VH-PNB. Douglas C-47B-15-DK. c/n 26789.

 

This aircraft was constructed under the United States Army Air Force Contract

Construction was completed at the Douglas Oaklahoma City plant - November 1944

It was built as a Douglas C-47B-15-DK

It was accepted by the United States Army Air Force - December 02, 1944

It was allocated the U. S. serial number '43-49528'

This aircraft was utilised as a transport in the Pacific theatre of operations

Delivered to the United States Army Air Force at Oahu - January 17, 1945

It was deemed to be surplus to requirements and was struck off-charge - 1947

Sold to Trans Pacific Airlines Ltd - 1947

Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as NC62083 - ?

Registered to Aloha Airlines when the airline was renamed - November 1958

Withdrawn from service and offered for sale - ?

The aircraft arrived at Sydney (Bankstown) on completion of the ferry flight - July 08, 1961

Sold to Papuan Air Transport Ltd, New Guinea - July 31, 1961

The aircraft was overhaulled at Bankstown by Bristol Aviation Services

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-PNB - October 27, 1961

Registered to Papuan Air Transport Ltd, Papua New Guinea

The aircraft was named ' Mount Albert Edward'

Ferried Sydney (Bankstown) - Port Moresby - October 1961

It was transferred to Ansett Airlines of Papua New Guinea when operations were merged - November 16, 1970

This aircraft was not painted into the standard Ansett 'delta' livery

Leased to Trans-Australia Airlines for use in New Guinea in the basic Patair livery - June 10, 1971

Returned to Ansett Airlines of Papua New Guinea at the end of the lease - April 11, 1972

The aircraft was damaged in a landing accident at Madang - April 06, 1972

The P.I.C. (Captain R. Smith) reported a loss of all hydraulics prior to landing

It overran the end of the landing strip due to having no brakes and finished up in Madang Harbour

There were no injuries to the passengers or crew on board

The aircraft was successfully dragged out of the water

Although it sustained minimal airframe damage it suffered salt water immersion

It was therefore considered to be uneconomical to repair

Registered to Ansett (P&NG) Ltd - July 01, 1972

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - November 12, 1973

The aircraft was scrapped at Madang and the remains used as harbour fill - December 29, 1978

The wings remained stored in the Ansett hangar for years

 

 

VH-PNB. Papuan Airlines - 'Mount Albert Edward' in the standard livery at an unknown airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-967.)

VH-PNB. Papuan Airlines - 'Mount Albert Edward' in the standard livery at an unknown airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-497.)

VH-PNB. TAA Air Cargo - in the basic Patair livery at an unknown airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-324.)