RAAF Station Evans Head. Three have only minor damage but the remaining six sustained substantial damage and will probably only be used for parts:

         Minor damage: A50-17, 29, 14

         Major damage: A50-18, 23, 24, 25, 30, 34."


 Brown & Dureau Ltd was an established aviation agency, which had imported all Australian Lockheed airliners pre-war and the early RAAF orders for Lockheed Hudsons. The company held agencies with a number of overseas aircraft manufacturers as well as a wide range of aviation parts and accessories. B&D set up its own factory in Melbourne to manufacture aero engine spark plugs under licence, hundreds of thousands being delivered to RAAF and USAAF during the war. The company planned to enter the post-war civil aviation field and decided that the RAAF Ryans would be a good starting point. They established the Brown & Dureau Aircraft Service Depot on Belmont Common airfield at Geelong Victoria, to specialise in civil conversions of military disposals aircraft commencing with the Ryans. A variety of types followed, including Fairchild 24s which were fitted with Menasco engines from their Ryan spares stock. Chief Engineer David Bourke gained DCA approval to re-engine several Ryans with 130hp Gipsy Major engines, which were in plentiful supply from Australian wartime engine production.

                 On 28 November 1945 Brown & Dureau wrote to the Department of Civil Aviation, advising that they would be submitting Ryans for issue of civil Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA) "at the rate of about one every 10 days commencing this week".  Although that rate was optimistic, they did complete 20 Ryans for the civil market over the next two years.  Among the civil sales, three Ryans were ordered by Far East Flying Training School at Hong Kong fresh from civil conversion. They were shipped from Melbourne with a spare parts package and went into service as civil pilot trainers at Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong.


    

               Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong 1950: two Ryans with a Harvard and Sea Otter.    Hong Kong Historical Aircraft Association


Brown & Dureau later concentrated on civil conversions of former RAAF Avro Ansons before selling their maintenance operation to Chief Engineer David J. Bourke in 1948.  B&D continued aircraft agencies for some years, as well as operating an aerial survey division based at Essendon Airport, Melbourne with a fleet of DH.84, DH.89, DH.90 and Beech C18S.
              Dave Bourke took over the B&D Belmont Common hangars under new names Corio Air Engineers and Corio Air Freighters, operating Ansons.  Bourke’s maintenance arm CAE gained a reputation for high quality Anson civilian conversions but the business was wiped out in 1951 when the Barwon River flooded the airfield. A number of operational Ansons were written off from being submerged in flood waters for days.  Dave Bourke continued to supply Ryan spare parts (including complete fuselages) for Australian civil buyers for well over the next decade. He flew Ansons for Flinders Island Airlines at Moorabbin and later worked as a ground engineer for Airland Improvements at Cootamundra NSW where he built up a Ryan STM from parts
as a spare-time project over ten years, using the fuselage c/n 471: it was completed as VH-DBD.


        In their new post-war civilian lives, the Australian Ryan ST-Ms were popular aero club and sports aircraft. By the 1960s the survivors were maintained by the growing vintage aircraft restoration movement, their value later soaring as genuine warbirds, some being restored in their original Netherlands East Indies Navy markings.

                 The Australian Civil Aircraft Register and DCA file paperwork use various presentations for Ryan ST-M2, with and without hyphen or the “2” suffix.  By common usage, Australian civil Ryans are usually referred to simply as “Ryan STM”.


                                                                                Flying the Ryan:

         Ryan owner Jeff Trappett, who flew in the RAAF The Roulettes formation display team, wrote:

               "The STM is a pure delight to fly, the controls are beautifully harmonised (unlike the DHC-1 Chipmunk where harmonisation is not the best, particularly at low speed).  It will fly hands-off for a long time without the need for concentration. It is a superb aerobatic machine (for its time) and is generally 10-15 knots faster than the DHC-1.The Menasco is a very smooth engine. The biggest problem with the Ryan is the ground handling. It is entirely "twitchy" and prone to ground loops."




Australian Ryan STMs presented in order of RAAF serial A50-1 to A50-34:

An additional STM imported in 2013 is listed at the end.


 c/n 473                STM-2                                                                                                                                       S-37, A50-1, VH-AGQ

12.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst
10.12.40 First flight San Diego

MLD serial S-37

Shipped to Netherlands East Indies
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
7.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-1

Issued to Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
13.7.42 Serviceable at 3CF ex QEA
28.8.42 Issued to Butler Air Transport, Mascot ex 3CF
1.12.42 Received 3CF ex BAT
16.12.42 Attached Nowra Station
4.1.43 Received 1EFTS ex Nowra
18.11.43 Received 2BAGS ex 1EFTS
20.12.43 Received 3AOS ex 2BAGS
4.2.45 Received 3AOS Stored Reserve, Evans Head
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposal list No.1. Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission to Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
28.3.45 Departed 3AOS on delivery
28.3.45 Struck-off RAAF charge


2.5.45 DCA allocated registration VH-AGQ
21.11.45 Registered VH-AGQ Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
Identity quoted as 473.
28.11.45 Brown & Dureau advised DCA that they would be submitting Ryans for CofA “at the rate of about one every 10 days commencing this week”. VH-AGQ would be their demonstration aircraft in Victoria and is soon to fly to Mascot and Archerfield for demos.
17.12.45 CofA issued at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau
14.2.46 Change of ownership: Royal Queensland Aero Club, Archerfield Qld
28.7.46 Minor damage in accident, no details
10.47 Overturned during forced landing due engine failure, Cylinder Beach, Stradbroke Island QLD (repaired)    
31.1.49 Crashed Mullumbimby NSW
16.3.49 Struck-off Civil Register

South Brisbane Technical College, Brisbane Qld: instructional airframe
73 Noted at the technical college, polished metal with red registration, RQAeC emblem just behind the fire wall. Airframe damaged and incomplete.
28.1.74 Technical college flooded during extensive flooding of Brisbane suburbs
75 Purchased by brothers Geoffrey and Martin Susans, Canberra ATC
7.78 Geoff Susans wrote to Rag & Tube magazine: "The old Queensland Tech. Ryan was formerly VH-AGQ c/n 473. I haven't made any progress on the rebuild since I left the RAAF Base at Amberley late in 1975. At that stage I had rebuilt the fuselage. I should add that both aircraft have been badly damaged and the best I can do is make one servicable out of the two. At the moment I am stuck for a suitable place to store and/or work on the aeroplane in the Canberra area."    
His other Ryan was VH-RAE: c/n 467
4.86
Report: Geoff Susans has used parts of AGQ in his rebuild of VH-RAE
00 Stored incomplete in Canberra by brothers Geoffrey & Martin Susans
.11
Restoration of VH-RAE recommenced by the Susans, using components from VH-AGQ
15
Remains of VH-AGQ stored at Murrumbateman NSW

Refer VH-RAE next listing

    

    Archerfield 1949, Royal Queensland Aero Club's wings emblem on forward fuselage.                                                                  Photo via David Thollar





         c/n 467                           STM-M                                                                                                                S-31, A50-2, VH-ARS, VH-RAE
21.11.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst
26.11.40 First flight San Diego

MLD serial S-31
21.12.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Klipfontein
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
7.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-2
.42 Issued to Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
13.7.42 Serviceable at 3CF ex QEA
28.8.42 Allotted to Butler Air Transport, Mascot ex 3CF
1.12.42 Received 3CF ex BAT
10.5.43 Received 2AD ex 3CF for modifications
16.8.43 Received 3CF ex 2AD. Renamed 3CU
9.1.44 Received 2AOS ex 3CU
30.6.44 Crashed at Satellite Aerodrome. Port undercarriage collapsed when landing at satellite field on cross country training flight. Substantial damage. Pilot F/Sgt L. H. Gibson unhurt.
5.7.44 Recommend aircraft be converted to spares as this type is now obsolete. Spares unavailable.
12.9.44 Approval for conversion to components
3.45 Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission to Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
18.4.45 Struck-off RAAF charge


16.10.46 Registered VH-ARS: William J. Meehan t/a Geelong Airways, Belmont Common, Geelong Vic
Identity quoted as 467
16.10.46 CofA issued at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau, fitted with a DH Gipsy Major Series 1
49 Change of ownership: Mrs. R. Meehan, Launceston Tas
3.2.50 Withdrawn from service, stored
14.2.51 Change of ownership: Maxwell Bond/ Robbys Aircraft Repair Co Ltd, Parafield SA
3.7.51 VH-ARS noted Parafield, metallic with red trim;
6.8.51 Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft
4.5.53 Registered VH-RAE Robbys Aircraft Repair Co Ltd, Parafield SA
3.6.53 First flight Parafield after rebuild by Robbys Aircraft, Gipsy Major 1 engine
21.7.55 Change of ownership: P. Spicer, Adelaide SA
12.10.55 Change of ownership: R. A. Borchers, Adelaide SA
8.2.56 Change of ownership: P. A. Treloar, Clare SA
22.7.57 Change of ownership: D. L. W. & E. H. Treloar, Jamestown SA
12.6.59 Change of ownership: Don Dennis, Goolwa SA
59 Don    Dennis recalls that he purchased RAE from “the Treloar/Wheeler group”
28.8.60 visited airshow Wentworth NSW, all metallic finish, owner Don Dennis, Gipsy Major 1 engine
60 visited airshow Mount Gambier SA late 1960, all metallic finish
18.11.60 Overturned on landing, Goolwa SA                
DCA accident report: "The pilot's vision was suddenly affected by sun glare during an approach in gusty wind conditions and the aircraft overturned when the landing wheels contacted the boundary fence". Pilot not injured.
2.62 noted Parafield, repaired and airworthy in Aviation Services(SA) Ltd hangar  
17.3.62 visited airshow Cootamundra NSW, metallic but now with dark coloured cowlings
.62 Sold to John J. Bange, Clifton Qld
11.8.62 overturned during forced landing, Clifton Qld. Pilot unhurt.
DCA accident report: "During a precautionary landing arising from uncertainty of position and fading daylight, the wheels struck a furrow causing the aircraft to overturn".
30.11.62 Change of ownership (official DCA date): John J. Bange, Clifton Qld
6.10.64 noted at John Bange’s farm 2 miles south of Clifton, blue fuselage with red arrow outlined in white, yellow wings. His Porterfield VH-UVH also present, identical colour scheme
9.10.66 noted at John Bange’s farm Clifton, airworthy
17.3.68 noted at John Bange’s farm Clifton, airworthy
10.10.69 noted at John Bange's farm Clifton, airworthy, same colour scheme
14.2.70 crashed near Clifton Qld when struck power lines.
DCA accident report: "The flight was undertaken to provide some "unofficial" dual instruction. Communications between the two pilots was by means of voice tubes. At a low level during the approach for a practice forced landing the pilot-in-command took over the controls, adjusted the power and levelled the aircraft. He states that he then handed back control to the trainee pilot and accepted that the latter had control although he did not receive the usual response, "taking over". The trainee pilot states that he understood that the pilot-in-command continued to have control of the aircraft. The aircraft continued to fly in a wide shallow left turn at a low level and although each pilot thought that the other had control, each momentarily moved the controls to avoid an unsafe situation. Neither pilot observed that the aircraft was converging with a set of three power lines with which it ultimately collided. The wires did not break but the aircraft was flung sideways striking the ground with the port wing tip and rolling on to its back. There was no fire and the trainee pilot was able to vacate the rear cockpit unaided. He assisted the pilot-in-command to vacate the front cockpit."
23.6.70 Struck-off Register
70/74 wreck stored in shed on Bange’s farm at Clifton.
.74 wreck sold to Sqn Ldr Geoff Susans, RAAF Amberley Qld, later Canberra ACT
c5.74 trucked from Clifton to RAAF Amberley where he was serving at the time.
12.78 Airfreighted by RAAF C130 from Amberley to Canberra
16.2.79 VH-RAE fuselage noted in crate in VeeH Aviation hangar at Canberra, crate addressed to Sqn Ldr Susans, RAAF Fairbairn,
4.86 Report: Brothers Geoff and Martin Susans have used parts of AGQ in the long-term rebuild of VH-RAE.
11.00 Both Ryans VH-RAE and VH-AGQ are stored dismantled  restoration in NSW by the Susans brothers
.11
Restoration of VH-RAE commenced for Martin Susan

Fuselage of VH-RAE transported to Wagga NSW for airworthy repair by Mark Wallace of Encore Aviation, who was also restoring Guy Kendell's VH-DBD
7.14
VH-RAE status: repaired and re-skinned fuselage will soon come out of the jig at Wagga, wings have been restored in Canberra. Gipsy Major engine being overhauled by the Bunn Brothers at Albury NSW.
18
Mark Wallace has passed away, leaving the work on Ryan STMs VH-RAE and VH-DBD unfinished
19
VH-RAE airframe under assembly in Martin Susan's hangar at Temora Air Park NSW
9.21
Moved by truck from Temora to Romsey Vic: restored fuselage on its undercarriage, wings partially restored uncovered

    

        A50-2 at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney in 1942.                                                                                                           John Hopton Collection


  

    VH-RAE at Cootamundra NSW March 1962, Gipsy Major engine.                                                                                    John Hopton Collection


 

    John Bange's farm Clifton Qld, October 1969, painted blue, red, yellow, white.                                                                  John Hopton Collection


 

  Two views of VH-RAE's restoration project being moved from Temora to Romsey Vic in September 2021.                                   Photos by Mal Mather


 







        c/n 494                  STM-2                                                                                   S-58, A50-3, (VH-AHG), VR-HDK, PI-C324, PI-471, N14911
.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst
Completed as a STM-2 landplane but with fittings for floats

MLD serial S-58
1.41 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Kota Gedah
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
7.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-3.
13.7.42 Serviceable at 3CF
1.8.42 Allotted to Australian National Airways, Mascot
28.8.42 Allotted to Butler Air Transport, Mascot
1.12.42 Received 3CF ex BAT
15.12.42 Received 24 Squadron ex 3CF
20.1.43 Issued 7EFTS ex 24 Sqn
30.10.44 Received 7EFTS Stored Reserve ex 7EFTS
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposal list No.1. Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
8.4.45 Transfer voucher to purchaser Brown & Dureau
16.4.45 Struck-off RAAF charge


.46 DCA assigned VH-AHG to Ryan c/n 494 nearing completion of civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic.
12.46 Sold to Far Eastern Flying Training School Ltd, Hong Kong-Kai Tak
19.12.46 Australian CofA issued at Belmont Common, aircraft painted as VR-HDK

Shipped to Hong Kong
10.47 Registered VR-HDK Far Eastern Flying Training School Ltd, Hong Kong-Kai Tak
50 Kai Tak report: VR-HDL & -HDM reported flying with FEFTS. VR-HDK was reported derelict.

Sold to Major Meidr, Hong Kong
14.3.51 Struck-off Hong Kong Register as sold to Philippines

Registered PI-C324
55 Owner M. B. Gonzales, Manila

Unconfirmed report that a Lycoming 0-435 engine was installed
11.12.55 Crashed Manila-Nichols Field

Re-registered PI-471

Sold in Manila in dismantled and damaged condition to American Robert deVries.
Consisted of basic fuselage, broken wings, no engine or cowlings
75 Registered N14911 Robert A. deVries, Los Gatos CA
Registered as Ryan ST-A c/n 104

Report: long-term composite rebuild based on Ryan ST-A NC14911 c/n 104.
84 Robert A. deVries, Berlin, West Germany
00/16 Robert A. deVries, San Louis Obispo CA
8.12.16
Reregistered N1940R  Robert A. deVries, San Louis Obispo CA
US Civil Register now quotes Identity as Ryan STM c/n 494.
10.2.17
US CofA issued
18
Bob deVries wrote to Classic Wings magazine:
"We have finished my Ryan STM-S2 recently and are now flying off the hours to meet the FAA requirements. Since there was never a Type Cerificate for the STM model, the FAA requires that it be licenced as Experimental Exhibition. This requires seven hours flight and five takeoffs and landings. The aircraft when found was just a basic fuselage, broken wings, no engine. It is now fitted with a Menasco D4-87, not the supercharged version. The wings, cowling, wheel pants are all new. The airplane is in original configuration except for a radio, hydraulic brakes and Cleveland wheels.
My aunt and uncle were in Java at the same time as my aircraft .The difference was that whilst the Ryan got out, my aunt and uncle spent the war in Japanese camps."

