VH-AEZ Douglas DC-3

VH-AEZ. Douglas C-47A-35-DL. c/n 9811.

Was also registered as: 42-23949; VH-EWD; VH-BAM.

Construction of this aircraft was completed at the Douglas Long Beach plant - July 03, 1943

It was built as a Douglas C-47A-35-DL

Delivered to the United States Army Air Force - July 03, 1943

Allocated the U. S. serial number '42-23949'

It arrived at Brisbane (Amberley) for use by 5th Air Force - August 13, 1943

It was operated using the radio callsign 'VHCGM'

The aircraft was named 'Sacktime Express'

Acquired by the Commonwealth of Australia / Department of Civil Aviation for use by the airlines - May 1945

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-AEZ - May 02, 1945

Registered to the Commonwealth of Australia, Melbourne

Leased to Qantas Empire Airways as the registered operator

Registered to Australian National Airlines Commission, Melbourne - April 24, 1947

Leased to Trans-Australia Airlines, Melbourne as the registered operator

The aircraft was named 'Currie'

Whilst in T. A .A. service it was utilised as a freighter with rear double freight doors

Operated its final Trans-Australia Airlines revenue service - February 17, 1955

Sold to East-West Airlines Ltd, Tamworth - February 18, 1955

Reregistered as VH-EWD - March 10, 1955

The aircraft was renamed 'Lachlan City'

It was initially operated with 21 passenger seats but was reconfigured to seat 28 passengers in 1956

Leased to M. M. A. - October 1965 to February 1966

Sold to Brain and Brown Pty Ltd - October 31, 1966

Reregistered as VH-BAM - October 31, 1966

Registered to Brain and Brown Airfreighters Pty Ltd - June 22, 1972

Withdrawn from use at Melbourne (Essendon) - August 17, 1975

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - August 18, 1975

Returned to the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-BAM - August 20, 1975

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - August 21, 1975

Used as a source of spare parts before final scrapping at Essendon - September 22, 1979

VH-EWD. East-West Airlines - 'Lachlan City' in the original livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0251-005.)

VH-EWD. EWA East -West Airlines - 'Lachlan City' in the revised livery at an unknown airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-537.)

VH-EWD. EWA East-West Airlines - 'Lachlan City' in the revised livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith irport, May 1960.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-813.)

VH-EWD. EWA East-West Airlines - 'Lachlan City' in the revised livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, June 1960.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-453.)

VH-EWD. East-West Airlines - 'Lachlan City' in the final livery at Tamworth Airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-133.)

VH-BAM. Brain & Brown Airfreighters Pty Ltd - in the original livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 1967.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-166.)

VH-BAM. Brain & Brown Airfreighters Pty Ltd - in the original livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, February 1969.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-395.)

VH-BAM. BBA Cargo - in the revised livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, March 1972.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0250-394.)

VH-BAM. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 12, 1974.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0251-489.)

VH-BAM. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 12, 1974.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0251-490.)

VH-BAM. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 12, 1974.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0251-491.)

VH-BAM. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, March 16, 1975.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0251-679.)

VH-BAM. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, July 1975.

(G. Bennett Copyright Image 0250-890.)

VH-BAM. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, July 1975.

(G. Bennett Copyright Image 0251-012.)

VH-BAM. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, October 1977.

(G. Bennett Copyright Image 0250-887.)

VH-BAM. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, October 1977.

(G. Bennett Copyright Image 0250-889.)

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

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0251-756.)

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

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 0251-757.)

VH-BAM. BBA Cargo - in the final livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, March 1979.