Warbirds Online recently travelled to Queensland to visit Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer VH-AIS which is presently residing at Bradfield airstrip near Atkinsons Dam in Queensland’s Lockyer Valley about 80Km North West of Brisbane. We travelled in style in the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre Queensland (AAHCQ) based Cessna O-1 Birdog VH-XVB and were expertly piloted by Noel Spalding into the picturesque rural strip
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- VH-AIS at Bradfield airstrip
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- Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer VH-AIS
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- Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer VH-AIS tail artwork
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- Twin Pioneer VH-AIS interior
The old veteran has been out to grass at the location for 6 years and is showing signs of its age but appears to be a prospect for restoration, perhaps even to flying standard. This particular aircraft was not one of the batch of 4 Ex Malaysian Air Force aircraft brought to Australia in 1973 as is often misreported. It was built in 1958, as Scottish Aviation Ltd registered G-APPH (TWIN PIONEER Mk 1, 540) for the American market, however failed to sell and was instead leased briefly to the Iraq Petroleum Company. In 1960 the aircraft returned to its manufacturer in the UK and was converted to a Mk3 standard aircraft with more powerful Alvis Leonides 531 engines and then sold to Australian Iron and Steel Pty with c/r VH-AIS and operated with markings “Yampi Pioneer” throughout Western Australia.
In 1968 the Pioneer passed on to the Dampier Mining Company, again in Western Australia, again working in the mineral and mining sector. In 1975 the aircraft passed on again to Aerial Agriculture for mixed cargo use and aerial survey. In 1979 the very experienced Pioneer was withdrawn from use however in 2007 the aircraft again emerged on the register as its previous identity, VH-AIS owned and operated by its present owner Anthony Hannam around various sites in Queensland including Caboolture and Coolangatta. At one stage the aircraft was mooted as going back to the UK to Aviation Heritage Limited, Warwickshire however this never eventuated and the aircraft has remained at its current location since it last flew a few years ago.
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- VH-AIS cockpit & wiring
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- VH-AIS cockpit
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- Twin Pioneer cockpit
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- View to rear of fuselage
The “twinPin” as it is often referred to is a long term resident of Australia and has had a very colorful history here. The Twin Pioneer as a type was developed in the 1950’s as a high-wing cabin monoplane with a triple fin and rudder assembly and fixed tailwheel undercarriage. The type was mostly powered by Alvis Leonides nine cylinder engines although a few series 2 aircraft were built powered by Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp, again for the American market.
It is to be hoped that VH-AIS is restored again and flown as a rare and interesting type representing an excellent example of British STOL design. Nobody who has seen a Twin Pin fly can forget the sound and sight of this large aircraft passing at what appears to be walking pace and landing in what seems to be its own length a unique and exciting type well worth looking after.
© John Parker 2017
Hi John,
I just came across this article.
Great to see there is still interest in the ol’ Twin Pins.
Though I feel you omitted some very relevant information about how VH-AIS (and VH-EVB) got their ‘least of life’ and brought back to flying condition in the late 1990’s/early 2000’s.
Maybe I could fill in the gap a little.
I worked (‘part-time’) for Ray Sherwell (‘Sherwell Aviation’ aka ‘Twin Pionair Airlines’) at Gold Coast Airport, Coolangatta from around 1998 to 2002… initially at ‘Hangar 51’ (where we used pallet jacks under the main gear to manoeuvre in and out of the hangar side-wards), until we moved to a new hangar that Ray had built (now the Careflight hangar).
I was involved in mainly, but not limited to, airframe restoration and re-wiring of both aircraft… and others such as Graham B (pilot) and Greg B (engineer) were instrumental in their re-birth, along with a few others. I was also fortunate to have many flights, and took a considerable amount of video including of the first start-ups (though finding these tapes would be a mission).
Had these enthusiasts not put so much time and effort into this project, and Ray not made this a main goal of his, then these 2 Twin Pioneers probably would be in far worse state by now.
Incidentally, Graham and I went to the Evans Head Memorial fly-in last weekend (Sun 8th Jan 2017), where I noted your name ‘John Parker’ sign-written on the leg of the Yak III Steadfast.
This event certainly has grown since last year!
