VH-EXA(1)  Dornier Do.27H-2                                 (c/n  2076)

                                

                                     Rare shot of the first VH-EXA taken by Geoff Goodall in the hangar at Essendon in May of 1962.
                                     Agents for the Dorniers in Australia were Executive Aviation.  This machine had been imported as
                                     VH-GKE for Territory Airlines in Papua New Guinea in February of 1962.  However, for a year
                                     commencing in July 1962 it was operated by the Lutheran Mission in Madang, PNG..  Presumably,
                                     when Geoff took the above shot it was in for overhaul.  Several other Do.27s were flown by missions
                                     in PNG.   Their rugged construction made them ideal for the harsh conditions found in the territory.
                                     At the end of its operation (probably a lease) by the Lutheran Mission the Dornier was re-registered
                                     into Execustive's block as VH-EXA (July 1963).  By 1964 it was flying for Ansett-MAL, also in PNG.
                                     However, on 3 September 1964 it was written off at Dumpu, PNG when it crashed on take off and
                                     burst into flames.  Fortunately neither the pilot (Capt Ron Jaensch) nor the passengers were injured.