I was always of the impression that the Air Corps bought 161 new. Not so. here is some info I found,
Built as LF.IX at Castle Bromwich in 1944 and delivered to 33 MU on September 18th. Then to 84 Group Support Unit on October 9th and to 33 Sqn on October 19th. Back to 84 GSU in December, transferred to 83 GSU on January 20th 1945 and to 412 (RCAF) Sqn a few days later. Unit returned to UK in May 1945 and PV202 went to 83 GSU on 31st and then 29 MU on July 29th for storage. Sold to Vickers-Armstrong on July 19th 1950 and converted to a T9 trainer for Irish Air Corps, tested as G-15-174 and became IAC 161, delivered on June 29th 1951.Withdrawn December 4th 1960 and was instructional airframe ubtil March 1968, when it was sold to N.A.W Samuelson, shipped to the UK and stored. Sold to Sir William Roberts in April 1970 and arrived Strathallan on March 2nd 1972. Stored until August 9th 1979 then sold to Nick Grace and on to Steve Atkins on October 10th. Registered G-BHGH then re-registered G-TRIX on July 2nd 1980. Having held an interest in the aircraft in partnership with Steve Atkins since 1987, Richard Parker acquired sole ownership in 1990 and its first flight after rebuild took place on February 23rd that year at Dunsfold. In late 1991 it was sold to Rick Roberts. Crashed at Goodwood Airfield on 8th April 2000, West Sussex killing both pilots, Norman Lees, and Greg McCurragh. As it was about to land it clipped a tree and knocked into a bank before skidding across the motor racing circuit. Historic Flying Ltd began restoring PV202 during 2002. Returned to it's former 1950's Irish Air Corps colours as IAC-161, and re-registered as G-CCCA, it will be used for training purposes at Duxford.First post-restoration flight at Duxford on 13/1/05.
Hope this is of interest.
Lurk.
