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VH-BDU. Douglas C-47A-1-DK. c/n 12041. Was also registered as: 42-92260; FL620; B-253. |
Construction of this aircraft was completed at the Douglas Oaklahoma City plant - December 1943 It was built as a Douglas C-47A-1-DK It was allocated the United States serial number '42-92260' Delivered to the United States Army Air Force - December 30, 1943 It was allocated to the Royal Air Force under the lend / lease agreement as a 'Dakota III' with serial number ' FL620' Delivered to the R.A.F. at Nassau - January 11, 1944 Transferred to India and was operated by 9 F.U. - February 12, 1944 Transferred to the Indian Government as FL620 - January 30, 1947 Regarded as being surplus to requirements and offered for sale - ? Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-BDU - October 07, 1947 Registered to Butler Air Transport Pty Ltd, Sydney It was officially sold to Butler Air Transport - November 14, 1947 The aircraft was configured to seat 24 passengers and had a 'built-in' airstep The aircraft was named 'RMA Warroo' Leased to Queensland Airlines on various occasions Operated the inaugural Airlines of N.S.W. Sydney - Moruya - Merimbula - Melbourne service - December 16, 1960 Registered to Airlines of N.S.W. - February 14, 1961 Transferred to New Guinea to operate Ansett-MAL services - April 1961 Registered to Ansett-M.A.L. - April 13, 1961 The aircraft was reconfigured to seat 28 passengers Commenced Ansett-M.A.L.'s 'Golden Orchid' services - April 19, 1961 Utilised to connect with the Ansett-ANA 'Golden Orchid' services at Lae and Port Moresby Withdrawn from service and sold to Far Eastern Air Transport - October 20, 1967 Departed Lae on the ferry flight to Taipei - October 20, 1967 Ferry route: Lae - Wewak - Vanimo - Koror - Manila - Taipei Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - October 30, 1967 Entered onto the Taiwanese Aircraft Register as B-253 - November 1967 Withdrawn from service by FEAT - 1979 The aircraft was donated to the Republic of China Air Force as a source of spares - December 1981 Scrapped at Taipei, Taiwan - December 1981 |
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VH-BDU. Butler Air Transport - in the old livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0251-463.) |
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VH-BDU. Ansett-M.A.L. - in the original livery with 'Golden Orchid' titles at Melbourne Essendon Airport, April 1961. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-801.) |
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VH-BDU. Ansett-M.A.L. - in the original livery with 'Golden Orchid' titles at Port Moresby Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-896.) |
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VH-BDU. Ansett-M.A.L. - in the revised livery at Lae Airport, January 1966. (G. Bennett Collection Copyright Image 0250-898.) |
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VH-BDU. Ansett-M.A.L. - in the revised livery at Lae Airport, July 1966. (G. Bennett Collection Copyright Image 0250-897.) |
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VH-BDU. Ansett-M.A.L. - in the revised livery at an unknown airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-321.) |