3A17 - Bell 206B-1 / OH-58A & CAC CA-32 Kiowa

ADF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

ARMY A17 & RAN N17 Bell 206B-1/OH-58A & CAC CA-32 Kiowa

Bell OH-58A, Bell 206B and CAC CA-32 Kiowa Gallery

The Bell Kiowa has been operated by the ADF in the Army, Navy and with the Aircraft Research and Development Unit.

Bell OH-58A 70-15236 to 70-15243

Australia's first military Bell OH-58A Kiowas were leased from the U.S. Army from 07/71 to 02/72 for use by No 161 Flight in Vietnam and retained their US Army serials, 70-15236 to 70-15243.

The Kiowa was subsequently selected over the French SA.341 Gazelle in 1971 as the Australian Army's standard light observation helicopter (LOH). The model chosen was the 206B-1 version, a military variant of the 206A Jet Ranger with an uprated engine and lengthened rotor blades and incorporated higher skids for operating in unprepared areas. 75 were originally ordered as part of a plan for the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) to build a total of 191 Kiowas for the military and civil markets. Originally the program had been for 200 aircraft, but the military requirement had been reduced by nine to 75 in total and by 1974 only 56 airframes.

Bell 206B A17-001 to A17-012 (including N17-006)

The first 12 206s were built by Bell at Fort Worth, Texas, USA and wore serials A17-001 to A17-012. The first, A17-001, was officially handed over to the Army at Brisbane Airport on 22/11/71. In 05/72, No 171 Air Cavalry Flight became the first unit equipped with the Kiowas and deployed to Holsworthy, NSW.

CAC CA-32 A17-013 to A17-056 (including N13-013,N13-025 & N17-049)

A17-013 to A17-056, were built by CAC as the CA-32. The first was rolled out in 04/73, and was delivered to the RAN as N17-013.
The last Army Kiowa was received from CAC in 1977 as A17-056.

The Kiowa was formally retired from ADF service on 18/10/2018.
A number were retained for Army and Navy museums as well as the Australian War Memorial.
A further batch of 14 was disposed of to Australian Historical Organisations
The remaining 22 were sold by Gray's On-Line Auction ending 4/03/2019. The prices listed below attracted a 9% Buyers Premium and then 10% GST was added

Army OH-58A Kiowas - US Army Serials

Eight 0H-58A Kiowas were leased from USA for for service with 161 Recce Flight at Nui Dat in Vietnam. These aircraft retained their US Serial Numbers and only served for 9 months with Australian Forces. On 28 July, just four days after receiving the first aircraft, the inaugural operational sortie by an Australian OH-58A was flown by Mick Reynolds in direct support of 4 RAR. The last operational flight in Vietnam for 161 (Indep) Recce Flt was flown by Tub Matheson on 29 February 1972 in 70-15237. On 02 March 1972 the last four Australian OH-58A s (236, 237, 239 & 242) were flown to Saigon and handed back to the 166th Air Movements Section of the US Army.

