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Aircraft of the PAPUA NEW GUINEA DEFENCE FORCE
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PNGDF Image Gallery
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The Papua New Guinea Defence Force was formed after Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia in 1975. Australia donated many of the early aircraft. In fact of the 26 aircraft operated since 1975 Australia donated or funded 21 of them. The Air Transport Squadron was initially based at Port Moresby before moving to Lae. When Lae airport was closed it moved back to Jackson's Field at Port Moresby where it is currently based. Now called the Air Operations Squadron it operates a single CASA CN235 transport aircraft. Two wet leased Bell 212 helicopters are paid for by the Australian Government provide the PNGDF with some rotary wing capacity. The ADF has been a regular visitor to PNG either in support of PNGDF exercises, assisting in search and rescue and humanitarian relief and even as Peace Keepers in Bougainville during 1998. The RAAF Caribou was a frequent visitor (I wonder how the Caribou replacement the C-27J will perform at some of those hot and high short unsealed strips.) Currently mainly Hercules and Black Hawks have been carrying out similar missions. At present the Air Operations Element has plans for expansion with six new aircraft ordered in 2016 (see below).
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DOUGLAS DC-3/C47B Dakota
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Five ex-RAAF C-47B Dakotas were donated to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force.
During overhaul the aircraft were recertified to civil DC-3 standard.
One other C-47B was donated to be used as a training aid.
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| PNGDF Serial |
Previous ID
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C/N |
Aircraft History |
| P2-001 |
P65-001
A65-100 |
33109 |
ex-RAAF (See RAAF history)
11/08/1975 delivered to PNGDF as P65-001 later P2-001.
Served with Air Transport Squadron based at Lae, later at Jackson's Field.
1994 sold to P.Starr (Newcastle) registered VH-ATO (cancelled).
Landed at Warnervale, NSW due to engine failure on delivery from Papua New Guinea.
Registered VH-DNF to Dakota National Air (ntu).
24/02/2010 trucked to Larras Lee, NSW .
03/2013 sold to Butler Air Transport Museum at Tooraweenah, NSW.
The museum never opened and it was offered for sale in 2014.
12/04/2015 purchased by David Salter and transported by road to his property at Walcha on 23/09/2015.
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| P2-002 |
P65-002
A65-84 |
32877 |
ex-RAAF (See RAAF history)
08/08/1975 delivered to PNGDF as P65-002 later P2-002.
Served with Air Transport Squadron based at Lae, later at Jackson's Field.
1986 still in service (engine issues at Mendi aiport).
09/2002 noted derelict and engineless at Jackson's Field.
2002 moved across the road to the Port Moresby Airways Hotel where it was mounted on poles.
It opened in 2004 as the "Balus Bar".
Initially displayed in Air Niugini scheme it is now in a plain scheme with Airways Hotel titles.
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| P2-003 |
P65-003
A65-67 |
26638 |
ex-RAAF (See RAAF history).
10/10/1975 delivered to PNGDF as P65-003 later P2-003.
Served with Air Transport Squadron based at Lae, later at Jackson's Field.
11/02/1992 withdrawn from service.
07/1993 sold by tender to Marty Taylor .
21/08/1993 arrived Cairns as VH-PTE, flew on to Moree NSW during the following week.
On display mounted outside the Amaroo Tavern, Moree NSW
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| P2-004 |
P65-004
A65-68 |
27130 |
ex-RAAF (See RAAF history)
08/08/1975 delivered to PNGDF as P65-004 later P2-004
Served with Air Transport Squadron based at Lae, later at Jackson's Field
23/08/1993 arrived Cairns as VH-ATO (cancelled)
19/05/1994 registered VH-DNA to Peter Starr's Dakota National Air based at Bankstown, NSW
12/2009 withdrawn from use and moved by road to Larras Lee, NSW
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| P2-005 |
A68-63 |
26001 |
ex-RAAF (See RAAF history)
28/01/1981 approved for transfer to PNGDF. To be delivered to East West Airlines at Tamworth NSW by 25/02/1981
25/03/1981 delivered to PNGDF
Served with Air Transport Squadron based at Lae, later at Jackson's Field
Withdrawn from use 08/1987
1994 to Dick Lang, Adelaide registered VH-PWN. Flew with Rebel Air and then Dakota National Air..
