VH-AXM Douglas DC-3

Construction of this aircraft was completed at the Douglas Long Beach plant - April 1943

It was built as a Douglas C-47A-20-DL

Delivered to the United States Army Air Force - April 08, 1943

It was allocated the United States serial number '42-23488'

It arrived at Brisbane (Archerfield) on delivery to the 5th Air Force - May 24, 1943

It was allocated to the 39th TCS of the 317th TCG

It was operated using the radio call-sign 'VHCGF'

The aircraft was named 'Ready Willing and Able'

It was damaged at Fenton during a bombing raid on the airfield by Japanese aircraft - June 30, 1943

It was transferred to Wards Strip, Port Moresby - September 1943

It was damaged at Gusap, New Guinea during a strafing raid by Japanese fighters - November 06, 1943

Transferred to Finschafen with 39th Troop Carrier Squadron - July 11, 1944

MacRobertson Miller Airlines was given approval by D.C.A. to purchase surplus C-47s - June 1946

These ex USAAF aircraft were stored at Clarke Field, Manila and were sold via the C.D.C.

This aircraft was selected by MMA's Chief Pilot C. Kleinig and Chief Engineer F. Colquhoun

Approval to purchase this airframe had to come from the United States HQ in Tokyo taking several weeks

The aircraft was still configured as a troop carrier

Test flown at Clarke Field by Cyril Kleinig - June 06, 1946

Official Date-of-Disposal - July 31, 1946

Departed Clarke Field on the ferry flight to Australia - July 31, 1946

It arrived at Perth on completion of ferry the flight - August 01, 1946

Ferry route: Manila - Tacloban - Darwin - Broome - Carnarvon - Perth

Flight crew: Capt C. Kleinig; F/O B. Horan (A.N.A.); Engineer F. Colquhoun

It was converted to civilian standards as a DC-3C-S1C3G with seating for 21 passengers

The original double rear doors were retained so that it could be used to carry freight

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-AXM (CofR 1260) - March 11, 1947

Registered to MacRobertson Miller Aviation Co, Perth

The aircraft was named 'RMA Fitzroy'

Entered service with M.M.A. - March 25, 1947

Operated a charter flight to pick-up the Indian Cricket Team for their Australian Tour - October 04, 1947

Route: Perth - Broome - Darwin - Koepang - Surabaya - Singapore - Penang - Rangoon - Calcutta

Departed Calcutta with the Indian Team on the return flight - October 08, 1947

Flight crew: Capt C. Kleinig; F/O A.E. Budd; F/E F. Colquhoun

Reregistered as VH-BXM - November 26, 1948

This change was necessary when I.C.A.O. prohibited the use of the 'AX' registration block

It is doubtful that this registration was actually ever painted on the aircraft as it was reregistered immediately

Reregistered as VH-MME - December 14, 1948

The aircraft was destroyed when it crashed at night at Allawah Grove, South Guildford, WA - July 02, 1949

It was operating the Perth - Carnarvon - Port Headland - Derby - Wyndham - Darwin service as MV772

Approximately 10 minutes after take-off the aircraft dived almost vertically into the ground

It is believed to have achieved a height of between 300 to 500 feet in its short flight

Although there was no explosion on impact the fuel tanks ruptured and the wreckage caught fire

Except for the rudder, tailwheel and some freight the aircraft was destroyed in the subsequent fire

The cause of the crash has never been confidently established but a number of factors were considered

It was known that a large amount of freight was positioned on the port-side in the first two rows of seats

Did this loading affect the centre of gravity to a critical extent when the wheels were retracted?

Crew inexperience in poor weather conditions was also considered

Flight crew: Capt W.G. Norman; F/O H. Jackson-Vassie; Supernumery Capt E. C. Langford

Cabin crew: Hostess S. J. Seymour - there were 14 passengers on the flight

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - July 04, 1949