ADF-SERIALS
Australian
& New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials &
History
ARMY A1 Bell 47G Sioux
| ADF.Serial | Aircraft.Type | Const No. | Aircraft History |
| A1-394 | B47G-3B-1 | 3394 | Delivered 05/07/65. Began service with 16 Army Light Aircraft Sqn (16ALA) at RAAF Base Amberley on 02 Aug 65. The first of two Bell 47’s to be deployed to Vietnam with 161 Recce Flt in Sep 65 aboard HMAS Sydney. Arrived Vietnam 28 Sep 65. First tour in Vietnam from Sep 65 until Apr 67. On 04 May 66 aircraft hit by ground fire - no significant damage sustained. 26 May 66 aircraft hit by ground fire whilst aircraft was running down at an LZ on 5 RAR’s AO. Aircraft flown to Vung Tau for repair. 06 Oct 66 pilot (2Lt Bob Askew) made a forced landing after experiencing rough running and severe engine vibrations. Aircraft was landed on a narrow road without sustaining any further damage. Aircraft was recovered to Vung Tau for repairs. Second tour of Vietnam from Aug 67 until Oct 68. Written off after colliding with A1-399 at Tocumwal in NSW on 14 Nov 69. |
| A1-395 | B47G-3B-1 | 3395 | Delivered 02/08/65. Began service with 16 Army Light Aircraft Sqn (16ALA) at RAAF Base Amberley on 27 Aug 65. The second of two Bell 47’s to be deployed to Vietnam with 161 Recce Flt in Sep 65 aboard HMAS Sydney. Arrived Vietnam 28 Sep 65. On 02 Apr 66 aircraft was hit by ground fire whilst on recce mission. Pilot (Capt Bevan Smith) was wounded in left hand and made a forced landing at nearby ARVN outpost. No significant damaged cause to the aircraft and no injuries sustained by passenger. On 10 Oct 66, whilst in support of 5 RAR on Operation CANBERRA this aircraft was shot down and destroyed. The pilot (2Lt Bill Davies) was seriously injured when hit by enemy fire and his passenger was injured in the subsequent crash landing. The wreckage was recovered back to Vung Tau. |
| A1-396 | B47G-3B-1 | 3396 | Delivered 27/08/65. Began service with 16 Army Light Aircraft Sqn (16ALA) at RAAF Base Amberley on 27 Aug 65. On 16 Apr 66 this aircraft along with A1-399 were sent to Terendak in Malaysia for operations with 182 Recce Flt. Deployed to Vietnam with 161 (Indep) Recce Flt from Jun 67 until Dec 67 and again from Oct 68 until Jun 69. Prior to returning to Vietnam in Oct 68 this aircraft was at 16 Avn Sqn (Recce) at RAAF Base Amberley. Storage Sep 75. Given to Indonesian Air Force in 1978 as H4712.
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| A1-397 | B47G-3B-1 | 3397 | Delivered 13/08/65. Began service with 16 Army Light Aircraft Sqn (16ALA) at RAAF Base Amberley on 13 Aug 65. Deployed to Vietnam with 161 (Indep) Recce Flt from Jan 67 until Oct 67 and again from Jan 68 until Sep 68. Long Term Storage Dec 73. Sent to RSTT Wagga as a Training Aid in Feb 75. Post 1991, this aircraft was given to the Naval Aviation Museum at Nowra for static display. In the late 90's this aircraft was ‘acquired’ and moved to a hangar at Bankstown where it is currently being restored to flying status. Completion date unknown.
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| A1-398 | B47G-3B-1 | 3398 | Delivered 27/08/65. Began service with 16 Army Light Aircraft Sqn (16ALA) at RAAF Base Amberley on 27 Aug 65. Deployed to Vietnam with 161 (Indep) Recce Flt from Dec 67 until Feb 68. Long Term Storage Dec 73. Sent to RSTT Wagga as a Training Aid in Feb 75.
