The Bell Kiowa
has been operated by the ADF in the Army, Navy and with
the Aircraft Research and Development Unit.
Bell OH-58A
70-15236 to 70-15243
Australia's first
military Bell OH-58A Kiowas were leased from the U.S.
Army from 07/71 to 02/72 for use by No 161 Flight in
Vietnam and retained their US Army serials, 70-15236 to
70-15243.
The Kiowa was
subsequently selected over the French SA.341 Gazelle in
1971 as the Australian Army's standard light observation
helicopter (LOH). The model chosen was the 206B-1
version, a military variant of the 206A Jet Ranger with
an uprated engine and lengthened rotor blades and
incorporated higher skids for operating in unprepared
areas. 75 were originally ordered as part of a plan for
the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) to build a
total of 191 Kiowas for the military and civil markets.
Originally the program had been for 200 aircraft, but
the military requirement had been reduced by nine to 75
in total and by 1974 only 56 airframes.
Bell 206B
A17-001 to A17-012 (including N17-006)
The first 12 206s
were built by Bell at Fort Worth, Texas, USA and wore
serials A17-001 to A17-012. The first, A17-001, was
officially handed over to the Army at Brisbane Airport
on 22/11/71. In 05/72, No 171 Air Cavalry Flight became
the first unit equipped with the Kiowas and deployed to
Holsworthy, NSW.
CAC CA-32
A17-013 to A17-056 (including N13-013,N13-025 &
N17-049)
A17-013 to
A17-056, were built by CAC as the CA-32. The first was
rolled out in 04/73, and was delivered to the RAN as
N17-013.
The last Army Kiowa was received from CAC
in 1977 as A17-056.
The Kiowa was formally retired from ADF service on
18/10/2018.
A number were retained for Army and Navy museums as well
as the Australian War Memorial.
A further batch of 14 was disposed of to Australian
Historical Organisations
The remaining 22 were sold by Gray's On-Line Auction
ending 4/03/2019. The prices listed below attracted a 9%
Buyers Premium and then 10% GST was added
Army
OH-58A Kiowas - US Army Serials
Eight 0H-58A
Kiowas were leased from USA for for service with 161
Recce Flight at Nui Dat in Vietnam. These aircraft
retained their US Serial Numbers and only served for 9
months with Australian Forces. On 28 July, just four
days after receiving the first aircraft, the inaugural
operational sortie by an ‘Australian’ OH-58A was flown
by Mick Reynolds in direct support of 4 RAR. The last
operational flight in Vietnam for 161 (Indep) Recce Flt
was flown by Tub Matheson on 29 February 1972 in
70-15237. On 02 March 1972 the last four ‘Australian’
OH-58A’s (236, 237, 239 & 242) were flown to Saigon
and handed back to the 166th Air Movements Section of
the US Army.
U.S.Serial
C/N
Aircraft History
70-15236
40787
Leased
from USA for service with 161 Recce Flight at
Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to February 1972.
02 March 1972 One of the last four ‘Australian’
OH-58A’s (236, 237, 239 & 242) flown to
Saigon and handed back to the 166th Air
Movements Section of the US Army.
No Further details
70-15237
40788
Leased from USA for service with
161 Recce Flight at Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to
February 1972.
Flew the last operational flight in Vietnam for
161 (Indep) Recce Flt was flown by Tub Matheson
on 29 February 1972.
02 March 1972 One of
the last four ‘Australian’ OH-58A’s (236, 237,
239 & 242) flown to Saigon and handed back
to the 166th Air Movements Section of the US
Army.
No Further details
70-15238
40789
Leased
from USA for service with 161 Recce Flight at
Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to February 1972.
Returned to US Army February 1972,
Written off in US Army service Mar 29,
1988
No Further details
70-15239
40790
Leased
from USA for service with 161 Recce Flight at
Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to February 1972.
02 March 1972 One of
the last four ‘Australian’ OH-58A’s (236, 237,
239 & 242) flown to Saigon and handed back
to the 166th Air Movements Section of the US
Army.
No Further details
70-15240
later
89-00109
40791
Leased
from USA for service with 161 Recce Flight at
Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to February 1972.
Returned to US Army February 1972,
Later Modified to OH-58D with US Army and
re-serialled 89-00109,
Crashed Mar 16, 1992 in US Army service.
No Further details
70-15241
40792
Leased
from USA for service with 161 Recce Flight at
Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to February 1972.