U.S.Serial	C/N	Aircraft History
70-15236	40787	Leased from USA for service with 161 Recce Flight at Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to February 1972. 02 March 1972 One of the last four Australian OH-58A s (236, 237, 239 & 242) flown to Saigon and handed back to the 166th Air Movements Section of the US Army. No Further details
70-15237	40788	Leased from USA for service with 161 Recce Flight at Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to February 1972. Flew the last operational flight in Vietnam for 161 (Indep) Recce Flt was flown by Tub Matheson on 29 February 1972. 02 March 1972 One of the last four Australian OH-58A s (236, 237, 239 & 242) flown to Saigon and handed back to the 166th Air Movements Section of the US Army. No Further details
70-15238	40789	Leased from USA for service with 161 Recce Flight at Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to February 1972. Returned to US Army February 1972, Written off in US Army service Mar 29, 1988 No Further details
70-15239	40790	Leased from USA for service with 161 Recce Flight at Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to February 1972. 02 March 1972 One of the last four Australian OH-58A s (236, 237, 239 & 242) flown to Saigon and handed back to the 166th Air Movements Section of the US Army. No Further details
70-15240 later 89-00109	40791	Leased from USA for service with 161 Recce Flight at Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to February 1972. Returned to US Army February 1972, Later Modified to OH-58D with US Army and re-serialled 89-00109, Crashed Mar 16, 1992 in US Army service. No Further details
70-15241	40792	Leased from USA for service with 161 Recce Flight at Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to February 1972. On 15 November, Lt Grant Steel (RNZIR), while conducting a visual reconnaissance in 70-15241, North of Long Son Island, located an occupied enemy camp and he was engaged by at least three enemy automatic weapons. Although his aircraft was extensively damaged he was able land the aircraft in a safe area, thus saving his passenger and himself from injury. The aircraft had been hit by at least 12 rounds of small arms fire. It was recovered back to Vung Tau where because of the extensive damage it was returned to the US Army for subsequent repair or disposal. Later Modified to OH-58C with US Army. No Further details
70-15242	40793	Leased from USA for service with 161 Recce Flight at Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to February 1972. 02 March 1972 One of the last four Australian OH-58A s (236, 237, 239 & 242) flown to Saigon and handed back to the 166th Air Movements Section of the US Army. To US civil register as N807CP May 1996. 18/05/1999, 14/05/2002, 17/05/2005, 20/05/2008-30/09/2011 Registered N807CP to Baltimore County Police Department, Towson, MD, USA, Current?
70-15243	40794	Leased from USA for service with 161 Recce Flight at Nui Dat Vietnam July 1971 to February 1972. Returned to US Army February 1972, 20/08/1996 N243KP Registration assigned, 8/05/1999, 14/05/2002 - 17/05/2002 Registered N243KP to Baltimore County Police Department, Towson, MD, USA, 22/11/2002, 15/11/2005, 18/11/2008 Registered N243KP to King County Sheriffs Office, Seattle, WA, USA, 01/02/2013 registered to Northwest Helicopters LLC, Olympia, WA, USA. Current

Army Kiowas - A17 Serials

The Kiowa was briefly named the "Kalkadoon" in Army service after the tribe of Aborigines from the Cloncurry/Mount Isa region of Queensland but the name did not stick.

In Army service, the Kiowa has served with No 171 (Command and Liaison) Squadron at Oakey, Queensland, until replaced by ex-RAAF UH-1H Iroquois in 1989. Currently, both Nos 161 and 162 (Reconnaissance) Squadrons at Holsworthy, NSW, and Townsville, Queensland, fly the Kiowa, and the School of Army Aviation at Oakey is responsible for Kiowa training.