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| A1-399 | B47G-3B-1 | 3399 | Delivered 23/09/65. Began service with 16 Army Light Aircraft Sqn (16ALA) at RAAF Base Amberley on 23 Sep 65. On 16 Apr 66 this aircraft along with A1-396 were sent to Terendak in Malaysia for operations with 182 Recce Flt. Deployed to Vietnam with 161 (Indep) Recce Flt from Feb 68 until Nov 68. Incident - Collided with A1-394 on 14 Nov 69 at Tocumwal. Long Term Storage Dec 73. Sold 14/06/84 registered as VH-HMX. Crashed 10/06/86 4km SW of Killarney Station, NT during cattle muster with two other helicopters. Pilot killed.
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| A1-400 | B47G-3B-1 | 3400 | Delivered 27/08/65. Began service with 16 Army Light Aircraft Sqn (16ALA) at RAAF Base Amberley on 27 Aug 65. Deployed to Vietnam with 161 (Indep) Recce Flt from Jun 66 until Nov 67. On 18 Jul 66 had a complete engine failure and forced landing. Aircraft was recovered to Vung Tau by CH-47 Chinook. On 22 Nov 67 was brought down by an explosion near Dat Do. The aircraft was extensively damaged by an ensuing fire. Pilot (Roger Colclough) and his passenger (Stephen Moore) survived the landing with minor injuries. The aircraft was recovered back to Nui Dat where it was written off. |
| A1-401 | B47G-3B-1 | 3401 | Delivered 27/08/65. Began service with 16 Army Light Aircraft Sqn (16ALA) at RAAF Base Amberley on 27 Aug 65. Deployed to Vietnam with 161 (Indep) Recce Flt from Nov 66 until Nov 67. On 20 Nov 67 was shot down in Thua Tich area. Pilot (Paddy O’Brien) was trapped in aircraft, he was assisted by his observed (Brian Quee) and both were rescued by 9 Sqn UH-1. No major injuries were sustained. Because of location and accessibility to enemy forces the aircraft was destroyed by an air strike in situ. |
| A1-402 | B47G-3B-1 | 3402 | Delivered 23/09/65. Began service with 16 Army Light Aircraft Sqn (16ALA) at RAAF Base Amberley on 23 Sep 65. Deployed to Vietnam with 161 (Indep) Recce Flt from Nov 66 until Nov 67 and from 06/68. Sent to RSTT Wagga as a Training Aid in Feb 75. Damaged 29 Jul 77? Late 1991 this aircraft was moved to the RAAF Museum at Point Cook, Vic. This aircraft was subsequently ‘acquired’ (on loan) by Air World at Wangaratta, Vic, for static display. Noted on the back of a truck at Bungowannah between Albury and Howlong, NSW on 22/12/02.
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| A1-403 | B47G-3B-1 | 3403 | Delivered 17/09/65. Began service with 16 Army Light Aircraft Sqn (16ALA) at RAAF Base Amberley on 17 Sep 65. Deployed to Vietnam with 161 (Indep) Recce Flt from Apr 67 until Jun 67. Aircraft arrived in Vietnam on 20 Apr aboard HMAS Sydney along with A1-407. On 02 Jun 67 aircraft suffered engine failure. Pilot (Ross Hutchinson) and his passenger sustained injuries. The aircraft was subsequently written off. |
| A1-404 | B47G-3B-1 | 3404 | Delivered 03/11/65. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 07/06/66 - 30/04/67 & 11/67 - 09/68. On 21/02/67, The then Army Captain J Campbell earned a DFC in Vietnam in this aircraft after landing in a minefield several times to rescue injured soldiers. Major Campbell was on the crew for its last flight. Storage 12/73, to Australian War Memorial 13/06/79. On display in the AWM's Post '45 Conflicts exhibit.
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| A1-405 | B47G-3B-1 | 3405 | Delivered 03/11/65. Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser was taken for a ride in 405 in 1966. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 02/68 - 09/68. In Sumatra 1971. Storage 12/73. Training Aid Wagga NSW. RAAF Museum, Point Cook VIC. Noted on the back of a truck at Bungowannah between Albury and Howlong, NSW on 22/12/02. Under restoration by Andrew Ronald in Albury NSW.
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| A1-406 | B47G-3B-1 | 3406 | Delivered 03/11/65. Storage 12/73. Training Aid Wagga NSW 29/07/77, Museum of Army Aviation, Oakey. QLD. Currently on display Vietnam Veteran's Museum at Newhaven, Phillip Island, Vic.
