Copyright © Author: Mark Mulvany 2003
It happened on 16 October 1964.
Two large new passenger jets arrived in Melbourne.
In typical Australian fashion a coin had been tossed. All concerned knew that history was being made.
The matter determined by the toss was which of two Airlines would have the honour of landing its jet first. The Airlines were Trans Australia Airlines (“TAA”) and Ansett-ANA.
The coin had been tossed by Mr John Ryland, General Manager of TAA, and Sir Reginald Ansett.
The toss had been won by Ansett.
The Ansett jet was VH-RME. It was being flown from the Boeing Plant in the United States to Australia under the command of my uncle Captain Arthur Lovell.
Sir Reginald Ansett had travelled out to join the flight for the last part of the journey. Thus he was on board VH-RME when it arrived over Melbourne.
“The Age” of the morning of 16 October 1964 announced that:
The first passenger jets for service on main Australian domestic routes will arrive at Melbourne airport from the United States this afternoon.
At the appointed time the Ansett jet landed at Essendon Airport followed only minutes later by that of TAA.
The TAA jet was VH-TJA. It was under the command of Captain D.A. Winch. It was named “James Cook” in a ceremony held after the landing.
On the following day “The Age” described how Captain Arthur Lovell had parked Ansett-ANA's jet on the tarmac before a big crowd.
In 1959 a similar event had occurred. A Lockheed Electra VH-RMA, also under the command of Captain Lovell, had arrived in Melbourne with Mr. Ansett on board. The letters “RMA” in the registration of that aircraft were derived from Mr. Ansett's initials. On that occasion, too, Mr. Ansett had joined the flight so as to be on board for the arrival in Melbourne.
Mr. Ken Bond, Chairman of the Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum, who was with Ansett for 54 years, has told me that he remembers the big smile on Mr. Ansett's face as he came down the steps of the Electra VH-RMA when it arrived in Melbourne on 10 March 1959. Mr. Bond also relates how proud the Ansett people were of him.
Some writings of Captain Lovell, which are held by the Association of Retired Pilots, also refer to Mr. Ansett's pride in the new plane VH-RMA, and the fact that the letters “RMA” came from his initials.
Captain A.F.Lane was also a member of the crews of VH-RMA and VH-RME on both of these two ferry flights.
Captain Lovell was awarded the MBE for his services to Civil Aviation. He once flew Queen Elizabeth II when she was on an Australian tour. After retiring from flying he was director of operational safety for the airline. In addition to the aircraft mentioned above he was also involved in the introduction to Australia of the DC4, DC6 and DC9.
We take our safety in the air for granted. It was achieved only by the effort and dedication of many talented persons working in teams in various relevant disciplines.
I am very much indebted to Mr. Ken Bond of the Sir Reginald Ansett Transport Museum, Hamilton, Victoria, for details included in this article.
To read about another Chapter in the history of aviation in Australia click here.
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