Census of Australian DC-3s

AUSTRALIA

Flyable (potentially)	10
Preserved	23
Non-Flying	15
Wreckage	17
TOTAL	65

C/N	Regn	Previous Identities	Owner	Location	Status	Note
1941	VHCXD	PH-ALT PK-ALT	Memorial	Bamaga Airfield, QLD 4876	W	.
1944	VH-ANR	PH-ALW PK-ALW 1944 VHCXE VHCXL	Queensland Air Museum	Caloundra, QLD 4551	P	WWW
1965	PK-AFV	PH-ALP	Broome Historical Society	Broome, WA 6725	W	28
2029	VH-ABR	VH-ABR A30-3	Ansett Historical Aviation Group	Tullamarine, VIC 3043	F	.
3272	VH-ANN	NC1947 41-7687 VHCDB VH-ANN VH-GAH	Darryl Gibbs/CNAPG (nose)	Clyde North, VIC 3978	P	1
4120	VH-ANH	NC33657 41-7698 VHCDJ	Moorabbin Air Museum	Moorabbin, VIC 3189	P	.
4836	41-20066	VHCDW	USAF C-53	near Truscott Airfield WA	W	.
6007	VH-EWE	41-18646 VH-AER VH-EWF	Jeff Morgan	"Marama", Karoonda SA 5307	N	2
6009	VHCGS	41-18648	USAF C-47	35 miles west of Monto QLD 4630	W	20
6021	VH-AES	41-18660 VH-AES VH-SBA VH-AES VH-SBA	Qantas-Hawdon Operations	Tullamarine, VIC 3043	F	.
6024	VH-AEQ	41-18663	Jason Burgess	Pending relocation to near Swan Hill, VIC 3585	N	16
6051	VH-DAS	41-38668 VH-AEO	Kuranda Heritage Market	Kuranda, QLD 4872	W	.
6108	VH-SBO	41-19465 VH-AEU VH-SBO P2-SBO P2-ANT	Jason Burgess (nose only)	near Swan Hill, VIC 3585	P	8
9282	VHCFM	42-23420	Memorial	The Lodge, Carnarvon Gorge	W	18
9286	VH-CWS	42-23424 A65-9 VHCTI VH-EAM VH-EWA VH-EWF VH-PWN ZK-AMS	Broome Air Services	Broome, WA 6725	F	32
9593	VH-MMA	42-23731 A65-13 VHCTL VH-MMA P2-MMA P2-ANS VH-MWQ	John Hardy Aviation	Parap (Darwin) NT 0804	F	See Issue #27 See Issue #28
11973	N2-23	42-92199 A65-23 VHCTB	Historical Society	West Wyalong, NSW 2671	P	.
11974	A65-24	42-92200 VHCTW	Darryl Gibbs/CNAPG (nose only)	Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650	P	1
12056	VH-SBL	42-92274 A65-29 VHCTZ VH-TAE VH-SBL P2-SBL P2-ANR	Discovery Air Tours (formerly Dakota National Air)	Bankstown Airport, NSW 2200	F	25
12187	"VH-BPA"	42-92392 FZ631 VH-EAN VH-EBF VH-EBU VH-SBD P2-SBD P2-ANO N5590C	Warbird Adventures (nose only)	Mareeba, QLD 4880	W	3
12540	VH-MMF	42-92709 A65-41 VHCUK	South Pacific Airmotive	Bankstown Airport, NSW 2200	N	17
12542	N2-43	42-92711 A65-43 VHCUN	Royal Australian Navy	AMOF Nowra, NSW 2540	P	.
12638	42-108879	nil	Arthur Schmidt	Mildura, VIC 3500	P	14
12873	VH-EAP	42-93009 A65-44 VHCIA VH-EAP VH-EBY VH-SBG P2-SBG P2-ANP N5590A VH-BPL	Qantas Founders Outback Museum	Longreach, QLD 4730	P	24
12874	VH-EDC	42-93010 A65-46 VHCIC VH-JVF VH-CAR	South Pacific Airmotive	Camden Airport, NSW 2570	W	15
12880	DT-941	42-93015	Wreck	near Mossman, QLD 4873	W	29
13082	A65-50	42-93197 A65-50 VHCIF	Wreck	Mount Kosciuszco, NSW	W	21
13084	VH-BAA	42-93199 A65-49 VHCIE VH-EAL VH-EBH VH-EBW	Central Aust Aviation Museum	Alice Springs, NT 0870	P	10
13210	"VHDAK"	42-93312 W-12	Werner Kroll	Samford, QLD 4520	P	9
13338	VH-TAK	42-108949 A65-52 VHCII	Mitiamo Air Museum (Richard Winterburn)	Mitiamo, VIC 3573	W	27
13459	VH-MIN	42-93536 KG647 G-AIAZ KG647 VH-SMI	Discovery Air Tours (formerly Dakota National Air)	Larras Lee, NSW 2866	N	25
13624	VH-ANW	42-93685 VH-ANW VH-GAK	Blair Howe	Myalup, WA 6220	P	4
20041	PK-GDC	43-15575 DT-971 VHREY PK-REY "VN-BME"	Peter Hanbury	Armadale, WA 6112	N	19
13864/ 25309	N2271C	43-48048 KG765 C-406 G-ANZE "XY-URT"	Ipswich Amberley Aviation Museum	RAAF Amberley, QLD 4306	P	.
13922/ 25367	VH-EDD	43-48106 A65-57 VHCUR VH-EAO VH-EBX VH-SBH X-18	Believe scrapped in Cairns	Believe scrapped in Cairns	W	5
14050/ 25495	VH-BAB	43-48234 VH-DMV VH-CAO	Mike Spaulding, North Queensland Warbirds	Mareeba, QLD 4880	N	22
14556/ 26001	VH-PWN (#2)	43-48740 A65-63 VHCKN	Discovery Air Tours (formerly Dakota National Air)	Larras Lee, NSW 2866	N	25
15193/ 26638	P2-003	43-49377 A65-67 VHCUX P65-003	Amaroo Tavern	Moree, NSW 2400	N	.
15195/ 26640	VH-JGL	43-49379 A65-64 VHCUU	Mulwala & District RSL	Mulwala, NSW 2647	P	26
15685/ 27130	VH-DNA	43-49869 A65-68 VHCUY P65-004 P2-004	Discovery Air Tours (formerly Dakota National Air)	Larras Lee, NSW 2866	N	25
15686/ 27131	A65-71	43-49870 A65-71 VHCIN	Australian War Memorial	Canberra, ACT 2600	P	11
15919/ 32667	A65-75	44-76335 A65-75 VHCIR	Wreck	Daly Waters, NT 0852	W	.
15920/ 32668	VH-AGU	44-76336 A65-72 VHCIO	Jeff Trappett	Latrobe Valley, VIC	F	.
15923/ 32671	A65-73	44-76339 A65-73 VHCIP	Sid Beck's Museum	Mareeba, QLD 4880	P	.
15929/ 32677	A65-78	44-76345 A65-78 VHCIU	RAAF Museum	Point Cook, VIC 3030	P	12
15997/ 32745	KN374	44-76413	Werner Kroll	Samford, QLD 4520	P	13
16131/ 32879	VH-NVD	44-76547 A65-86 VHRFC	Royal Australian Navy Museum	Nowra, NSW 2540	N	.
16135/ 32883	VH-NVZ	44-76551 A65-90 VHRFG N2-90	Royal Australian Navy Museum	Nowra, NSW 2540	N	.
16136/ 32884	VH-TMQ	44-76552 A65-91 VHRFH	Australasian Jet Pty Ltd	Essendon Airport, VIC 3041	F	35
16147/ 32895	PK-RDB	44-76563 NZ3537 ZK-AOZ 5W-FAA	Aviation Historical Society of the Northern Territory / Australian Aviation Heritage Centre	Darwin, NT 0800	W	30
16197/ 32945	VH-BPN	44-76613 KN470 H-717 G-ANMA VH-MML P2-MML P2-ANV VH-MML	Discovery Air Tours (formerly Dakota National Air)	Larras Lee, NSW 2866	N	25
16348/ 33096	VH-EAE	44-76764 A65-95 VHRFL	Historical Aircraft Restoration Society	Albion Park Airport, NSW 2527	F	.
16354/ 33102	VH-OVM	44-76770 A65-98 VHRFO	Shortstop Jet Charter	Essendon Airport, VIC 3041	F	.
16358/ 33106	VH-EAF	44-76774 A65-94 VHRFK	Historical Aircraft Restoration Society	Albion Park Airport, NSW 2527	F	.
16361/ 33109	P2-001	44-76777 A65-100 VHRFQ P65-001 (VH-DNF)	Ralph Chrystall	Larras Lee, NSW 2866	N	25
16365/ 33113	VH-SPY	44-76781 A65-102 VHRFS VH-PTS N65388	South Pacific Airmotive	Cairns, QLD 4870	N	31
16547/ 33295	A65-104	44-76963 A65-104 VHRFU	Aviation Historical Society of the Northern Territory / Australian Aviation Heritage Centre	Darwin, NT 0800	W	6
16549/ 33297	VH-JXD	44-76965 A65-108 VHRGZ	Ron Schneider	Rupanyup, VIC 3388	N	.
16552/ 33300	VH-UPQ	44-76968 A65-105 VHRFV	Australian Aviation Museum	Bankstown Airport, NSW 2200	P	25
16553/ 33301	VH-MMD	44-76969 A65-109 VHRGX VH-MMD P2-MMD P2-ANU	Australian Aviation Museum	Bankstown Airport, NSW 2200	P	.
16556/ 33304	A65-111	44-76972 A65-111 VHRFY	David Anderson (nose only)	Moorabbin, VIC 3189	P	.
16713/ 33460	A65-114	44-77128 A65-114 VHRGB	South Aust Hist Av Museum	Port Adelaide, SA 5015	P	.
16716/ 33464	A65-115	44-77132 A65-115 VHRGC	Darwin Harbour (5 km off East Point)	Darwin, NT 0800	W	34
16960/ 34220	A65-124	45-957 A65-124 VHRGL	Air Force Assn Museum	Bull Creek, WA 6149	P	.
?	?	?	Queensland Air Museum (nose only)	Caloundra, QLD 4551	W	7