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| A1-407 | B47G-3B-1 | 3407 | Delivered 03/11/65. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 04/67 - 02/68. 182 Recce Sqn at Singapore 06/69- 03/70. Storage 12/73, Training Aid Wagga NSW 29/07/77, Museum of Army Aviation, Oakey QLD. Now on Display Bandiana Army Museum.
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| A1-408 | B47G-3B-1 | 3408 | Delivered 07/02/66. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 06/66 - 09/67 & 12/67 - 09/67. Storage 12/73, Sold 18/06/84 as VH-KSO. Still Flying 07/99. 26/04/1988 Accident 3 KM WNW of Kunnunurra, WA - Substantial damage. 18/01/2011 Registered to Shane Grant, Bellthorpe via Woodford, QLD. Current
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| A1-409 | B47G-3B-1 | 3409 | Delivered 05/11/65. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 06/66 - 09/67. Destroyed 26/05/67, Xuyen Moc. South Vietnam. When tail rotor was shot and destroyed, aircraft was force landed. Aircraft later destroyed in rocket attack by US aircraft. Pilot: Blair Weaver ok. |
| A1-410 | B47G-3B-1 | 3410 | Delivered 05/11/65. Storage 06/75, RAAF Museum, Camden Museum.
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| A1-560 | B47G-2 | 2560 | Delivered 24/10/60. Crashed 06/62. |
| A1-561 | B47G-2 | 2561 | Delivered 24/10/60. Crashed 27/08/62. Undershot a landing pad near Mt Stradbroke, QLD, crashed then caught fire after sliding down the hill. OFFCDT Marshall died on 05/10/62. Crew; SDNLDR H. McLoughlin & OFFCDT A. Marshall.
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| A1-562 | B47G-2 | 2562 | Delivered 24/10/60. Crashed 21/01/65
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| A1-563 | B47G-2 | 2563 | Delivered 04/12/60. Crashed 20/05/68, near Ipswich QLD. |
| A1-564 | B47G-2 | 2564 | Delivered 12/12/60. Sold 7/77 as VH-RFE. Still Flying 07/99. 07/06/2005 Registered to Kenneth Watts, Alice Springs, NT, Current
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| A1-565 | B47G-2 | 2565 | Delivered 12/12/60. Sold 7/77 as VH-PSL. Crashed 18/06/79.
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| A1-566 | B47G-2 | 2566 | Delivered 12/12/60. Sold 7/77 as VH-RFY. Still Flying 07/99. 17/03/2006 Registered to Sara Fisher, Humpty Doo, NT, Current |
| A1-567 | B47G-2 | 2567 | Delivered 11/01/61. Sold 7/77 as VH-RGX. Destroyed by fire on 02/03/78.
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| A1-568 | B47G-2 | 2568 | Delivered 07/01/61. Crashed
26/06/66, Training Aid Wagga NSW 29/03/68. Museum of Army Aviation, Oakey QLD.
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| A1-569 | B47G-2 | 2569 | Delivered 07/01/61. Crashed 01/11/61, Training Aid Wagga NSW 06/05/63, RSTT 6/75. Current training aid at RSTT Wagga
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| A1-570 | B47G-2 | 2570 | Delivered 07/01/61. Damaged 27/05/70, Sold 72 as VH-PDT and later exported to NZ as ZK-HJD. 30/06/1978 Accident Hukarere Station, Waikaia. No Further Details. Registration cancelled July 1978 |
| A1-635 | B47G-3B-1 | 6635 | Delivered 05/01/68. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 11/68 - 04/69 & 09/69 - 23/03/70. Destroyed 23/03/70, Nui Dat. South Vietnam. Pilot Bob Hills.
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| A1-636 | B47G-3B-1 | 6636 | Delivered 11/09/67. Crashed 12/02/70, PNG. |
| A1-637 | B47G-3B-1 | 6637 | Delivered 11/09/67. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 06/70 - 09/11/70. Damaged 03/05/70, took hits on tail rotor and was forced to return to base. Destroyed 09/11/70, Phuoc Tuy South Vietnam - burst into flames on the ground, crew escaped ok. Pilot: Terry Hayes. |
| A1-638 | B47G-3B-1 | 6638 | Delivered 11/09/67. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 12/68 - 06/69 & 07/70 - 01/71. Storage 11/74, to Indonesia '78 as H4711.