Hi Brad
Thank you for the additional information on the Pioneer – we certainly appreciate it when those involved with the aircraft write to us. Good to hear about Steadfast too.
kind regards
John
Hi John. David here on the GC. Simon Sherwell (Rays son) recently gave me a double aircraft seat. I’m pretty sure it’s out of the Twinpin. Give me a buzz on 0414950341. I’d be happy to get it returned to the old girl. Cheers.
Hello everyone
I’m the daughter of Graham Booth who was the pilot for VH EVB and AIS for many years on the Gold Coast. I have very many fond memories of the Pioneers. My dad sadly passed away in October 2019. Those two planes were a very big part of his life for many years. I have a few fantastic paintings and photographs of the planes that I would like to donate to a museum. I feel these need to be seen by enthusiasts of the planes because they were remarkable aircraft as anyone living in the Gold Coast in the 80’s and early 90’s would know . They lots of real estate and tourist work on the Coast for many years. Where can I donate these pictures to? Thank you Justine
Hi Justine
Thank you for letting us know about your family connection with these aircraft. You could try to contact the Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome Heritage Aviation Museum in northern NSW on (02) 6660 0365 or the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society at Albion Park NSW on (02) 4257 4333. FYI VH-EVB flew at the Wings over Illawarra airshow at Albion Park in 2009.
Kind regards
John
Justine, so sorry for the loss of your Dad. Can you please contact John Land at Air Ag Services, Bankstown Airport on 2 9796 7181. He would like to contact you please as he knew your Dad well.
Hi Justine,
Sorry to hear about your dad, we spent a lot of hours together flying and maintaining the Twin Pins then sweating over one of Graham’s famous curries, great times.
Hi Justine,
I’m really sorry to hear about Graham. My father (Tony, who flew the Twin Pins with Graham) and I would like to go and pay our respects to him. Could you contact me at tony@hhhs.tp.edu.tw if you receive this and we can chat privately.
Thanks, Anthony
Hi Justine,
I am the daughter of Tony Henry. Your dad, Graham and mine were very good friends and flew the twin pioneers together. in fact, I used to also babysit you when you were just a tiny bubs down at Graham’s place in Palm Beach. I actually remember the night your mum Bronwyn had you. Her and my mum Cathy were friends. And Bronny used to often come over with the boys (Tim, Darcy and I can’t remember the littlest ones’ name.)
Dad stumbled across your post here and was very upset to find that Graham had passed. They had been talking only a month or so before and Graham had been saying he might drive and visit. He was hoping to find out what happened and where Graham is buried? My mum also would love to get in contact with Bronny.
I am hoping you get this message and reach out. 0419 385 774.
angelique downing at gmail
Warmest wishes, Angelique
Hi Angelique,
Your dad, Graham and I had a lot of good times together centered around the Twin Pin when Peter Flanagan operated it.
Please remember me to him.
Regards
Andrew Fraser.
Hi John,
Very pleased to see/hear that AIS still exists and a great article.
Way back in ’65 or ’66 my old man who was OIC at Derby aerodrome at the time, managed to arrange a couple of flights for me in the right hand seat in AIS over to Koolan & Cockatoo. I was sure we would go over the edge with the crosswind landings on Cockatoo!
Regards,
Greg
Hi Greg
Thank you for sharing these memories with us as it adds to the history. We are glad you like the article.
Kind regards
John
Hi John,
Not sure if this thread is still alive or not but I have come across a photo amongst my late father’s slides of AIS from her time with AIS in Derby, WA. I can email a copy to you if you would like.
Regards,
Greg
Hi Greg
Lovely to hear your reminiscences. I lived on Cockatoo Island and then Koolan Island as a child and we flew on the Pioneer several times to Derby to catch the MMA flight to Perth. So lucky to have those adventures. Glad you were also able to do some flying.
Regards
Barbara
Great to hear there is still interest in these aircraft. I hold flew both for Ralph Clark in 87 & 88
Hi Alan
Thanks for letting us know and yes it is good that these aircraft still hold interest – we are happy to report on them.
Kind regards
John
Alan ex Navair?
Kiwi ex Burns Aviation ( Treetops Airlines!) says hi
Regards M
Hi John
Regarding the Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer VH-AIS, I was working at Koolan Island in March 1961. This aircraft was destroyed in a storm because they were unable to fly it off due to the severe weather and it was wrecked. I left in July 1961 and they replaced it with a new aircraft with the same rego VH-AIS. I have the photos of the damaged plane and the replacement plane. I could email them to you if you are interested.