09/2000 noted in dismantled state at Bankstown NSW
Withdrawn from use and stored at Australian Aviation Museum.
01/2010 moved by road to Larras Lee, NSW
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| P2-006 |
A65-65 |
26637 |
ex-RAAF (See RAAF history)
28/01/1981 approved for transfer to PNGDF. To be delivered to East West Airlines at Tamworth NSW by 25/02/1981
08/1982 delivered to PNGDF
Served with Air Transport Squadron based at Lae, later at Jackson's Field
18/11/1987 while climbing out of RW 27 Nadzab Airfield one engine failed, forcing a wheels up landing that damaged a wing, resulting in the aircraft being written off.
Transported to Lae Airfield stripped for parts, remained as a hulk into the early 1990s
Presumed scrapped later in the 90s
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| N/A |
A65-122 |
33455 |
ex-RAAF (See RAAF history)
1980 supplied as training aid at Igam Barracks, Lae
No PNGDF serial allocated
Current on outside display at Lae Botanical Gardens in very poor condition
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PIPER AZTEC
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| PNGDF Serial |
Aircraft history |
| P2-010? |
Some sources indicate that a single Piper Aztec aircraft was used by PNGDF at some stage
No confirmation of aircraft details have been found. |
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GAF N22 NOMAD
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Three GAF N22B Nomads were provided by the Australian Government in 1977/78.
These were supplemented with three N22SB Searchmasters in 1982/84
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| PNGDF Serial |
Construction
Number |
Previous ID |
Aircraft History |
| P2-011 |
N22B-52 |
P2-DFN |
30/11/1977 delivered to PNGDF.
04/05/1981 crashed West Sepik Province and damaged beyond repair.
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| P2-012 |
N22B-54 |
P2-DFO |
30/11/1977delivered to PNGDF.
1998 acquired by Seagull Aviation, stripped for parts and scrapped.
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| P2-013 |
N22B-67 |
P2-DFP |
12/05/1978 delivered to PNGDF.
1998 acquired by Seagull Aviation, stripped for parts and scrapped.
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| P2-014 |
N22SB-112 |
P2-DSQ |
18/10/1982 delivered to PNGDF.
28/01/1983 damaged beyond repair during emergency landing at Daru.
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| P2-015 |
N22SB-113 |
P2-DSR |
26/10/1982 delivered to PNGDF.
1998 acquired by Seagull Aviation, stripped for parts.
Remainder of aircraft currently derelict at Jackson's Field.
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| P2-016 |
N22SB-114 |
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12/06/1984 delivered to PNGDF.
1998 acquired by Seagull Aviation, stripped for parts and scrapped.
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| n/a |
N22B-59 |
P2-DNM |
Flew with Douglas Airways as P2-DNM.
1986 retired from flying.
Acquired by PNGDF for spare parts. |
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IAI ARAVA
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Three Israel Aircraft Industries Arava 201 transport aircraft were delivered in March 1985.
One website reports that for political reasons they were delivered via Lyon in France.
We have photos of two of them transiting through Prestwick in Scotland wearing Israeli civil registrations.
There seems to be no consensus on when they were withdrawn from service with dates varying from 1989 to 2015.
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| PNGDF Serial |
c/n |
Previous
Identity |
Aircraft History |
| P2-021 |
082 |
4X-CUQ |
?/1985 at ARDU trials flight.
10/1988 Richmond Air Show.
09/2002 our photos show P2-021 in the PNGDF hangar at Jackson's Field minus engines, undercarriage and leading edges. P2-023 is parked next to it in a similar condition. P2-021 was reassembled and returned to service.
07/2007 photographed in service at Port Moresby.
2016 satellite photo shows it parked on ramp at Jackson's Field. Exact condition cannot be determined.
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| P2-022 |
083 |
4X-CUR |
09/2002 photos show it parked in PNGDF hangar at Jackson's Field.
It appears to be complete and possibly still in service.