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| A1-639 | B47G-3B-1 | 6639 | Delivered 11/09/67. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 12/68 - 18/02/69. Crashed 18/02/69, South Vietnam. Pilot: Ted Brooker. |
| A1-640 | B47G-3B-1 | 6640 | Delivered 11/09/67. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 03/69 - 08/69. Into Storage 4/75. To Naval Aviation Museum. On Loan from the Museum, At Holsworthy in 1986 for the 21st Anniversary of the formation and deployment of 161 Recce Flt to Vietnam (See Photo). On Display at the Naval Air Museum - Now Australia's Museum of Flight, Nowra NSW.
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| A1-641 | B47G-3B-1 | 6641 | Delivered 11/09/67. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 07/70 - 03/71. Crashed 28/09/71, Lanefield QLD.
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| A1-642 | B47G-3B-1 | 6642 | Delivered 11/09/67. Storage 12/74, Sold 01/03/84 as VH-KSL. Crashed 10/07/88. 20 KM East of Narbarlec Station, NT. "The pilot had shut down the helicopter to kill and load meat for a stock camp. After starting and completing the after-start checks, the pilot first entered a low hover. The aircraft was then put into a high hover about 10 ft above the tree tops before a climb was initiated into a wind of 15-20 kts. The pilot reported that as he accelerated through about 40 kts, he noticed a substantial reduction in the manifold pressure reading with the engine RPM at about 3000. The aircraft then began to sink into the tree tops. Some 100 metres further on, the main rotor blades struck a large tree trunk and the aircraft fell to the ground on its right side. The pilot was rendered unconscious at impact, but after regaining consciousness he assisted the surviving passenger from the wreckage and freed the other passenger's leg from under the cabin before dragging him clear. A strip inspection of the engine and turbocharger revealed significant defects. These included the density controller was set below tolerance; a cracked and warped wastegate butterfly; and a sticking wastegate actuator. Physical damage to the engine was attributed to poor engine handling. The cumulative effects of these defects would have reduced the available power output from the engine, but do not in themselves explain the symptoms reported by the pilot. In addition, the power available was sufficient for the pilot to execute a towering take-off. A turbocharger failure would have produced the loss of power experienced by the pilot, but no possible cause or result of such a failure was discovered. The pilot reportedly did not make a significant reduction in power after the high hover, so that it is unlikely that a sticking wastegate caused the problem. The cause of the reported loss of power was not determined." |
| A1-643 | B47G-3B-1 | 6643 | Delivered 16/10/67. Crashed 09/12/67, Singleton NSW. |
| A1-644 | B47G-3B-1 | 6644 | Delivered 11/09/67. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 04/69 - 09/69. Crashed 29/03/71, Tinaroo QLD. |
| A1-645 | B47G-3B-1 | 6645 | Delivered 25/09/67. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 11/68 - 05/69. Storage 10/74, to Indonesia as H4710. |
| A1-646 | B47G-3B-1 | 6646 | Delivered 25/09/67. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 04/69 - 09/69. Storage 06/75, to Indonesia as H4709. |
| A1-647 | B47G-3B-1 | 6647 | Delivered 25/09/67. Crashed 19/06/72, Cleveland Bay QLD.
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| A1-648 | B47G-3B-1 | 6648 | Delivered 05/01/68. Written Off 05/72, Oakey QLD A1-648 was badly damaged in a ground incident that killed one member of the army ground crew and injured two others. The fatality was Corporal Laurence Roland Wood 215186 of the Royal Corps of Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Also injured were James Stuart Jordan 16082 & James William Ross 216798 - according to the Vietnam nominal roll they were both RAEME and also served with 161 (Independent) Reconnaissance Flight in Vietnam. |
| A1-660 | B47G-2A | 2660 | Delivered 01/62. Sold 26/06/86 as VH-ORC. Still Flying 07/99. 06/12/2005 Registered to Becker Helicopter Services Pty Ltd, Pacific Paradise, QLD. Current
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| A1-672 | B47G-2A | 2672 | Delivered 09/02/62. Sold
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| A1-673 | B47G-3B-1 | 6673 | Delivered 29/04/68. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 11/68 - 06/69. Storage 08/75, Sold 29/03/85 as VH-HMI. Still Flying 07/99. 27/11/2011 Registered to Duncan investments (QLD) Pty Ltd, Clermont, QLD. Current
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| A1-720 | B47G-3B-1 | 6672 | Delivered 28/04/68. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 11/68 - 07/69. Storage 08/75, Museum of Army Aviation, Oakey QLD for flying display.
