Douglas DC-2-115G

Douglas DC-2-115G

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02/15/2007. Remarks by Jack McKillop: "This aircraft was delivered to KNILM (Koninklijke Nederland-Indische Luchtvaart Maatschappij) in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI, now Indonesia) on June 12, 1935 registered PK-AFL. With the Japanese occupied the NEI in 1942, this aircraft was flown to Australia and drafted by the Australian Government in March 1942 and registered VH-AFL.

During 1942, the Australians established the Directorate of Air Transport to control the transport aircraft operated by the RAAF and USAAF. These aircraft were assigned registration-like call signs on the vertical tail surfaces because many of these aircraft operated from commercial airports. This aircraft was assigned call sign VHCXN (note no dash after VH) and three days later, it was purchased by the USAAF and assigned a fictitious s/n, 41-1376. By May 1942, the aircraft was assigned to the 21st Transport Squadron (later Troop Carrier Squadron), Air Transport Command, US Army Forces in Australia, and based at Archerfield Airport, Brisbane, Queensland. By October 1943, this aircraft was being operated by Ansett Airways of Melbourne, Victoria for the USAAF; in January 1944, Ansett re-registered the aircraft VH-ADZ and named it "Mengana". In June 1944, the USAAF officially designated this aircraft a C-32A s/n 44-83227.

After World War II, the aircraft passed through several owners before being purchased by Marshall Airways of Sydney, New South Wales in July 1948; this company re-registered the aircraft VH-CDZ on August 29, 1949, and used it on charter and sightseeing flights until 1955. It was withdrawn from use in November 1957 after the landing gear collapsed and damaged the aircraft. It was placed in storage at Camden Airport, New South Wales, in March 1965. It passed through several owners before being purchased by an American and re-registered N8486D but he aircraft remained in Australia. Several companies began restoration projects which were never finished and the aircraft currently is owned by International Air Parts and is stored at Bankstown Airport, Sydney, New South Wales. As of this date, the US registration has been canceled."


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02/15/2007. Remarks by Jack McKillop: "This aircraft was delivered to KNILM (Koninklijke Nederland-Indische Luchtvaart Maatschappij) in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI, now Indonesia) on June 12, 1935 registered PK-AFL. With the Japanese occupied the NEI in 1942, this aircraft was flown to Australia and drafted by the Australian Government in March 1942 and registered VH-AFL. During 1942, the Australians established the Directorate of Air Transport to control the transport aircraft operated by the RAAF and USAAF. These aircraft were assigned registration-like call signs on the vertical tail surfaces because many of these aircraft operated from commercial airports. This aircraft was assigned call sign VHCXN (note no dash after VH) and three days later, it was purchased by the USAAF and assigned a fictitious s/n, 41-1376. By May 1942, the aircraft was assigned to the 21st Transport Squadron (later Troop Carrier Squadron), Air Transport Command, US Army Forces in Australia, and based at Archerfield Airport, Brisbane, Queensland. By October 1943, this aircraft was being operated by Ansett Airways of Melbourne, Victoria for the USAAF; in January 1944, Ansett re-registered the aircraft VH-ADZ and named it "Mengana". In June 1944, the USAAF officially designated this aircraft a C-32A s/n 44-83227. After World War II, the aircraft passed through several owners before being purchased by Marshall Airways of Sydney, New South Wales in July 1948; this company re-registered the aircraft VH-CDZ on August 29, 1949, and used it on charter and sightseeing flights until 1955. It was withdrawn from use in November 1957 after the landing gear collapsed and damaged the aircraft. It was placed in storage at Camden Airport, New South Wales, in March 1965. It passed through several owners before being purchased by an American and re-registered N8486D but he aircraft remained in Australia. Several companies began restoration projects which were never finished and the aircraft currently is owned by International Air Parts and is stored at Bankstown Airport, Sydney, New South Wales. As of this date, the US registration has been canceled."