Construction was completed at the Douglas Oklahoma City plant - November 1943

It was built as a Douglas 'C-47A-1-DK'

Powered by Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 engines

Delivered to the United States Army Air Force as '42-92255' - November 11, 1943

Transferred to the R. A .A. F. under the 'lend / lease' agreement - January 1944

Arrived Amberley on delivery to the Royal Australian Air Force - January 09, 1944

Entered onto the Australian Military Aircraft Register as 'A65-25'

It operated using the radio callsign 'VHCTX'

Allocated to No 35 Squadron for the Allied Directorate of Air Transport - February 01, 1944

Allocated to 3 Aircraft Depot - October 26, 1944

Allocated to No 34 Squadron and coded 'FD-N'

Returned to 3 Aircraft Depot - April 18, 1946

Allocated to No 1 Communications Unit - April 18, 1946

Allocated to No 34 Squadron 86 Transport Wing - May 02, 1946

Allocated to No 2 Communications Unit - May 25, 1947

Allocated to 2 Aircraft Depot for disposal - January 29, 1948

Deemed to be surplus to requirements and approval granted for its use by Qantas Empire Airways - March 25, 1948

Issued to Qantas Empire Airways - April 14, 1948

Sold by the Department of Air to Qantas Empire Airways for 7,673 Australian Pounds - April 20, 1948

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-EAR - July 30, 1948

Registered to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, Sydney

Converted by Qantas at Archerfield Airport to DC-3-S1C3G standard

The aircraft was based at Lae for the airline's perations in Papua New Guinea

It suffered serious damage at Hayfield, Wewak, Papua New Guinea - March 09, 1950

On landing on the greasy runway surface the brakes were unable to stop aircraft in the available distance

The wing was badly damaged but the pilot was not blamed and the aircraft was repaired and returned to service

Sold to W. R. Carpenter & Co Aerial Services for 27,000 Australian Pounds - September 01, 1960

W. R. Carpenter had previously merged with Mandated Airlines but still operated as separate companies

Reregistered as VH-MAR - November 12, 1960

Registered Mandated Airlines Ltd

The aircraft was configured to seat 28 passengers

Ansett-Mandated Airlines Ltd was renamed Ansett-MAL - January 12, 1961

Registered to Ansett Airlines of P. N. G. - May 19, 1968

Ansett-MAL was renamed Ansett Airlines of Papua New Guinea - June 24, 1968

Withdrawn from service - May 1969

Sold to Australian Aircraft Sales (AAS) Pty Ltd - May 12, 1969

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - May 27, 1969

Sold to Seulawah Air Services (Indonesia) - June 18, 1969

Entered onto the Indonesian Aircraft Register as PK-RDF - ?

The aircraft was named 'Dhasma Bakt'

Departed Sydney (Kingsford Smith) on the ferry flight to Indonesia - September 01, 1969

Reregistered as PK-RDK - February 1973

Withdrawn from service - ?

Cancelled from the Indonesian Aircraft Register - ?

The aircraft was scrapped

VH-EAR. Qantas - in the standard livery at an unknown New Guinea Airport, date unknown.

(Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 0251-438.)

VH-EAR. Qantas - in the standard livery at Port Moresby Airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0251-430.)

VH-MAR. Ansett-M.A.L. - in the standard livery at Lae Airport, July 1966.

(G. Bennett Collection Copyright Image 0250-950.)

VH-MAR. Ansett-M.A.L. - in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, May 1968.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0251-264.)

PK-RDF. Seulawah Air Service - in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, June 1969.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0251-431.)

PK-RDF. Seulawah Air Service - in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, June 1969.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0251-432.)