On 15 November, Lt Grant Steel (RNZIR), while
conducting a visual reconnaissance in 70-15241,
North of Long Son Island, located an occupied
enemy camp and he was engaged by at least three
enemy automatic weapons. Although his aircraft
was extensively damaged he was able land the
aircraft in a safe area, thus saving his
passenger and himself from injury. The aircraft
had been hit by at least 12 rounds of small arms
fire.
It was recovered back to Vung Tau where because
of the extensive damage it was returned to the
US Army for subsequent repair or disposal.
Later Modified to OH-58C with US Army.
No Further details
70-15242
40793
Leased
from USA for service with 161 Recce Flight at
Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to February 1972.
02 March 1972 One of
the last four ‘Australian’ OH-58A’s (236, 237,
239 & 242) flown to Saigon and handed back
to the 166th Air Movements Section of the US
Army.
To US civil register as N807CP May 1996.
18/05/1999, 14/05/2002, 17/05/2005,
20/05/2008-30/09/2011 Registered N807CP to
Baltimore County Police Department, Towson,
MD, USA,
Current?
70-15243
40794
Leased
from USA for service with 161 Recce Flight at
Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to February 1972.
Returned to US Army February 1972,
20/08/1996 N243KP Registration assigned,
8/05/1999, 14/05/2002 - 17/05/2002 Registered
N243KP to Baltimore County Police Department,
Towson, MD, USA,
22/11/2002, 15/11/2005, 18/11/2008 Registered
N243KP to King County Sheriffs Office,
Seattle, WA, USA,
01/02/2013 registered to Northwest Helicopters
LLC, Olympia, WA, USA.
Current
Army
Kiowas - A17 Serials
The Kiowa was
briefly named the "Kalkadoon" in Army service after the
tribe of Aborigines from the Cloncurry/Mount Isa region
of Queensland but the name did not stick.
In Army service,
the Kiowa has served with No 171 (Command and Liaison)
Squadron at Oakey, Queensland, until replaced by ex-RAAF
UH-1H Iroquois in 1989. Currently, both Nos 161 and 162
(Reconnaissance) Squadrons at Holsworthy, NSW, and
Townsville, Queensland, fly the Kiowa, and the School of
Army Aviation at Oakey is responsible for Kiowa
training.
ADF.Serial
Bell C/N
CAC C/N
Aircraft History
A17-001
44501
N/A
Delivered 22/11/71 and
handed over to the Army
at Brisbane Airport,
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05. Noted on display at Museum of
Army Aviation 02/2017
A17-002
44502
N/A
Delivered 11/71.
Written off in Category 5 accident on 23/03/00.
The helicopter struck wires near Townsville. The
two occupants walked away with minor injuries.
A17-003
44503
N/A
Delivered 11/71.
Avalon Airshow 2001.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 13,013.8
Hours to overhaul 54.6
Not fitted with an engine
High bid $29,009
Sold to B.A of O'Connell NSW
A17-004
44504
N/A
Delivered 19/11/71.
Richmond Airshow 1988.
Loaned to RAN, one source says RAN code 891
another says code 895 (Tjalling Boelman), then
returned to Army.
Was at ARDU.
In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05.
Flying Display Avalon 2007.
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 10,275
Hours to overhaul 1,488
Engine hours 11,214.9
High bid $111,009
Sold to E.Q of Victoriaville Canada
A17-005
44505
N/A
Delivered 1971.
Loaned to RAN,
Returned to Army
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05. Sold to Australian Aviation
Heritage Centre Caboolture 08/2017
08/2019 mounted on a pole at Bribie Island
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park opposite the
Bribie RSL.
A17-006
44506
N/A
Delivered 1971.
1988 Transferred to RAN as N17-006.
Returned to Army '2000.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05. Sold to ANAM Moorabbin 2017
A17-007
44507
N/A
Delivered 1971.
Used for Kiowa Camo Trials by 171 command and
liaison Sqn 1979-80.
Painted in the Dualtex pattern with matt finish.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05 Sold
to Australian Aviation Heritage Centre
Caboolture 08/2017 (noted fitted with LH door
marked 55)
Acquired by National Vietnam Veterans Museum,
Newhaven Vic. arriving on 15/02/2018 (now
fitted with door marked 07)
Incomplete helicopter on static display at
2019 Avalon Air Sow painted dark green as per
A17-009 in our header photograph
A17-008
44508
N/A
Delivered 1971.