HOLDING PATTERN

C/N	Regn	Previous Identities	Owner	Location	Status	Note
16213/ 32961	ZS-OJJ	44-76629 KN483 6881 ZS-DIV VP-YSN A2-ZEN ZS-DIV A2-ZEN N8194Q 6855	Dodson Aviation	Ottawa, Kansas, USA.	F	33

AMENDMENT RECORD

[The latest amendment is at the top]

ISSUE

DATE

AMENDMENT

05MAY12

c/n

16361/33109

(VH-DNF) was transported from Warnervale to Larras Lee on 24FEB10.

05NOV10

c/n

9286

VH-CWS is now registered to Peter Christoudias / JNP Enterprises Pty Ltd trading as Broome Air Services in Broome, WA. See Note 32 .

12JUL10

c/n	9286	VH-CWS is now registered to Slattery Auctions Australia Pty Ltd. See Note 32 .
c/n	33295	The nose section of A65-104 was used in a procession in APR80 but subsequently destroyed. See Note 6.

20MAY10

c/n	33295	The port wing of A65-104 has been moved to the AAHC. See Note 6.
c/n	32895	The wings and centre section of PK-RDB have been scrapped. See Note 30.

04MAR10

c/n

16361/33109

(VH-DNF) Was transported from Warnervale to Larras Lee on 24FEB10.

28JAN10

c/n	14556/26001	VH-PWN#2 departed Bankstown by road on 21JAN10 and arrived at Larras Lee the same day.
c/n	16361/33109	(VH-DNF) Will be transported from Warnervale to Larras Lee in early 2010.

30DEC09

The following DC-3s formerly operated by Discovery Air Tours are being transported by road from Bankstown Airport to Larras Lee near Molong, NSW. The aircraft are stored in the open at Larras Lee on a property belonging to Chrystall Transport who also transported the aircraft.
c/n	161197/32945	VH-BPN arrived at Larras Lee on (approximately) 25NOV09.
c/n	13459	VH-MIN arrived at Larras Lee on 10DEC09.
c/n	15685/27130	VH-DNA arrived at Larras Lee on 17DEC09.
c/n	14556/26001	VH-PWN#2 will be transported early in 2010.

VH-MIN & VH-DNA have been recategorised as non-flying. The two RAN Historic Flight aircraft VH-NVD and VH-NVZ have also been recategorised as non-flying. The census totals have been adjusted accordingly.

01SEP09

c/n	33295	Added an update on the location of components of A65-104. See Note 6.
c/n	32895	Added an update on the location of components of PK-RDB. See Note 30.

19JUN09

c/n	32961	DC-3TP ZS-OJJ was noted at the Dodson Aviation hangar at Ottawa, Kansas in May 2009. See Note 33.
c/n	9286	VH-CWS will be auctioned at Maitland, NSW on 23JUL09. See Note 32.
c/n	32884	VH-TMQ has been sold to Australasian Jet Pty Ltd of Essendon, Vic. See Note 35.
c/n	12056	VH-SBL Was noted with an engine running at Essendon Vic. on 15JUN09. See Note 25.

Thanks to Gordon Reid for these updates.

10APR09

c/n	32961	DC-3TP ZS-OJJ departed Brisbane for Honiara on 05APR09. See Note 33.
c/n	33113	VH-SPY On 15OCT08 it was noted that fitters were working on the starboard engine and that the 'South Pacific' titles and the double cheatline had been removed. Thanks to Paul Howard for this report which was overlooked at the time. See Note 31.

06APR09

c/n

33300

Ownership of VH-UPQ was transferred to the Australian Aviation Museum on 16FEB09. See Note 25.

16MAR09

c/n

12187

"VH-BPA" was found to be beyond saving and the airframe was broken up on 16JAN09. The nose went to Warbird Adventures at Mareeba and some parts went to QFM at Longreach. The remainder of the airframe has been scrapped. See Note 3.

15MAR09

The following 6 DC-3s formerly operated by Discovery Air Tours are to be sold at auction on 25MAR09. The notes appearing below are from the auction catalogue. All aircraft were passed in and no sales eventuated.
c/n	161197/32945	VH-BPN Refurbishment 2003 not complete, but has undergone extensive airframe work. Located Bankstown.
c/n	15685/27130	VH-DNA Located at Bankstown awaiting engine overhaul / replacement. Was extensively refurbished in 2000.
c/n	16361/33109	(VH-DNF) Located at Warnervale, unserviceable but complete, low time airframe.
c/n	13459	VH-MIN Refurbished 2002. Located at Bankstown. Unserviceable, requires engines & 100hrly.
c/n	14556/26001	VH-PWN#2 Located at Bankstown. Unserviceable, some damage, low time airframe.
c/n	12056	VH-SBL Refurbished 1999. Located at Essendon Vic. for maintenance, undergoing 100hrly inspection. Good serviceable aircraft.

22JAN09

c/n

9286

The Registration Holder/Operator of VH-CWS changed on 12JAN09 to Westpac Banking Corporation, Concord West, NSW. See Note 32.

06JAN09

c/n

32961

DC-3TP ZS-OJJ was still parked at Goulburn in December 2008. See Note 33.

30DEC08

c/n

9286

Classic Wings advise that their last day of operations will be 10JAN09 and that VH-CWS will be available for sale after this date. See Note 32.

19SEP08

c/n

12187

"VH-BPA" has been removed from its plinth at Cairns Airport for an inspection of its structural integrity. See Note 3.

09SEP08

c/n

9286

Classic Wings have been issued with an AOC and expect to resume operations with VH-CWS in late September 2008. See Note 32.

23AUG08

c/n

9286

Classic Wings have received approval for an AOC and expect to resume operations with VH-CWS in late September 2008. See Note 32.

03SEP07

c/n

33464

Added the underwater wreck of A65-115. See Note 34.

21JUN07

c/n

12873

The former VH-BPL has been painted in Qantas Empire Airways markings as VH-EAP. See Note 24.

25MAR07

c/n

9286

It is reported that Classic Wings suspended all operations with VH-CWS on 21FEB07. See Note 32.

28FEB07

c/n	32745	The wreckage reported to be at Watts Bridge has been identified as KN374 c/n 15997/32745. As it is now known to be an externally complete fuselage, it has been deleted from the wreckage total and added to the preserved total. Thanks to its owner Werner Kroll for making the identification. See Note 13.
c/n	32961	Recent arrival, DC-3TP ZS-OJJ has been added to the list of flying aircraft. See Note 33.

28AUG06

c/n

9286

VH-CWS departed Bankstown on 25AUG06 and arrived at Jandakot on 28AUG06. See Note 32.

