VH-BDU. Douglas C-47A-1-DK. c/n 12041.

Was also registered as: 42-92260; FL620; B-253.

 

Construction of this aircraft was completed at the Douglas Oaklahoma City plant - December 1943

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

It was allocated the United States serial number '42-92260'

Delivered to the United States Army Air Force - December 30, 1943

It was allocated to the Royal Air Force under the lend / lease agreement as a 'Dakota III' with serial number ' FL620'

Delivered to the R.A.F. at Nassau - January 11, 1944

Transferred to India and was operated by 9 F.U. - February 12, 1944

Transferred to the Indian Government as FL620 - January 30, 1947

Regarded as being surplus to requirements and offered for sale - ?

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-BDU - October 07, 1947

Registered to Butler Air Transport Pty Ltd, Sydney

It was officially sold to Butler Air Transport - November 14, 1947

The aircraft was configured to seat 24 passengers and had a 'built-in' airstep

The aircraft was named 'RMA Warroo'

Leased to Queensland Airlines on various occasions

Operated the inaugural Airlines of N.S.W. Sydney - Moruya - Merimbula - Melbourne service - December 16, 1960

Registered to Airlines of N.S.W. - February 14, 1961

Transferred to New Guinea to operate Ansett-MAL services - April 1961

Registered to Ansett-M.A.L. - April 13, 1961

The aircraft was reconfigured to seat 28 passengers

Commenced Ansett-M.A.L.'s 'Golden Orchid' services - April 19, 1961

Utilised to connect with the Ansett-ANA 'Golden Orchid' services at Lae and Port Moresby

Withdrawn from service and sold to Far Eastern Air Transport - October 20, 1967

Departed Lae on the ferry flight to Taipei - October 20, 1967

Ferry route: Lae - Wewak - Vanimo - Koror - Manila - Taipei

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - October 30, 1967

Entered onto the Taiwanese Aircraft Register as B-253 - November 1967

Withdrawn from service by FEAT - 1979

The aircraft was donated to the Republic of China Air Force as a source of spares - December 1981

Scrapped at Taipei, Taiwan - December 1981

 

 

VH-BDU. Butler Air Transport - in the old livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0251-463.)

VH-BDU. Ansett-M.A.L. - in the original livery with 'Golden Orchid' titles at Melbourne Essendon Airport, April 1961.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-801.)

VH-BDU. Ansett-M.A.L. - in the original livery with 'Golden Orchid' titles at Port Moresby Airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-896.)

VH-BDU. Ansett-M.A.L. - in the revised livery at Lae Airport, January 1966.

(G. Bennett Collection Copyright Image 0250-898.)

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

(G. Bennett Collection Copyright Image 0250-897.)

VH-BDU. Ansett-M.A.L. - in the revised livery at an unknown airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-321.)