VH-PYD  Piper PA-32-250 Cherokee Six                        (c/n 32-17)

                                                                 
                                                                       
                                      VH-PYD was one of the first PA-32s imported (ex N3220W) through Ansett General Aviation
                                      in 1965.  It is seen above at Adelaide Airport in October of that year in this shot from the Geoff
                                      Goodall collection.  Several years later it took part in the Retailers' Warana Air race when John
                                      Wheatley took the shot below at Archerfield in 1971.      The race began at Brisbane's general
                                      aviation airport and visited the towns of Goondiwindi, Roma, Nebo, Mackay and Dalby, Qld.  .
                                      It was run between 1968 and 1973. and sponsored by the Retailers' Association of Queensland,
                                      Ltd.      VH-PYD had several on-again off-again periods of registration and was restored in 1987
                                      operating out of Horn Island Airport, off the very top end of the Cape York peninsular in the Torres
                                      Strait.   On 23 May 2007 it was flying from Horn Island to nearby Warraber Island when engine
                                      problems forced the pilot to ditch it into the sea.  All four occupants were rescued by helicopter.
                                      Evidently -PYD was salvaged since it is still registered in Horn Island.