01/2016 parked on ramp at Jackson's Field exact condition unknown but visually still looking like it may be capable of flying.
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| P2-023 |
084 |
4X-CUS |
This one was probably retired before 09/2002 as our photos show it in the PNGDF hangar at Jackson's Field minus engines, undercarriage and leading edges (probably other parts missing as well).
01/2016 photos at Jackson Field show it in outside storage but looks to be in exactly the same condition as back in 2002.
Possibly used as a source of spares to keep other 2 Aravas flying.
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BELL UH-1 IROQUOIS
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Four ex-RAAF UH-1H Iroquois helicopters were donated to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force under Project Wit Koki.
A fifth example was purchased as an attrition replacement in 1992.
An inspection of the data plates of the three surviving ex-RAAF examples parked at Port Moresby in November 2018 has confirmed their identities
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| PNGDF Serial |
c/n |
Previous
Identity |
Aircraft History |
| P2-401 |
9506
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A2-506
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ex-RAAF (See RAAF history).
08/1989 supplied under Project "Wit Koki" along with 2 years supply of spare parts.
Reported to have been armed and used by PNGDF in the Bougainville conflict PNGDF's Iroquois fleet suffered from maintenance and spares issues and gradually wound down.
01/2016 derelict at Jackson's Field.
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| P2-402 |
9509
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A2-509 |
ex-RAAF (See RAAF history).
08/1989 supplied under Project "Wit Koki" along with 2 years supply of spare parts.
Reported to have been armed and used by PNGDF in the Bougainville conflict PNGDF's Iroquois fleet suffered from maintenance and spares issues and gradually wound down.
01/2016 derelict at Jackson's Field .
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| P2-403 |
9510
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A2-510 |
ex-RAAF (See RAAF history).
08/1989 supplied under Project "Wit Koki" along with 2 years supply of spare parts.
Reported to have been armed and used by PNGDF in the Bougainville conflict PNGDF's Iroquois fleet suffered from maintenance and spares issues and gradually wound down.
01/2016 derelict at Jackson's Field.
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| P2-404 |
9505 |
A2-505 |
ex-RAAF (See RAAF history).
08/1989 supplied under Project "Wit Koki" along with 2 years supply of spare parts.
Reported to have been armed and used by PNGDF in the Bougainville conflict.
1994 a PNGDF Iroquois was claimed shot down by the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA).
P2-404 is the only example not stored at Jackson's Field.
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| P2-405 |
13934 |
AE424
VP-FBD
G-BMLA
VH-UHE
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10/10/1978 delivered to Argentine Army.
23/04/82 transported to Falkland Islands by C-130.
06/1982 captured by British Forces.
06/1982 to 01/1986 used by Falkland Islands Government Air Services as VP-FBD.
17/01/1986 sold to and registered G-BMLA to Grampian Helicopters, UK.
09/1988 sold to B.H. Pacific Pty, Australia as VH-UHE.
27/07/1992 sold to PNGDF as P2-405.
01/2016 noted in external storage at Jackson's Field.
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CASA CN-235M
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Two CASA built CN-235M were purchased in 1991.
Both aircraft reported withdrawn shortly after arrival due to funding shortages, but P2-0501 was returned to service in 2006
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| PNGDF Serial |
c/n |
Aircraft History |
| P2-0501 |
C048 |
Delivered 15/11/1991.
09/2002 noted in PNGDF hangar at Jackson's Field without engines.
01/2016 noted in PNGDF hangar at Jackson's Field undergoing restoration to flying status.
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| P2-0502 |
C049 |
Delivered 15/11/1991.
01/2016 currently in service based at Jackson's Field.
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MBB (NURTANO) Bo-105
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| PNGDF Serial |
Model |
c/n |
Aircraft History |
| Unknown |
NBo-105CB |
u/k |
Many sources indicate that a single IPTN (Indonesia) built Bo-105 was operated by PNGDF
Donated by the Indonesian Government it was operated between 1999 and 2004.
