Construction of this aircraft was completed at the Douglas Long Beach, California plant - February 1943

It was built as a Douglas C-47-DL

Delivered to the United States Army Air Force - February 20, 1943

It was allocated the United States serial number '42-32879'

It was allocated to OTARU - August 04, 1943

Transferred to the United States Navy at Brisbane (Eagle Farm) - October 29, 1944

It was deemed to be surplus to requirements and withdrawn from service - 1945

Sold to Australian National Airways Pty Ltd - December 1945

Departed Manila on the ferry flight to Australia (Captain H. N. Humphries) - December 03, 1945

Ferry route: Manila - Tacoblan - Morotai - Higgins Field - Townsville - Brisbane

Converted to civilian standards by Clyde Engineering with seating for 21 passengers

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-ANJ (CofR 978) - May 22, 1946

Registered to Australian National Airways Pty Ltd, Melbourne

The aircraft was named 'Kadana' (star)

It operated its first revenue service - May 1946

It was utilised by Butler Air Transport for short periods but exact details are unknown

It was also utilised by Guinea Airways occasionally in 1946 and 1951

Converted to Wright Cyclone engine - July 1949

Ownership transferred to Ansett-ANA - October 21, 1957

Converted to seat 24 passengers - ?

Transferred to Victorian Air Coach Service - December 17, 1961

Converted to seat 36 passengers for service with VACS

Leased to Airlines of N. S. W. - May 20, 1962

Returned to Victorian Air Coach Service - January 1965

The aircraft was badly damaged whilst taking-off from Warrnambool Airport - April 01, 1965

The port engine failed on take-off and pilot was forced to make an emergency landing on a nearby farm

Damage was caused to the tail, wings, fuselage, propellers and undercarriage

Flight crew: Captain H. Peers; F/O P. Tyres; Hostess J. Brook

It was dismantled on site and trucked back to Melbourne (Essendon) for repairs - April 08, 1965

It has been reported that it returned to service - August 29, 1966

Reported to have been withdrawn from service at Melbourne (Essendon) - September 02, 1966

However the official D.C.A. file on this aircraft ends - April 01, 1965

It was placed in open storage at the 'Essendon Airport Graveyard'

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - November 18, 1968

Scrapped by SimsMetal Ltd at Melbourne (Essendon) - November 04 - 06, 1969

The instrument panel was presented to Engineer L. Hess upon his retirement

This presentation was authorised by Cecil Hill, the Apprentice Master