Current

  

  Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong, with Far Eastern Flying Training School.                                                                                                         Photo by Charles Eather



 

  S-58 as N1940R flying in California  in 2017 after a long rebuild by Bob deVries.                                      Photo: Bob deVries via Classic Wings magazine





          c/n 464                 STM-2                                                                                                       S-28, A50-4, VH-ARR, VH-BNG, VH-RAF
21.11.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst
26.11.40 First flight San Diego

MLD serial S-28
7.12.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on MS Java, arrived
Sourabaya 22.1.41      
18.4.41 Serious damage in accident, repaired
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
7.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-4.
13.7.42 Held by 3CF
28.8.42 Issued to Butler Air Transport, Mascot
1.12.42 Received 3CF ex BAT
15.12.42 Received 24 Squadron ex 3CF
19.1.43 Received 11EFTS ex 24 Sqn
8.1.44 u/s at 11EFTS: awaiting complete tail assembly and port wing repair
17.5.44 Issued 1CRD ex 11EFTS pending conversion to components
12.6.44 Converted to components
3.45 Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission to Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic

(included in the Ryan spares inventory with the sale of all RAAF Ryans)


26.7.46 Registered VH-ARR W. J. Meehan/ Geelong Airways, Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic
26.7.46 CofA issued at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau, fitted Gipsy Major Series 1 engine
.46 Operated by Geelong Airways associate Geelong Flying School, Belmont Common Vic
19.10.46 noted Belmont Common with Geelong Flying School, flying
26.11.48 Letter from DCA to Geelong Airways advising that a series of registrations conflicted with standard radio callsigns, or "Q" Code groups: VH-ARR was on the list with proposed change of registration to VH-BNG.
11.1.49 Re-registered VH-BNG Geelong Airways, Belmont Common Vic
49 Change of ownership: Mrs. R. Meehan, Launceston Tas
14.2.51 Change of ownership: Maxwell Bond/ Robbys Aircraft Repair Co Ltd, Parafield SA
8.6.51 Re-registered VH-RAF Robbys Aircraft Repair Co Ltd, Parafield SA
8.6.51 CofA renewed at Parafield, Gipsy Major 1 engine

Operated by Robbys associate Adelaide Flying School, Parafield SA
3.7.51 VH-RAF noted Parafield outside Robbys hangar, silver fuselage, green registration, green horizontal stripes on tail
8.6.52
Crashed destroyed near Broken Hill NSW.  
Struck ground while practising aerobatics 3 miles east of Broken Hill in preparation for an air show, Maxwell Bond killed
9.7.52 Struck-off Register

    

    Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic circa 1947.                                                                                                                    Photo by Bob Fripp


    

    Parafield July 1951 with Robbys Aircraft Co, metal finish with green trim.                                                                                      Photo by John M. Smith


    

    Crash scene near Broken Hill 8 June 1952, "ROBBYS" under wing.                                                             Civil Aviation Historical Society





  c/n 483    STM-2                                                                                                                                                    S-47, A50-5, VH-AGR(1)  

12.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst.
Completed as a STM-2 landplane but with fittings for floats
10.1.41 First flight San Diego

MLD serial S-47
1.41 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Kota Gedah
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
7.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-5
13.7.42 Held at 3CF
1.12.42 Issued to Butler Air Transport, Mascot ex 3CF
21.12.42 Allotted 3BAGS ex BAT on completion of camouflaging
15.3.43 Issued 3BAGS ex BAT
12.12.43 Received Air Gunnery School, West Sale ex 3BAGS
29.10.44 Received AGS Storage Reserve ex AGS
8.12.44 Received 2AD Care & Maintenance Section, Evans Head ex AGS SR
12.2.45 Received 1AOS ex CMU Evans Head
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposals list No.1.  Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
5.4.45 Struck-off RAAF charge


21.11.45 Registered VH-AGR Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
Identity quoted as 483
13.2.46 Testflown Belmont Common airfield, Geelong after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau.
14.2.46 CofA issued
19.2.46 Change of ownership: Reginald H. Hamblin, Ganmain NSW, later Hay NSW
46-49 Log book shows aircraft flown regularly
6.3.47 Log: Inspection for CofA renewal
22.4.48 Log: CofA renewal by Morris Air Service, Bankstown
19.5.49 Log: CofA renewal by Morris Air Service, Bankstown
1.9.49 Log: flew Narrandera-Hay
20.4.45 Hamblin purchased Percival Proctor 5 VH-BJY from Howard Morris of Morris Air Service. Appears Ryan VH-AGR was traded in on the Proctor, although not recorded in Civil Register
5.5.50 Log: flew Hay-Cootamundra
6.5.50 Log: flew Cootamundra-Bankstown. Probably delivery flight to Morris Air Service
8.50 Log: CofA renewal by Morris Air Service, Bankstown
1.9.50 CofA renewed
51 VH-AGR in use by Morris Air Service, Bankstown NSW
13.2.51 Crashed Bankstown NSW. Crashed during practice forced landing during training flight, pilot Eric Morris, 17, son of Howard Morris, was not badly hurt.
5.51 Howard K. Morris of Morris Air Service advised DCA that VH-AGR would be repaired “if the necessary replacements can be obtained”.
6.8.51 Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft
55 Rebuilt with fuselage of c/n 475, registered VH-AGR (2) with c/n 475.  

See c/n 475 for subsequent history

    

                VH-AGR at Bankstown 1950, with Morris Air Service.                                                                                             Photo Howard K. Morris





         c/n 493                 STM-2                                                                                                                                          S-57, A50-6, VH-AGB
.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst.
Completed as a STM-2 landplane but with fittings for floats

MLD serial S-57
1.41 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Kota Gedah
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
7.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-6
13.7.42 Held by 3CF
21.7.42 Allotted 3CF ex Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney
1.8.42 Allotted Australian National Airways, Mascot ex 3CF
1.12.42 Issued to Butler Air Transport, Mascot ex 3CF
22.12.42 Received 3CF ex BAT, now painted in camouflage
6.1.43 Received 2CF ex 3CF, renamed 2CU
14.5.44 Received 1AOS ex 2CU
15.9.44 Survey report: Total time 227:45 hrs since built, serviceable for ferrying
27.11.44 Received 2AD Care & Maintenance Section, Evans Head ex 1AOS. Held for storage.
12.2.45 Received 1AOS Store Evans Head ex 2AD C&M Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
5.4.45 Struck-off RAAF charge


7.9.45 Registered VH-AGB Leslie G. Mahon, Launceston Tas
Identity quoted as 493
7.9.45 CofA issued at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau
22.1.46 Change of ownership: Clifford L. Splatt, Geelong Vic
25.8.46 Crashed Geelong. Struck power lines, crashed inverted in Queen’s Park, Geelong Vic    

Newspaper report of accident 25.8.46: struck power lines at 12.30pm, crashed to the ground and overturned. Pilot John Fleming was injured and passenger Harry Durrance was killed. Aircraft owned by Mr. C.L.Splatt, hire car proprietor of Newtown, Geelong.
28.8.46 Struck-off Register
.46 Wreck sold for parts to Newcastle Aero Club, Broadmeadow NSW

  
   VH-AGB seen at Belmont Common airfield Geelong shortly after completing civil conversion there in the Brown & Dureau workshops.

    

           Queen's Park, Geelong Vic 25 August 1946.                                                                                                    Photo: Civil Aviation Historical Society





   c/n 450                STM-S2 Floats                                                                                                                                S-14, A50-7, VH-AHF

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-S2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst
10.40 Accepted by Netherlands Government in Exile  

MLD serial S-14
18.11.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Hoegh Silver Dawn,
arrived Sourabaya 3.1.41  
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
6.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-7.
- With Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
26.6.42 Allocated 2BAGS ex QEA
7.7.42 photo: S-14 in NEI scheme taxying at Station: reportedly Cootamundra and quoted as used by 1AOS based Cootamundra as a comunications aircraft.
possibly ferry flight from QEA to 2BAGS?
13.7.42 Received 2BAGS ex QEA
7.12.42 Issued to Australian National Airways, Parafield ex 2BAGS for overhaul
8.1.43 Complete overhaul and corrosion treatment at ANA Parafield. Rudder, fin and elevators fabric recovered, fuselage repainted, ready for reassembly. Mainplanes of A50-7 fitted to A50-8 to expedite completion of A50-8.
25.7.43 Waiting for parts at ANA: tailwheel and landing wheel
27.12.43 Received 2AOS ex ANA via 1EFTS Parafield
12.2.45 Received 2AOS Storage Reserve ex 2AOS
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposals list No.1.  Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
20.3.45 Issued to purchaser
20.3.45 Struck-off RAAF charge


2.5.45 Registered VH-AHF Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
Identity quoted as c/n 450, formerly A50-7
6.8.47 CofA issued at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau
30.9.47 Brown & Dureau advise DCA re VH-AHF: "aircraft being held in stock for sale to private owner"
1.12.48 Change of ownership: Newcastle Aero Club, Broadmeadow NSW
c49 Ryans VH-AHF & -AHD photo at Mascot c48: both with the Newcastle Aero Club wings insignia on tail
19.8.50 at airshow Casino NSW
.53 Club renamed Royal Newcastle Aero Club, Broadmeadow NSW
18.11.54 Change of ownership: Ronald D. Soutar, Sydney NSW
19.12.54 Crashed forced landing Liverpool NSW.
Engine power was lost near the outer Sydney suburb Liverpool while inbound to Bankstown from Camden. Forced landing in a paddock at Hillview, near Liverpool, struck a tree stump and came to rest on its nose. Airframe badly damaged.
Pilot Ronald Soutar and his passenger 13 year old Ross Ryan were not injured.                    
13.7.55 Struck-off Register
2016
VH-AHF remains reported owned by L. Rogers NSW, held in storage

Melbourne Sun newspaper 20.3.74:
A feature story described the discovery of a wartime aircraft wreck found in hills near Healesville Victoria.  It was Republic Lancer A56-7, but the serial number on the wrecked rear fuselage was misread as A50-7. The reporter sought details from the RAAF, to learn that A50-7 was a Ryan Trainer which became VH-AHF after the war. Its last owner Ronald Soutar was contacted, and the very confused newspaper story quoted Soutar:  "The last I saw of her was in pieces in a hangar at Bankstown"

    

    S-14 at RAAF Cootamundra in July 1942, still in Netherlands MLD camouflage.                                                              Ben Dannecker collection


    

    Belmont Common Vic 1947, after overhaul as VH-AHF by Brown & Dureau Ltd.                                                                John Hopton Collection


    

    An airshow at Bankstown circa 1950, Newcastle Aero Club insignia on the tail.                                                                  John Hopton Collection


    

    The uncomplicated days. VH-AHF taxying on a street in Ballina NSW 1950.                                                                       John Hopton Collection


                                                

                                               1949 Newcastle Aero Club formation.                                                    Bob Neate collection 




  This newpaper clipping of VH-AHF's forced landing near Liverpool NSW 19 December 1954 was sent by the pasenger Ross Ryan.




           c/n 487             STM-2                                                                                                                                                            S-51, A50-8

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst.
Completed as a STM-2 landplane but with fittings for floats

MLD serial S-51
40 Ryan publicity photo: S-51 flying in California, all silver, Dutch triangle insignia, landplane
1.41 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Kota Gedah
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
6.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-8

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
26.6.42 Allotted 2BAGS ex QEA
9.7.42 S-51 crashed during forced landing Paracombe SA, 15 miles East of Parafield.
RAAF accident report: 2 BAGS: S-51 forced landing due engine failure. 2 BAGS.
Mainplane and undercarriage damaged. Pilot Sgt L. A. Perry unhurt.
Report quotes serial as ”S-51” with “A50-8” in pencil
13.7.42 Received 2BAGS ex QEA
14.9.42 Issued to Australian National Airways, Parafield ex 2BAGS for repair and overhaul
6.11.42 Repairs being carried out on fuselage at ANA, components being repaired
8.1.43 Complete overhaul and corrosion treatment at ANA. Mainplane fabric being recovered, mainplanes from A50-7 being used to expedite completion
18.2.43 Received 2BAGS ex ANA via 1EFTS
20.12.43 Received 3AOS ex 2BAGS
4.2.45 Received 3AOS Storage Reserve ex 3AOS
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
28.3.45 Departed 2AOS
28.3.45 Struck-off RAAF charge



Assumed dismantled for parts by Brown & Dureau at Belmont Common, Vic





              c/n 475           STM-2                                                                                                                                                 S-39, A50-9, VH-AGR(2)

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-39
.41 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies  
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
6.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-9

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
26.6.42 Allotted 2BAGS ex QEA
13.7.42 Received 2BAGS    
14.9.42 Issued to Australian National Airways, Parafield for overhaul
6.11.42 Awaiting mainplane and axles
27.11.42 Aircraft assembled less parts being manufactured
8.12.42 Received 2BAGS ex ANA
20.12.43 Received 3AOS ex 2BAGS
8.6.44 Request allotment for conversion to components
27.6.44 Issued 5CRD
5.7.44 Approval given for conversion to components
3.45 Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission to Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic

(included in the Ryan spares inventory with the sale of all RAAF Ryans)


54 Fuselage c/n 475 used in rebuild of VH-AGR c/n 483 which had crashed at Bankstown 13.2.51
24.11.55 Log book: inspected after repairs to minor fuselage damage for issue of CofA
6.2.55 Log book: testflown Mascot after rebuild
6.2.55 Restored to Register as VH-AGR A. Mills & N. Wickens, Sydney NSW
6.2.55 CofA renewed
13.12.55 Crashed Bankstown.  The pilot was attempting to return to Bankstown for a forced landing after engine failure and had glided 7 miles but was unable to maintain altitude and struck trees just short of the aerodrome. Wings were torn off and aircraft came to rest nosed into the ground. Pilot Kaerim Challender of Sydney, aged 28, accompanied by the oowner Arch Mills, aged 41.
Both received minor injuries.

DCA Accident report quotes date 14.12.55 but aircraft Log Book records last flight as 13.12.55 (1:30 hours) and newspaper reports of the crash confirm date was 13.12.55
.58 Rebuilt Bankstown, using fuselage of c/n 466

See c/n 466 for subsequent history

   

                    VH-AGR at Bankstown 1955 in a new paint scheme, just after rebuild with a new fuselage.                                                                    Photo by Eddie Coates





          c/n 477           STM-2                                                                                                                                                        S-41, A50-10

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-41
.41 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies      
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
6.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-10

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
26.6.41 Allotted 2BAGS ex QEA
13.7.42 Received 2BAGS ex QEA.
4.12.42 Issued to Australian National Airways, Parafield for overhaul
8.1.43 Complete overhaul and corrosion treatment, fuselage painted, ready for reassembly, repairs on components being carried out
22.1.43 Work temporarily suspended, contractor giving priority to A50-7 & -8
13.4.43 Received 2 Air Ambulance Unit, Kingaroy ex ANA via 1EFTS Parafield
25.4.43
Crashed on takeoff, Macrossan Qld.
RAAF accident report: 2AAU Kingaroy: A50-10 landed at 12RSU, RAAF Macrossan at
1130 hrs, pilots Flg Officer L. J. Ingham and F/Lt C. S. Hill. At 1430 it took off with same
crew, but at 200 feet turned on its back and crashed to the ground. Both crew died.
26.4.43 Received 12RSU, Macrossan
14.5.43 Approval given to be Converted to components





           c/n 459                STM-2                                                                                                                      S-23, A50-11, VH-AGD, VH-AWG  

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-23
7.12.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on MS Java, arrived Sourabaya 22.1.41  
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
6.42 Taken over by RAAF. RAAF record card does not give a "Date received" date.  Allocated A50-11
29.6.42 Damaged in forced landing Blacktown, Sydney, still painted as S-23
RAAF Accident Report: S-23 RAAF unit not allocated, “A50-11” in pencil.
Forced landing due fuel system failure, undercarriage and starboard wing damaged. RAAF Pilot Officer H. Green.
20.7.42 Issued to Australian National Airways, Mascot for repair

RAAF record card has no further entries until May 1944, indicating the repair was not completed for nearly 2 years!
12.5.44 Received ANA Mascot
3.6.44 Received 2AP Bankstown ex ANA
8.6.44 Received Air Gunnery School, West Sale ex 2AP
29.10.44 Received AGS Stored Reserve ex AGS
18.12.44 Received 2AD Care & Maintenance Section, Evans Head for storage
12.2.45 Received 1AOS Storage, Evans Head ex Care & Maintenance Evans Head
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposal list No.1. Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
5.4.45 Struck-off RAAF charge


16.5.45 Registration application: Leslie Mahon, Launceston Tas
7.9.45 New Registration application: Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic

DCA inspection report: fuselage s/n 459 shows evidence of numerous repairs
21.11.45 Registered VH-AGD Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
Identity quoted as 459
29.9.47 B&D write to DCA advising that they do not wish to register this aircraft. It has not yet been prepared for CofA. Stored at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong. TT 548 hrs
31.10.47 Struck-off Register
28.4.49 Restored to Register: Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
29.4.49 CofA issued at Belmont Common
4.5.49 Change of ownership: Newcastle Aero Club, Broadmeadow NSW
19.8.50 visited airshow Casino NSW, Newcastle Aero Club emblem on tail
9.5.51 CofA expired, stored Broadmeadow
.53 Club renamed Royal Newcastle Aero Club, Broadmeadow NSW
.56 Change of ownership: Francis W. O’Brien, Ballarat Vic                                      
10.57 Advertised for sale: Ryan full instruments front and rear, 9 months CofA:  F. W. O’Brien, Ballarat
23.10.57 Change of ownership: Donald E. Bowd, Melbourne Vic
24.2.61 Flew in three day The Sun Air Trial: Moorabbin-Sale-Mildura-Warrnambool-Moorabbin
9.3.61 noted Moorabbin with advertising for “ISAS Galion Graders” (port side) and “ISAS International Tractors" (starboard side), which had been temporarily applied for the previous month’s The Sun Air Trial
13.6.61 Change of ownership: Laurie N. Smith, Merbein Vic
2.62 noted Moorabbin owned “ISAS, Galion Graders” advertising
29.9.62 noted at airshow Mildura Vic, all metallic, black lightning strike, red & white stripes on rudder, advertising removed
1.3.65 noted Mildura, all metallic, black lightning strike, red & white horizontal stripes on rudder
14.3.65 visited airshow Swan Hill Vic
4.2.66 noted Mildura
7.3.67 noted Mildura
5.6.67 noted Mildura, engine runs
9.67 noted Mildura, immaculate condition
15.10.67
Crashed at gliding airstrip near Mildura Vic.  
DCA Accident report: “When engine failed shortly after takeoff, the pilot turned to land across the field but failed to arrest
descent and the aircraft contact the ground heavily, skidded and nosed over. The power loss was caused by failure of the
inlet valve retaining collets”.
Pilot Laurie Smith was listed as PPL 256 hrs, 120 on type.