ADF.Serial	Bell C/N	CAC C/N	Aircraft History
A17-001	44501	N/A	Delivered 22/11/71 and handed over to the Army at Brisbane Airport, In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. Noted on display at Museum of Army Aviation 02/2017
A17-002	44502	N/A	Delivered 11/71. Written off in Category 5 accident on 23/03/00. The helicopter struck wires near Townsville. The two occupants walked away with minor injuries.
A17-003	44503	N/A	Delivered 11/71. Avalon Airshow 2001. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05 One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 13,013.8 Hours to overhaul 54.6 Not fitted with an engine High bid $29,009 Sold to B.A of O'Connell NSW
A17-004	44504	N/A	Delivered 19/11/71. Richmond Airshow 1988. Loaned to RAN, one source says RAN code 891 another says code 895 (Tjalling Boelman), then returned to Army. Was at ARDU. In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05. Flying Display Avalon 2007. One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 10,275 Hours to overhaul 1,488 Engine hours 11,214.9 High bid $111,009 Sold to E.Q of Victoriaville Canada
A17-005	44505	N/A	Delivered 1971. Loaned to RAN, Returned to Army In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. Sold to Australian Aviation Heritage Centre Caboolture 08/2017 08/2019 mounted on a pole at Bribie Island Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park opposite the Bribie RSL.
A17-006	44506	N/A	Delivered 1971. 1988 Transferred to RAN as N17-006. Returned to Army '2000. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. Australian National Aviation Museum tendered for and was sold A17-006 in 2017.
A17-007	44507	N/A	Delivered 1971. Used for Kiowa Camo Trials by 171 command and liaison Sqn 1979-80. Painted in the Dualtex pattern with matt finish. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05 Sold to Australian Aviation Heritage Centre Caboolture 08/2017 (noted fitted with LH door marked 55) Acquired by National Vietnam Veterans Museum, Newhaven Vic. arriving on 15/02/2018 (now fitted with door marked 07) Incomplete helicopter on static display at 2019 Avalon Air Sow painted dark green as per A17-009 in our header photograph
A17-008	44508	N/A	Delivered 1971. Was in service with Australian Army. This aircraft crashed at Greenbank Rifle Range early 1991 and was written off. The Squadrons of 1st Aviation Regiment were on their annual camp at Greenbank when the aircraft arrived. The aircraft crashed during landing in what is termed 'Dynamic Rollover'.
A17-009	44509	N/A	Delivered 1972. Crashed at Holsworthy Airfield after wingover on 09/07/74. (Pilot Gary Ticehurst). Written off 9/9/75.
A17-010	44510	N/A	Delivered 25/01/72. Was in service with 161 Recce Sqn 1986. At Holsworthy in 1986 for the 21st Anniversary of the formation and deployment of 161 Recce Flt to Vietnam (See Photo). In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05. Sold to South Australian Aviation Museum 2017.
A17-011	44511	N/A	Delivered 1972. Richmond Airshow 1988. In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05 One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 10.301 Hours to overhaul 725.2 Engine hours 7,957.7 High bid $160,109 Sold to J.P of Launceston TAS 24/04/2019 registered VH-VJP to Pentridge Pty Ltd Kings Meadows, Tasmania
A17-012	44512	N/A	Delivered 27/01/72. Richmond Airshow 1988. In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05. Sold to Queensland Air Museum 2017
A17-013	44513	CA32-13	The first Australian built Kiowa was delivered 20/03/73. Richmond Airshow 1988. To RAN as N17-013. 17/04/74 Returned to Army '2000. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. Acquired by RAN Historic Flight, 11/2013 Was to be restored to airworthiness, Registration allocated VH-NVO Project halted when RANHF disbanded
A17-014	44514	CA32-14	First Flight 27/04/73. Delivered 1973. In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05. Flying Display Avalon 2007. Sold to Merriden Military Museum 08/2017
A17-015	44515	CA32-15	First Flight 18/05/73. Delivered 11/06/73. Avalon Airshow 2001. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05 One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 11,449.7 Hours to overhaul 2,257.7 Engine hours 25,826 High bid $210,409 Sold to RT (Rhys Thomas?) of Broome WA 1/04/2019 registered to West Coast Seaplanes Pty Ltd of Broome WA. Donated and flown to Darwin Aviation Museum by Rhys Thomas 2025. On display Darwin Aviation Museum.
A17-016	44516	CA32-16	First Flight 02/06/73. Delivered 1973. Avalon 2005. Was in service with Australian Army. In long term storage 01/12/05 at Oakey One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 12,209.7 Hours to overhaul 1,193.8 Engine hours 9,307.5 High bid $210,009 Sold to E.J of Hillston NSW Sighted at Wagga 17/04/2019 09/07/2019 Registered VH-EJZ to Edward Jones of Hillston NSW
A17-017	44517	CA32-17	First Flight 09/06/73. Delivered 14/06/73. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 11,752.4 Hours to overhaul 74.7 Not fitted with an engine High bid $28,509 Sold to J.S of Currumbin Waters QLD