14MAY06

c/n

6024

Jason Burgess reports that he acquired VH-AEQ on 13MAY06. Thanks for the first-hand report Jason.
See Note 16.

27MAR06

c/n

9286

The former ZK-AMS was re-registered VH-CWS on 14 MAR 2006 and as a result has been transferred from the New Zealand census page.
See Note 32.

05DEC05

c/n

6108

The trailer-mounted nose section of VH-SBO belongs to Jason Burgess.
See Note 8.

01AUG05

Thanks to Eric Munk for the following additions and amendments:
c/n	1965	PK-AFV was added to the listing.
c/n	12880	DT-941 was added to the listing.
c/n	32895	Wreckage of PK-RDB is aft fuselage and tail section only.
c/n	33113	VH-SPY status changed from flying to non flying.
c/n	33295	A65-104 amount of wreckage at Darwin is greater than previously reported.

24APR05

c/n

9593

VH-MMA arrived in Darwin on 15FEB05 after its lengthy layup in Kununurra awaiting a new engine.

06MAR05

c/n

12873

VH-BPL arrived at Longreach by road on 03MAR05.

02MAR05

Discovery Air Tours have been busy with various tourist flights. Currently they have two aeroplanes in service, VH-SBL and VH-DNA. VH-MIN is out of service and parked at the Australian Aviation Museum at Bankstown minus an engine. It is understood that there is sufficient work for VH-MIN to be returned to service when an overhauled engine is available.

09FEB05

c/n	25495	VH-BAB departed Wangaratta by road on 25JAN05, arriving in Mareeba on 30JAN05.
c/n	9593	Greg Hardy of Hardy Aviation confirms that the c/n of VH-MMA is definitely 9593.

16JAN05

Amendment #25 stated that the c/n of VH-MMA had been corrected from 9593 to 9583. Well this humble webmaster should have had more faith in Big Al because he was right all along! Therefore, the c/n for VH-MMA has been changed back to 9593 and some of the previous identities have been changed accordingly. It should be noted that there is widespread confusion over the c/n of this aeroplane and indeed even the Air-Britain DC-3 book has it wrong. It is believed that the confusion stems from a badly punched digit on the aeroplane's maker's plate.

11JAN05

c/n

13338

The wrecked nose section of VH-TAK has surfaced in the collection of the new Mitiamo Air Museum at Mitiamo, Vic. This brings the total to 61. See Note 27.

05JAN05

This page has undergone a major update. The most significant change is that ALL Previous Identities are now listed in chronological order from the top. The most recent identity is that which appears in the column headed Regn. Identities commencing "VH" but without a hyphen are radio call-signs which were carried concurrently with an RAAF A65 serial. In many cases, these radio call-signs were painted on the fin/rudder of the aircraft, otherwise they appeared only on the instrument panel. Another significant change is that aircraft which were mistakenly allocated dual constructor's numbers are now listed under both numbers. The first number listed is the incorrect c/n and the second number after the slash is the correct c/n. The Index table below is linked to the correct c/n. This update has highlighted several typographical errors which are listed below.
c/n	9583	VH-MMA was incorrectly shown as c/n 9593 when it should have been 9583 See Amendment #27
c/n	12056	VH-SBL was incorrectly shown as c/n 12036 when it should have been 12056
c/n	12874	VH-EDC was incorrectly shown as A65-47 when it should have been A65-46
c/n	32671	A65-73 was incorrectly shown as VHCIO when it should have been VHCIP

22DEC04

c/n

26640

The former VH-JGL was trucked from Tocumwal to Mulwala on 18OCT04.
See Note 26.

21DEC04

c/n

11974

Darryl Gibbs advises that the nose section of A65-24 was transported by road from Clyde North to Wagga Wagga on 19/20DEC04. The badly damaged nose section of VH-ANN will follow at a later date. Restoration of A65-24 will resume in Wagga.

13DEC04

c/n

25495

VH-BAB has been sold to Mike Spalding of North Queensland Warbirds in Mareeba. See Note 22.

07DEC04

c/n

26640

VH-JGL was struck off the register on 16SEP04.
See Note 26.

25JUN04

c/n	12873	VH-BPL is currently being dismantled in preparation for trucking to the Qantas Founders Outback Museum in Longreach. It is reported that the aeroplane will be painted silver overall and marked as VH-EAP with Qantas Empire Airways titles.
c/n	32945	VH-BPN status changed from Flying to Non-Flying. The aircraft is stored at the Australian Aviation Museum, Bankstown along with VH-PWN and VH-UPQ.
c/n	33300	VH-UPQ is stored at the Australian Aviation Museum, Bankstown along with VH-PWN and VH-BPN.
c/n	26001	VH-PWN (#2) is stored at the Australian Aviation Museum, Bankstown along with VH-BPN and VH-UPQ.
c/n	9286	ZK-AMS (formerly VH-PWN #1) has been operating in Australia on lease to Pionair Australia since early May 2004. The aircraft is operating out of Bankstown. It is expected that ZK-AMS will eventually return to the Australian Register, at which time it will be moved from the NZ Census page to the Australian Census page.

16MAR04

c/n

12873

I am advised that John D. Williams donated VH-BPL to the Qantas Founders Outback Museum in Longreach on 20th February 2004.
See Note 24.

14MAR04

c/n

12873

VH-BPL has been sold to the Qantas Founders Outback Museum in Longreach.
See Note 24.

21DEC03

c/n

12873

VH-BPL has been sold to Warwick Allen of Orange, NSW.
See Note 23.

15SEP03

c/n

25495

VH-BAB has been sold to a purchaser in New Zealand.
See Note 22.