(On 26.3.68 owner Smith was fined $60 in court action brought by DCA for flying the Ryan with an expired CofA)
15.10.67 Struck-off Register
30.10.67 Wreck noted Mildura Airport, dumped inverted on hangar floor, unmoved by 26.12.67
74/86 Wreck acquired by Ian B. Baillie, Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne Vic
Stored at Baillie’s house as a long-term rebuild project, repairs commenced
86 reported at Morwell Vic under rebuild
4.95 Purchased as a restoration project by Graham Hosking, Tyabb Vic
97/00 Under restoration at Tyabb aerodrome Vic for Hosking. Airframe work by brothers John and Charles Govers, Menasco engine overhaul by Borg Sorenson
7.4.98 noted Tyabb under rebuild
5.00 restoration completed as Tyabb, painted as NEI "S-23"
17.5.00 Registered VH-AWG Graham Hosking/ Windtoy Pty Ltd, Tyabb Vic
6.00 First flight at Tyabb after 5 year rebuild, pilot Graham Hosking, MLD scheme as “S-23”
20.8.00 visited fly-in Caboolture Qld, owned Graham Hosking "S-23"
2.01 VH-AWG visited airshow Avalon Vic “S-23”
11.2.02 VH-AGD fuselage noted Tyabb in the Hosking hangar, plate 459
19.2.06 flying at airshow Tyabb “S-23”
4.06 flying at airshow Point Cook Vic “S-23”
28.2.10 flying at airshow Point Cook Vic “S-23”
20.3.10 visited airshow Melton Vic "S-23"
17.1.20
Change of ownership: Linklow Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic

Current



Note: Ryan STM VH-DBD was painted as RAAF “A50-11” but was unconnected – see c/n 471

                                                 
                                                   S-23's inverted fuselage is inspected by wartime female airframe fitters during its
                                                        rebuild
by ANA at Mascot, Sydney.                             Matt Denning collection                                                      

 

    Casino NSW in August 1950, Newcastle Aero Cub wings emblem on tail.                                                                          Roger McDonald collection


  

    Moorabbin March 1961, painted with temporary advertising.                                                                                    John Hopton Collection


   

    Mildura Vic September 1962, owner Laurie Smith poses for John Hopton’s camera.                                           


 

    Mildura Vic, September 1967, just weeks before it was wrecked in a takeoff crash.                                                                           Photo by Geoff Goodall


 

    Rebuilt as VH-AWG, seen at Melton Vic, March 2010 in accurate Dutch MLD scheme.                                                                    Photo by Phil Vabre





          c/n 463                STM-2                                                                                                                                                                S-27, A50-12

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-27
7.12.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on MS Java, arrived Sourabaya
22.1.41
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
6.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-12

Issued to Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
10.6.42 Allotted 5SFTS ex QEA
13.7.42 Received 5SFTS ex QEA
6.9.42 Issued Station HQ Richmond ex 5SFTS
28.9.42 Allotted 452 Squadron ex SHQ Richmond
42 Photo of A50-12 at RAAF Richmond, reportedly with 452 Squadron
20.10.42 Crashed Schofields NSW
RAAF Accident Report: pilot Flt Lt J. R. Ross killed, passenger LAC W. C. Elliot injured
15.11.42 Unservicable at 452 Sqn
11.12.42 Issued 1CF ex 452 Sqn
13.2.43 Received GRS ex 1CF
24.2.43 Damaged in ground accident RAAF Cressy Vic
RAAF Accident Report: engine started during ground maintenance, propeller struck a member of the ground crew. Unit: General Reconnaissance School, Cressy.
28.4.44 Received Air Gunnery School, West Sale ex GRS
18.5.44
Crashed destroyed near West Sale Vic.
RAAF Accident Report: the port wing failed in flight and detached 6 miles west of West Sale Vic. Aircraft destroyed and entirely unsalvageable. Pilot F/Sgt Clifford J. Gumbley parachuted clear without injury but passenger
Cpl Cameron H. Keys was struck by the wing as it passed over the fuselage and was knocked unconscious, killed.

RAAF investigation found that the pilot began a dive from 3,500 feet at a speed of 130 knots and while easing out of the dive in order to commence a loop,  aloud cracking noise was heard accompanied by a violent shuddering of the aircraft. The pilot eased the the pressure on the control column and closed the throttle immediately. The pilot called to Cpl Keys to jump from the aircraft using his parachute. At this time the port mainplane collapsed and both pilot and passenger ducked their heads into the cockpits as the mainplane detached and rested against the side of the fuselage then rolled over the top of the fuselage and fell away,
The aircraft immediately went into a violent inverted spin. F/Sgt Gumbley released the safety pin on his harness and was flung from the aircraft. Cpl Keys failed to release his harness and was killed instantly when the aircraft hit the ground.
Inspection of the wreckage found the port mainplane 1000 metres from the main wreckage and the port undercarriage 600 metres away. It was determined that the cause was a structural fault with the main anchor fitting that braced the flying wires between the wing and the undercarriage. The lug of the defective anchore fitting was retrieved for inspection by the Directorate of Technical Services.

RAAF accident investigation report: "fatigue failure of bracing wire attachment fittings led to the port wing coming adrift in flight. In this instance the undercarriage bracing wire attachment lug on the main bulkhead at fuselage frame no.2 broke completely across a short distance from the weld line attaching it to the bulkhead frame, and as the wires concerned formed part of the main lift wire system, this allowed the wing to fold upwards and backwards."
8.6.44 Issued 1CRD ex AGS
14.6.44 Approval given to Writeoff at salvage unit


96 Ryan N8146 c/n 457 was restored in USA reportedly with parts of c/n 463

    

    A50-12 at Schofields NSW in September 1942 while with 452 Squadron.                                                                          Geoff Goodall collection





            c/n 489              STM-2 Floatplane                                                                                                         S-53, A50-13, VH-AGS, ZK-BEM

12.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst.
Completed as a STM-2 landplane but with fittings for floats

MLD serial S-53
1.41 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Kota Gedah
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
4.42 S-53 floatplane based at RAAF Rathmines, flown by MLD Dutch pilots
6.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-13

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
10.6.42 Allotted 5SFTS ex QEA
13.7.42 Received 5SFTS ex QEA
28.8.42 Issued to Australian National Airways, Mascot ex 5SFTS
28.10.42 Received 2AD Richmond ex ANA
15.11.42 Received 2BAGS Port Pirie ex 2AD
26.5.43 Force landing in paddock, 6 miles SW of aerodrome Port Pirie SA: airframe undamaged
20.12.43 Received 3AOS Evans Head ex 2BAGS
4.2.45 Received 3AOS Stored Reserve, Evans Head ex 3AOS
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposals list No.1.  Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
23.3.45 Departed 3AOS


27.2.46 Registered VH-AGS Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
28.2.46 CofA issued at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau
7.3.46 Change of ownership: Stirling, Henry (Victoria) Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
19.12.47 Struck-off Register
8.11.49 Change of ownership: Sefton K. White c/o White Sefton & Kingsbury, Wagga NSW
13.2.50 CofA renewed at Broadmeadow NSW by Newcastle Aero Club
13.2.50 Restored to Register: Sefton K. White, c/o White Sefton & Kingsbury, Wagga NSW, later
Albury NSW        
7.4.50 Damaged in mid-air collision at Albury NSW with DH.82A Tiger Moth VH-BJX, Tiger destroyed
7.50 VH-AGS repaired at Albury, damaged rear fuselage replaced with serviceable rear fuselage from Ryan VH-AHA
23.8.50 CofA renewed Albury
12.2.51 CofA expired
6.8.51 Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft
16.4.53 Restored to Register: Sefton K. White, Sydney NSW
30.11.53 Change of ownership: James L. D. C. "Wac" Whiteman, Sydney NSW. Named Rebel II
5.54 Shipped to New Zealand, arrived Auckland 5.54
17.5.54 VH-AGS made forced landing on Takapuna Beach after engine failure over Waitimata Harbour NZ, pilot James Whiteman.

Replacement Menasco engine sent from Australia, installed by Auckland Aero Club at Mangere
25.5.54 Struck-off Register as exported to NZ
14.9.55 Registered ZK-BEM James L. D. C. Whiteman, Auckland

Named “Rebel II”
15.10.55 Change of ownership: Alex H. Blechynden, Matamata, Hamilton.
Blechynden was Chief Flying Instructor for the Piako Aero Club at Matamata.
22.10.55 ZK-BEM noted at Whitianga
11.8.58 Change of ownership: C. D. Price, Auckland
60 Change of ownership: C. Fry, Auckland
1.9.60 Change of ownership: J. Tuohey, Auckland
60/67 retired in hangar Auckland-Ardmore pending expensive overhaul.
2.4.62 Change of ownership: P. Sheffield, Clevedon
.62 Late 62 purchased unairworthy by Clem O’Neil
O'Neil was a pilot for agricultural operator James Aviation, and commenced work on the Ryan. In 1963 he was fatally injured in a Fletcher Fu24 crash.
63 Report: parked in hangar at Ardmore, unairworthy                            
10.3.64 Change of ownership: Miss K. N. Quinn, Papakura
67 Acquired derelict by Kerry Newman
19.7.67 Struck-off Register
8.67 Donated by Newman to Museum of Transport & Technology, Auckland. TT 533 hrs

Restored at MoTaT for static display
85 Under restoration at Auckland-Dairy Flat airfield by warbird engineer "Ace" Edwards, painted in MLD markings "S-53". Propeller has gone missing during its time with MoTaT
94/98 Acquired by Ryan Syndicate, Auckland-Ardmore
94/98 Restored at Ardmore to airworthy under an agreement between MoTaT and NZ Warbirds Association. NZWA would have exclusive use of the aircraft for 10 years
9.94 noted Ardmore
2.96 noted Ardmore under rebuild. All metallic with "S-53" on fuselage sides
19.11.98 Restored to Register as ZK-BEM: Ryan Syndicate, Auckland-Ardmore
13.12.98 First flight Ardmore after restoration, pilot NZWA President Trevor Bland painted as MLD “S-53”
99 Blown supercharger oil seal caused an engine rebuild which kept the Ryan grounded for some time after the test flights
01 flying again, operated by NZ Warbirds Association, based Ardmore
16
flying as "S-53",  fitted with Walter-LOM engine. Operated by NZ Warbirds Association

Current

         

    VH-AGS in early civil markings.                                                                                                                               John Gallagher collection


 

    Bankstown 1954, owned by "Wac" Whiteman and named "Rebel II".                                                                                        Ed Coates Collection


 

    Auckland NZ 1955 as ZK-BEM, Wac Whiteman's name under the front cockpit.                                                               John Hopton Collection


 

    ZK-BEM some years later in NZ, with worn paintwork.                                                                                                       John Hopton Collection


 

    ZK-BEM spent many years in storage at Auckland-Ardmore before flying again.                                                                   John Hopton Collection





           c/n 485              STM-2                                                                                                                                                                     S-49, A50-14

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst.
Completed as a STM-2 landplane but with fittings for floats

MLD serial S-49
1.41 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Kota Gedah
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
6.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-14

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
10.6.42 Allotted to 1BAGS ex QEA
23.7.42 Received 1BAGS ex QEA
13.12.43 Received 1AOS ex 1BAGS
15.9.44 Survey report: total airframe time since new 514:15 hours. To be dismantled for transportation.
27.11.44 Received 2AD Care & Maintenance Section, Evans Head ex 1AOS. Held for storage.
12.2.44 Received 1AOS for storage ex C&M Evans Head
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposal list No.1. Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
7.4.45 Minor damage at RAAF Evans Head when cyclone caused hangar housing 9 Ryans to collapse
16.4.45 Issued to Brown & Dureau, sales voucher signed by W/Cdr Meehan
19.4.45 Struck-off RAAF charge




           c/n 460               STM-2                                                                                                                                                                       S-24, A50-15

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-24
7.12.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on MS Java, arrived Sourabaya 22.1.41  
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
6.40 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-15

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
10.6.42 Allotted 5SFTS ex QEA
13.7.42 Received 5SFTS ex QEA
6.9.42 Issued to Station Headquarters Richmond ex 5SFTS
11.9.42 Struck high tension cables: nose ribs cracked and buckled, fabric covering damaged
21.9.42 Received 7RSU u/s for repair
11.12.42 Received 54 Squadron ex 7RSU
16.12.42 Received 24 Squadron ex 54 Sqn
12.1.43 Received 3BAGS ex 24 Sqn
7.10.43
Crashed near Maffra Vic.
RAAF Accident Report: 3BAGS: crashed during unauthorised low flying 4 miles west of Maffra, pilots Sgt R. J. Lambert and F/Sgt C. J. Gumbley both received minor injuries.  Aircraft wrecked.

A subsequent Court Martial found that the pilot Sgt Russell J. Lambert had departed 3BAGS West Sale and commenced low flying near Maffra. He performed aerrobatics at an altitude below 3,000 feet contrary to orders, which resulted in the aircraft valued at £2,000 being destoyed. His penalty was a reduction in his service pay for a set period.
31.10.43 Issued 1AD Laverton ex 3BAGS for conversion
17.11.43 Allotted Central Recovery Depot ex 1AD for conversion to components

       
                   A50-15 at RAAF East Sale                                                                       Photo: Dal Oliver via Matthew Denning


          c/n 486                STM-2                                                                                                                                                                    S-50, A50-16

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst.
Completed as a STM-2 landplane but with fittings for floats.

MLD serial S-50
1.41 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Kota Gedah
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
6.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-16

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
10.6.42 Allotted 5SFTS ex QEA
13.7.42 Received 5SFTS ex QEA
28.8.42 Issued to Australian National Airways, Mascot
19.10.42 Received 2AD Richmond ex ANA
5.11.42 Minor damage in forced landing
21.1.43 Issued to 3BAGS ex 2AD
4.12.43
Ditched in sea near Seaspray Vic
RAAF Accident Report: 3BAGS: ditched 100 metres off shore when engine failed during unauthorised aerobatics. Flying Officer Maurice Dewar and passenger Flying Officer William W. Stephens both received minor injuries. Airframe and engine unsalvageable. Fuselage broken on impact

RAAF investigation found that pilot Dewar was performing unauthorised aerobatics when he experienced a partial engine failure. While attempting an emergency landing 1 mile south of Seaspay the aircraft came ro rest 100 metres out to sea.
9.12.43 Authorised for write-off
12.12.43 Received Air Gunnery School, West Sale ex 3BAGS




          c/n 458                STM-S2 Floats                                                                                     S-22, A50-17, VH-AGV, N17343, (N50WR), N17343

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-S2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-22
18.11.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on MV Hoegh Silver Dawn,
arrived Sourabaya 3.1.41
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
6.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-17

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
10.6.42 Allotted 1BAGS ex QEA
23.7.42 Received 1BAGS Evans Head ex QEA
13.12.43 Received 1AOS Evans Head ex 1BAGS
15.9.44 Survey report: Total time 548:50 hrs: to be dismantled for transportation
2.10.44 1AOS: u/s with corroded support wires
27.11.44 Received 2AD Care & Maintenance Section, Evans Head: held for storage
12.2.45 Received 1AOS Store, Evans Head ex 2AD C&M
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposals list No.1. Total airframe time 558.50 hours. Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
7.4.45 Minor damage when cyclone at RAAF Evans Head caused hangar housing 9 Ryans to collapse
16.4.45 Issued to Brown & Dureau, sales voucher signed by W/Cdr Meehan
19.4.45 Struck-off RAAF charge


