Touchdown at the March 2021 Aviation Auction
The hangar doors have closed on Australian Frontline Machinery’s March 2021 Aviation Auction, with more than ten Australian ex-military aircraft finding new owners.
Australian Frontline Machinery, the exclusive seller of vehicles & equipment direct from the Australian Defence Force, have officially wrapped up their March 2021 Aviation Auction. The auction offered civilians the chance to own historic Australian ex-Military aircraft including; 8 x Pilatus PC-9/A Aircraft, 2 x Schleicher ASK 21 Mi Gliders, a dismantled and grounded Aermacchi MH-326 and over 200,000 spare parts and pieces of equipment.
Conducting an auction of this scale during the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a challenge, but Australian Frontline Machinery adapted, launching a global marketing campaign with a difference. Developing the Online Aircraft Hangar, Australian Frontline Machinery were able to give prospective buyers the opportunity to partake in online video inspections, chat with aviation experts via private video conference as well as the opportunity to engage in livestream sessions from the Hangar.
Physical inspections in the hangar were opened to all, with national buyers coming from the far corners of Australia including Western Australia, North Queensland and Tasmania. While international travel restrictions remain, many global buyers acquired Buyers Advocate services here in Australia to assist with physical aircraft assessments.
The eight retired Pilatus PC-9/A aircraft quickly became the highlight of the auction. However, among the key aircraft were highly desired aviation spare parts and equipment which attached a flurry of bidding in the race to secure parts that are no longer available. With over 200,000 parts laid out in the hangar, some visitors spent the full 5 days methodically going through the Lots.
With an abundance of national and international interest due to the successful global marketing campaign, aviation and military enthusiasts from around the world flocked to bid through auctioneer, PicklesONLINE. “In this climate, having the auction entirely online meant that the auction could proceed and investors locally and globally were able to secure these historic aircraft’’ said Richard White, Manager at Pickles.
The March 2021 Aviation Auction is officially over, but planning is underway for Australian Frontline Machinery to deliver another opportunity for civilians to own their own piece of military history.