12SEP03

Allan Bovelt has done a thorough check of the site and the following updates have been incorporated.
c/n	6009	Wreck added. See Note 20.
c/n	9282	Added further details.
c/n	13082	Wreck added. See Note 21.
c/n	32667	Wreck added.
c/n	33096	Amended base to Albion Park.
c/n	33106	Amended base to Albion Park.

01SEP03

c/n	13624	VH-ANW was trucked to Myalup, W.A. on 23AUG03. See Note 4.
c/n	20041	PK-GDC was trucked to Armadale, W.A. in May 2003. See Note 19.

24MAR03

c/n

25367

Fuselage of VH-EDD has disappeared from Cairns Airport. See Note 5.

05JAN03

c/n

9282

Added the wreckage of 42-23420 at Carnarvon Gorge. See Note 18.

22JUN02

c/n

12540

VH-MMF was trucked from Camden to Bankstown on 21JUN02 for restoration to airworthiness.

27MAY02

Layout changed to show "Previous Identity" column after the "Regn" column.

27MAY02

c/n

25495

Malcolm Long has sold VH-BAB to John Raynor and Doug Hamilton.

07MAR02

c/n

12638

Doug Fawcett's DC-3 motor home has been sold to Arthur Schmidt of Mildura.
See Note 14.

25FEB02

c/n

12638

Doug Fawcett's DC-3 motor home has been identified.
See Note 14.

22DEC01

c/n	26001	VH-PWN changed status to non-flying. Aircraft has been stripped of wings, engines, instruments and radios.
c/n	27131	A65-71 is stored in potentially airworthy condition.
c/n	32677	A65-78 is stored in potentially airworthy condition.
c/n	33300	VH-UPQ changed status to non-flying. Has been stripped of one engine and many parts.
c/n	?	The unidentified nose section held by QAM is possibly from a 300 Wing RAF C-47 named "City of Hereford" (serial unknown). See Note 7.
c/n	?	DC-3 remains at a farmhouse at Watts Bridge, Qld have been added to the "Wreckage" count. Reported to be from a 300 Wing RAF C-47. See Note 13.
c/n	?	Added a DC-3 motor home converted by Doug Fawcett and still active in the Sydney area. See Note 14.
c/n	12874	VH-EDC. The fuselage has been moved into a shed near the control tower at Camden. See Note 15.
c/n	6024	VH-AEQ was inspected recently. See Note 16.

19SEP01

c/n	6007	VH-EWE clarified location.
c/n	6024	VH-AEQ clarified location.
c/n	33301	VH-MMD changed P.I. from A65-109 to P2-ANU.

17SEP01

c/n

13210

Added Queensland numberplate VHDAK.

01 SEP 2001

c/n	6024	VH-AEQ was sighted recently near Bendigo by Jeff Morgan (owner of VH-EWE). It is stored dismantled in the open and for sale. Asking price AU$12,000.
c/n	11973	VH-BPL status changed to Non-Flying.
c/n	32668	VH-AGU location amended to Latrobe Valley Aerodrome (between Morwell and Traralgon). Sighted there on 30th August by Doug Pfitzner.
c/n	33109	Al Bovelt has supplied photographic proof that P2-001 was painted as VH-DNF although these marks were apparently not taken up.

27 AUG 2001

Added Notes, Rumours/Queries and Index.
c/n	3272	VH-ANN location established as Clyde North, VIC.
c/n	6007	Changed regn to VH-EWE and P.I. to VH-EWF. See Note 2.
c/n	6108	Added nose of VH-SBO preserved at Tamworth.
c/n	11974	A65-24 location established as Clyde North, VIC.
c/n	13084	VH-BAA carries spurious markings VH-EWE. See Note 10.
c/n	13210	Added the "Dakota Motor Home". See Note 9.
c/n	32895	PK-RDB status changed from Preserved to Wreck.
c/n	26638	P2-003 - Marty Taylor no longer owns the Amaroo Tavern.
c/n	33113	Swapped P.I. and Regn as still carries VH-SPY.
c/n	33295	Added wreckage of A65-104 at Darwin. See Note 6.
c/n	?	Added unidentified nose section at Queensland Air Museum.