A17-018	44518	CA32-18	First Flight 21/09/73. Delivered 1973. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 12,077.1 Hours to overhaul 2,512.0 Engine hours 9,001.2 High bid $95,209 Sold to B.B of Kelvin Grove QLD
A17-019	44519	CA32-19	First Flight 12/10/72. Delivered 1973. Crashed 12/10/87, Lakeland Downs after a wire strike.
A17-020	44520	CA32-20	Delivered 1973. Used for Kiowa Camo Trials by 171 command and liaison Sqn 1979-80. Painted in dark olive drab flat paint scheme. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. Was on loan to the MAAF at Oakey and is on display, though officially remains on Army Charge. Sold to Evans Head Memorial Aviation Heritage Museum 08/2017
A17-021	44521	CA32-21	Delivered 1974. Crashed 1995, after loss of LTE during landing at Gibb River, WA.
A17-022	44522	CA32-22	Delivered 1974. Crashed 26/06/74 Oakey QLD whilst practicing minimum radius turns. (Pilot Smith). Combined with parts from A17-030 and used for ground instruction. Current status unknown but may of been scrapped some years ago
A17-023	44523	CA32-23	Delivered 20/05/74. Served with 162 Sqn. Crashed at Clermont QLD 06/06/02, Cat 5 Damage.
A17-024	44524	CA32-24	Delivered 31/05/74. On Display Harvey Bay Airshow '2000. In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05 06/2013 acquired by the AFP (Australian Federal Police) Canberra for use as a ground training aid. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;} A tail boom off A17-024 was found on a property in Murwillumbah during 01/2018
A17-025	44525	CA32-25	Delivered 1974. To the Navy as N17-025. Crashed, see N17-025.
A17-026	44526	CA32-26	Delivered 24/07/74. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05 One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 12,049.7 Hours to overhaul 821.8 Engine hours 9,971.5 High bid $250,209 Sold to A.F of Smithfield QLD 26/03/2019 registered VH-NKH to Nautilus Aviation Pty Ltd of North Cairns QLD
A17-027	44527	CA32-27	First Flight 18/09/74. Delivered 1974. Flown with 161 Recce Sqn and 171 Operational Support Sqn. This aircraft was the first Kiowa to fly its 10,000th hour on 06/04/03, while on operations in Timor Leste with 162 Recce Sqn as a part of UNMISET. It was piloted by Maj Brendan Dwyer OC of 162 Recce Sqn and Capt Brian Cunneen, who flew the first mission in East Timor in 1999. This aircraft has served several times in Timor and was to be the last Kiowa out of Timor at the end of June 2003. In long term storage 01/12/05 at Oakey. Due to be displayed at Australian Army Flying Museum in 2019
A17-028	44528	CA32-28	Delivered 01/02/75. In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/2005 One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 12,336.8 Hours to overhaul 1,700.4 Engine hours 7,575.1 High bid $225,609 Sold to C.M of Malvern VIC 9/04/2019 registered VH-LTL to Combo International of Malvern, Vic.
A17-029	44529	CA32-29	Delivered 1975. In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/2005. In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 12,774.4 Hours to overhaul 1,612.7 Engine hours 9,169.2 High bid $107,109 Sold to Ian Smart of Kellyville NSW Registered VH-IKH to Ian Smart on 16/04/2019
A17-030	44530	CA32-30	Delivered 1975. Crashed 16/06/76 after Wire-strike at High Range, QLD. (Pilot Andy Hastie). Combined with parts from A17-022 and used for ground instruction. Current status unknown but may of been scrapped some years ago
A17-031	44531	CA32-31	Delivered 1975. Was in long term storage 01/12/05 at Oakey. Was on display at the Army Aviation Museum at Oakey QLD. In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 10,157.0 Hours to overhaul 1,817.7 Engine hours 8,133.3 High bid $109,709 Sold to J.P of Launceston TAS 24/04/2019 registered VH-JJP to Pentridge Pty Ltd Kings Meadows, Tasmania
A17-032	44532	CA32-32	Delivered 1975 1998 Loaned to RAN. Retained Army camouflage but fitted with Navy titles and low skids In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 11,304.7 Hours to overhaul 1,312.5 Engine hours 7,276.5 High bid $97,409 Sold to S.O of Horsley Park NSW Sale didn't proceed and was relisted 4/04/2019 for auction at Bandiana. NSW High bid the second auction was $126,109 Sold to N.P of Mount Eliza, VIC 2/05/2019 Registered VH-XKY to Code Black Pty Ltd of Mt. Eliza, Victoria
A17-033	44533	CA32-33	Delivered 1975. In long term storage 01/12/05 at Oakey. Sold to Australian Aviation Heritage Centre Caboolture 08/2017
A17-034	44534	CA32-34	Delivered 11/0 6/75. 1988 Loaned to RAN. Retained Army camouflage and serial but carried Navy titles. Fitted with blue Navy low profile skids In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. Sold to Australian Aviation Heritage Centre Caboolture 08/2017
A17-035	44535	CA32-35	Delivered 1975. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. Sold to Australian Aviation Heritage Centre Caboolture 08/2017
