de Havilland D.H.114 Heron 2

de Havilland D.H.114 Heron 2

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08/31/2007. Remarks by Jack McKillop: "This aircraft was delivered to Dragon Airways of Newcastle Airport, Northumberland, England, on May 5, 1955 registered G-ANYJ and named "The Conqueror". When Dragon Airways was purchased by Silver City Airways in 1957, this aircraft was sold to the Norwegian airline Braathen's S.A.F.E. (South American and Far East Air Transport A/S) on February 11, 1957, registered LN-SUB and named "Per".

In 1960, Braathens SAFE sold all of their Herons and this one went to a US leasing company as N4789C; it was immediately leased to Ocean Shores Airline on November 8, 1960. On December 17, 1962, it was sold to a second leasing company and leased to Hacienda Hotel until October 8, 1965. The hotel used the aircraft to 'comp trips for punters' (complimentary air travel to the casino for high-rolling gamblers).

In 1966, it was sold to Prinair, Puerto Rico's domestic and international flag carrier airline. In March 1968, it was converted to a Prinair Heron with the addition of two additional engines. The aircraft was sold to several leasing companies and Prinair leased it until it was seized by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in August 1985. In September 1985, it was sold to another company but a US District Court seized it in 1987. It subsequently passed through the hands of several companies until it was withdrawn from use and stored at San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was later sold to two additional companies, the last in July 1992. Its fate is unknown."


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08/31/2007. Remarks by Jack McKillop: "This aircraft was delivered to Dragon Airways of Newcastle Airport, Northumberland, England, on May 5, 1955 registered G-ANYJ and named "The Conqueror". When Dragon Airways was purchased by Silver City Airways in 1957, this aircraft was sold to the Norwegian airline Braathen's S.A.F.E. (South American and Far East Air Transport A/S) on February 11, 1957, registered LN-SUB and named "Per". In 1960, Braathens SAFE sold all of their Herons and this one went to a US leasing company as N4789C; it was immediately leased to Ocean Shores Airline on November 8, 1960. On December 17, 1962, it was sold to a second leasing company and leased to Hacienda Hotel until October 8, 1965. The hotel used the aircraft to 'comp trips for punters' (complimentary air travel to the casino for high-rolling gamblers). In 1966, it was sold to Prinair, Puerto Rico's domestic and international flag carrier airline. In March 1968, it was converted to a Prinair Heron with the addition of two additional engines. The aircraft was sold to several leasing companies and Prinair leased it until it was seized by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in August 1985. In September 1985, it was sold to another company but a US District Court seized it in 1987. It subsequently passed through the hands of several companies until it was withdrawn from use and stored at San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was later sold to two additional companies, the last in July 1992. Its fate is unknown."