Was in service with Australian Army.
This aircraft crashed at Greenbank Rifle Range
early 1991 and was written off.
The Squadrons of 1st Aviation Regiment were on
their annual camp at Greenbank when the aircraft
arrived.
The aircraft crashed during landing in what is
termed 'Dynamic Rollover'.
A17-009
44509
N/A
Delivered 1972.
Crashed at Holsworthy Airfield after wingover on
09/07/74. (Pilot – Gary Ticehurst).
Written off 9/9/75.
A17-010
44510
N/A
Delivered 25/01/72.
Was in service with 161 Recce Sqn 1986.
At Holsworthy in 1986 for the 21st Anniversary of
the formation and deployment of 161 Recce Flt to
Vietnam (See Photo).
In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05.
Sold to South Australian Aviation Museum 2017.
A17-011
44511
N/A
Delivered 1972.
Richmond Airshow 1988.
In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 10.301
Hours to overhaul 725.2
Engine hours 7,957.7
High bid $160,109
Sold to J.P of Launceston TAS
24/04/2019 registered VH-VJP to Pentridge Pty Ltd
Kings Meadows, Tasmania
A17-012
44512
N/A
Delivered 27/01/72.
Richmond Airshow 1988.
In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05. Sold to Queensland Air Museum
2017
A17-013
44513
CA32-13
The first Australian built Kiowa was
delivered 20/03/73.
Richmond Airshow 1988.
To RAN as N17-013. 17/04/74
Returned to Army '2000.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05.
Acquired by RAN Historic
Flight, 11/2013
Was to be restored to airworthiness,
Registration allocated VH-NVO
Project halted when RANHF disbanded
A17-014
44514
CA32-14
First Flight 27/04/73.
Delivered 1973.
In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05.
Flying Display Avalon 2007. Sold to Merriden Military
Museum 08/2017
A17-015
44515
CA32-15
First Flight 18/05/73.
Delivered 11/06/73.
Avalon Airshow 2001.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 11,449.7
Hours to overhaul 2,257.7
Engine hours 25,826
High bid $210,409
Sold to RT of Broome WA
1/04/2019 registered to West Coast Seaplanes Pty
Ltd of Broome WA
A17-016
44516
CA32-16
First Flight 02/06/73.
Delivered 1973.
Avalon 2005.
Was in service with Australian Army.
In long term storage 01/12/05 at Oakey
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 12,209.7
Hours to overhaul 1,193.8
Engine hours 9,307.5
High bid $210,009
Sold to E.J of Hillston NSW
Sighted at Wagga 17/04/2019
09/07/2019 Registered VH-EJZ to Edward Jones of
Hillston NSW
A17-017
44517
CA32-17
First Flight 09/06/73.
Delivered 14/06/73.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05.
In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 11,752.4
Hours to overhaul 74.7
Not fitted with an engine
High bid $28,509
Sold to J.S of Currumbin Waters QLD
A17-018
44518
CA32-18
First Flight 21/09/73.
Delivered 1973.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05.
In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 12,077.1
Hours to overhaul 2,512.0
Engine hours 9,001.2
High bid $95,209
Sold to B.B of Kelvin Grove QLD
A17-019
44519
CA32-19
First Flight 12/10/72.
Delivered 1973.
Crashed 12/10/87, Lakeland Downs after a wire
strike.
A17-020
44520
CA32-20
Delivered 1973.
Used for Kiowa Camo Trials by 171 command and
liaison Sqn 1979-80.
Painted in dark olive drab flat paint scheme.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05. Was on loan to the
MAAF at Oakey and is on display, though
officially remains on Army
Charge. Sold to Evans Head Memorial
Aviation Heritage Museum 08/2017
A17-021
44521
CA32-21
Delivered 1974.
Crashed 1995, after loss of LTE during landing at
Gibb River, WA.
A17-022
44522
CA32-22
Delivered 1974.
Crashed 26/06/74 Oakey QLD whilst practicing
minimum radius turns. (Pilot – Smith).
Combined with parts from A17-030 and used for
ground instruction.
Current status unknown but may of been scrapped
some years ago
A17-023
44523
CA32-23
Delivered 20/05/74.
Served with 162 Sqn.
Crashed at Clermont QLD 06/06/02, Cat 5 Damage.
A17-024
44524
CA32-24
Delivered 31/05/74.