A17-036	44536	CA32-36	Delivered 18/07/75. In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05. In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 10,711.8 Hours to overhaul 1,850.7 Engine hours 9,216.1 High bid $100,709 Sold to S.O of Horsley Park, NSW Sale didn't proceed and was relisted 4/04/2019 for auction at Bandiana. NSW High bid the second auction was $116,909 Sold to M.J Hillarys WA
A17-037	44537	CA32-37	Delivered 1975. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 12,343.7 Hours to overhaul 12,343.7 Not fitted with an engine High bid $27,209 Sold to M.G of Victoria Park WA
A17-038	44538	CA32-38	Delivered 17/12/75. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05 One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 12,283.1 Hours to overhaul 2.078.6 Engine hours 6,830.9 High bid $95,309 Sold to D.D of Pascoe Vale VIC 01/08/2019 Registered VH- JQN to John Weymouth of Dora Creek NSW
A17-039	44539	CA32-39	Delivered 19/12/75. In long term storage 01/12/05 at Oakey. In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 11,693.6 Hours to overhaul 2,441.4 Engine hours 7713 High bid $85,309 Sold to R.H of Waroona WA 28/05/2019 registered VH-HRF to Charles Hull Pty Ltd of Waroona WA
A17-040	44540	CA32-40	Delivered 1976. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 12,875.0 Hours to overhaul 2,654.7 Engine hours 8,678.2 High bid $96,509 Sold to D.D of Pascoe Vale VIC 31/07/2019 Registered VH- PWU to John Weymouth of Dora Creek NSW
A17-041	44541	CA32-41	Delivered 1976. Crashed 19/08/80 Holsworthy NSW.
A17-042	44542	CA32-42	Delivered 1976. Used for Kiowa Camo Trials by 171 command and liaison Sqn 1979-80. Painted in Iroquois scheme of black/light green/tan, which was the winning scheme. Crashed 24/02/80 near Bourke NSW. Lost Directional Control .
A17-043	44543	CA32-43	Delivered 1976. Richmond Airshow 1988. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. Current training aid with RAEME Aircraft Maintenance School - Oakey.
A17-044	44544	CA32-44	Delivered 1976. Written off in accident early 90's, now training aid with RAEME Aircraft Maintenance School - Oakey. In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours ? Hours to overhaul ? Engine hours ? High bid $38,209 Sold to J.M of Cooroy QLD
A17-045	44545	CA32-45	Delivered 18/10/76. In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05. Australian National Aviation Museum tendered for and was sold A17-006 in 2017.
A17-046	44546	CA32-46	Delivered 19/11/76. Used for Kiowa Camo Trials by 171 command and liaison Sqn 1979-80. Oakey Airshow 1986. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 9794.2 Hours to overhaul 2,717.8 Engine hours 8,622.6 High bid $300,009 Sold to A.F of Smithfield QLD 26/03/2019 registered VH-ZDI to Nautilus Aviation Pty Ltd of North Cairns QLD
A17-047	44547	CA32-47	Delivered 22/12/76. Used for Kiowa Camo Trials by 171 command and liaison Sqn 1979-80. Painted in light green with matt finish. Damaged 04/02/80 Weipa. In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05. One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 9695.7 Hours to overhaul 1,032.9 Engine hours 9,594 High bid $189,109 Sold to Judy Pay of Tyabb VIC 26/03/2019 registered VH-XKH to Mount Gallipoli Pty Ltd of Tyabb VIC 08/06/2019 noted being flown by Judy Pay at Tyabb
A17-048	44548	CA32-48	Delivered 1976. Crashed 23/09/81, Weipa QLD. Parts were locked up in the 162 Recce Sqn transport yard in 1981.
A17-049	44549	CA-32-49	Delivered 08/03/77. To RAN as N17-049. Returned to Army '2000. Had a heavy landing 08/2003 but was considered repairable. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 10,254.2 Hours to overhaul 1,511.9 Engine hours 7,357.2 High bid $78,309 Sold to D.D of St Andrews Beach VIC
A17-050	44550	Ca32-50	Delivered 23/09/75. Was on Loan to Museum of Army Aviation, Oakey QLD. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. Sold to HARS Albion Park NSW 08/2017
A17-051	44551	CA32-51	Delivered 09/10/75. In service with Army Helicopter School Oakey 01/12/05. In storage at Avalon airport awaiting sale One of twenty two that were sold by Gray's On-line Auction that ended on 4/03/2019 Airframe hours 10,221.0 Hours to overhaul 1,381.7 Engine hours 7,521.5 High bid $80,809 Sold to E>Q of Victoriaville Canada
A17-052	44552	CA32-52	In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05. Noted retired by September 2013 Sold to HARS Albion Park NSW 08/2017
A17-053	44553	CA32-53	Crashed 28/10/85, near Oakey QLD. Impacted ground during a turn.
A17-054	44554	CA32-54	Delivered 02/09/75. Served in East Timor with the UN 2003. In long term storage 01/12/05 at Oakey 04/2019 transferred to the Australian War Memorial for an East Timor display..
A17-055	44555	CA32-55	Delivered 29/03/76. Avalon Airshow 2003. In service with 161 Recce Sqn 2003. In service with 161 Recce Sqn Darwin 01/12/05. Static Display Avalon 2007. Australian National Aviation Museum tendered for and was sold A17-006 in 2017.
A17-056	44556	CA32-56	Delivered 08/03/77. Loaned to RAN, code 899. Returned to Army. 01/09/87 Crashed in Tasmania, due to dynamic roll-over whilst attempting to land. The remains have been used in a composite rebuild at RAAHC Amberley to be used as an interactive display.