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| A1-721 | B47G-2A | 2721 | Delivered 12/10/62. First A1-721, Crashed 16/12/62 New Guinea. |
| A1-721 | B47G-3B-1 | 7401 | Delivered 22/11/68. Second A1-721. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 05/71 - 08/71. Storage 08/75, to Indonesia as H4708.
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| A1-722 | B47G-3B-1 | 7402 | Delivered 22/11/68. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 08/69 - 03/70 & 09/70 - 05/71. Crashed 29/11/73, Mt Wilhelm PNG. |
| A1-723 | B47G-3B-1 | 7403 | Delivered 22/11/68. Crashed 16/03/70, Singleton NSW. |
| A1-724 | B47G-3B-1 | 7404 | Delivered 22/11/68. Damaged 09/73, Amberley QLD. Sold 01/03/84 as VH-KSM. Still Flying 07/99. 12/04/2010 Registered to Murray Kester, Melville, WA, Current |
| A1-725 | B47G-3B-1 | 7405 | Delivered 22/11/68. Crashed 06/73, Cooktown QLD. |
| A1-726 | B47G-3B-1 | 7406 | Delivered 22/11/68. Storage 04/75, to Indonesia '78 as H4707. |
| A1-727 | B47G-3B-1 | 7407 | Delivered 04/12/68. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 04/70 - 07/70 & 11/70 - 08/71. Storage 04/75. |
| A1-728 | B47G-3B-1 | 7408 | Delivered 04/12/68. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 04/70 - 08/70 & 03/71 - 08/71. Storage 06/75, to Indonesia '78 as H4706. |
| A1-729 | B47G-3B-1 | 7409 | Delivered 04/12/68. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 04/69 - 02/70 & 08/70 - 04/71. Storage 04/75, to Indonesia '78 as H4705. |
| A1-730 | B47G-3B-1 | 7410 | Delivered 05/12/68. Storage 11/74, to Indonesia '78 as H4704. |
| A1-731 | B47G-3B-1 | 7411 | Delivered 04/12/68. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 06/69 - 03/70 . Crashed 05/03/73, West Malaysia. |
| A1-732 | B47G-3B-1 | 7412 | Delivered 04/12/68. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 07/69 - 04/70 & 10/70 - 07/71. Crashed 10/73, PNG. Brisbane TAFE for restoration. Museum of Army Aviation, Oakey QLD.
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| A1-733 | B47G-3B-1 | 7413 | Delivered 05/12/68. Storage 08/75, to Indonesia '78 as H4703.
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| A1-734 | B47G-3B-1 | 7414 | Delivered 05/12/68. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 04/70 - 10/70 & 05/71 - 08/71. Crashed 24/08/72, Ioma PNG. |
| A1-735 | B47G-3B-1 | 7415 | Delivered 21/01/69. Written Off 09/69. |
| A1-736 | B47G-3B-1 | 7416 | Delivered 21/01/69. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 04/69 - 02/70. Storage 09/75, to Indonesia '78 as H4702. |
| A1-737 | B47G-3B-1 | 7417 | Delivered 21/01/69. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 06/69 - 04/70. Storage 08/75, to Indonesia '78 as H4701.
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| A1-738 | B47G-3B-1 | 7418 | Delivered 11/04/69. Last Sioux delivered to the ADF. It was actually a gift aircraft from Bell that was sold to the ADF for a nominal $1. The catch was that it could not be resold. Served with 161 Recce Flight Vietnam, 08/69 - 04/70 & 01/71 - 13/09/71. MAAF 12/75, Indonesia Demo 06/76, Queensland Air Museum on loan from Museum of Army Aviation. Currently on display at RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre.
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