VH-ANP. Douglas C-49B-DO. c/n 4096. Was also registered as: 41-7693; VH-GAI. |
This was the last of eight aircraft ordered new by Eastern Air Lines as DC-3-201Fs - 1940 It was to be configured to seat 21 passengers with a starboard passenger door Powered by Wright Cyclone R1820-71 engines Construction completed at the Douglas Santa Monica plant, California - February 18, 1941 This aircraft was impressed during production by the United States Army Air Corps It was redesignated as a Douglas DC-3-384 but impressed as C-49B-DO Delivered to the United States Army Air Corps at San Antonio, Texas - February 22, 1941 Allocated the United States serial number '41-7693' Allocated to Hamilton A.F.B. - April 27, 1941 Allocated to Fresno A.F.B. - December 14, 1941 Allocated to Hamilton A.F.B. - January 1, 1942 Transported to Australia by ship and arrived at the Brisbane Docks - February 05, 1942 Moved to Brisbane (Archerfied) Airport for assembly by Australian National Airways Allocated to Allied Transport Command, USAFIA and operated by 21st Troop Carrier Squadron - February 1942 Allocated to 5th Air Force, Brisbane - September 04, 1942 The aircraft was named 'Airline Alsie' Allocated to Allied Directorate of Air Transport - December 1942 Assigned by the A.D.A.T. to Qantas Empire Airways to operated under contract to A.D.A.T. - December 1942 Delivered to C.A.C. at Fisherman's Bend for conversion to transport configuration - February 19, 1943 Conversion completed (CAC Job No. 8) - March 21, 1943 Conversion involved the relocation of the entrance door to the port side Delivered to 46th Troop Carrier Squadron, 317 Transport Carrier Group, Townsville - March 23, 1943 Entered service using the radio call-sign 'VHCDE' Leased to No 36 Squardon, R.A.A.F. - April 03, 1943 Taken on-charge by the R.A.A.F. - June 21, 1943 It was used extensively on flights along Australian eastern seaboard and the the islands to the north of Australia A.D.A.T. advised D.C.A. that this aircraft was to be transferred to A.N.A. - April 19, 1944 Returned by the R.A.A.F. to the U.S.A.A.F. at Brisbane (Archerfield) - April 21, 1944 Assigned by Allied Directorate of Air Transport to A.N.A. for operations under charter to A.D.A.T. - April 25, 1944 Certificate of Airworthiness (CofA X22) issued for 'VHCDE' - April 25, 1944 Handed over to Australian National Airways Pty Ltd at Brisbane (Archerfield) - April 26, 1944 It had been fitted with Wright Cyclone G1820-65 engines Aircraft had flown 4,125 hours 45 minutes to date Operated by A.N.A. on night courier flights for the Allied Directorate of Air Transport Deemed to be surplus to requirements and sold to Australian National Airways Pty Ltd - February 04, 1946 Converted to civilian standards at A.N.A.'s Brisbane workshop - 1946 Converted to seat 21 passengers and retained the port side entrance door Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-ANP (CofR 983) - May 22, 1946 Registered to Australian National Airways Pty Ltd, Brisbane Registered as a Douglas DC-3-387 The aircraft was named 'Boyana' (repose) Converted to Wright Cyclone R1820-97 engines (G202A) - July 30, 1947 It is believed to have been used for short periods by Butler Air Transport but details are unknown Transferred to Guinea Airways Ltd - June 17, 1955 Sold to Guinea Airways Ltd - August 1958 Reregistered as VH-GAI - August 17, 1958 Registered to Guinea Airways Ltd Aircraft was renamed 'Goroka' Guinea Airways Ltd was renamed Airlines of South Australia Pty Ltd - December 21, 1959 Rergistered as VH-ANP - January 25, 1960 Operated by Airlines of South Australia Registered to Ansett-ANA - February 11, 1960 Registered to Airlines of South Australia Pty Ltd - February 14, 1961 Registered to Ansett-ANA - October 15, 1961 Following the transfer of DC-3 VH-ABR to A.S.A. it was ferried Adelaide - Melbourne (Essendon) - October 1961 Prepared for service with Ansett-ANA Victorian Air Coach Services with seating for 32 passengers Repainted into Ansett-ANA Victorian Air Coach Services livery Transferred to Ansett-ANA Victorian Air Coach Services - December 17, 1961 Withdrawn from service for major overhaul - September 6, 1964 Aircraft had flown 46,746 hours Returned to service on completion of the overhaul - October 03, 1964 Operated the final Melbourne - King Island - Flinders Island - Launceston service - August 27, 1966 Converted to 'Skyliner' standard by Airlines of N.S.W. whilst still in VACS livery - September 1966 Transferred to Ansett-ANA - October 1966 Operated its final revenue service - June 30, 1967 Withdrawn from use and stored in the graveyard area at Melbourne (Essendon) Sold to Simsmetal Ltd Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - November 18, 1968 The aircraft was scrapped on-site as D.C.A. refused to allow it to be scrapped elsewhere - November 04, 1969 Remains were trucked to Brooklyn, Victoria - November 07, 1969 |
VH-ANP. Australian National Airways - 'Boyana' in the 'all-metal' livery at Brisbane Airport, circa 1949. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-299.) |
VH-ANP. Ansett-ANA Victorian Air Coach Services - in the standard livery at an unknown airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-756.) |
VH-ANP. Ansett-ANA Victorian Air Coach Services - in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-568.) |
VH-ANP. Ansett-ANA - in the 'Skyliner' livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, September 19, 1966. (G. Bennett Collection Copyright Image 0250-871.) |
VH-ANP. Ansett-ANA - in the 'Skyliner' livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, September 19, 1966. (G. Bennett Collection Copyright Image 0250-870.) |
VH-ANP. Ansett-ANA - in the 'Skyliner' livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, September 19, 1966. (G. Bennett Collection Copyright Image 0250-869.) |
VH-ANP. Ansett-ANA - in the basic livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, November 07, 1969. (G. Bennett Collection Copyright Image 0251-557.) |