VH-AIH. Douglas C-47A-30-DK. c/n 14046-25491.

Was also registered as: 43-48230; VH-EBH; 125491.

 

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

Built as a Douglas C-47A-30-DK

Powered by Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 engines

This aircraft was originally intended for the Royal Air Force as 'KG814' but it was not taken up

It was allocated the United States serial number '43-48230'

Delivered to United States Army Air Force - July 29, 1944

Allocated to Pacific Air Command - August 03, 1944

The aircraft was struck-off charge and sold to Qantas via the R.A.A.F. for 21,995 Aus Pounds - 1945

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-AIH - January 11, 1946

Registered to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, Brisbane

Aircraft overhauled to civilian standards by Qantas

Commenced Qantas operations - March 1946

Departed Sydney on the ferry flight to Papua New Guinea (Captain K. G. Jackson) - January 15, 1947

It arrived Lae on completion of the ferry flight - January 16, 1947

It operated Qantas extension services Lae - Rabual

Reregistered as VH-EBH - July 04, 1949

Registered to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd - July 04, 1949

Registered to Qantas Airways Ltd - February 24, 1950

Withdrawn from service and sold to the Royal Thai Air Force - November 10, 1953

Allocated the R.T.A.F. serial number '125491'

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - November 27, 1953

Departed Sydney on the ferry flight to Thailand (Captain D. J. Richardson) - November 27, 1953

Operated by Transport Squadron 1, R.T.A.F.

Renumbered '491' - date unknown

Withdrawn from service - January 1957

Was reported to be still current with R.T.A.F. - October 1989

Scrapped Thailand - date unknown

 

 

VH-AIH. Qantas Empire Airways - in the all-metal livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, date unknown.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 0251-406.)