VH-RMG Lockheed L-188AF Electra
(c/n 1123)
VH-RMG had already been converted to a freighter when
Ansett purchased it in 1975. It had
been built
for American Airlines in 1960 and flew with them as N6131A 'Flagship Little Rock'
for nine years before being sold
to McCulloch International who had Lockheed convert it to
L-188AF
'windowless wonder' standard. The above shot is by Bob
Smith and shows clearly
the pale grey
painted lower fuselage (the only Ansett aircraft so
painted) Possibly done to cover
scars? In 1978 it went to Evergreen
International as N5538 and then wound up (in 1983)
with the Armada
Argentina (Argentine Navy) as 6-P-101. C/n 1123 was totalled
during a crash
at Almirante Zar
Naval Air Base, on 20 September 1989 when it suffered an undercarriage
lowering
problem. All 23 souls on board escaped with their lives,
but the three crew members
were severely
injured.