26.4.46 Registered VH-AGV Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
Identity quoted as 458, later “485”: assumed a clerical error. Corrected to 458 in 1966
2.12.46 CofA issued at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau
30.12.46 Change of ownership: Clifford L. Splatt, Geelong Vic
21.2.49 Change of ownership: N. Keith Crittenden, Lake Hindmarsh, Jeparit Vic
9.1.54
Forced landing 10 miles south of Nhill Vic due engine failure enroute Nhill-Hamilton. No airframe damage, pilot K.Crittenden
12.1.54 Change of ownership: Ian L. Dunn, Grassdale Vic
16.2.55 Change of ownership: S. S. Mylrea, Central Garage, Rupanyup Vic
13.6.55 Change of ownership: Kingsford Smith Aviation Service Pty Ltd, Bankstown NSW
3.56 Change of ownership: W. Burrows, Australian Drilling Exploration, Darwin NT
1.57 CofA expired, withdrawn from use at Darwin
22.3.60 Struck-off Register
12.61 Acquired in poor condition by R. W. Walton, D. Fuss, R. H. Lansbury and Peter Singleton, Melbourne Vic
This was a syndicate of Trans Australia Airlines employees based at Essendon Airport, Melbourne
12.61 airfreighted from Darwin to Melbourne-Essendon on TAA DC-4 VH-TAB
62 Restoration to airworthy commenced in gliding club building at Merlystone Vic
.62 Purchased as a restoration project by Ian B. Baillie, RAAF Point Cook Vic  .62/66  
.62 AGV had been dismantled for restoration, sections collected from Melbourne suburbs: fuselage at Oakleigh, wings at Coburg.
.62 Restoration commenced in huts at RAAF Point Cook where Baillie was stationed
5.66 Restoration completed Point Cook
24.5.66 Ferried Point Cook to Moorabbin for final inspection. Polished metallic finish, no registration painted on aircraft. No radio installed. Pilot Flt Lt Les Morris with Baillie as passenger.
27.5.66 Testflown Moorabbin, pilots Ft Lt Les Morris and Flt Lt Mark Webster, watched on ground by Ian Baillie (age 23) who only has a restricted PPL.
27.5.66 CofA issued
1.7.66 Restored to Register: Ian B. Baillie, Melbourne Vic
69 Reportedly now owned by Jack L. Tillery, Melbourne Vic    
69 Sold to Rowland K. Egger, Houston, Texas USA
69 Crated at Moorabbin, shipped to USA
30.6.69 Struck-off Register as sold to USA
3.12.69 FAA Import Permit filed by Egger
69/78 Stored Houston Texas
75 Registered N17343 Rowland K. Egger, Houston TX
Registered as Ryan ST-A Special, c/n 458
8.78 Change of ownership: Donald R. Sharp, Pauls Valley OK
Aircraft had been stored since it was imported from Australia
83 Change of ownership: William R. Rose, Barrington IL
1.83 Registration N50WR reserved by Rose for the Ryan, Not Taken Up
83/03 Remained registered N17343 William R. Rose, Barrington IL
7,83 visited Oshkosh WI fly-in, painted as “NC17343”, good condition. Menasco engine, owned Bill Rose of Barrington Illinois.
7.92 visited fly-in Oshkosh WI, silver with red trim “NC17343”
3.1.03 Change of ownership: Harold E. Ross, Palm Desert CA
3.06 NC17343 noted displayed inside Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs CA: silver, red trim
22.3.06 Change of ownership: James I. Morris, Murrieta CA
3.5.10 Change of ownership: Hisey Aviation LLC, Oklahoma City OK 3.5.10/13

Displayed at Oklahoma Museum of Flying, Wiley Post Airport, Oklahoma City OK
.13
Sold by Hisey Aviation to Efrem Cockett, Guernsey, Channel Islands UK
19.8.13
USCR Change of Ownership: Little Beetle Inc Trustee, Wilmington DE 

Registered to this US trust company to allow its continued flying under US Registration while in England

.13
Shipped to England
9.13
NC17343 arrived at Nailsworth, Gloucestershire for assembly and restoration.
3.9.14
NC17343 first flight in England at Oaksey Park airfield
29.6.19
Tipped on to nose landing at Kemble-Cotswold Airport while attending a vintage aircraft Fly-In.
21.9.21
USCR Change of Ownership:  Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc, Norfolk UK

A different trust company to allow its continued flying under US Registration while in England
22
Undergoing repairs at Eastleigh

Current


    

    VH-AGV at Rainbow Vic in 1954, with owner Ian Dunn.                                                                                                    Kevin O'Reilly collection


    

    Bankstown circa 1956 at the KSAS hangar.                                                                                                                     John Hopton Collection


    

    On a strip near Darwin NT in 1959 while owned Australian Drilling Exploration.                                                                               Neil Follett collection


    

    Moorabbin 24 May 1966, after a six year restoration, polished metal finish.                                                                                             Photo by Peter Limon


 

  

      N17343 at Wiley Post Airport, Oklahoma City prior to being shipped to England.                                                                                         Photo: Efrem Cockett


 

  N17343 flying at Oaksey Park airfield, England, September 2014.                                                                                  Photo courtesy Efram Cockett


 

 

         c/n 466                 STM-2                                                                                                               S-30, A50-18, VH-AGR(3), N2617W, N466WA

11.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-30
7.12.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on MS Java, arrived Sourabaya 22.1.41
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
8.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-18
28.8.42 Issued to Butler Air Transport, Mascot for assembly ex 3CF
18.9.42 Above allotment cancelled
21.9.42 Received 2CF ex 3CF  
11.4.43 Accident
12.4.43 Allotted 11EFTS ex 2CF
12.7.43 Received 2CF ex 11EFTS, renamed 2CU
14.5.44 Received 1AOS ex 2CU
15.9.44 Survey report: total hours since new: 838:15 hours. Serviceable for ferrying
27.11.44 Received 2AD Care & Maintenance Section, Evans Head ex 1AOS. Held for storage
12.2.45 Received 1AOS Store Evans Head ex 2AD C&M
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposals list No.1. Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
7.4.45 Major damage at RAAF Evans Head when cyclone caused hangar housing 9 Ryans to collapse
16.4.45 Issued to Brown & Dureau, sales voucher signed by W/Cdr Meehan
19.4.45 Struck-off RAAF charge

Brown & Dureau moved damaged Ryans and spares from Evans Head to their maintenance hangars at Geelong Vic by rail.


58 VH-AGR log entry: rebuilt at Bankstown by Royal Aero Club of NSW, using replacement fuselage c/n 466 fitted forward of a point aft of the rear seat.
4.7.58 Restored to Register VH-AGR B. Felwell, Sydney NSW
30.8.58 Log book:
“Fuselage: this component was joined at location aft of rear seat. New front section of fuselage s/n 466 STM-2 MFD 11.40.  Port mainplane repaired with new front main spar."
30.10.58 Log book stamped by DCA as fuselage s/n 466
23.11.58 Log book: Testflown Bankstown after rebuild, 30 mins

DCA Register still quoted id. as 475, despite Departmental policy to identify aircraft by the fuselage. DCA corrected the identity to 466 during 1963.
59/64 Log book: flown regularly
15.7.64 Log book: right wingtip repair
16.7.60 Change of ownership: J. Ault, L. Barnes, E. Watts, A. Shaw, Sydney NSW
23.2.62 Log book: CofA renewal
6.5.62 noted at Camden NSW, gloss black fuselage, rest silver
28.10.62 visited airshow Orange NSW
10.11.62 noted at Bankstown, silver & black
9.1.63 noted at Bankstown
5.63 noted at Bankstown
27.10.63 noted at Bankstown, parked outside, black & silver
10.1.64 noted at Bankstown black & silver
11.3.64 Log book: 10 minutes local flight Bankstown  TT 782:30 hrs
7.7.64 Log book: 100 hourly service
14.9.64 noted at Bankstown flying, black & silver
5,10.64 arrived at Wagga, departed two days later, black & silver, based Bankstown
23.11.64 Change of ownership: Les A. R. Barnes, Sydney NSW
2.10.66 visited airshow Coffs Harbour NSW, gave low level flying display, black fuse & yellow wings;
26.3.67 visited airshow Port MacQuarie NSW, gave low level flying display
9.68 noted Bankstown, parked outside Marshall Airways hangar
20.10.68 visited airshow Bathurst NSW
2.11.68 visited airshow West Maitland NSW, black fuselage, yellow wings and tail, red trim,
"Olympic" slogan on fuselage
25.1.70 noted at Jerilderie NSW at fly-in
74 Stored in hangar at Jerilderie NSW
74 Reportedly acquired by Maurice Whittington t/a Hendon Flight, Sydney NSW.
Whittington had exported numerous Tiger Moths and other Australian vintage aircraft to USA.
(Appears this sale was not completed because Trappett says he purchased it from Barnes)
14.11.74 Change of ownership: Jeffrey P. Trappett, Morwell Vic

Trappett wrote in Rag & Tube May 1978:
"I bought VH-AGR from Captain Les Barnes about six months before he was killed in the Bristol Freighter accident in Bass Strait *. Jim O'Connell, who owns Dragon VH-AGC, and I repaired it to ferry status and flew it down from Jerilderie NSW where it had been located. This aircraft had a varied history and had been badly neglected until I purchased it. The aircraft was completely stripped and rebuilt. Main work required was extensive metal work repairs and fuselage renovation. Most of the repairs necessary were done to salvage ugly patch-ups from its past life.
Of course all the flying surfaces were re-bagged, the interior re-upholstered and instruments replaced in both cockpits. Incredibly the aircraft has a total time of only 860 hours since new, and the engine is on its first life (400 hours since new)."

*Bristol 170 VH-SJQ ditched in Bass Strait on a cargo flight from Tasmania to Melbourne 10.5.75

Trappett was a RAAF pilot. VH-AGR was in poor condition when purchased, stored at Jerilderie, but made airworthy for ferry flight to RAAF East Sale where he was based.
14.11.75 Struck-off Register at owner’s request
7.12.75 noted at fly-in RAAF Point Cook

Complete restoration at East Sale, completed in MLD scheme as “S-30”
4.10.77 noted at RAAF East Sale, completed as MLD “S-30”
2.12.77 Restored to Register: Jeff P. Trappett, RAAF East Sale Vic
2.12.77 noted at RAAF East Sale, “S-30”
29.12.77 noted at fly-in Morwell Vic “S-30”
1.1.78 noted at Morwell Vic "S-30"
1.79 Advertised for sale: VH-AGR Total time 860 hours, just rebuilt, Menasco 0 SMOH just rebuilt, Jeff Trappett, Officers Mess, RAAF East Sale
.81
Sold to Willis Allen, San Diego California.
He later wrote:  "In 1980 Jeff Trappett from Australia called me looking for P-51 parts and ended up in San Diego on a trip. He was then in the RAAF. We talked Ryans and he saw my Stearman PT-13D with a 225HP Lycoming radial. As a result we began talking about a trade, the Stearman for his Ryan STM, since Jeff had two STMs.  The trade was completed in 1981 and the Stearman N5047V became the first of its type to go to Australia.
When the RyaN VH-AGR  arrived at Montgomery Field in San Diego we dissembled the plane in the hangar and with help from others we restored the airplane. The Menasco C4S four cylinder inverted engine had been rebuilt in Australia so we did only cosmetic work on it. Ole Fahlin of zsunnyvale Californiua made a new custom wood propeller.
The Ryan, now registered N466WA made it first flight at Merced in 1984."
24.5.81 Struck-off Australian Register
10.11.81 Registered N2617W Willis M. Allen, San Diego CA
Registered as Ryan STM c/n 466
1.82 Reregistered N466WA Willis M. Allen, San Diego CA
.84
First flight since arriving in US, at Merced CA after overhaul

Based at San Diego-Brown Field, flew as MLD “S-30”
04 Photo at Brown Field, MLD “S-30”
08
Moved by road to Placerville CA for complete rebuild. Engine overhaul at Santa Paula CA.
15.9.09 N466WA noted at Reno-Stead Field NV, painted as MLD "S-30". Won Best Warbird prize
20
Willis Allen operates as Allen Airways Flying Museum at San Diego-Gillespie Field CA
22.10.21
Change of ownership: Gary B. Peters, Clarkston WA

Current

    

          Bankstown early 1960s, black and silver.                                                                                                                      John Hopton Collection


    

     West Maitland NSW November 1968, with advertising on the fuselage.                                                                                 John Hopton Collection 


          

     VH-AGR at Morwell Vic, New Years Day 1978, just completed restoration.                                                                                                  Photo by Peter Kelly


    

    N466WA at Brown Field, San Diego CA in 2004.                                                              Photo by Howard Rundberg





          c/n 482                STM-S2 Floats                                                                                                                                     S-46, A50-19, VH-CXR

12.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-46
1.41 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Kota Gedah
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
3.42 S-46 floatplane based at RAAF Rathmines, flown by MLD Dutch pilots
30.3.42 Dutch pilot logbook entry: S-46 local flying at Rathmines

Other sources state:
482 S-46: no record of RAAF service
A50-19 is 455 ex S-25 converted to components 7.44
6.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-19.    

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
10.6.42 Allotted 1BAGS ex QEA
23.7.42 Received 1BAGS ex QEA
4.12.42 Received 2CF ex 1BAGS
14.12.42 Issued 5EFTS ex 2CF
29.1.43 Forced landing, airframe damaged
4.2.43 Received Aircrafts Pty Ltd, Archerfield for repair
19.7.43 Received 3AD Amberley ex APL
22.7.43 Received 5EFTS ex 3AD
29.11.43 Received 2AOS ex 5EFTS
24.4.44 U/S at 2AOS, needs parts
6.7.44 U/S at 2AOS beyond capacity of unit, request conversion
22.8.44 Approval for conversion to components
24.9.44 Issued 1CRD ex 2AOS

Converted to components
3.45 Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission to Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic

(components included in the Ryan spares inventory with the sale of all RAAF Ryans)


By 60 Wally Wood, Yorke Peninsula SA: airframe stored dismantled on farm

Unconfirmed report states that this fuselage and collection of Ryan components were among the Ryan spares acquired by W. J. Meehan, Geelong and after his death sold by his widow to Maxwell Bond, Adelaide (see VH-RAE & RAF). 
After Bond was killed in the crash of VH-RAF at Broken Hill 9.6.52, this Ryan parts collection passed to Wally Wood and stored on a farm on Yorke Peninsula SA
.60 Purchased by E. Robert Burnett-Read, Adelaide SA
.60 fuselage and wing stubs towed on its wheels tail first behind Burnett-Read’s sports car to Adelaide, stored in garage at his home in Adelaide where restoration continued.

Rob Nuttall (owner of Ryan VH-AGW) later recalled that Bob Burnett-Reid of Adelaide had a Ryan rebuild project complete
 (except for flying wires).
.61
When rebuild was almost completed, the Ryan was sold to a Sydney pilot. Moved by road from Adelaide to Sydney
29.12.61 Registered VH-CXR Albert Skinner Sydney NSW  (in partnership with Dr. Tony Fisher)
Identity quoted as 482.                            

CofA issued, fitted with a Gipsy Major 1 engine
30.8.62 noted Bankstown, parked by Tower, red scheme with white trim
9.6.63 log book: local flight Bankstown, Bert Skinner and Ivan Davis. Aircraft called Spook
1.2.65 Change of ownership: J. L. Ault, Sydney NSW
14.3.65 visited airshow Swan Hill Vic, red scheme, owner J. Ault 
28.3.65 visited airshow Bathurst NSW
29.5.65
noted at Cootamundra NSW
26.5.66 noted in hangar “Carnarney”, Jerilderie NSW, red scheme
.67 Change of ownership: Dr. Anthony Fisher, Sydney NSW
14.5.67 at “Carnarney”, Jerilderie NSW 26.5.66, red scheme, based here with Ryans VH-AHC, CXR
8.3.69 noted Albury NSW in hangar
25.1.70 noted in hangar “Carnarney”, Jerilderie NSW, red scheme
2.75 noted in hangar at "Carnarney" Jerilderie NSW, with Ryans AHC & AHD
10.3.79 noted in hangar “Carnarney”, Jerilderie NSW, red scheme, based here with VH-AHC & AHD.
17.6.79 visited flyin at Wodonga Vic, owned Tony Fisher, plate c/n 482 built 12.40;
20.12.80 Change of ownership: O. G. D. Cooper, Sydney NSW
26.4.81 visited airshow West Maitland NSW
6.6.81 visited flyin at Wodonga Vic
25.10.81 visited airshow West Maitland NSW
1.4.82 Change of ownership: Peter B. Reid, Wyndham WA
6.82 Flown from West Maitland NSW to Wyndham by Reid
20.9.82 Change of ownership: O. G. D. Cooper, Surfers Paradise Qld: Operated P.B.Reid      
Believed that this ownership change was back-dated after the crash. Aircraft based at Wyndham with Reid 1982-85.
Reverted to Reid’s widow’s ownership effective the day after the crash
20.7.85 Crashed Wyndham WA.  Struck ground while performing aerobatic display over a carnival at Wyndham Racecourse WA. Commenced spins from 1500 feet, did 3 spins then a low pass over crowd at 100 feet before climbing for another spin from 1000 feet. Struck the ground during recovery, pilot Peter Reid killed. Pilot had 140 hours on type.  
21.7.85 Change of ownership (0fficial): M. S. Reid, Wyndham WA
18.3.86 Struck-off Register
4.95 Wreck acquired by Graham Hosking, Tyabb Vic
10.9.99 Wreckage noted in hangar Tyabb, red. Also 2001.
16 wreck reportedly stil held by Graham Hosking

    

    Swan Hill Vic in March 1965.                                                                                                                                           John Hopton Collection


    

    Jerilderie NSW in May 1967, same red paint scheme.                                                                                                                            Photo by Geoff Goodall  






          c/n 491               STM-2 Floats                                                                                                                                                       S-55, A50-20

12.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst
Completed as a STM-2 landplane but with fittings for floats

MLD serial S-55
1.41 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Kota Gedah
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
3.42 S-55 floatplane based at RAAF Rathmines, flown by MLD Dutch pilots
2.4.42 Dutch pilot logbook entry: S-55 local flying at Rathmines
6.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-20