14 AUG 2001

Original Issue

NOTES

1	CNAPG - Clyde North Aeronautical Preservation Group. The nose section of A65-24 was transported from Clyde North to Wagga Wagga on 19/20DEC04. The nose section of VH-ANN, which is badly damaged, will follow later. See Amendment 23.
2	Painted in TAA livery as VH-AER (its identity prior to becoming VH-EWF and VH-EWE with East-West Airlines) this aeroplane was part of the McDonalds restaurant at West Lakes, Adelaide from 03DEC83 until 19JUN00.
3	This aircraft was displayed on a plinth at Cairns Airport. It carried Bush Pilots livery and the fictitious registration VH-BPA. The aircraft was taken down from its plinth on 5 September 2008 for an inspection of its structural integrity. This is the first time that the aeroplane has come down since it was placed on display in 1984. It is to be hoped that the Cairns Port Authority will do the right thing. They didn't. The aircraft was deemed to be beyond saving and the aircraft was broken up on 16JAN09. The nose section went to Warbird Adventures at Mareeba and several components (control surfaces and undercarriage parts) went to the Qantas Founders Museum at Longreach. The remainder of the airframe was scrapped. Moral of the story - don't put aeroplanes up poles.
4	VH-ANW was part of the McDonalds restaurant at Midland, Perth from 1987 to 2000. It was displayed in fictitious markings as VH-MMF "Fortescue" of MacRobertson Miller Airlines. After being stored at RAAF Caversham in W.A. the aircraft was sold to Mr Blair Howe of Myalup, W.A. The aircraft was trucked from Caversham to Myalup on 23rd August 2003 to be displayed on Mr Howe's airstrip.
5	The fuselage of VH-EDD was still present on the Cairns fire dump in August 2001. The cockpit section was in use as the disc jockey's booth at a Cairns night club but its present status or whereabouts are unknown. UPDATE February 2003: Paul Howard reports that the fuselage of VH-EDD has disappeared from Cairns Airport. Presumably it has been scrapped. In May 2009 a nose section believed to be from VH-EDD was noted behind one of the hangars at Cairns Airport. This nose section is definitely not from the scrapped "VH-BPA".
6	A65-104 was severely damaged by Cyclone Tracy in Darwin in December 1974. The severed tail section is located in Darwin. There are unconfirmed reports that the nose section is at East Sale, VIC and the fuselage is at Sydenham, NSW. Eric Munk visited Darwin in April 2005 and reports that the wreckage consists of the tail section, wing centre section and starboard wing. In August 2009, Andrew Schulze from the AHSNT advised that the centre section, with starboard wing still attached, is located at the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre in Darwin. The port wing is located at the AHSNT workshop but will be relocated to the AAHC. The AHSNT have expressed interest in reassembling A65-104 so any leads on the existence/location of the fuselage and nose section would be welcome. Andrew Schulze advised on 19MAY10 that the port wing has been relocated to the AAHC where it joins the other remains of A65-104. The nose section of A65-104 (cut off immediately aft of the cockpit sliding window) was mounted on a trailer and used in a procession at East Sale, Victoria in April 1980. Later enquiries by a potential purchaser revealed that the nose section had been taken to the tip and presumably destroyed.
7	This totally gutted nose section, which was intended for conversion to a caravan, was obtained from the Ipswich area by QAM in the mid eighties. It is currently stored in Brisbane. Possibly from a 300 Wing RAF C-47 named "City of Hereford" (serial unknown) acquired for a caravan conversion by Max Fuller of Grange, Brisbane.
8	VH-SBO is the famed "Norman Gunston" aeroplane. The trailer-mounted nose section was purchased by Jason Burgess from David Scott of Tamworth in June 2005. It is currently stored in the Swan Hill area. Jason intends to restore it as VH-AEU or VH-SBO. Jason advises that there is a section of the fuselage from VH-SBO (approx 5 metres long) in use as a farm shed on a property near Tamworth.
9	Last operated by the Netherlands East Indies Navy as W-12. Post-war the fuselage was mounted on an International KB-5 truck chassis by Bill Chater for use as a motor home. Currently roadworthy with Queensland numberplate VHDAK!
10	VH-BAA (c/n 13084) is marked as VH-EWE to commemorate the fact that the real VH-EWE (c/n 6007) was the first aircraft out of Darwin after Cyclone Tracy in December 1974.
11	A65-71 is stored in potentially airworthy condition.
12	A65-78 is stored in potentially airworthy condition.
13	Remains at a farmhouse at Watts Bridge, Qld are reported to be from a 300 Wing RAF C-47 (serial unknown). IDENTIFIED 27FEB07: This aircraft is an externally complete fuselage shell minus wings and tail group. It was acquired in March 2004 by Werner Kroll and moved to his property at Samford, QLD. Werner also owns the Dakota road vehicle c/n 13210. The fuselage is identified as a C-47B-25-DK, 44-76413, O/N 3303, AC2032. This would make it c/n 15997/32745 which was delivered to the RAF as KN374 in March 1945. The aircraft served with 300 Wing and was struck off charge on 30 May 1946 and allotted to the USAAF. Werner advises that the aircraft was flown from New Guinea to Brisbane and used for spares. Since acquiring the fuselage, Werner has repaired some skin panels and painted the fuselage light grey with RAF roundels and the name "Piccalilli Lil" (a character from the stage show "A Sentimental Bloke").
