Ansett VH-ABR was initially built in September 1938 and was purchased new by Australian National Airways for $64,800, the third DC-3 to be imported into Australia. It was assembled at Essendon Airport and first flown in October 1938, registered as VH-ABR and named Kanana (Quiet).
It was subsequently chartered by the Australian Commonwealth Government for use by the R.A.F. in September 1939, following the outbreak of hostilities. It was impressed as A30-3 and issued to No. 8 Squadron, Canberra in September 1939 and operated in full camouflage markings.
The aircraft was returned to ANA in May 1940 and operated daily, flying on the Melbourne-Deniliquin-Griffith-Narrandera-Wagga Wagga-Sydney service.
The aircraft was registered to the merged Ansett-ANA airline in June 1961 and operated its last scheduled Ansett service on December 27th, 1972. Placed in storage inside Hangar 151 at Melbourne's Essendon Airport, it has been reactivated and now flies occasional special charter flights and visits to airshows.
The Armour Collection replica of this legendary aircraft depicts Kanana as she appeared in the livery of the 1940s. The