Regards
Alan
Hi Alan
Thank you for getting in touch with this information and for offering to email the photos. I would be very happy to see them. Our email address is warbirdsonline@bigpond.com.
kind regards
John
Hello Alan
I lived on Koolan as a child and remember the site where the plane was. Also remember being a cadfy for my Dad at the airstrip golf course.
Regards
Barbara
Hi all,
I tooo lived on Koolan Island 1961 – 1967, mostly on school holidays. My sister and I flew home 3 times a year and every second December when the folks didnt come to Perth on holidays. Once the pilots got to know my interest in flying I sat right seat and was allowed to think I was flying the Pioner, maintbainingg course and altitude. I guess the autopilot was really doing it ( assuming it had one :). I was sad when the day came that Dampier Mining Company replaced the Twin pin witha chartered service by MMA and its Twin Otter.
Incidentally, Australian Iron & Steel (AIS)’s first Twin Pioneer was VH-BHJ, wrecked when it was stranded at Koolan Island in a cyclone at Xmas 1960, I believe.
I remember the rego because we often used to trek, after school, to the wreckage where it had been dumped, in the bush, not far to the west of the airstrip on after school adventures.
Hi Sean
Its good to hear about your history in the area and the information about the Twin Pioneer.
Kind regards
John
Very interesting article and picture. My late father Tom Watson purchased this particular aircraft for geophysical survey work and then acquired the RMAF fleet. Some were cannibalised for spares. I seem to recall that there were seven, not four, flown down from Malaysia, but then again, it was a long time ago!
I remember it being said that at Farnborough when demonstrated, they filled the aircraft with troops and took off across, not down, the runway.
Certainly an interesting aircraft and well suited for survey work being able to carry a lot of equipment and fly very slowly.
Hi Bruce
We appreciate you providing this information. We Believe only 4 RMAF remained in Australia and those were the ones we quoted, however there may have been more that we were unaware of.
Kind regards
John
Good Day!
I am doing my work experience at the moment with Ian Aviation, who have bought the place where AIS is currently parked. Seeing the aircraft first time I thought wow, it’s unique and definitely the first time ever seeing this type of plane. Upon working for a few weeks I have decided to check it out close up (the A/C is situated at least 40-50m from the hanger) and actually having a look inside. I wish I could describe it more in details but all I can is that it’s big, it’s intimidating and it’s cool! Feel free to come check it out 🙂 Just contact Ian Colville (Owner of the place) at Colvilleav@gmail.com and ask what days are better to have a look at it.
Regards,
Vee
Hi Vee
Thank you for the invite – we will stay in touch and drop by and have a look.
Kind regards
John
I recall seeing 3 RAF Twin Pins at Tabora Tanganyika in 1963 en route N Rhodesia to Nairobi. Pilot took my brother and I for a short trip down runway. Recall the Very Pistol hole in fuselage ceiling with mechanism that prevented accidental firing. Pistol firing requiring two hands to fire.
Hi Andrew
Thank you for sharing this interesting information about the Twin Pins. Its always good to hear the personal insights about the aircraft as it adds to the history.
Kind regards
John
Hi, my name is Ken Ferguson and I just wanted to add to the memorabilia of VH-AIS (formerly, as I knew it, VH-EVB). My wife and I were at the 1994 Oakey Army Air Base Air Show, where we took a joy flight in the old girl. As a former pilot my self, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I have to say, my wife was none too pleased. The “Twinpin”. Indeed a lovely old bird.
I do have an image of the old girl then if you are interested. The aircraft, that is!
Hi Ken
Thank you for sharing your memories and comments. We would be pleased to receive your image – you can email it to warbirdsonline@bigpond.com
Kind regards
John
In the late 1950s there was a twin pioneer in Darwin and I think it was owned by a geological firm
Hi Ron
Thank you for sharing this information.
Kind regards
John
I have a photo (from a slide I took) of VH-AIS in Deniliquin around the 80’s and would be happy to email it should you like a copy.
Regards
Chris Renwick
Bentleigh Vic 3204
(formally of Deniliquin).