On Display Harvey Bay Airshow '2000.
In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05
06/2013 acquired by the AFP (Australian Federal
Police) Canberra for use as a ground training aid.
A
tail boom off A17-024 was found on a property
in Murwillumbah during 01/2018
A17-025
44525
CA32-25
Delivered 1974.
To the Navy as N17-025.
Crashed, see N17-025.
A17-026
44526
CA32-26
Delivered 24/07/74.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 12,049.7
Hours to overhaul 821.8
Engine hours 9,971.5
High bid $250,209
Sold to A.F of Smithfield QLD
26/03/2019 registered VH-NKH to Nautilus Aviation
Pty Ltd of North Cairns QLD
A17-027
44527
CA32-27
First Flight 18/09/74.
Delivered 1974.
Flown with 161 Recce Sqn and 171 Operational
Support Sqn.
This aircraft was the first Kiowa to fly its
10,000th hour on 06/04/03, while on operations in
Timor Leste with 162 Recce Sqn as a part of
UNMISET.
It was piloted by Maj Brendan Dwyer OC of 162
Recce Sqn and Capt Brian Cunneen, who flew the
first mission in East Timor in 1999.
This aircraft has served several times in Timor
and was to be the last Kiowa out of Timor at the
end of June 2003.
In long term storage 01/12/05 at Oakey.
Due to be displayed at Australian Army Flying
Museum in 2019
A17-028
44528
CA32-28
Delivered 01/02/75.
In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/2005
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 12,336.8
Hours to overhaul 1,700.4
Engine hours 7,575.1
High bid $225,609
Sold to C.M of Malvern VIC
9/04/2019 registered VH-LTL to Combo International
of Malvern, Vic.
A17-029
44529
CA32-29
Delivered 1975.
In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/2005.
In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 12,774.4
Hours to overhaul 1,612.7
Engine hours 9,169.2
High bid $107,109
Sold to Ian Smart of Kellyville NSW
Registered VH-IKH to Ian Smart on 16/04/2019
A17-030
44530
CA32-30
Delivered 1975.
Crashed 16/06/76 after Wire-strike at High Range,
QLD. (Pilot – Andy Hastie).
Combined with parts from A17-022 and used for
ground instruction.
Current status unknown
but may of been scrapped some years ago
A17-031
44531
CA32-31
Delivered 1975.
Was in long term storage 01/12/05 at Oakey.
Was on display at the Army Aviation Museum at
Oakey QLD.
In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 10,157.0
Hours to overhaul 1,817.7
Engine hours 8,133.3
High bid $109,709
Sold to J.P of Launceston TAS
24/04/2019 registered
VH-JJP to Pentridge Pty Ltd Kings Meadows,
Tasmania
A17-032
44532
CA32-32
Delivered 1975 1998 Loaned to RAN. Retained Army camouflage but
fitted with Navy titles and low skids
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05.
In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 11,304.7
Hours to overhaul 1,312.5
Engine hours 7,276.5
High bid $97,409
Sold to S.O of Horsley Park NSW
Sale didn't proceed and
was relisted 4/04/2019 for auction at Bandiana.
NSW
High bid the second auction was $126,109
Sold to N.P of Mount Eliza, VIC
2/05/2019 Registered VH-XKY to Code Black Pty
Ltd of Mt. Eliza, Victoria
A17-033
44533
CA32-33
Delivered 1975.
In long term storage 01/12/05 at Oakey. Sold
to Australian Aviation Heritage Centre
Caboolture 08/2017
A17-034
44534
CA32-34
Delivered 11/0
6/75.
1988 Loaned to RAN. Retained Army camouflage and
serial but carried Navy titles. Fitted with blue
Navy low profile skids
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05. Sold
to Australian Aviation Heritage Centre
Caboolture 08/2017
A17-035
44535
CA32-35
Delivered 1975.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05. Sold
to Australian Aviation Heritage Centre
Caboolture 08/2017
A17-036
44536
CA32-36
Delivered 18/07/75. In
service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05.
In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 10,711.8
Hours to overhaul 1,850.7
Engine hours 9,216.1
High bid $100,709
Sold to S.O of Horsley Park, NSW
Sale didn't proceed and was relisted 4/04/2019 for
auction at Bandiana. NSW
High bid the second auction was $116,909
Sold to M.J Hillarys WA
A17-037
44537
CA32-37
Delivered 1975.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05.