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
10.6.42 Allotted 1BAGS ex QEA
23.7.42 Received 1BAGS ex QEA
2.11.43
Crashed into river Broadwater NSW
RAAF Accident Report: 1BAGS: struck telephone wires, crashed into Richmond River, Bagotville Ferry, Broadwater NSW. Completely wrecked and salt water immersion, Pilot Sgt F. J. Cosgrove and passenger LAC G. G. Wright both unhurt
15.11.43 Issued to 3AD Amberley ex 1BAGS
9.2.44 Received 3CRD ex 3AD
25.11.44 Converted to components

    

    A50-20 salvaged from Richmond River, Broadwater NSW, 2 November 1943.                                                                         John Hopton Collection





         c/n 462               STM-2                                                                                                                                                                   S-26, A50-21

11.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-26
7.12.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on MS Java, arrived Sourabaya 22.1.41
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
8.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-21

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
4.8.42 Allotted 7SFTS ex QEA
17.8.42 Received 7SFTS Deniliquin ex QEA

Photo shows S-26 in camouflage at 7SFTS Deniliquin
4.9.42 Flown to Richmond (RAF Wing)
10.9.42 Issued to Station Headquarters Richmond
28.9.42 Allotted 452 Squadron, No.1 Fighter Wing, Richmond ex SHQ Richmond        
20.10.42 Crashed Schofields aerodrome NSW. Major damage to all parts. Pilot F/Lt J.R.Ross killed, passenger LAC W.C.Elliot seriously injured.
3.11.42 Damaged airframe only issued to 2AD Richmond ex 452 Squadron
12.11.42 Converted to components





            c/n 465              STM-2                                                                                                                                                   S-29, A50-22, VH-AGW

11.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-29
7.12.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on MS Java, arrived Sourabaya 22.1.41  
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
42 Photo: S-29 in Australia (quoted as Darwin), flying in NEI camouflage and markings
8.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-22

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for preparation for RAAF
4.8.42 Allotted 7SFTS ex QEA
13.8.42 Log book: first flight with RAAF
17.8.42 Received 7SFTS Deniliquin ex QEA
4.9.42 Flown to Richmond (RAF Wing)
10.9.42 Issued Station Headquarters Richmond
20.9.42 Aircraft struck tree top, damaged leading edge of port mainplane
27.9.42 Received 7RSU in u/s condition ex SHQ Richmond
28.9.42 Allotted 457 Squadron ex 7RSU
13.12.42 u/s approx one month at 7RSU
24.12.42 Allotted 2AD Richmond ex 7RSU
18.1.43 Received 2AD ex 7RSU
30.4.43 Received 3BAGS ex 2AD
12.12.43 Received Air Gunnery School, West Sale ex 3BAGS  
29.10.44 Received AGS Stored Reserve ex AGS
18.12.44 Received 2AD Care & Maintenance Section, Evans Head ex AGS Stored Reserve
12.2.45 Received 1AOS Store Evans Head ex 2AD C&M
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposals list No.1. Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
16.4.45 Issued to Brown & Dureau, sales voucher signed by W/Cdr Meehan
19.4.45 Struck-off RAAF charge


2.4.47 Registered VH-AGW Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
Identity quoted as c/n 465 & A50-22
2.4.47 CofA issued at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau
29.5.48 noted at Fishermans Bend Vic
16.7.48 Log book: Flew Belmont Common-Essendon.  Probably delivery flight
17.8.48 Change of ownership: Royal Victorian Aero Club, Essendon Vic
48/50 Log book: flew regularly, almost daily
9.6.50 Damaged in forced landing near Leeton NSW
10.11.50 CofA lapsed. Had been stored damaged since the Leeton acident
7.5.51 Change of ownership: Kingsford Smith Aviation Service Pty Ltd, Bankstown NSW
6.8.51 Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft
16.3.52 Log book: first testflight after rebuild at Bankstown
23.5.52 Log book: test flight
25.3.52 CofA renewed
25.3.52 Restored to Register: Kingsford Smith Aviation Service Pty Ltd, Bankstown NSW
7.4.56 Change of ownership: Cecil G. Rose, Sydney NSW
12.2.58 Change of ownership: G. Wally Knight, Dennington Vic
28.8.58 Change of ownership: R. A. Chalmers, Melbourne Vic
8.9.59 noted at Moorabbin, in hangar
24.4.61 Change of ownership: E. R. "Bob" Burnett-Read/ Vintage Aircraft Group of South Australia, Adelaide SA
6.5.61
Bob Burnett-Read's logbook: his first flight in VH-AGW. Then 35 flights: Parafield local, Gawler, Mallala, Port Pirie
3.6.61 noted Parafield flying
6.8.61 noted Parafield flying
15.9.61 noted Parafield
16.9.61 noted Parafield flying
21.9.61 Change of ownership: Ian B. Lehmann, Galaquil East Vic
24.9.61
Bob Burnett-Read's logbook: last flight in VH-AGW, Parafield local.
23.6.62 noted at Ballarat Vic, dismantled in hangar
10.64 Change of ownership: Robin Nuttall, Edenhope Vic                      
Civil Register quotes ownership change to Nuttall as 20.9.65 but Nuttall confirmed that the actual date was 10.64 in letter to the compiler.
21.3.65 visited airshow Horsham Vic, metallic fuselage, yellow wings, tail and undercarriage. Owned by Robin Nutall, based on farm near Edenhope Vic
7.11.65 visited St Arnaud Vic airshow
24.1.66 Log book: airframe total time 985.25 hrs
6.9.66 noted Ararat Vic in hangar
12.9.66 noted Ararat Vic, in hangar wings removed
29.9.66 noted Ararat Vic
7.11.66 visited airshow St Arnaud Vic, natural metal with white tail & red flash
13.1.67 noted Ararat Vic
5.2.67 noted Ararat Vic
11.3.67 noted Ararat Vic, completed CofA renewal
7.11.67 Change of ownership: William F. Suhr, Melbourne-Moorabbin Vic.
Bill Suhr and his brother had recently established a new business Peninsula Air Services and had a new hangar built at Moorabbin Airport.

Robin Nuttall wrote in a letter in May 1968:
"I finished the work on VH-AGW and she was literally splendid. I flew her for about 20 hours before succumbing to temptation and I accepted a large offer for her. I thought she was going to a good good home, so you can imagine my sorrow when I found out that the "vintage aircraft enthusiast" concerned had immediately resold her to Peninsular Air Services who ruining her by fitting a flat Six to the oval fuselage.
However to soften the blow, I purchased the Rearwin VH-UYS in late December last year."
12.67 noted Moorabbin
19.1.68 Menasco engine lost power due mechanical failure during a local flight from Moorabbin, returned for safe landing at reduced power
27.4.68 noted at Moorabbin, in Peninsula Air Services hangar. Bill Suhr had decided to change the engine to a modern American flat four cylinder model.
.68 150hp Menasco C4S engine replaced by a 150hp Lycoming 0-360-A engine in the PAS hangar at Moorabbin
30.8.68 noted Moorabbin, engine removed Lycoming being installed
5.11.68 noted Moorabbin, Lycoming being installed. Awaiting DCA approval for the modification.`
14.3.69
taxying trials at Moorabbin with Lycoming engine and redesigned enlarged fibreglass cowlings
18.3.69 First test flight Moorabbin with Lycoming, pilot Bill Suhr
3.69 DCA changed type designation to Ryan STM-2/A1
12.10.69 visited airshow Echuca Vic, Lycoming, white cowling, rest metallic, flown by Bill Suhr. By now had been fitted with a  smoke system for airshow display flying
26.12.69 noted at Flinders Island, Tasmania
27.3.71 Change of ownership: Colin Munk, Sydney NSW
4.71 VH-AGW with Lycoming noted at Bankstown for several days on delivery to its new owner Colin Monk at Hoxton Park airfield
5.4.71 noted at Hoxton Park NSW in hangar
1.9.71 noted at Hoxton Park NSW, flying, Lycoming, white & metallic, chequerboard tail
12.71 noted Bankstown, Lycoming, chequerboard paint on tail & spats
3.2.72 Col Munk killed in crash of Beech E33A Bonanza VH-TYJ near Goulburn, when the aircraft failed to recover from an intentional spin
22.2.73 Change of ownership: Pacific Coast Aviation Pty Ltd, Sydney NSW
73 Offered for sale by Ian Baillie Aircraft Sales, Moorabbin
.73 Change of ownership: Jeff P. Trappett, RAAF Point Cook Vic, later Morwell Vic
Official Civil Register date 19.12.73
.73 Ferried Bankstown to Victoria by Jeff Trappett & Kevin Duffy
9.12.73 at airshow Point Cook Vic, Lycoming, chequerboard paint on tail & spats
5.74 at Point Cook having Lycoming engine replaced by DH Gipsy Major
7.12.74 at airshow Point Cook Vic, Lycoming, chequerboard paint on tail & spats, polished metal
fuselage
7.12.75 at airshow Point Cook Vic
7.11.76 visited fly-in Wodonga Vic
5.12.76 at airshow Point Cook Vic, Lycoming, metallic and white new scheme
78 restoration at Morwell by Jeff Trappett: engine changed to standard Menasco Pirate engine and original cowlings. The Lycoming 0-360A was sold to the Latrobe Valley Aero Club and installed in their Victa Airtourer 115 VH-MOI.
.78 Jeff Trappett stated "I am currently finishing off the restoration and she should be flying again by April 1978, although I am still in need of an oil cooler. The aircraft is a real beauty: she has never been involved in an accident (total time 1100 hours) and is all original from the firewall back. Of course she is polished - a ST trademark!  Ian Baillie from CFS at Moorabbin supplied me with the Menasco and original Ryan cowlings. I am most grateful to both Ian and Val Chapman of Jerilderie, who also helped me with parts and expertise for -AGW."
.78 DCA changed type designation to Ryan STM-2
3.3.79 visited airshow Ballarat Vic
6.6.81 visited flyin Wodonga VIC, plate  STM-S2 465 built 11.40
29.1.82 noted Moorabbin, Menasco, metallic & white scheme;
13.2.83 visited airshow Ballarat Vic
14.3.83 noted Morwell Vic, with Jeff Trappett's Winjeel A85-434 and ex RAAF Sabre
30.7.89 Change of ownership: Graham Hosking, Tyabb Vic
7.4.98 noted Tyabb Vic, painted as MLD “S-29”;
19.2.99 visited airshow Avalon Vic, “S-29”, owned Graham Hosking
25.3.00 Visited airshow Point Cook Vic
20.8.00 visited fly-in Caboolture Qld, owned Graham Hosking, "S-29"
23.10.01 Change of ownership: Nigel E. Arnot, Brisbane-Archerfield Qld
Registered operator for owner Georges Mercadel, New York NY & Indonesia
02/06 Operated in conjunction with Hart’s Flying Fighters, Brisbane-Archerfield
02 visited Watts Bridge Qld fly-in "S-29"
11.02 noted Archerfield in Hart’s Flying Fighters display hangar, immaculate condition, MLD “S-29”
02 Flying Fighters Website: “owner of VH-AGW is George Mercadel, a New Yorker who resides in Indonesia, and entrusts the babysitting to us here at the Flying Fighters Collection. VH-AGW is, as far as we know, the only Ryan to still be in its original skin, it has not been rebuilt at any time.”
30.5.04 noted Archerfield in Hart’s Flying Fighters display hangar, immaculate condition, MLD "S-29".
28.8.04 visited fly-in Watts Bridge Qld "S-29"
17.4.13
Change of ownership: Walker Family Trust, Melbourne Vic
20.7.18
Change of ownership: Jeffrey P. Trappett and Barbara A. Trappett, Latrobe Valley Airport Vic

Current

    

    S-29 in Australia 1942, location unknown, still in Dutch markings.                                                                                         Geoff Goodall collection


    

    Fishermans Bend Vic 29 May 1948, in standard Brown & Dureau scheme.                                                                                Geoff Goodall collection


    

    Visiting an airshow at Horsham Vic March 1965 from its owner's farm at Edenhope.                                                                      Photo by Geoff Goodall


    

    Moorabbin, August 1968 having the Lycoming flat four engine installed.                                                                      John Hopton Collection


    

    Detail of the Lycoming 0-360A being installed.                                                                                                                   John Hopton Collection


    

    Lycoming engine, custom-built cowling, front cockpit covered.                                                                                                    John Hopton Collection


      

    A fine view of VH-AGW, in full display paint scheme.                                                                                                                        John Hopton Collection


    

    VH-AGW at Moorabbin January 1982, back to original Menasco engine.                                                                                               Photo by Russell Legg


    

    VH-AGW at Watts Bridge Qld August 2004, restored to Dutch markings.                                                                                                 Photo by Bert van Drunick





          c/n 471               STM-S2 Floatplane                                                                                                         S-35, A50-23, (VH-DJB), VH-DBD

12.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-S2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-35

Shipped to Netherlands East Indies
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
3.42 S-35 floatplane based at RAAF Rathmines, flown by MLD Dutch pilots
3.4.42 Dutch pilot logbook entry: S-35 local flying at Rathmines
6.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-23.
RAAF Status Card shows previously S-45 corrected by hand to S-35

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
10.6.42 Allotted 1BAGS ex QEA
23.7.42 Received 1BAGS ex QEA
22.1.43 Fuselage repairs proceeding, starboard mainplane being recovered. Awaiting spares which have been requisitioned
13.12.43 Received 1AOS Evans Head ex 1BAGS
15.9.44 Survey report: Total time since new: 390:40 hours: serviceable for ferrying
27.11.44 Received 2AD Care & Maintenance Section, Evans Head ex 1AOS: held for storage
12.2.45 Received 1AOS Store, Evans head ex 2AD C&M
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposals list No.1. Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
7.4.45 Major damage at RAAF Evans Head when cyclone caused hangar housing 9 Ryans to collapse
16.4.45 Issued to Brown & Dureau, sales voucher signed by W/Cdr Meehan
19.4.45 Struck-off RAAF charge

Brown & Dureau moved damaged Ryans and spares from Evans Head to their maintenance hangars at Geelong Vic by rail.



Stored dismantled, damaged at Brown & Dureau’s works, Belmont Common airfield, Geelong
.48 Acquired by David J. Bourke t/a Corio Air Engineers, Belmont Common, Geelong Vic.
Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd sold their maintenance operation at Belmont Common to former Chief Engineer Bourke, the sale including all Ryan STM parts and spares stock.
59/70 Fuselage on its wheels stored in hangar at Cootamundra NSW where Dave Bourke was a maintenance engineer for agricultural operator Airland Improvements, Cootamundra.
6.2.66 Fuselage noted Cootamundra in Airland hangar, “VH-DJB” marked on fuselage in chalk.
10.2.67 Fuselage noted Cootamundra in Airland hangar, “VH-DJB” marked on fuselage in chalk

David J. Bourke had used this registration VH-DJB previously on two Avro Ansons he owned when based at Belmont Common in the late 1940s.  VH-DJB was not a formal reservation for the Ryan because DCA allocated this registration to a new Cessna 172E in July 1964.
9.3.69 Fuselage noted Cootamundra in Airland hangar, plate: 471
70 Fuselage and parts stored at Dave Bourke’s house at Albury NSW
15.6.72 noted at Albury Airport in hangar being assembled, no registration
20.11.73 noted at Albury Airport in hangar under restoration, plate c/n 471 built 12.40
73 Purchased during restoration by Don Kendell/ Kendell Airlines, Wagga NSW
7.11.73 DCA reserved registration VH-DBD for a Ryan for Don Kendell, Wagga NSW
30.3.74 noted at Albury, now painted as VH-DBD
22.4.74 noted at Albury in hangar, completed, VH-DBD on tail, Menasco installed, no cowlings
10.5.74 Registered VH-DBD Don M. Kendell, Wagga NSW.
Identity quoted as 471.
The chosen registration reportedly referred to Dave Bourke & Don Kendell
5.74 First flight after restoration, painted metallic
26.9.74 VH-DBD noted Wagga, airworthy, polished metal fuselage
2.75 noted Wagga
2.2.77 flew at airshow Wagga, polished metallic fuselage, reg on tail
20.2.77 noted Wagga
1.10.77 noted Wagga
11.3.79 visited airshow Albury NSW
20.8.80 noted Wagga
3.81 now painted with RAAF Pacific theatre roundels and incorrect serial "A50-11"
2.8.83 noted Wagga
8.4.84 noted Wagga, RAAF Pacific roundels “A50-11”
15.10.88 visited airshow RAAF Richmond NSW, "A50-11"
27.4.91 visited airshow Temora NSW "A50-11"
24.10.92 visited Avalon Vic airshow, polished metallic, forward cockpit cover in place, "A50-11",
10.9.94 visited fly-in Watts Bridge Qld, “A50-11”. Pilot Guy Kendell, based at Caboolture Qld
20.8.00 visited fly-in Caboolture Qld, pilot Guy Kendell
25.10.01 Change of ownership: Guy W. Kendell, Sandstone Point Qld  25.10.01/08
14.5.05 noted at Caboolture Qld
5.5.06 Crashed on takeoff, Caboolture Qld,. Engine failure on takeoff, pilot Guy Kendell. Airframe serious damage
16
Rebuild at Wagga NSW by Mark Wallace at Encore Aviation for Guy Kendell. A Walter-LOM engine has been installed to replace the Menasco
18
Mark Wallace has passed away,  leaving Ryan VH-DBD rebuild uncompleted

