VH-EAE. Douglas C-47B-30-DK. c/n 16348-33096.

Was also registered as: 44-76764; A65-95.

Construction was completed at the Douglas Oklahoma City plant - April 1945

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

It was allocated the United States serial number '44-76764'

Delivered to the United States Army Air Force - April 20, 1945

Transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force under the lend / lease agreement

Delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force at Brisbane - May 08, 1945

Entered onto the Australian Military Aircraft Register as 'A65-95'

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

Issued to No 38 Squadron, 90 Transport Wing

Issued to No 37 Squadron, 86 Transport Wing and based at Schofields, N.S.W. - August 15, 1946

The wartime camouflage livery was removed and the aircraft utilised on courier flights to Japan

Issued to No 36 Squadron, 86 Transport Wing based at Richmond, N.S.W.

Issued to the Central Flying School, East Sale, Victoria

Supported the training of GCA operators at the RAAF School of Radio, Ballarat, Victoria

Transferred to Aircraft Research & Development Unit (ARDU), Laverton, Victoria - March 14, 1961

Transferred to ARDU Edinburgh, South Australia - February 1977

Withdrawn from use and stored at Adelaide (Edinburgh) - 1997

Struck-off-charge and sold by Commonwealth Disposals Board - 2000

The aircraft had flown 14,900 hours

Sold to Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS) - July 2000

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-EAE - July 21, 2000

Registered to Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Inc, Albion Park

As this aircraft had been canabalised over the years it was missing many vital parts that had to be sourced

before the aircraft could be flown to Sydney (Bankstown)

The restoration to airworthy standards was carried out by HARS at Sydney (Bankstown)

It was damaged during a violent wind storm at Sydney (Bankstown) - January 08, 2003

Damage was caused to rudder, tail and the control systems when the rudder chock became dislodged

It was repaired on site

Ferried Sydney (Bankstown) - Albion Park Regional Airport - February 20, 2003

The aircraft retains its basic RAAF 'ARDU' livery with 'Historical Aircraft Restoration Society' titles

Flew its first HARS mission when it flew Albion Park - Temora - March 22, 2003

Registered to Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Inc - December 20, 2005

This aircraft is based at the HARS Museum, Albion Park Regional Airport, Albion Park, N.S.W.

Current with HARS

A65-95. Royal Australian Air Force - in the standard 'ARDU' livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, May 1975.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-142.)

A65-95. Royal Australian Air Force - in the standard 'ARDU' livery at RAAF Base Edinburgh, Adelaide, October 1975.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-379.)

A65-95. Royal Australian Air Force - in the final 'ARDU' livery at Sydney Bankstown Airport, April 1986.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0250-143.)

VH-EAE. Historical Aircraft Restoration Society - in the basic 'RAAF ARDU' livery at Albion Park Regional Airport, November 2003.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0250-378.)