by Steve Mackenzie

VH-HPX at Essendon 18-2-99

In addition to the large number of King Air airframes operated by the Army, RAAF and ARDU in the period 2005 to date under the A32 serial designation, there were a batch of others initially operated by the Army with civil registrations (VH-HPJ, VH-HPP, VH-HPX, and VH-HPZ) during the period 1998-2004 (they were separate to another batch initially operated by the School of Air Navigation RAAF East Sale under civil regos). Later the Army examples were disposed of (replaced by newer airframes) but several of the airframes at SAN were given A32 serials, being joined by a batch of newer acquired airframes (see ADF Serials at http://www.adf-serials.com.au/3a32.htm for more details).

VH-HPX was with Army's 173 Sqn until disposed of in 2004. It was operated in a Light Grey scheme with the Army badge on the tail and Black markings. We had a comprehensive walkaround in issue 36/2 of VH-HPP in identical markings (apart from obviously the rego) by Owen Lambert. For those interested Hawkeye Decals did a set (AA-03 still available at A$11.50 from them) which covered VH-HPX and VH-HPZ as per below.

Use the index button to return to the main issue 37/2 index.