14	A motor home converted in 1947 from USAAF C-47 42-108879 (c/n 12638) by Doug Fawcett is still active in the Sydney area. The vehicle was included in an auction of classic cars held in Sydney during February 2002. The vehicle, which is based on a 1940 Chevrolet truck chassis, sold for AU$29,000 to Arthur Schmidt of Mildura, Victoria. The aircraft from which the vehicle is converted made a heavy landing at Bankstown on 13th April 1945 and overshot runway 29 killing the flight engineer. The pilot was 2nd Lt George C. Fitzpatrick.
15	The fuselage of VH-EDC is reported to have been moved inside a hangar at Camden. It has been reported that VH-EDC was "blown up" in the making of the movie "Australia". Can any reader confirm?
16	VH-AEQ is stored dismantled on Alvin Petersen's property "Xanadu" in the Kamarooka* State Forest near Bendigo, Victoria. The aircraft still carries the remnants of the markings acquired when it was an advertising sign for the Aeroplane Car Company in Brisbane. The aircraft is in poor condition and for sale. (* previously shown incorrectly as Kwambatook) Jason Burgess reports that he acquired VH-AEQ on 13MAY06. The aircraft was previously owned by David Hamilton who bought the "Xanadu" property from Alvin Petersen a few years ago. Jason confirms that the aircraft is dismantled and in poor condition. It will be moved to a farm near Swan Hill where Jason already has the cockpit of VH-SBO.
17	VH-MMF was trucked from Camden to Bankstown on 21JUN02 for restoration to airworthiness for Geoff Leach.
18	C-47A 42-23420 "Pushy Cat" was en route from Batchelor to Archerfield on 9th November 1943 when it broke up in a storm over the Carnarvon Gorge 60 miles south of Springsure with the loss of 4 crew and 15 passengers. Part of the wreckage was subsequently relocated to a site opposite the Lodge at Carnarvon Gorge where it serves as a memorial.
19	PK-GDC was sold to Peter Hanbury of Armadale, W.A. on 23APR03. During May 2003 the aircraft was dismantled and trucked to the property of Jeff Green at Armadale, W.A. It is reported that the owner is intending to convert the aircraft into a studio.
20	C-47 41-18648 "Starduster" disintegrated in flight en route Rockhampton to Archerfield on 21NOV43 while serving with the 21 TCS (MACR 1220). Located 22JUN48. Wreckage still on site.
21	C-47 A65-50 crashed at Mount Cobberos on 24AUG54. Part of the wreck is used as a trampers' hut near Mount Kosciuszco.
22	Doug Hamilton and John Rayner sold DC-3 VH-BAB to Sean O'Sullivan of Wairua, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand on 28JUL03. After the aircraft has been delivered to N.Z. it will be transferred to the N.Z. Census Page. Despite having been sold in the Airworld dispersal to Sean O'Sullivan in New Zealand, the aircraft was never delivered. Sean O'Sullivan has since sold the aeroplane to Mike Spaulding of Mareeba based North Queensland Warbirds who reportedly intend to make the aeroplane flyable. VH-BAB departed Wangaratta by road on 25JAN05, arriving in Mareeba on 30JAN05.
23	John Williams has sold VH-BPL to Warwick Allen. The aeroplane has been relocated within Hoxton Park Aerodrome and in early January 2004 it will be transported by road to Orange, NSW where it will be painted in Qantas colours and mounted on a turntable to act as a weathervane. The Orange City Council is assisting the project.
24	Evidently, the deal to relocate VH-BPL to Orange (see Note 23) has fallen through, as it has been announced that the aeroplane has been acquired by the Qantas Founders Outback Museum in Longreach. This aeroplane was formerly VH-EAP and VH-EBY with Qantas, so it will make a fine companion for Boeing 747-238B VH-EBQ. The aeroplane was actually donated to the QFOM by John D. Williams on 20th February 2004. Indications are that the aeroplane will be trucked from Hoxton Park to Longreach. Good result! The aircraft arrived at Longreach by road at last light on 03MAR05. By 06MAR05, both wings and one engine had been fitted and paint stripping begun. The aircraft was painted in Qantas Empire Airways markings as VH-EAP in JUN07.
25	Discovery Air Tours (formerly Dakota National Air) went into administration on 16FEB04 but as of 25JUN04 are still operating with VH-DNA, VH-MIN and VH-SBL. DC-3s VH-BPN, VH-PWN and VH-UPQ are stored at the Australian Aviation Museum at Bankstown. DC-3 P2-001, which was to become VH-DNF, is still stored at Warnervale, NSW where it diverted with engine problems on its delivery flight from Papua New Guinea. Ownership of VH-UPQ (c/n 16552/33300) was transferred to the Australian Aviation Museum at Bankstown on 16FEB09. Given that the AAM already have VH-MMD (c/n 16553/33301) they now have two DC-3s with consecutive constructor's numbers. Six Discovery Air Tours DC-3s are to be sold at auction on 25MAR09. Aircraft listed are: VH-BPN, VH-DNA, VH-DNF, VH-MIN, VH-PWN#2 and VH-SBL. All aircraft were passed in and no sales eventuated. See Issue #47. VH-SBL was noted at Essendon with an engine running on 15JUN09. The aircraft had arrived at Essendon on 24MAR08 for maintenance. The 4 Discovery Air Tours DC-3s which were located at Bankstown have been transported by road to a property at Larras Lee near Molong, NSW. Dates of arrival at Larras Lee are: VH-BPN 25NOV09 (approx) VH-MIN 10DEC09 VH-DNA 17DEC09 VH-PWN 21JAN10 (Departed Bankstown same day) VH-DNF 24FEB10.
