VH-DMV Douglas DC-3

VH-DMV. Douglas C-47A-30-DK. c/n 14050-25495.

Was also registered as: 43-48234; VH-CAO; VH-BAB.

Construction of this aircraft was completed at the Douglas Oklahoma City plant - 1944

It was built as a Douglas C-47A-30-DK

It was allocated the United States serial number '43-48234'

Delivered to United States Army Air Force

It was assigned to the Pacific theatre of operations during the war with U. S. Transport Command

It was struck-off charge at Manila, Philippines

Sold to the Commonwealth of Australia

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-DMV - March 26, 1947

Registered to Department of Civil Aviation, Melbourne

Reregistered as VH-CAO - February 09, 1951

The aircraft was operated and serviced for D.C.A. by Trans-Australia Airlines - March 10, 1962

Sold to Brain & Brown Air Freighters - March 10, 1962

It was reregistered as VH-BAB - March 10, 1962

Registered to Brain & Brown Air Freighters Pty Ltd, Melbourne

Converted to freighter configuration and operated as such

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - October 03, 1974

The aircraft underwent a major overhaul and inspection at Melbourne (Essendon)

Returned to the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-BAB - February 11, 1975

Registered to Air Express Holdings Pty Ltd - November 1976

Withdrawn from use - 1979

Sold to Chewing Gum Field Aircraft Museum, Tallebudgera, Queensland

Delivered to the Museum - July 21, 1979

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - July 23, 1979

Whilst on display at the Museum it was painted up in United States Army Air Force livery

Carried the markings '348234' - coded 'X6A' and named 'Jungle Skippers'

When the museum closed the aircraft was relocated to Drages Airworld, Wangaratta, Victoria - December 1985

Placed on display but now coded 'X16A' and renamed 'Oklahoma Gal'

Airworld Museum ceased operations - January 23, 2002

The aircraft was sold by the Wangaratta Council at auction - July 28, 2003

Sold to S. O'Sullivan, New Zealand but this sale did not proceed

Sold to North Queensland Warbirds, Mareeba, Queensland - January 30, 2005

Transported by road from Wangaratta to Mareeba - ?

VH-CAO. Department of Civil Aviation - in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, date unknown.

(B. Colledge Copyright Image 0250-759.)

VH-BAB. Brain & Brown Airfreighters Pty Ltd - in the original livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, December 1970.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-130.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the original livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, May 1972.

(G. Bennett Collection Copyright Image 0250-913.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the original livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, July 1972.

(G. Bennett Collection Copyright Image 0250-914.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the revised livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 14, 1974.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0251-485.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the revised livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 14, 1974.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0251-486.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the revised livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 14, 1974.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0251-487.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the revised livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 14, 1974.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0251-488.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, March 1976.

(G. Bennett Copyright Image 0250-942.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, September 1976.

(G. Bennett Copyright Image 0250-943.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the final livery over Melbourne, December 1976.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-217.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the final livery over Melbourne, December 1976.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-216.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 03, 1978.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-546.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 07, 1978.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0250-393.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 07, 1978.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0250-800.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 07, 1978.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0250-501.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, April 1978.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-778.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, May 1979.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-476.)

VH-BAB. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, June 1979.

(G. Bennett Copyright Image 0250-944.)

VH-BAB. Chewing Gum Field Aircraft Museum - in the basic 'BBA Cargo' livery at Coolangatta Airport, July 1979.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-645.)

VH-BAB. Chewing Gum Field Aircraft Museum - 'Jungle Skippers' in a basic 'W.W.11' livery at Tallebudgera, November 1985.