VH-AEX. Douglas C-47-DL. c/n 6071. Was also registered as: 41-38676; VR-NCM; 5N-AAM; AAM. |
Construction of this aircraft was completed at the Douglas Long Beach plant - November 30, 1942 It was built as a Douglas C-47-DL Delivered to the United States Army Air Force - December 1942 It was allocated the U. S. serial number '41-38676' It arrived at Brisbane (Amberley) for use by 5th Air Force - November 11, 1943 It was operated by the 21st Troop Carrier Squadron using the radio callsign 'VHCFL' It was operated by the 6th Troop Carrier Squadron using the radio callsign 'VHCCY' The aircraft was named 'Swamp Rat II' Acquired by the Commonwealth of Australia / D.C.A. for use by Australian airlines - July 10, 1944 It had flown only 1,980 hours 10 minutes Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-AEX - July 11, 1944 Registered to the Commonwealth of Australia, Melbourne Leased to Guinea Airways Pty Ltd for use as a freighter - July 11, 1944 Converted to passenger configuration - November 17, 1944 Returned to Commonwealth of Australia - March 14, 1947 Registered to Australian National Airlines Commission, Melbourne - March 28, 1947 This aircraft was allocated to Trans-Australia Airlines It had now flown 8,125 hours 30 minutes to date The aircraft was named 'Phillip' Operated its first service with Trans-Australia Airlines - March 28, 1947 Withdrawn from service and placed in storage at Melbourne (Essendon) - June 12, 1957 It had now flown 33,522 hours Sold to Aero Equipment, Sydney - August 07, 1957 Sold to West African Airways Corporation - August 09, 1957 Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - August 19, 1957 Entered onto the Nigerian Aircraft Register as VR-NCM - September 05, 1957 The aircraft was named 'Calabar' Registered to W. A. A. (Nigeria) Ltd - October 01, 1958 Reregistered 5N-AAM - 1960 Transferred to Nigerian Air Force as 'AAM' - August 28, 1967 Withdrawn from use - 1972 It is believed to have been broken-up at Lagos Airport, Nigeria - 1977 - 1978 |
VH-AEX. Trans-Australia Airlines - 'Phillip' in the revised livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, date unknown. (B. Colledge Copyright Image 0250-567.) |