Despite my best efforts I have been unable to identify the helicopter involved. |
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BELL 212
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In 04/2012 under the PNG-Australia Defence Cooperation Program a contract was signed between the Australian Government and Hevilift Helicopters (PNG) to provide the PNGDF with two twin-engine medium-lift helicopters and one light training helicopter for a period of two years. (Evidently extended to four years). The twin engined helicopters are Bell 212s a twin engined evolution of the famous Huey. The light training helicopter type and identity has yet to be identified if indeed there ever was one. On 03/03/2016 at the 24th Australia - Papua New Guinea Ministerial Forum the Australian Government agreed to fund the two helicopters for a further three years. |
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| PNGDF Registration |
Previous
Identity |
c/n |
Aircraft History |
| P2-DFA |
D-HGPP |
30807 |
1977 registered D-HGPP to German Federal Police Force (Bundespolizei).
8/05/2012 to Hevilift Ltd as P2-DFA. Leased to PNGDF.
21/06/2012 noted at Cairns en-route to Papua New Guinea.
28/03/2015 noted at Cairns minus PNGDF titles heading south.
28/05/2015 returned to German register as D-HGPP.
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| P2-DFB |
VH-EMJ |
30799 |
28/03/1977 registered VH-EMJ.
11/07/2001 registered P2-HCJ.
? registered P2-DFB (since at least 2013).
01/2016 noted at Jackson's Field still under lease to PNGDF.
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| P2-DFW |
N1761G |
30506 |
Built 1970 previous registrations N606, N212WJ, N1761G
09/2014 noted at Cairns Airport as P2-DFW
01/2016 noted at Jackson's Field still under lease to PNGDF
25/03/2016 re-registered P2-HFJ painted in Police colours
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| P2-HCW |
N7996J |
30520 |
Built 1971 previous registrations N7996J, XC-FIF, N7996J, JA9529, PK-EBO
Would appear to be replacement for P2-DFW
Still is service 11/2018.
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NEW PNGDF AIRCRAFT ON ORDER
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On 23/02/2016 a contract worth US$18 million was signed between PNGDF and Pacific Aerospace for the purchase of four new PAC 750 and two CT-4 aircraft.
The contract provides for Pacific Aerospace to provide training in Hamilton New Zealand for pilots and ground crew. First delivery of PAC 750 aircraft was expected by end of 2016. |
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Pacific Aerospace XL750
PNGDF
Serial Number
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Previous
Registration |
Construction
Number |
Aircraft History
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P2-???
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ZK-KDI
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27/05/2018 aircraft noted at Rockhampton Qld. en-route to Cairns where it will undergo
modifications prior to delivery to PNGDF
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P2-???
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P2-???
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P2-???
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SANDLINE AIRCRAFT
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In 1997 the PNG Government signed a contract with Sandline International to provide a mercenary force to fight separatists in Bougainville.
To cover this episode would require a page of its own. However two aircraft from this failed operation remain at PNGDF base at Jackson's Field. |
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| Aircraft Type |
Registration |
c/n |
Aircraft history |
| CASA 211 Aviocar 200 |
N461CA |
164 |
7/02/1997 registered to Sandair Corp of Middleton, Delaware.
6/03/2000 cancelled from register.
09/2002 photos show it parked in PNGDF hangar at Jackson's Field.
01/2016 outside storage at Jackson's Field.
Many databases show this aircraft as having crashed or being damaged beyond repair.
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| Cessna 337A Skymaster |
N6291F |
291 |
21/02/1997 registered to Sandair Corp of Middleton, Delaware.
3/04/2000 cancelled from register.
01/2016 outside storage at Jackson's Field.
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This page written, managed and updated by Martin Edwards
Heading photograph by Wal Nelowkin
Sources: adf-serials (Dakota) , adf-serials (Iroquois) flightglobal.com , michie.net , looppng.com , png.embassy.gov.au , dfat.gov.au , aeroflight.co.uk , asisbiz.com , helis.com , aviationdb.com , airport-data.com , casapng.gov.pg , airport-data.com , "The International Directory of Military Aircraft" by Gerard Frawley and Jim Thorn, James Hollinworth
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Converted to CMS 29th August 2025
Updated 15 May 2021
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