Currently registered to Guy Kendell

    

          Long-term restoration project at Cootamundra in February 1967.                                                                      Photo by John Hopton


     

      VH-DBD at Wagga NSW in September 1974, only months after its restoration.                                                                        Photo by John Hopton


      

        March 1981, now painted with RAAF roundels and incorrect serial A50-11.                                                                  Geoff Goodall collection




            c/n 453              STM-S2 Floats                                                                                                                                             S-17, A50-24

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-S2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-17
18.11.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on MV Hoegh Silver Dawn,
arrived Sourabaya 3.1.41  
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
8.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-24

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
4.8.42 Allotted 7SFTS ex QEA
17.8.42 Received 7SFTS Deniliquin ex QEA
4.9.42 Flown to Richmond (RAF Wing)
10.9.42 Issued Station Headquarters, Richmond
21.9.42 Serviceable at 54 Squadron, Richmond
24.9.42 Damaged when taxying, struck starting battery trolley and tipped on nose
12.12.42 Allotted 1 Fighter Sector, attached 24 Squadron
18.12.42 Issued 24 Squadron ex RAF Wing
12.1.43 Received 3BAGS ex 24 Sqn
12.12.43 Received Air Gunnery School, West Sale ex 3BAGS
29.10.44 Received AGS Stored Reserve ex AGS
14.12.44 Issued 2AD Care & Maintenance Section, Evans Head ex AGS Stored Reserve
18.12.44 During ferry flight from West Sale to Evans Head, made a forced landing in an open field near Raleigh NSW, no damage.
RAAF Accident Report: AGS: while en route Old Bar to Coffs Harbour NSW, forced landing due engine failure. Pilot Officer R. Scott-Murphy unhurt. Flown out after engine repair
12.2.45 Received 1AOS Store, Evans Head ex 2AD C&M: held for storage
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposals list No.1.  Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
7.4.45 Major damage at RAAF Evans Head when cyclone caused hangar housing 9 Ryans to collapse
16.4.45 Issued to Brown & Dureau, sales voucher signed by W/Cdr Meehan
19.4.45 Struck-off RAAF charge

Brown & Dureau moved damaged Ryans and spares from Evans Head to their maintenance hangars at Geelong Vic by rail.




           c/n 455                STM-S2 Floats                                                                                                                                           S-19, A50-25

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-S2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-19
18.11.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on MV Hoegh Silver Dawn,
arrived Sourabaya 3.1.41  
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
8.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-25

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
17.8.42 Allotted 3CF ex QEA
24.8.42 Received 3CF ex QEA
1.12.42 Issued Butler Air Transport, Mascot ex 3CF for camouflaging
14.12.42 Received 3CF ex BAT. Renamed 3CU
10.1.44 Received 1AOS ex 3CU
15.9.44 Survey report: total hours since new 438:20 hrs: serviceable for ferrying
27.11.44 Issued 2AD Care & Maintenance Section Evans Head ex 1AOS: held for storage
12.2.45 Received 1AOS Storage ex 2AD C&M
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposal list No.1. Stored at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
7.4.45 Major damage at RAAF Evans Head when cyclone caused hangar housing 9 Ryans to collapse
16.4.45 Issued to Brown & Dureau, sales voucher signed by W/Cdr Meehan
19.4.45 Struck-off RAAF charge

Brown & Dureau moved damaged Ryans and spares from Evans Head to their maintenance hangars at Geelong Vic by rail.





           c/n 490              STM-2                                                                                                           S-54, A50-26, (VH-AGX), VR-HDM, N18923

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst
Completed as a STM-2 landplane but with fittings for floats

MLD serial S-54
1.41 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Kota Gedah  
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
42 Photo: S-54 in camouflage, Dutch markings, in use with 457 Squadron while in
working-up phase with Spitfires at Bankstown NSW. Official date for 457 Sqn move from
Great Britain to Australia 16 June 1942.
42 Photo: S-54 in camouflage at Cootamundra location unconfirmed
8.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-26

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
10.8.42 Allotted 7SFTS ex QEA
17.8.42 Received 7SFTS Deniliquin ex QEA
13.9.42 Leaving 7SFTS for Richmond
21.9.42 Received 457 Squadron ex SHQ Richmond
12.2.43 Received 2BAGS ex 457 Sqn
3.3.43 Issued to Australian National Airways, Parafield for overhaul
13.8.43 Progress stopped, waiting tailwheel unit
4.9.43 Allotted 2BAGS ex ANA
14.1.44 Received 3AOS ex 2BAGS
4.2.45 Received 3AOS Stored Reserve ex 3AOS
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposal list No.1. Stored at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
23.3.45 Departed 3AOS


.46 Registration allocated VH-AGX Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
Identity quoted as 490
47 Sold to Far Eastern Flying Training School Ltd, Hong Kong
20.2.47 CofA issued at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau, painted as VR-HDM

Shipped to Hong Kong
9.47 Registered VR-HDM Far Eastern Flying Training School Ltd, Hong Kong-Kai Tak Airport
50 Kai Tak report: VR-HDL & -HDM reported flying with FEFTS. VR-HDK was reported derelict.
11.5.50 Ditched in Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong

Salvaged, used as instructional airframe by FEFTS at Kai Tak
1.4.58 noted Kai Tak, wings removed, fitted with a Kinner radial engine and propeller, all metallic, no registration
63 Photo at Kai Tak: no reg, wings removed, no rudder, appears to be Menasco engine, no cowlings, standing on its own undercarriage. Mickey Mouse motif on tail.
3.65 noted Kai Tak, wings removed, single outsized wheel on left undercarriage leg, fitted with an AS Cheetah radial engine, propeller and cowlings reportedly ex Airspeed Oxford
By 77 Remains acquired by Mark Hoskins, Tacoma WA and shipped from Hong Kong
77
Mark Hoskings owned the wreck of Ryan ST-A N18923 (c/n 322) which struck power lines on landing arpproach and crashed at Aero Plaza Airport, Olympia WA on 31.5.65

ST-A rebuilt project, using fuselage sections and parts from STM VR-HDM
23.1.90 Registered as Ryan ST-A N18923 Mark Hoskins, Tacoma WA. c/n 322

Photo NC18923: polished metallic, small tail registration. Original Menasco C4S engine has been replaced with a D4-87. Based at Aero Plaza Airport, Olympia WA.
00 Ownership reportedly Hoskins Estate, Tacoma WA
18.2.04 Change of ownership: John A. Schwamm, Anchorage AK
11.2.08 Change of ownership: Plane Fun Inc, Snellville GA:
(A trustee company to allow N18923 to remain on the US Civil Aircraft Register whie based overseas)
15
Now owned by Peter Holloway c/- Shuttleworth Trust, Old Warden, Biggleswade, England
21.11.15
Moved by road from Paderborn, Germany to Old Warden airfield, England
20.1.16
NC18923 first flight at Old Warden after assembly
16
based at Old Warden, parked in a Shuttleworth Trust aircraft collection hangar
3.12.16
noted at Shuttleworth Trust, Old Warden parked in hangar

Currently registered to Plane Fun Inc (Trustee), Snellville Georgia

                            

               RAAF Cootamundra 1942, S-54 in Dutch MLD markings.                                                                                              Frank F. Smith collection


          

    VR-HDM over the Hong Kong New Territories.                                                                                              Photo: Hong Kong Historical Aircraft Association


    

    Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong, operating with wheel spats removed due muddy surface.                                Photo: Hong Kong Historical Aircraft Association




  

   VR-HDM at Kai Tak in 1963 in a fascinating group of retired aircraft. Note the Ryan's enlarged windscreens.                                  Photo by Dave Welch


        

    Kai Tak March 1965, VR-HDM instructional airframe with Cheetah radial.                                                                                  Geoff Goodall collection     



   
    NC18923 at The Shuttleworth Trust, Old Warden airfield, England in December 2016.                                                  Photo by Terry Fletcher




          c/n 454                STM-S2 Floats                                                                                                                     S-18, A50-27, VH-AGU, VH-WEB

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-S2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-18
18.11.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on MV Hoegh Silver Dawn,
arrived Sourabaya 3.1.41    
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
8.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-27

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
17.8.42 Allocated 3CF ex QEA
24.8.42 Received 3CF ex QEA
13.11.42 Camouflage completed by Butler Air Transport, Mascot
1.12.42 Received 3CF ex BAT
21.2.43 Received 8EFTS ex 3CF
9.12.43 Issued 3BAGS ex 8EFTS
20.12.43 Received Air Gunnery School, West Sale ex 3BAGS.  
29.10.44 Received AGS Stored Reserve ex AGS
14.12.44 Issued to 2AD Care & Maintenance Section, Evans Head ex AGS Stored Reserve
12.12.44 Departed West Sale on ferry flight to Evans Head for storage, pilot F/Lt WIilliam H. N. Walsh
15.12.44 While flying between Old Bar and Coffs Harbour NSW during the ferry flight to Evans Head, due to rough running engine F/Lt Walsh made a forced landing in a ploughed field 6 miles east of Kempsey. No airframe damage. Aircraft guarded by members of Kempsey Volunteer Air Observer Corps, Volunterr Defence Corps and RAAF Air Training Corps.
17.12.44 Crashed on takeoff near Kempsey NSW.
The engine was run up by an engineering team sent from 1AOS Evans Head, and aircraft moved to an adjoining paddock. A fence was taken down to make a longer takeoff run.  Aircraft commenced a takeoff run but swung due to the rough surface, became airborne but main wheels struck a heavy wooden boundary fence. Aircraft crashed to the ground and overturned, badly damaged. F/Lt Walsh received minor injuries and concussion and taken to 1AOS hospital wher he quickly recovered.
27.12.44 Converted to Components
20.2.45 A50-27 included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission disposals tender list No.1, aircraft located at RAAF Evans Head
3.45 Sold by Commonwealth Disposals Commission to Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic

(included in the Ryan spares inventory with the sale of all RAAF Ryans)
45 Brown & Dureau moved damaged Ryans and spares from Evans Head to their maintenance hangars at Geelong Vic by rail.


26.4.46 Registered VH-AGU Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
Identity quoted as 454
27.9.46 CofA issued at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau
15.11.46 Change of ownership: Richard P. Carr/ Ingham Motors, Ingham Qld
1.12.46 Damaged during forced due engine failure, landing on a road near Ingham Qld
30.12.46 Damaged airframe arrived at Belmont Common Vic for repair by Brown & Dureau
12.5.47 CofA renewed Belmont Common after repair
27.5.48 Change of ownership: Barry E. G. Admans, “Pindaroi”, Inverell NSW
3.7.48 Crashed during forced landing, 2 miles SE of Tamworth NSW
48/56 Stored dismantled pending rebuild
6.8.51 Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft


57 Rebuilt, appears carried out by Airwork Pty Ltd, at Brisbane-Archerfield
3.57 Advertised for sale in Aircraft magazine by R. Admans: "Pindaroi", Inverell NSW:  Ryan STM offered with full CofA, new propeller, motor nil hours since complete overhaul. Can be described as factory new. Offered with full CofA. Inspection at Airwork Archerfield.
27.6.57 Registered VH-WEB William E. Brown, Rylestone NSW
18.4.58 noted Canberra, front cockpit covered over
9.5.59 Change of ownership: Josef Hrabec, Mudgee NSW  
28.8.60 Change of ownership: N. D. Tinsley, Sydney
.61 Change of ownership: Errol Innes, Sydney NSW
6.4.61 Crashed, wrecked Taree NSW. Overturned during forced landing due engine failure after takeoff Taree. Owner Errol Innes was killed and his passenger instructor Harvey Else injured.
28.7.61 Struck-off Register
3.5.76 wrecked fuselage VH-WEB noted on grass outside a hangar at Bankstown: reported owned by Dr. Tony Fisher, Sydney.
1.77 fuselage VH-WEB noted Bankstown in Rotorcraft hangar
5.78 fuselage VH-WEB noted Bankstown, under rebuild by Superior Aviation for Dr. Tony Fisher
3.9.79 fuselage VH-WEB noted at Bankstown being worked on in Aviation Welding hangar
5.11.79 fuselage VH-WEB noted at Bankstown being worked on in Rotor Work hangar, moved here from Aviation Welding’s hangar two months earlier
9.2.82 fuselage VH-WEB noted Bankstown in Rotor Work hangar
25.2.83 fuselage VH-WEB noted Bankstown in Rotor Work hangar
4.95 Purchased as restoration project by Graham Hosking, Tyabb Vic
00/01 noted Tyabb, dismantled rebuild project in back of hangar

    

    Archerfield Aerodrome, Brisbane 1948.                                                                                                                          Photo by Gus Gruelke


    

    Now VH-WEB, at Canberra ACT in April 1958, front cockpit covered.                                                                              John Hopton Collection

    

    Bankstown 1960 with tail painted white.                                                                                                              John Hopton Collection


    

    VH-WEB crashed during a forced landing near Taree NSW 6 April 1961.                                                                       Photo by Harvey Else


    

    These fuselage sections appeared outside a hangar at Bankstown in May 1976.                                                                       Photo by Mike Vincent




         c/n 484                   STM-2                                                                                                                                                             S-48, A50-28

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst.
Completed as a STM-2 landplane but with fittings for floats

MLD serial S-48
1.41 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Kota Gedah  
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
8.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-28

To Qantas Empire Airways, Sydney for assembly
17.8.42 Allotted 3CF ex QEA
24.8.42 Received 3CF ex QEA
13.11.42 Progressing satisfactorily at Butler Air Transport, Mascot: camouflage only
1.12.42 Received 3CF ex BAT
8.7.43 Received 10EFTS ex 3CF
29.11.43 Received 2AOS ex 10EFTS
10.7.44 U/S at 2AOS: used as spares
12.2.45 Received 2AOS Stored Reserve ex 2AOS pending disposal
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
20.3.45 Issued to Brown & Dureau ex 2AOS




         c/n 492                 STM-2                                                                                                             S-56, A50-29, VH-AHC, VH-STM, ZK-ABC

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst
Completed as a STM-2 landplane but with fittings for floats

MLD serial S-56
1.41 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Kota Gedah      
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
3.42 S-56 flown at RAAF Rathmines as floatplane by MLD pilots
27.8.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-29. Received ex NEI and allotted Australian National Airways, Mascot for assembly
5.2.43 Assembly at ANA stopped: awaiting parts
12.7.44 Received 2AP Bankstown ex ANA Mascot
17.7.44 Received 1AOS ex 2AP
15.9.44 Survey report: flown 141:10 hours since new, serviceable for ferrying
27.11.44 Received 2AD Care & Maintenance Section, Evans Head ex 1AOS: held for storage
12.2.45 Received 1AOS Store, Evans Head
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposals list No.1. Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
7.4.45 Minor damage at RAAF Evans Head when cyclone caused hangar housing 9 Ryans to collapse
19.4.45 Struck-off RAAF charge


26.4.46 Registered VH-AHC Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
Identity quoted as 492
29.4.46 Change of ownership: Jas Loneragan (Mudgee) Co Pty Ltd, Mudgee NSW
30.4.46 CofA issued at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau
22.2.51 Change of ownership: Arnold J. Glass/ Australian Aviation Investments, Sydney NSW
24.3.54 Change of ownership: Alex R. Mackie, Sydney NSW
15.10.57 Change of ownership: G. C. Parkinson, Sydney NSW
1.6.61 Change of ownership: Mackay Flying Club, Mackay Qld
26.9.64 noted at Mackay Qld
11.8.66 Change of ownership: Val T. Chapman, “Carnarney”, Jerilderie NSW
17.8.66 refuelled at Archerfield Airport, Brisbane during ferry flight from Mackay to Jerilderie, departed same day.
Aicraft was all metallic, registration in red outlined in white, wing tips & tail tips in yellow, rudder black & yellow horizontal stripes. The Mackay Flying Club wings insignia was still on cowlings.
2.9.66 noted Dubbo NSW, reported as superb condition
13.5.67 noted Corowa NSW
14.5.67 noted at Jerilderie, hangared on Chapman’s property “Carnarney” with Ryans VH-AHD & CXR
6.4.69 visited airshow Shepparton Vic, front cockpit covered, flown by Val Chapman
12.10.69 visited airshow Echuca Vic
2.75 VH-AHC noted in hangar at "Carnarney" Jerilderie NSW, with AHD, CXR
10.3.79 noted at “Carnarney” Jerilderie, with Ryans VH-AHD & CXR

Retired at Jerilderie NSW,  CofA expired
24.10.80 Change of ownership: Noel R. Kruse t/a Sydney Aerobatics, Sydney NSW

Kruse was RAAF aircrew at tjhe time snd reportedly had the Ryan uplifted to Sydney by RAAF Caribou
27.3.85
noted at Bankstown, bare fuselage standing on wheels.
25.11.97 Re-registered VH-STM Noel R. Kruse, Sydney NSW
8.99 noted at Bankstown, bare fuselage standing on wheels. Wings and tailplane have been rebuilt and are waiting reassembly. Menasco engine still needs inspection and overhaul. Long-term restoration by Noel Kruse.
7.2.06 Ownership amended to: Noel R. Kruse, Cambridge, New Zealand
.06 Ryan shipped to NZ where restoration continued
29.8.13 Registered ZK-ABC Noel R. Kruse, Cambridge NZ
16.9.13
First flight after rebuild at Hamilton NZ, pilot Noel Kruse. All silver, with small “A50-29” and “S-56” on rudder

Current, based Omaka flown by Noel Kruse

      

    Bankstown January 1958.                                                                                                                                    Photo by Jeff Atkinson via Nigel Daw collection


    

    Mackay Qld 1964 with Mackay Flying Club wings emblem on cowling.                                                                                Geoff Goodall collection




   

                   Bob Livimngstone was on hand when VH-AHC transitted Archerfield Qld in August 1966 on its ferry flight from Mackay to Jerilerie.