In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 12,343.7
Hours to overhaul 12,343.7
Not fitted with an engine
High bid $27,209
Sold to M.G of Victoria Park WA
A17-038
44538
CA32-38
Delivered 17/12/75.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 12,283.1
Hours to overhaul 2.078.6
Engine hours 6,830.9
High bid $95,309
Sold to D.D of Pascoe Vale VIC
01/08/2019 Registered
VH- JQN to John Weymouth of Dora Creek NSW
A17-039
44539
CA32-39
Delivered 19/12/75.
In long term storage 01/12/05 at Oakey.
In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 11,693.6
Hours to overhaul 2,441.4
Engine hours 7713
High bid $85,309
Sold to R.H of Waroona WA
28/05/2019 registered VH-HRF to Charles Hull Pty
Ltd of Waroona WA
A17-040
44540
CA32-40
Delivered 1976.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05.
In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 12,875.0
Hours to overhaul 2,654.7
Engine hours 8,678.2
High bid $96,509
Sold to D.D of Pascoe Vale VIC
31/07/2019 Registered VH- PWU to John Weymouth of
Dora Creek NSW
A17-041
44541
CA32-41
Delivered 1976.
Crashed 19/08/80 Holsworthy NSW.
A17-042
44542
CA32-42
Delivered 1976.
Used for Kiowa Camo Trials by 171 command and
liaison Sqn 1979-80.
Painted in Iroquois scheme of black/light
green/tan, which was the winning scheme.
Crashed 24/02/80 near Bourke NSW. ‘Lost
Directional Control’.
A17-043
44543
CA32-43
Delivered 1976.
Richmond Airshow 1988.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05.
Current training aid with RAEME Aircraft
Maintenance School - Oakey.
A17-044
44544
CA32-44
Delivered 1976.
Written off in accident early 90's, now training
aid with RAEME Aircraft Maintenance School -
Oakey.
In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours ?
Hours to overhaul ?
Engine hours ?
High bid $38,209
Sold to J.M of Cooroy QLD
A17-045
44545
CA32-45
Delivered 18/10/76.
In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05. Sold to ANAM
Moorabbin 2017
A17-046
44546
CA32-46
Delivered 19/11/76.
Used for Kiowa Camo Trials by 171 command and
liaison Sqn 1979-80.
Oakey Airshow 1986.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05.
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 9794.2
Hours to overhaul 2,717.8
Engine hours 8,622.6
High bid $300,009
Sold to A.F of Smithfield QLD
26/03/2019 registered VH-ZDI to Nautilus Aviation
Pty Ltd of North Cairns QLD
A17-047
44547
CA32-47
Delivered 22/12/76.
Used for Kiowa Camo Trials by 171 command and
liaison Sqn 1979-80.
Painted in light green with matt finish.
Damaged 04/02/80 Weipa.
In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05.
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 9695.7
Hours to overhaul 1,032.9
Engine hours 9,594
High bid $189,109
Sold to Judy Pay of Tyabb VIC
26/03/2019 registered VH-XKH to Mount Gallipoli
Pty Ltd of Tyabb VIC
08/06/2019 noted being flown by Judy Pay at Tyabb
A17-048
44548
CA32-48
Delivered 1976.
Crashed 23/09/81, Weipa QLD.
Parts were locked up in the 162 Recce Sqn
transport yard in 1981.
A17-049
44549
CA-32-49
Delivered 08/03/77.
To RAN as N17-049.
Returned to Army '2000.
Had a heavy landing 08/2003 but was considered
repairable.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05.
In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 10,254.2
Hours to overhaul 1,511.9
Engine hours 7,357.2
High bid $78,309
Sold to D.D of St Andrews Beach VIC
A17-050
44550
Ca32-50
Delivered 23/09/75.
Was on Loan to Museum of Army Aviation, Oakey QLD.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05. Sold to HARS Albion Park NSW
08/2017
A17-051
44551
CA32-51
Delivered 09/10/75.
In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey
01/12/05.
In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale
One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line
Auction that ended on 4/03/2019
Airframe hours 10,221.0
Hours to overhaul 1,381.7
Engine hours 7,521.5
High bid $80,809
Sold to E>Q of Victoriaville Canada
A17-052
44552
CA32-52
In service with 161
Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05. Noted retired by September 2013 Sold to HARS Albion Park NSW
08/2017
A17-053
44553
CA32-53
Crashed 28/10/85, near
Oakey QLD.