26	VH-JGL was struck off the register on 16SEP04 as withdrawn from use. The aircraft had been trucked from Wagga to Tocumwal in 2001 and is displayed statically in RAAF markings. (Source: "Australian Aviation" Dec 2004, p.79) UPDATE 21DEC04 by Gordon Reid: On 18OCT04 the aircraft was trucked from Tocumwal to Mulwala where it is displayed outside the RSL in basic RAAF colours and Dakota Downunder titles but with no serial number or registration. The aircraft is named "Louisa".
27	Previously rumoured to exist in the Bendigo area, the nose section of VH-TAK has surfaced in the collection of the Mitiamo Air Museum at Mitiamo, 85 km north of Bendigo, Victoria. The new museum is operated by Richard Winterburn. The wrecked nose section extends from the forward bulkhead (Station 20) to just aft of the cockpit (Station 86).
28	Parts of KNILM DC-3 PK-AFV which was shot down at Carnot Bay, W.A. on 03MAR42 are displayed by the Broome Historical Society. Parts on display include the rudder, both elevators and an aileron. The centre section, parts of the fuselage and one wing remain on the beach at Carnot Bay, although badly corroded.
29	The wreckage of NEIAF C-47 DT-941 is located on a forrested hill near Mossman, QLD. The aircraft crashed on 07SEP44 killing all 19 on board but the wreckage was not found until JAN89.
30	The wreckage of PK-RDB consists of the aft fuselage and the tail section only. Inspected by Eric Munk in April 2005. Faded paint reveals former identities 5W-FAA and ZK-A--. In August 2009, Andrew Schulze from the AHSNT advised that rear fuselage and tail section are located at the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre. The centre section and both wings are located at the AHSNT workshop. Andrew Schulze advised on 19MAY10 that the wings and centre section of PK-RDB have been scrapped but the rear fuselage and tail section remain at the AAHC.
31	VH-SPY was inspected by Eric Munk on 27JUN05 and appears to be parked long term. On 15OCT08 it was noted that fitters were working on the starboard engine and that the 'South Pacific' titles and the double cheatline had been removed.
32	ZK-AMS "Dulcie" departed Christchurch for Kaitaia and Lord Howe Island on 02MAY04. The aircraft arrived in Sydney on 03MAY04 on lease to Pionair Australia Pty Ltd. ZK-AMS entered service with Pionair Australia on 05MAY04. It is expected that the aircraft will be transferred to the Australian Register, at which time the aeroplane will be moved from the NZ Census page to the Australian Census page. In late 2005, ZK-AMS was advertised for sale at NZ$550,000. The aircraft is expected to be replaced on its Australian tour operation by a Convair 580. It is reported that the aircraft has been sold to an operator in Perth, Western Australia for use on tourist flights. ZK-AMS was removed from the NZ Register on 03MAR06. The aircraft was registered VH-CWS to Classic Wings Pty. Ltd. of Midland, WA on 14MAR06. VH-CWS departed Bankstown on 25AUG06 and arrived at Jandakot, W.A. at 1345 local on 28AUG06. It is reported that Classic Wings suspended all operations on 21FEB07. On 23AUG08 David Gray, Managing Director of Classic Wings advised: "We’ve finally been given the approval for our Air Operators Certificate, and will start flying CWS commercially again from late September." David Gray, Managing Director of Classic Wings advised that their AOC was issued at the first attempt on 09SEP08. The Classic Wings website advises that their last day of operations will be 10JAN09 and that VH-CWS will be available for sale after this date. Classic Wings operated their last flight on 10JAN09. On 12JAN09 the Registration Holder/Operator changed to Westpac Banking Corporation, Concord West, NSW. VH-CWS departed Jandakot on 01JUN09 for Maitland, NSW where it will be auctioned on 23JUL09. The routing of the delivery flight was: 01JUN09 Jandakot-Kalgoorlie-Forrest 02JUN09 Forrest-Ceduna-Port Augusta 03JUN09 Port Augusta-Broken Hill-Parkes 11JUN09 Parkes-Maitland As of 17MAY10 the Registration Holder and Registered Operator is Slattery Auctions Australia Pty Ltd of Hexham, NSW. As of 24JUN10 the aircraft was registered to Peter Christoudias / JNP Enterprises Pty Ltd trading as Broome Air Services in Broome, WA.
33	DC-3TP ZS-OJJ has been flown to Australia from South Africa. It arrived at Camden, NSW on 05OCT06 and at the time of writing (FEB07) is based at Goulburn, NSW. The aircraft is a turbo-prop conversion. Its ownership and intended purpose are unknown. The aircraft was still parked at Goulburn in December 2008. On 30MAR09 the aircraft flew from Goulburn to Brisbane where it overnighted and returned to Goulburn on 01APR09. The aircraft again flew from Goulburn to Brisbane on 04APR09 but departed for Honiara, Solomon Islands on 05APR09, reportedly on return to its owners, Dodson Aviation in the US. This aircraft has been moved to a so-called Holding Pattern for the purpose of retaining details of its time in Australia (and in case it comes back!). ZS-OJJ was noted at the Dodson Aviation hangar at Ottawa, Kansas in May 2009.
34	In October 2006, the underwater wreckage of RAAF C-47B-35-DK A65-115 was discovered in Darwin Harbour approximately 5 km off East Point. The aircraft ditched with the starboard engine on fire on 05SEP46. All 5 crew were rescued although only one escaped injury. The wreckage has been placed on the Northern Territory Heritage Register and is thus protected by legislation.
35	VH-TMQ which was previously owned by Bob Fisher trading as Air Nostalgia has been sold at auction to Australasian Jet Pty Ltd of Essendon who became the registered operator as of 28MAY09. The registration holder is shown as Gooney Bird Pty Ltd of the same address.