    

    Jerilderie NSW May 1967, polished metal with red registration. Front cockpit cover in place.                                                                                 Photo by Geoff Goodall



   

     Now living in New Zealand as ZK-ABC, seen at Omaka in March 2016.                                                                                      Photo by Graham Orphan



          c/n 457                STM-S2 Floats                                                                                    S-21, A50-30, VH-BBJ, VH-BXN, (VH-RUM), N8146

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-S2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-21
18.11.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on MV Hoegh Silver Dawn, arrived
Sourabaya 3.1.41
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
27.8.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-30. Received ex NEI and allotted to Australian National Airways, Mascot for assembly
25.6.43 Assembly stopped at ANA awaiting parts
30.6.44 Assembly and minor repairs progressing
23.7.44 Received 2AP Bankstown ex ANA Mascot
31.7.44 Received 1AOS ex 2AP
15.9.44 Survey report: flown 631:15 hrs since new, serviceable for ferrying
27.11.44 Received 2AD Care & Maintenance Section, Evans Head ex 1AOS: held for storage
12.2.45 Received 1AOS Store Evans Head ex 2AD C&M
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposals list No.1. Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
7.4.45 Major damage at RAAF Evans Head when cyclone caused hangar housing 9 Ryans to collapse
16.4.45 Issued to Brown & Dureau, sales voucher signed by W/Cdr Meehan
19.4.45 Struck-off RAAF charge

Brown & Dureau moved damaged Ryans and spares from Evans Head to their maintenance hangars at Geelong Vic by rail.


28.4.47 Registration VH-BBJ allocated by DCA to Brown & Dureau for Ryan previously A50-30
4.7.47 Registered VH-BBJ Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
Identity quoted as "ex A50-30"
29.7.47 B&D wrote to DCA stating that they do not wish to register this aircraft. It has not been prepared for CofA.  Remained stored at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic
31.10.47 Struck-off Register as owner's request


4.9.57 Restored to Register as VH-BXN Gordon A. Hale, Sydney NSW  
Identity quoted as "487"              
24.12.58 Change of ownership: Cecil A. Swift, “Wongavale”, Lismore NSW
c60 Photo BXN at Broadmeadow airfield, Newcastle
22.4.61 Change of ownership: John L. Swanson, Mareeba Qld
c63 Forced landing on beach, south of Mackay Qld
c63 moved by road to Mackay Qld
64 stored dismantled at Mackay Qld

Reported sold to USA
24.3.65 Struck-off Register: withdrawn from service
66/68 Under rebuild at Brisbane-Archerfield Qld
6.66 VH-BXN noted Archerfield under overhaul at Rex Aviation, reportedly owned by an
employee of Simpson Motors, Brisbane, due to fly 4.68
68 Reportedly owned by Barry G. Anderson, Brisbane Qld: rebuild project
69 Registration VH-RUM allocated, but not taken up                

Sold to Dorr Carpenter, Chicago Illinois USA

Carpenter was a Ryan enthusiast and historian, who wrote the books Ryan Sport Trainer and Ryan Guidebook
19.6.69 noted Bankstown, dismantled in a hangar, air freighted from Brisbane with an Air Express consignment notice

Shipped to USA
6.7.70
Registered N8146 Dorr Carpenter, Chicago IL

Carpenter restored the aircraft in authentic Netherland East Indies markings as MLD "S-21"
5.71 Sold by Carpenter to Robert Friedman, Highland Park IL
.71 N8146 registered as a Ryan ST-A Special c/n 457.

Owner made the change of type because FAA allowed the Ryan ST-A series in Standard Category, but STM were in the more restrictive Experimental Category for ex-military types
73 N8146 based at Lake Bluff airstrip Illinois, flying as MLD “S-21”
7.73 visited fly-in Oshkosh WI, painted as MLD “S-21”
7.86 Advertised for sale in Trade-A-Plane: Ryan ST-M S-21 completely restored, Menasco engine
90-99 Owned by James O’Donnell. Naperville IL

restored, reportedly using parts of STM c/n 463
11.6.99 Change of ownership: Gary D. Kozak, Downers Grove IL
31.7.08 N8146 visited fly-in Oshkosh WI, painted as MLD “S-21”, flown by Gary Kozak. Also 7.10
9.10 N8146 "S-21" visited Brodhead WI antique aircraft fly-in,  flown by Gary Kozak. Also 6.9.14
16
flying as "S-21"

Current

    

    VH-BXN at Broadmeadow airfield, Newcastle NSW circa 1960.                                                                                                     Photo by Darryl Connell


   
    N8146 "S-21" landing at the Brodhead, Wisconsin fly-in, September 2014.                                                               Photo by Dave Welch




         c/n 476                STM-2S Floats                                                                                                               S-40, A50-31, VH-AGZ, N288Y, N7779

1.12.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst
6.12.40 First flight

MLD serial S-40
12.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies, arrived 2.41  
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
27.8.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-31. Received ex NEI and allotted to Australian National Airways, Mascot for assembly
5.2.43 Assembly at ANA stopped waiting for parts
30.6.44 Assembly and minor repairs progressing slowly at ANA, awaiting receipt of streamline wires
11.9.44 Received 2AP Bankstown ex ANA Mascot
12.9.44 Received 1EFTS ex 2AP
23.11.44 Allotted Care & Maintenance Section, Tamworth ex 1EFTS for storage
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposals list No.1.  Located at RAAF Evans Head. Total airframe time 170 hours
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
18.4.45 Issued to Brown & Dureau ex Care & Maintenance Tamworth


22.11.45 Registered VH-AGZ Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
14.6.46 CofA issued at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau
29.6.46 Change of ownership: Leslie G. Mahon, Launceston Tas
10.7.50 Change of ownership: Ivo K. Robb, Melbourne Vic
15.2.51 Change of ownership: J. R. Skinner, Melbourne Vic
30.1.52 Change of ownership: Leslie G. Mahon, Launceston Tas
53 Based Launcestion in Tasmanian Aero Club hangar, flown regularly by Mahon
12.1.57 Change of ownership: G. A. Seymour, Melbourne Vic
3.8.57 Crashed, struck power lines, Corowa NSW.
DCA accident report: "collided with high tension power cables which the pilot failed to observe when conducting a run over a proposed landing area at a height which prevented him from being able to clearly observe obstructions on the flight path."
Newspaper report: the pilot was on a flight from Melbourne to visit friends at Deniliquin. The plane nose-dived into the ground
and broke in half.  Pilot Geoffrey A. Seymour (29) and passenger Ian Kelly (30) both of Melbourne: both taken to hospital
with minor injuries.
5.8.57 Struck-off Register

Airframe log quotes in summary of rebuild: "new tail cone from c/n 448 Dutch Navy S-12 is fitted and front cockpit reskinned."
S-12 was STM-S2 c/n 448: no record of S-12 being shipped to Australia: assumed parts were among spares to Australia from NEI 2.42.
12.12.59 noted at Moorabbin, allover silver with black fuselage reg outlined in white, dayglo orange wingtips, scarlet fin, wing and spat stripes, fin stripes and registration in white.
24.12.59 Restored to Register: G. A. Seymour, Melbourne Vic
25.12.59 Testflown after repair
8.4.61 Change of ownership: B. O. Buchanan, Seymour Vic
9.62 noted Moorabbin
29.9.62 visited airshow Mildura Vic
10.3.63 visited airshow Morwell Vic
14.11.63 noted at Moorabbin, parked at pine trees in front of CFS hangar
15.11.63 Change of ownership: Ewan R. D. Mackay, “Rosedale” Station, Jericho Qld
Total airframe time 555 hours
14.12.63 noted at Moorabbin parked at pine trees in front of CFS hangar, cowling tied in place
11.1.64 noted Moorabbin on extended overhaul at CFS hangar prior to delivery to Queensland
28.2.64 noted Moorabbin flying for first time since its overhaul
c3.64 Left undercarriage damaged during forced landing near Charleville Qld, due engine failure while on ferry flight to Jericho
5.3.64 Arrived “Rosedale” Station on delivery after repair
1.69 Sold to Dorr B. Carpenter, Lake Bluff Illinois USA.  Total airframe time 613 hours

Carpenter was a Ryan enthusiast and historian, who wrote the books Ryan Sport Trainer and Ryan Guidebook
1.69 Ferried Jericho to Bankstown by American owner Carpenter, via fuel stops at Roma, Clifton, Scone
20.1.69 Struck-off Australiabn Register as sold to USA
5.2.69 noted Bankstown in Rex Aviation hangar with wings and tailplane removed, ready for crating for shipping to USA
69 Shipped from Sydney to New York on board Australian Gem
69 Moved by road from New York shipping terminal to Lake Bluff near Chicago IL for assembly
7.69 Testflown Lake Bluff IL by Carpenter, flown by him until 10.69
7.69 Registered N288Y Dorr B. Carpenter, Lake Bluff IL
24.8.69
N288Y visited Mindelein, Illinois with VH-AGZ still on the fuselage sides.
10.69 Sold to Jeff Cannon, California
.69 Airfreighted to California by United Airlines DC-8 freighter
19.1.70 noted Van Nuys CA airworthy, wearing registrations N288Y and VH-AGZ
70 Sold to Mike Cuddy, Thousand Oaks CA
12.71 major overhaul commenced, TT 630 hrs
1.75 Purchased dismantled, partly restored by Mitch Mayborn, Dallas TX

Moved by road from Los Angeles to Dallas Texas
75 Restoration completed at Dallas late 75
.75 Registered N7779 Mitch Mayborn, Dallas TX
Registered as ST-A c/n 476
11.85 Advertised for sale in Trade-A-Plane: STM-2 c/n 476, excellent unassembled condition,
includes 4 Menasco engines, $60K: apply Mitch Maybourne.
28.2.86 Change of ownership: William R. Rose, Barrington IL
96 Under restoration, Rose reported to be considering fitting floats
28.7.03 visited fly-in Oshkosh WI, painted as MLD “S11”
22.3.06 Change of ownership: James I. Morris, Murrieta CA
31.1.14
Registration expired, cancelled from US Civil Register effective 18.9.17
9.18
Aircraft is complete and certification is being renewed.  It is for sale located southern California
17.1.19
Restored to US Register as N7779: James I. Morris, San Diego CA
1.4.19
Change of ownership Arnaldo M. Leon, Las Vegas, NV
.20
Shipped to UK
7.8.20
Arrived by road at Old Warden Aerodrome, Bedfordshire UK, polished metal finish as MLD "S11"
8.3.21
First flight at Old Warden after assembly by Shuttleworth Collection, pilot was Shutlleworth's Jean-Michel Munn.
The Ryan is still owned by Arnaldo Leon who plans to base it at Old Warden.


Current, based Old Warden


    

    Launceston 1953, with front cockpit cover panel fitted.                                                                                                                           Photo by Eddie Coates




   

                          Barrie Colledge captured this atmospheric photograph of VH-AGZ returning to Moorabbin in the early evening one day in 1960.


    

    Mildura Vic in September 1962.                                                                                                                         John Hopton Collection


  
   N7779 in 2018, looking like new.                                                                                                                           Photo by Mark Albert



         c/n 481                STM-2                                                                                                                                                       S-45, A50-32, VH-AHA

12.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-45
1.41 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Kota Gedah    
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
27.8.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-32. Received ex NEI and allotted to Australian National Airways, Mascot for assembly
5.2.43 Assembly at ANA nearing completion, engine required
28.4.43 Issued 3CF ex ANA Mascot
5.9.43 Received 2BAGS ex 3CF
20.12.43 Received 3AOS ex 2BAGS
4.2.45 Received 3AOS Stored Reserve ex 3AOS for storage
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposals list No.1.  Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
23.3.45 Departed 3AOS


13.3.46 Registered VH-AHA Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic            
14.3.46 CofA issued at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau
14.3.46 Change of ownership: Eric E. McIllree, Sydney NSW
13.3.47 CofA expired, parked in hangar at Bankstown
10.11.47 Struck-off Register
26.11.48 Restored to Register: B. W. Cowan & E. Rees, Bankstown NSW
26.11.48 CofA renewed at Bankstown
23.2.49 Change of ownership: Truscott Club for Aeronauts, Bankstown NSW
12.7.49 Change of ownership: V. James Madsen, Sydney NSW
31.7.49 Crashed at Menangle Racecourse NSW
7.50 Rear fuselage of VH-AHA used to repair VH-AGS at Albury NSW
6.8.51 Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft

    

    Bankstown 1949.                                                                                                                                                  Howard Morris collection





        c/n 461                 STM-2                                                                                                                                                                 S-25, A50-33

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-25
7.12.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Java, arrived
Sourabaya 22.1.41
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
27.8.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-33. Received ex NEI and allotted to Australian National Airways, Mascot for assembly
22.1.43 Progress stopped at ANA, awaiting parts
13.8.43 Awaiting tail wheel assembly
10.10.43 Received 2AP Bankstown ex ANA Mascot
6.11.43 Received 34 Squadron ex 2AP
19.1.44 Issued 2AOS ex 34 Sqn
12.2.45 Received 2AOS Stored Reserve ex 2AOS
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
20.3.45 Issued to Brown & Dureau ex 2AOS

Assumed dismantled for parts by Brown & Dureau at Belmont Common, Vic



 

         c/n 469                  STM-2                                                                                                                  S-33, A50-34, VH-AHD, VH-AED, VH-AHD

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-33
21.12.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on board MS Klipfontein  
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
27.8.42 Brought on RAAF charge as A50-34. Received ex NEI and allotted to Australian National Airways, Mascot for assembly
25.6.43 Assembly stopped at ANA awaiting parts
30.6.44 Assembly and minor repairs progressing
4.8.44 Final painting in progress
11.8.44 Undergoing flight trials
29.8.44 Received 2AP Bankstown ex ANA Mascot
5.9.44 Received Air Gunnery School, West Sale ex 2AP
29.10.44 Received AGS Stored Reserve ex AGS
19.12.44 Received 2AD Care & Maintenance Section Evans Head ex AGS
12.2.45 Received 1AOS Storage ex 2AD C&M
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposals list No.1.  Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission
7.4.45 Major damage at RAAF Evans Head when cyclone caused hangar housing 9 Ryans to collapse
16.4.45 Issued to Brown & Dureau, sales voucher signed by W/Cdr Meehan
19.4.45 Struck-off RAAF charge

Brown & Dureau moved damaged Ryans and spares from Evans Head to their maintenance hangars at Geelong Vic by rail.


