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VH-EBN. Douglas C-54A-1-DO. c/n 7458. Was also registered as: NC90414; VR-SEA; VH-EDB; N5581T; C-GPSH; N7171H. |
This aircraft was constructed as a Douglas C-54A-1-DO It was rolled off the Douglas production line at Santa Monica - December 1943 Delivered to the United States Army Air Force - January 06, 1944 Allocated the U. S. serial number 42-107439 Sold to Reconstruction Finance Corp - November 13, 1945 Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as NC90414 - ? Sold to American Airlines Inc by Republic Aviation - April 08, 1946 The aircraft was named 'Flagship America' Sold to Aircraft Sales Ltd, Los Angeles - April 02, 1949 Sold to Qantas Empire Airways - July 09, 1949 It arrived at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) on delivery to Qantas Airways - July 14, 1949 Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-EBN - July 18, 1949 Registered to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, Sydney The aircraft was named 'New Guinea Trader' Cancelled from the United States Aircraft Register - July 21, 1949 Entered service with Qantas Airways - November 14, 1949 It was substancially damaged whilst landing at Norfolk Island - December 09, 1956 It struck an earth embankment short of runway threshold on the flair-out Extensive damage was caused to the aircraft's centre section but it was repaired on site and returned to service Leased to Malayan Airways - September 10, 1958 Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - September 10, 1958 Entered onto the Malayan Aircraft Register as VR-SEA - September 10, 1958 Whilst leased to Malayan the aircraft was named 'Albatross' Returned to Qantas Airways at the end of the lease - April 1960 Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-EBN - April 11, 1960 Registered to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd, Sydney Reregistered as VH-EDB - July 1961 The aircraft was to be named 'Pacific Trader' but this was changed to 'Norfolk Trader' Fitted with long range fuel tanks by Hawker de Havilland at Sydney (Bankstown) - April 1963 Leased to Airlines of N.S.W. - August 05, 1963 It was used on services to Casino, Coffs Harbour, Cooma and Wagga Wagga Returned to Qantas Airways at the end of the lease - September 12, 1963 Chartered by Trans-Australia Airlines - April 19 - 25, 1973 Operated its last revenue service Norfolk Island - Sydney (Captain W. B. Tainton) as QF437 - February 19, 1977 Withdrawn from service and stored at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) - February 28, 1977 The aircraft had flown 59,881 hours with 10,632 landings to date Sold to Air Express, Melbourne - August 1977 Registered to Air Express Ltd - August 19, 1977 Accepted by Air Express at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) - August 22, 1977 The aircraft was named 'Tasmanian Tiger' Departed Sydney (Kingsford Smith) on the ferry flight to Melbourne (Essendon) - August 22, 1977 Operated final Air Express service - Melbourne (Essendon) - Launceston - Melbourne (Essendon) - August 17, 1979 It was placed in open storage at Melbourne (Essendon) awaiting sale Sold to Basler Flight Services Inc - January 21, 1980 Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N5581T - ? Aircraft was incorrectly painted as 'N5581S' prior to departing on the ferry flight to the United States Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - January 22, 1980 Departed Melbourne (Essendon) on the ferry flight routing via Brisbane - Nadi - Honolulu - March 09, 1980 Sold to Calm Air International - March 1982 Entered onto the Canadian Aircraft Register as C-GPSH - March 1982 Sold to Basler Flight Services Inc - April 1984 Cancelled from the Canadian Aircraft Register - April 02, 1984 Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N5581T - April 02, 1984 Withdrawn from service and stored at Oshkosh - 1985 Sold to Soundair Corporation, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada - August 1986 Entered onto the Canadian Aircraft Register as C-GPSH - August 13, 1986 Cancelled from the Canadian Aircraft Register - August 03, 1990 Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N7171H - August 10, 1990 Registered to Ernst and Young Inc Sold to International Airline Support Group, Miami, Florida - December 1990 Registered to International Airline Support Group - December 28, 1990 It was observed at Miami (Opa-Locka) awaiting maintenance - January 1991 Cancelled from the United States Aircraft Register - January 31, 1991 Sold to Buffalo Airways (1968) Ltd - January 31, 1991 Rolled out at Miami (Opa-Locka) in the basic Buffalo livery without titles after overhaul by Milair - April 1991 Entered onto the Canadian Aircraft Register as C-GPSH - July 30, 1991 Registered to Buffalo Airways (1986) Limited, Hay River, NWT The aircraft was named 'Arctic Distributor' Registered to Buffalo Airways Limited, Hay River - December 08, 1994 To view some interesting YouTube footage on this aircraft please click 'HERE' It was badly damaged when it ran off the runway at Carat Lake, Nunavut Territory, Canada - December 18, 2006 The aircraft ended up on its nose with extensive damage around lower forward fuselage To read more about this accident please click 'HERE' Nose section from DC-4 C-GXCN which had been written off on January 05, 2006 was transported to Carak Lake to replace the damaged nose section of C-GPSH - July 2007 Aircraft was reportedly moved to Hay River, NWT for further rectification work to be carried out - August 30, 2007 Returned to service - ? The aircraft was withdrawn from service - 2009 It was observed in storage at Hay River as 'Freightliner 1' - September 14, 2014 It was observed stored without engines in a derelict condition at Hay River - June 21, 2017 Still listed as being current with Buffalo Airways |
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2107439. American Airlines - 'Flagship America' in the original livery somewhere over California, circa 1946. (Douglas Aircraft Corporation Copyright Image 1125-682.) |
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VH-EBN. Qantas - 'New Guinea Trader' in the original 'white' livery at Auckland Whenuapai Airport, May 1957. (P. Sheehan Collection Copyright Image 1125-725.) |
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VR-SEA. Malayan Airways - 'Albatross' in the standard livery at Singapore Paya Lebar Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-706.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas - 'New Guinea Trader' in the original 'white' livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, February 1961. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-115.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia's Overseas Airline - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, date unknown. (Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1125-536.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia's Overseas Airline - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Norfolk Island Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-125.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia's Overseas Airline - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-046.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia's Overseas Airline - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, May 22, 1966. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-466.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia's Overseas Airline - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, May 22, 1966. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-465.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia's Overseas Airline - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, circa 1967. (Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1125-564.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia's Overseas Airline - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, circa 1967. (Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1125-565.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia's Overseas Airline - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, circa 1967. (Qantas Heritage Collection Copyright Image 1125-563.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia's Overseas Airline - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, April 15, 1968. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-690.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia's Overseas Airline - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, June 06, 1968. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-087.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, December 10, 1968. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-011.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, May 15, 1969. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-469.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, May 15, 1969. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-468.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, May 15, 1969. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-467.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, July 1969. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-223.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia - 'Norfolk Trader' in the standard livery at Christchurch Airport, November 08, 1971. (J. Mounce Collection Copyright Image 1125-714.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia - 'Norfolk Trader' in the 'ochre' livery at Norfolk Island Airport, December 18, 1975. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-326.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia - 'Norfolk Trader' in the 'ochre' livery at Norfolk Island Airport, December 19, 1975. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-222.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia - 'Norfolk Trader' in the 'ochre' livery at Norfolk Island Airport, December 30, 1975. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-713.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia - 'Norfolk Trader' in the 'ochre' livery at Norfolk Island Airport, December 30, 1975. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-088.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia - 'Norfolk Trader' in the 'ochre' livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, December 12, 1976. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-048.) |
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VH-EDB. Qantas Australia - 'Norfolk Trader' in the 'ochre' livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, May 1977. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-047.) |
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VH-EDB. Air Express - in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, July 1977. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-070.) |
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VH-EDB. Air Express - in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, August 1977. (G. Bennett Copyright Image 1125-221.) |
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VH-EDB. Air Express - in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, August 1977. (J. Mounce Collection Copyright Image 1125-715.) |
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VH-EDB. Air Express - 'Tasmanian Tiger' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, November 1977. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-071.) |
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VH-EDB. Air Express - 'Tasmanian Tiger' in the standard livery at Port Moresby Airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-010.) |
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VH-EDB. Air Express - 'Tasmanian Tiger' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 10, 1978. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-012.) |
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VH-EDB. Air Express - 'Tasmanian Tiger' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 10, 1978. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-093.) |
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VH-EDB. Air Express - 'Tasmanian Tiger' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 11, 1978. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-290.) |
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VH-EDB. Air Express - 'Tasmanian Tiger' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 11, 1978. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-289.) |
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VH-EDB. Air Express - 'Tasmanian Tiger' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 1978. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-291.) |
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VH-EDB. Air Express - 'Tasmanian Tiger' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 1978. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-091.) |
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VH-EDB. Air Express - 'Tasmanian Tiger' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 14, 1978. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-220.) |
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VH-EDB. Air Express - 'Tasmanian Tiger' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 14, 1978. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-094.) |
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VH-EDB. Air Express - 'Tasmanian Tiger' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, January 1978. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-417.) |
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VH-EDB. Air Express - 'Tasmanian Tiger' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, December 1978. (G. Bennett Copyright Image 1125-416.) |
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N5581S. Basler Airlines - in the basic Air Express livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, February 1980. The aircraft has the incorrect registration on it. (G. Bennett Copyright Image 1125-013.) |
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N5581S. Basler Airlines - in the basic Air Express livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, February 1980. The aircraft has the incorrect registration on it. (R. N. Smith Copyright Image 1125-095.) |
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N5581T. Basler Airlines - in the basic Air Express livery at Norfolk International Airport, November 1980. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-294.) |
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N5581T. Basler Airlines - in the basic Air Express livery at an unknown airport, November 1980. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-097.) |
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N5581T. Basler Airlines - in the basic Air Express livery at Wittman Regional Airport, August 1981. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-649.) |
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C-GPSH. Soundair - in a modified Air Express livery at Norfolk International Airport, November 1986. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-197.) |
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C-GPSH. Soundair - in a modified Air Express livery at an unknown airport, January 1987. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-691.) |
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N7171H. International Airline Support Group - in a modified Air Express livery at Norfolk International Airport, January 1991. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-334.) |
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C-GPSH. Buffalo Airways Freighliner - 'Arctic Distribution' in the standard livery at Yellowknife Airport, July 1991. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-098.) |
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C-GPSH. Buffalo Airways Freighliner - 'Arctic Distribution' in the standard livery at Yellowknife Airport, October 1991. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-100.) |
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C-GPSH. Buffalo Airways Freighliner - 'Arctic Distribution' in the standard livery at Yellowknife Airport, March 1992. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-712.) |
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C-GPSH. Buffalo Airways Freighliner - 'Arctic Distribution' in the standard livery at Yellowknife Airport, June 1992. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-099.) |
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C-GPSH. Buffalo Airways Freighliner - 'Arctic Distribution' in the standard livery at an unknown airport, July 1996. (R. Shane Copyright Image 1125-652.) |
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C-GPSH. Buffalo Airways Freighliner - 'Arctic Distribution' in the standard livery at an unknown airport, date unknown. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 1125-692.) |