Navy Kiowas - N17 Serials

From 1974 to 2000, the RAN has operated six of the ADF Kiowa fleet (initially to replace the Westland Scout) but only ever at a maximum strength of three airframes at any given time. The RAN received N17-013, N17-025 and N17-049 direct from the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation
After the loss of N17-025 in 1977, A17-005 was borrowed from the Army. After its return, the RAN briefly flew A17-056 and in 1988, acquired A17-006.
Some sources quote A17-004 as having been loaned to the RAN but we are unable to confirm.
A17-032 was loaned in 1998

RAN.Serial	Bell C/N	CAC C/N	RAN Code	Aircraft History
N/A	44504	N/A	891? 895?	See A17-004 above
N17-005	44505	N/A	891 895?	See A17-005 above
N17-006	44506	N/A	896	Delivered 05/10/88. Was in service 723 Sqn RAN code 896. Ditched 14/04/86 into Admiralty Gulf WA at 1:50pm 1/2 a mile from the ship after an engine failure while attached to HMAS Moresby and recovered. Returned to Army '2000.
N17-013	44513	CA32-13	892	The first Australian built Kiowa Transferred to RAN 17/06/74 Avalon Airshow 1999. Was in service 723 Sqn RAN code 892. Returned to Army '2000. Acquired by RAN Historic Flight, 11/2013 Was to be restored to airworthiness, Registration allocated VH-NVO Project halted when RANHF disbanded.
N17-025	44525	CA32-25	891	Delivered 06/74. Coded 891. Crashed 30/07/77 Sunday Island off the West Australia coast whilst operating with HC723 Sqn, RAN. The helicopter was recovering a hydrographer from a cliff face when the hydrographer jumped aboard the helo he unbalanced it and it fell 50m down the cliff face. It was embarked on HMAS Moresby carrying out cartographic work on the West Coast when the accident happened. The crew of Leut(P) Jackson and LSACM Mason survived unhurt.
A17-032	44532	CA32-32		1998 Loaned to RAN. Retained Army camouflage and serial. Fitted with Navy titles and low profile skids.
A17-034	44534	CA32-34		1988 Loaned to RAN. Retained Army camouflage and serial. Fitted with Navy titles and low profile skids.
N17-049	44549	CA32-49	890	Delivered 09/03/77. In service 723 Sqn RAN, code 890. Returned to Army '2000.
A17-056	44556	CA32-56	899	See A17-056 above

The Authors of this page is Darren Crick, Brendan Cowan and Martin Edwards.

Source: Australian Aviation Magazine. Book: Target Charlie, 161 Recce Flight Website, Book: Royal Australian Navy - Pictorial Review, The Army Newspaper, Australia's Museum of Flight/ Fleet Arm Air Museum, Nowra, joebaugher.com , https://graysonline.com

Emails: Jim Bartok, Dean Norman, Alan Macdonald, Glenn Beare, Peter Hancock, Graeme Edwards, Martin Kaye, Len Avery, Bob Coppinger, Graham Mison, Bob Geale, Martin Edwards, Brendan Cowan, Josh Masterson, Dave Soderstrom, Ian McDonnell, John Parker, Richard Siudak, Greg Hyde

Converted to CMS 25th August 2025

Updated 20th November 2025