Construction was completed at the Douglas Oklahoma City plant - May 1944

It was built as a Douglas C-47A-25-DK for the United States Army Air Force

It was allocated the United States serial number '42-93449'

Delivered to United States Army Air Force - May 22, 1944

It was allocated to Pacific Air Transport Command, Manila, Philippines - May 31, 1944

Withdrawn from use as surplus to requirements and struck-off-charge - 1946

Sold to Ansett Airways by the U. S. Foreign Liquidation Commission, Philippines - May 01, 1946

Ferried Manila - Melbourne (Essendon) for conversion to civilian standards with seating for 21 passengers

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-AMK - June 19, 1946

Registered to Ansett Airways Pty Ltd, Melbourne

Entered service with Ansett Airways - 1947

The aircraft was named 'Anstratus'

It was converted to seat 28 passengers in a 'tourist class' configuration - late 1947

Reregistered as VH-RMK - October 01, 1948

Reregistered as VH-BZK - June 29, 1949

This latest change of registration was due to a conflict with the existing 'radio call-signs'

It was extensively damaged at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) when it collided with a coal train - June 18, 1950

The aircraft was taxiing out to depart on the scheduled flight to Coffs Harbour - Brisbane

Flight crew: Captain R. G. Gibson; F/O H. Knott; Hostess M. Reid

Damage was sustained by both engines, port wing, port tail assembly and lower fuselage in cockpit area

Repaired by Fairey Aviation at their Clyde facility for approximately 16,500 Pounds

The accident gave rise to the saying 'Don't miss your train connection - fly Ansett'

Aircraft traffic lights were installed at the accident scene (runway) to prevent further collisions - December 10, 1951

During Royal Tour of 1954 the aircraft was fitted with a neon sign 'E II R' under wing centre section

Registered to Ansett-ANA - October 21, 1957

Withdrawn from service at Melbourne (Essendon) - October 01, 1958

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - October 15, 1958

Sold to Thai Airways Co. Ltd - October 15, 1958

Entered onto the Thailand Aircraft Register as HS-TDG - October 28, 1958

Withdarwn from use and stored at Bangkok (Don Muang) - February 1973

Cancelled from the Thai Aircraft Register - December 26, 1973

Had been scrapped on site - August 1981