Impacted ground during a turn.
A17-054
44554
CA32-54
Delivered 02/09/75.
Served in East Timor with the UN 2003.
In long term storage 01/12/05 at Oakey
04/2019 transferred to the Australian War Memorial
for an East Timor display..
A17-055
44555
CA32-55
Delivered 29/03/76.
Avalon Airshow 2003.
In service with 161 Recce Sqn 2003.
In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05.
Static Display Avalon 2007. Sold to
ANAM Moorabbin 2017
A17-056
44556
CA32-56
Delivered 08/03/77.
Loaned to RAN, code 899.
Returned to Army.
01/09/87 Crashed in Tasmania, due to dynamic
roll-over whilst attempting to land. The remains have been used in a
composite rebuild at RAAHC Amberley to be used
as an interactive display.
Navy
Kiowas - N17 Serials
From 1974 to
2000, the RAN has operated six of the ADF Kiowa fleet
(initially to replace the Westland Scout) but only ever
at a maximum strength of three airframes at any given
time. The RAN received N17-013, N17-025 and N17-049
direct from the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
After the loss of N17-025 in 1977, A17-005 was borrowed
from the Army. After its return, the RAN briefly flew
A17-056 and in 1988, acquired A17-006.
Some sources quote A17-004 as having been loaned to the
RAN but we are unable to confirm.
A17-032 was loaned in 1998
RAN.Serial
Bell C/N
CAC C/N
RAN Code
Aircraft History
N/A
44504
N/A
891?
895?
See A17-004 above
N17-005
44505
N/A
891
895?
See A17-005 above
N17-006
44506
N/A
896
Delivered 05/10/88.
Was in service 723 Sqn RAN code 896.
Ditched 14/04/86 into Admiralty Gulf WA at 1:50pm
1/2 a mile from the ship after an engine failure
while attached to HMAS Moresby and recovered.
Returned to Army '2000.
N17-013
44513
CA32-13
892
The first Australian
built Kiowa
Transferred to
RAN 17/06/74
Avalon Airshow 1999.
Was in service 723 Sqn RAN code 892.
Returned to Army '2000.
Acquired
by RAN Historic Flight, 11/2013
Was to be restored to airworthiness,
Registration allocated VH-NVO
Project halted when RANHF disbanded.
N17-025
44525
CA32-25
891
Delivered 06/74. Coded
891.
Crashed 30/07/77 Sunday Island off the West
Australia coast whilst
operating with HC723 Sqn, RAN.
The helicopter was recovering a hydrographer from
a cliff face when the hydrographer jumped aboard
the helo he unbalanced it and it fell 50m down the
cliff face. It was embarked on HMAS Moresby
carrying out cartographic work on the West Coast
when the accident happened.
The crew of Leut(P) Jackson and LSACM Mason
survived unhurt.
A17-032
44532
CA32-32
1998 Loaned to RAN.
Retained Army camouflage and serial.
Fitted with
Navy titles and low profile skids.
A17-034
44534
CA32-34
1988 Loaned to RAN. Retained Army
camouflage and
serial.
Fitted with Navy titles and low profile skids.
N17-049
44549
CA32-49
890
Delivered 09/03/77.
In service 723 Sqn RAN, code 890.
Returned to Army '2000.
A17-056
44556
CA32-56
899
See A17-056 above
The
Authors of this page is Darren Crick, Brendan Cowan and Martin Edwards.
Source: Australian Aviation Magazine.
Book: Target Charlie, 161 Recce Flight Website,
Book: Royal Australian Navy - Pictorial Review, The
Army Newspaper, Australia's Museum of Flight/ Fleet
Arm Air Museum, Nowra, www.joebaugher.com
, https://www.graysonline.com
Emails: Jim Bartok, Dean Norman, Alan
Macdonald, Glenn Beare, Peter Hancock, Graeme
Edwards, Martin Kaye, Len Avery, Bob Coppinger,
Graham Mison, Bob Geale, Martin Edwards, Brendan
Cowan, Josh Masterson, Dave
Soderstrom, Ian McDonnell, John Parker, Richard
Siudak, Greg Hyde
Updated
20th August 2019
It is our
policy to only show historical events, no current
operational information will be displayed on this
website.
"The ADF-Serials team give permission to use the
content of this page, excluding images, providing that
it contains an acknowledgement to the adf-serials team
and any other listed sources."