30.10.46 Registered VH-AHD Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
30.10.46 CofA issued at Belmont Common
9.12.48 Change of ownership: Newcastle Aero Club, Broadmeadow NSW
49/51 Long canopy installed to cover both cockpits. The only known Ryan canopy modification
c50 Photo at Bankstown shows aero club line-up, AHD with long canopy & AHF, both with NAC wings emblem on tail
8.12.51 Flew Broadmeadow-Bankstown-Broadmeadow. Canopy fitted over both cockpits. Crashed on takeoff later that day
8.12.51 Crashed due engine failure on takeoff, Broadmeadow NSW. Forced landing outside BHP steel plant near the airfield, struck obstructions at the plant's main gate.
5.5.52 Struck-off Register

Rebuilt
15.5.56 Restored to Register: Minerva Productions Pty Ltd/ Australian Softwood Corp,
Sydney NSW      
6.58 noted at Bankstown in Fawcett Aviation hangar
28.6.61 Change of ownership: B. W. Date, Sydney NSW
6.5.62              noted at Bankstown in hangar, polished metal, black registration, gold eagle motif on the fuselage (Indonesian national symbol - in recognition of its origins)
1.1.63 Change of ownership: Val T. Chapman, “Canarney”, Jerilderie NSW
9.5.64 noted at “Canarney” Jerilderie, polished metal, black registration, gold eagle motif on fuselage
14.3.65 visited airshow Swan Hill Vic
31.10.65 visited airshow Wagga NSW
26.5.66 noted at “Canarney” Jerilderie, same scheme
14.5.67 noted at “Canarney” Jerilderie, same scheme
1.10.67 visited airshow Temora NSW
25.1.70 noted at “Canarney” Jerilderie, same scheme
2.75 noted in hangar at "Carnarney" Jerilderie NSW, with AHC, CXR
76 reportedly purchased by Jeffrey P. Trappett, Morwell Vic
10.3.79 noted at “Canarney” Jerilderie, same scheme
17.6.79 noted at Albury NSW
2.11.79 Change of ownership: David J. MacGibbon, Brisbane Qld
10.11.79 Departed Jerilderie on delivery flight to Brisbane, arrived Brisbane-Archerfield next day.
22.4.80 noted at Archerfield
21.12.81 Struck-off Register as Withdrawn from Service
00 Continues long-term restoration at Archerfield for MacGibbon
19.8.02 Restored to Register as VH-AED David J. MacGibbon, Brisbane Qld
Preferred original registration could not be allocated at that time, but later became available
3.10.06 Re-registered VH-AHD David J. MacGibbon, Brisbane Qld
16
Continues long-term restoration for David MacGibbon

Currently registered to David MacGibbon

    

    VH-AHD displayed on a Brown & Dureau float taking part in a Geelong parade 1947.                                                                        Kevin O’Reilly collection


       

      Bankstown c1950, VH-AHD has a one-off canopy over both cockpits.                                                                                        Ed Coates Collection


     

       Jerilderie NSW in May 1966, with Indonesian gold eagle motif on fuselage.                                                                     John Hopton Collection





         c/n 452                 STM-S2 Floats                                                      S-16, RAAF, (VH-AGY), VR-HDL, (LN-TAF), LN-TVF, N9761, PH-STM

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-S2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-16
18.11.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on MV Hoegh Silver Dawn,
arrived Sourabaya 3.1.41
1.41 Assembled by MLD at Morokrembangan, Java
1.42 Issued to MLD flying school, Maospati, Java
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
.42 Held by RAAF as spare airframe: no serial allocated
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposals list No.1.  Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission. Included all spares and Menasco engines


.46 Registration allocated VH-AGY Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
Identity quoted as c/n 452
.46 Sold to Far Eastern Flying Training School Ltd, Hong Kong
3.2.47 Australian CofA issued at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau, painted as VR-HDL

Shipped to Hong Kong
10.47 Registered VR-HDL Far Eastern Flying Training School Ltd, Hong Kong
50 Kai Tak report: VR-HDL & -HDM reported flying with FEFTS. VR-HDK was reported derelict.
20.3.52 Sold to Jan Brekke & Fritjof Nygaard, Stabekk, Norway

Norwegian Jan Brekke was an airline flight engineer based in Hong Kong and had a financial interest in FEFTS. When he was due to return to Norway he purchased VR-HDL and a spare engine from FEFTS. Brekke’s partner in the Ryan was an aircraft engineer who would to maintain the aircraft in Norway
3.4.52 Shipped ex Hong Kong to Norway on board MS Tarifa
5.4.52 Struck-off Hong Kong Register
1.7.52 Cleared Customs at Oslo, Norway
.52 Registration allocated but not taken up LN-TAF J. Brekke & F. Nygaard
4.8.54 Registered LN-TVF J. Brekke & F. Nygaard, Stabekk, Oslo, Norway
8.54 Commenced flying in Norway, flown by Fritjof Nygaard
25.5.55 Damaged by car on ground, Oslo-Fornebu Airport.
5.55 Log book shows 8 hours flown between 8.54 and 5.55 when damaged
5.55 moved to Jan Brekke's home garage, stored dismantled pending repair
3.56 Air Pictorial magazine: photo Ryan LN-TVF parked outside in snow at Oslo-Fornebu Airport. Complete, civil scheme, large tail registration
c12.58 Ryan ST-M2 fuselage noted at Oslo-Fornebu
13.7.60 Change of ownership: Jan Brekke, Stabekk, Oslo
62 Stored dismantled in Jan Brekke's home garage on the outskirts of Oslo. Found by US Air Force fight pilot Captain James Bassett based in Europe on NATO duties
.62 Sold to Captain James R. Bassett (USAF), New York NY
14.7.62 Struck-off Norwegian Register, sold to USA
.62 Crated and shipped to USA for storage with Bassett's brother in law Bill Hinckley in upstate New York. Stored in a barn on his property until Bassett finished his posting to NATO in Europe

James Bassett states that when he purchased the Ryan the manufacturers plate shows c/n 452 and had a Far Eastern Flying Training School plate riveted inside the rear cockpit.
.65 Ryan moved from farm to a FBO at Ballston-Spa Airport NY for work to commence on recovering and reassembling the aircraft and overhaul the Menasco Pirate engine. Completed in 1968.
67 Registered N9761 James R. Bassett, Vancouver, WA
12.9.68 First flight Ballston Spa NY after rebuild, pilot James Bassett. All metallic with large fuselage registration N9761.  He departed for ferry flight to Portland Oregon where he was then based with USAF, but forced to return due magneto trouble.
16.9.68 Testflown Ballston Spa by Bassett after engine maintenance
17.9.68 Bassett departed Ballston Spa on ferry flight to Oregon.  Bassett's military leave expired, so he left the Ryan at a private strip near Toledo Ohio, to spend the winter and have further maintenance on the magnetos.
4.69 Bassett returned to collect N9761 to continue the ferry flight.
4.69 Left the Ryan in a hangar at Frankfort Indiana due more magneto trouble
10.69 Bassett arranged to have Ryan crated at Frankfort and moved by road to Evergreen Airport WA
72 reported stored at Evergreen airport Washington State
27.2.81 Owner’s address changed to James R. Bassett, Toledo WA
.90 Taken out of storage by Bassett and friends and made airworthy.  Repainted all white with forward cockpit cover in place.
1.9.90 First flight at Evergreen Airport WA
00 Advertised for sale by James Bassett, Washington State
.02 Sold to Stichting Koninklijke Luchtmacht Historische Vlucht/ Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight, Gilze Rijen AB, Netherlands
27.9.02 Registration reserved PH-STM Stichting Koninklijke Luchtmacht Historische Vlucht
25.11.02 Airfreighted from Seattle WA to Amsterdam-Schiphol by Martinair MD-11, arrived in container at Gilze Rijen next day and immediately unloaded.
02 displayed as MLD “S-16”
02
Major airworthy overhaul commenced at Gilze Rijen
18.6.05 noted Gilze-Rijen at museum, dismantled “S-16”
18.6.10 noted Gilze-Rijen in hangar being re-assembled after overhaul, MLD scheme no serial
10.6.12
First test flght st Gilze-Rijen after rebuild, painted as  "S-16"

Current, flying Netherlands as  "S-16"

           

         VR-HDL at Kai Tak Airport, Hong Kong.                                                                                                            Photo via Willem Broer  


 


         c/n 474                 STM-2                                                                                                                                  S-38, (RAAF), VH-AHE, VH-RSY

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-38
.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
.42 Held by RAAF as spare airframe: no serial allocated
20.2.45 Included in Commonwealth Disposals Commission aircraft disposals list No.1.  Located at RAAF Evans Head
9.3.45 Tender submitted by Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic has been accepted by Commonwealth Disposals Commission. Included all spares and Menasco engines


28.4.47 Registration VH-AHE allocated by DCA to Brown & Dureau for c/n 474
27.8.47 Registered VH-AHE Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
Identity quoted as c/n 474, but a document from B&D states ex A50-8

CofA not issued
29.9.47 B&D wrote to DCA stating that it was not desired to register this aircraft because it has not been prepared for CofA
31.10.47 Struck-off Register
14.4.48 Restored to Register Brown & Dureau Pty Ltd, Melbourne Vic
14.4.48 CofA issued at Belmont Common airfield, Geelong Vic after civil overhaul by Brown & Dureau

Operated by Newcaslte Aero Club, Newcastle NSW.
19.5.50 CofA lapsed, stored
6.8.51 Struck-off Register in 1951 DCA Census of unairworthy aircraft
.52 Sold to Aubrey J. R. Oates, Sydney NSW
5.11.52 CofA renewed
5.11.52 Restored to Register T. A. Tulloh, “Boulkra” Station, Cobar NSW
15.11.52 Crashed during landing, “Boulkra” Station, Cobar NSW
4.11.53 CofA expired, not renewed
27.1.56 Struck-off Register


98/00 Two-year rebuild at Bankstown by AirAg Aviation Services. Owner considering fitting a Lycoming 0-320 engine, however it was completed with a standard Menasco Pirate
8.99 VH-RSY noted at Bankstown, completely rebuilt by AirAg. All silver, RAAF roundels on wings. First flight will be made when a supply of tyres is located.
17.8.99 Registered VH-RSY Richard J. Simms, Sydney NSW
14.6.00 First flight Bankstown after rebuild, pilot Richard Simms
14.6.00 Minor damage when tipped on nose landing after its first flight at Bankstown. Came to rest with tail in the air, damaging nose cowling, propeller and left wing. Repaired
2.11.02 visited airshow Port Macquarie NSW, all polished metal
11.03 Loan arrangement to be flown by Temora Aviation Museum, Temora NSW
7.7.04 Change of ownership: Temora Aviation Museum, Temora NSW

Flew in polished metal finish with RAAF roundels, no serial
26.8.19
Change of ownership: RAAF Museum, RAAF Point Cook Vic
2021
Nominal change of ownership: Commonwealth of Australia, RAAF No.100 Squadron, RAAF Station Point Cook Vic

Under a RAAF Museum reorganisation, its airworthy aircraft were transferred to a newly-formed No.100 Squadron, to be opersed in conjunction with Temora Aviation Museum at Temora NSW.

Current, based at Temora NSW

 
 VH-AHE and VH-AHF both with Newcastle Aero Club insignia on the tail.                                                    Courtesy Stan Fitzgerald

  

    Bankstown 2000, soon after a complete rebuild as VH-RSY.                                                                                       John Hopton Collection

 

 

    VH-RSY at Temora NSW in March 2011, polished metal finish.                                                                                                     Photo by Phil Vabre




          c/n 456              STM-S2 Floats                                                                                                                                                    S-20

.40 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co.
STM-2 to the order of Netherlands Navy/Marine Luchtvaart Dienst

MLD serial S-20
18.11.40 Shipped to Netherlands East Indies ex Los Angeles on MV Hoegh Silver Dawn, arrived
Sourabaya 3.1.41
2.42 All available MLD Ryans were prepared for shipment to Australia ahead of the Japanese advance through NEI.
17.2.42 Shipped to Australia from Sourabaya NEI on board MS Tjinegara
21.4.42 written off as floatplane due accident "on a special test flight"


  *            *             *            *          *          *          *          *                 *            *               *          *       



RAAF units which operated Ryans 1942-1945:

24 Sqn Squadron Amberley
34 Sqn Squadron Parafield SA
54 Sqn Squadron Richmond, to Darwin 1.43
452 Sqn Squadron Richmond, to Bankstown 11.42, to Strauss 1.43
457 Sqn Squadron Richmond, to Camden 11.42, to Livingstone 2.43
2AAU Air Ambulance Unit Canberra,
to Kingaroy Qld 2.43,
to Archerfield Qld 9.44, detachments at Port Moresby, Corunna Downs WA
2AD Aircraft Depot Richmond. 2AD Care & Maintenance Evans Head
3AD Aircraft Depot Amberley
AGS Air Gunnery School West Sale
1AOS Air Observers School Cootamundra, to Evans Head 12.43
2AOS Air Observers School Mount Gambier, storage Evans Head
3AOS Air Observers School Port Pirie, storage Evans Head
2AP Aircraft Park Bankstown
1BAGS Bombing and Gunnery School Evans Head
2BAGS Bombing and Gunnery School Port Pirie
3BAGS Bombing and Gunnery School West Sale
1CF Communications Flight Laverton
2CF Communications Flight Mascot. Renamed 2CU
3CF Communications Flight Mascot. Renamed 3 CU
2CU Communications Unit Mascot, to Wagga
3CU Communications Unit Mascot
1CRD Central Recovery Depot Werribee
3CRD Central Recovery Depot Amberley
5CRD Central Recovery Depot Mallala
1EFTS Elementary Flying Training School Parafield, to Tamworth 5.44
5EFTS Elementary Flying Training School Narromine
7EFTS Elementary Flying Training School Western Junction
8EFTS Elementary Flying Training School Narrandera
10EFTS Elementary Flying Training School Temora
11EFTS Elementary Flying Training School Benalla
GRS General Reconnaissance School Laverton, to Bairnsdale 4.43
7RSU Repair and Salvage Unit Richmond, to Pell 1.43, to Darwin 2.44
5SFTS Service Flying Training School Uranquinty
7SFTS Service Flying Training School Deniliquin


 

And a 2013 Ryan STM import:



         c/n 302                 ST-A Special,  "STM-1"                                                                                       FA Guatemalteca, N11D, N302D, VH-RYS

.38 Built at San Diego, California by Ryan Aeronautical Co as ST-A Special, to the order of Cuerpo de Aeronautica, Guatemala.

Guatemela Government order for 12 ST-A production aircraft modified for military use.
Six were completed as single-seaters  which were to be operated as fighters with .303 Lewis machine guns mounted in a blister on the upper surface of each wing.

Fuerza Aerea Guatemalteca (then under original name Cuerpo de Aeronautica) took delivery of two batches of six Ryan ST-A Specials in July 1938 and January 1939. FAG serials 21 to 32.
First six shipped ex Los Angles on 15 June 1938 on board French Line freighter MV Wyoming, accompanied by Ryan’s chief pilot Paul Wilcox who supervised their assembly and acceptance test flights.

US export documentation quoted the type as Ryan STM. However the manufacturer’s data plates on several FAG Ryans later returned to US were inscribed “Ryan STA Special”.

Guatemalan air force serial not known

Retired by FA Guatemalteca
.58
Guatemalan Ryan survivors were acquired by Dick Spencer, St Petersburg Florida:
Included c/ns 192, 193, 195, 197, 302, 303 and 304.
They were airfreighted from Guatemala as C-46 freighter back-loading. This group of former Guatemalan air force Ryans back in United States with private owners were often referred to as "Ryan STM" or "Ryan STM-1",  but these were not Ryan designations.
63-69
Registered as Ryan STA Special N11D William J. Dodd, Prairie View IL
70-77
Re-registered N302D William J. Dodd, Prairie View IL
by 13
Owned by James Rollason, Vacaville CA
Flown by Rollason with silver fuselage and red wings.

Jimmy Rollason was a widely-known aviation enthusiast who flew multi-engined veteran aircraft, including ferrying and test flying
Beech 18s and Lockheed twins for their owners

.13
Sold to Jeffrey Trappett, Morwell, Victoria, Australia

Jeff Trappett was a career RAAF pilot who later flew for Qantas.  He owned several other Ryans shown above, in addition to a CAC Mustang, CAC Sabre, CAC Winjeel, Stearman and DC-3 VH-AGU painted as a USAF Vietnam era gunship, based at Latrobe Valley Airport near Morwell Victoria.

Shipped from California to Australia
26.6.15
Added to Australian Register as type Ryan STM VH-RYS: Jeffrey P. Trappett, Latrobe Valley Airport Victoria
4.16
Fuselage restoration completed, with engine installed at Latrobe Valley.
24.11.17
First test flight at Latrobe Valley, pilot Jeff Trappett

Current


          

            Jeff Trappett's ex Guatemalan Ryan STM-1 under assembly at Latrobe Valley in April 2016 with his Mustang VH-AGJ parked behind.
                                                                                                                      Photo by Dave Prossor


          

          VH-RYS assembled at Latrobe Valley.                                                                                                Photo by Brian Turner


   •                          •                                         •                                      •                              •                            •                            •                              •

References:

- Australian Civil Aircraft Register: Department of Civil Aviation and its successors

- DCA aircraft files - National Archives of Australia, Melbourne

- DCA Annual Accident Summary, 1955 to 1970

- RAAF Status Cards and accident reports, RAAF Historical, Dept of Air Canberra

- National Library of Australia - Trove newspaper archive website

- numerous updates from David Prossor's extensive records on Australian vintage and warbird aircraft

- Aircraft in Australia series, Ryan ST-, compiled by John Hopton, early draft 1999

- US Civil Aircraft Register, FAA, printed editions 1963-1972

- US Civil Aircraft News, Midland Counties Publications, Issue 12 1979.

- Australian Air Log, monthly newsletter, 1965-1968

- Ryan ST-A & ST-M2, The Aeroplane in Australia series, John Hopton: preliminary draft

- Ryan, David L. Prossor, Rag and Tube magazine of Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia, May 1978

- Hans de Vries, flying recollections, Aerogram, Journal of the Friends of the RAAF Museum, March 2010 

- Eye-Catching Ryan, Gilles Auliard, Flight Journal, August 2008: report on N8146

- Flight Path magazine, Melbourne: various issues with updates on Ryans

- Classic Wings Downunder magazine, renamed Classic Wings: many continuing references to Ryan restorations

- Classic Wings magazine, Issue 100, June 2016: Downunder Ryan Renaissance

- Rag & Tube, journal of Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia, Ryan references 1977 onwards

- Remember Them - Tragic RAAF Accidents in Gippsland during WWII, Tony Clark, Beaufort Publications, 2018

- The Ryan ST series, Rod Simpsonm, Air Britain Aviation World, Winter 2023 plus feed-back information from Dan Hagerdorn

- correspondence with Robin Nutall, Edenhope Vic owner of Ryan VH-AGW

- correspondence with Matt Denning, Brisbane re Dutch Ryans off-loaded at Brisbane

 
 

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