Serial Number

Model

Registration

Date of Manufacturing

ATC

Price (USD)

Engine

Propeller

Current Status

History

The aircraft was sold new, on March 2nd, 1937 and an Australian import licence issued for Ryan ST-A to Airflite Ltd, Sydney NSW.

“In 1937 the Australian agencies for Ryan and Rearwin aircraft were held by Ken Frewin of Melbourne. He was a colourful and popular character whose flying ventures went back to 1923, but whose drinking habits earned him the epithet Kenneth Mortal Ruin. He was a pilot on DH.86s for Holyman’s Airways until fired by Ivan Holyman, when he turned to other ventures and agencies. Frewin ordered a new Ryan ST-A early 1937 for Airflite Ltd in Sydney for their flying school, as well one for his own use. They were shipped out a month part and became VH-UYN and VH-UZQ respectively. Both were admired for their sleek design and aerobatic performance and took part in many prewar airshows.”

First flight took place on March 23rd, 1937, at Lindbergh Field, San Diego CA.

The aircraft was then dismantled and shipped to Australia via the Matson Steamship line, onboard the SS Montary. Assembled on arrival at Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney, Registration application: Airflite Ltd, Mascot Aerodrome, Sydney NSW, was signed by Manager A. H. P. Lewis. On May 17th, 1937.

Test flown after assembly and registration on May 17th as well, at Mascot, by pilot B.H.Goodson. Total airframe time: 2 hrs 45 minutes. The Australian C of A was issued and the registration VH UYN.

On August 5th the aircraft crashed on landing Mascot aerodrome when stalled: The undercarriage and prop were damaged. Pilot B.H.Goodson.

The C of A was re issued on March 17th, 1938 after rebuild.

On December 26th, 1938 the aircraft was again damaged when landing on sand at Pretty Beach, Yamba NSW. A spectator ran forward and was struck by the wing, causing the aircraft to swing and tipped on nose in sand. Pilot J. Meehan.

Test flown again after rebuild at Mascot the ownership changed on February 27th 1939 to John Meehan,. Sydney, N.S.W.

Minor damage in forced landing on October 29th, 1939 due engine failure,

Archerfield Qld. Repairs carried out by Qantas. Once again Test flown at Essendon on February 16th, 1940 after C of A renewal, pilot C. Lewis. Total time: 557 hrs.

On March 10th, 1940 yet another forced landing due engine failure, at Goulburn NSW: no damage. Pilot J. Meehan. The aircraft was then transported by road to Mascot and stored engineless in the Ansett Aiways hangar.

In May of 1940 Meehan wrote to the DCA to state that he intends to replace the damaged Menasco engine with a DH Gipsy Major. Serving at the time with the RAAF, Meehan's address is c/- Officers Mess, 2EFTS Archerfield.

Meehan was then noted by the DCA stating that will sell his DH Gipsy Major engine to RAAF and the profit will finance the repairs to the original Menasco, so presumably he was having issues with the installation details.

In a letter to the DCA in October, 1941 from an aeronautical engineer in Sydney who had been commissioned by Meehan to submit drawings for modifications to engine mounts and fuel system to accommodate a Gipsy Major engine in

VH-UYN. It was noted that the DCA was not satisfied with the modifications
proposed and require changes. The aircraft as then stored for the duration of the war.

In 1945 the aircraft was in Essendon, for C of A renewal, and the Gipsy major installation.

The C of A renewal was delayed pending DCA approval of the modifications for the Gipsy Major. Much correspondence was generated on aspects of the modification scheme.  The Gipsy Major installation was finally approved by the DCA based on a new modification scheme submitted by Brown & Dureau Ltd, Belmont Common, Geelong Vic.

On February 22, 1946 the C of A was renewed at Belmont Common, engine noted as a DH Gipsy Major series 1. On July 14th, 1946 VH UYN once again crashed on landing at Belmont Common Vic.
The aircraft ran into a drainage ditch on the airfield boundary and overturned during a downwind landing. Pilot Ian P. Pizer was unhurt but the aircraft received significant damage.

The Aircraft was in a metallic finish with horizontal stripes on the rudder. W. J. Meehan, Manager of Geelong Airways, was a witness to the accident.

The aircraft was stored at Belmont Common, with plans to rebuild it but on August 26th, 1947 John Meehan was killed in the crash of Percival Q6 VH-ABY, which went missing between Sydney and Geelong in bad weather. The wreckage found some months later in mountains near Canberra.

VH-UYN Struck-off Civil Register

In 1948 W. J. Meehan and Geelong Airways aircraft transferred to Mrs. R. Meehan, Geelong Vic, and later Launceston Tas. included Ryan STM VH-BNG, -ARS, and the wreck of VH UYN.

Then in a Letter to DCA, dated February 14th, 1951 from Mrs. J. Meehan, Launceston Tas: "I have this day completed the sale of, Ryan STMs VH-ARS & -BNG and the fuselage only of Ryan STA VH-UYN, to Maxwell Bond, Robbys Aircraft & Repair Co Ltd, Parafield SA."
The fuselage was Held for spares by Robbys Aircraft who operated Ryans VH-RAE & RAF.

In 1961 a Ryan ST-A fuselage was reported stored at Morwell, Vic.

Ownership History

• Aviation Equipment & Export inc. Sydney, Australia;
• Airflite Ltd, Sydney, Australia;
• John Meehan,. Sydney, N.S.W;
• Maxwell Bond, Robbys Aircraft & Repair Co Ltd, Parafield SA.

Current Ownership

Unknown

Notes

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