RUMOURS / QUERIES - CONFIRMATION REQUESTED

VH-TAK	The nose section is rumoured to exist somewhere in the Bendigo area. Confirmed JAN05. See Note 27
KN374	There are reports of DC-3 remains near Watts Bridge, QLD. Confirmed FEB07. See Note 13.
42-108879	There are reports of another DC-3 motor vehicle somewhere in Victoria. This is now believed to be Doug Fawcett's vehicle which is known to have visited Victoria in 1992. See Note 14.

INDEX

Note: This index lists only the most recent identity or that currently appearing on the aeroplane. Registrations in inverted commas are fictitious markings used for display purposes. It should be noted that many of the aircraft no longer appear on the Australian Civil Register and that their registrations may have been reallocated to other aircraft. The Constructor's Numbers in the following table are linked to the relevant entry in the census table above.

REGN	C/N	REGN	C/N	REGN	C/N
A65-24	11974	VH-ANH	4120	VH-EWE	6007
A65-50	13082	.	.	"VH-EWE"	13084
A65-71	27131	VH-ANN	3272
A65-73	32671	.	.	VH-JGL	26640
A65-75	32667	VH-ANR	1944	VH-JXD	33297
A65-78	32677	VH-ANW	13624	VH-MIN	13459
A65-104	33295	VH-BAA	13084	VH-MMA	9593
A65-111	33304	VH-BAB	25495	VH-MMD	33301
A65-114	33460	"VH-BPA"	12187	VH-MMF	12540
A65-115	33464
A65-124	34220	VH-BPL	12873	VH-NVD	32879
DT-941	12880	VH-BPN	32945	VH-NVZ	32883
KN374	32745	.	.	.	.
N2-23	11973	VHCFM	9282	VH-OVM	33102
N2-43	12542	VHCGS	6009	VH-PWN #1	9286
N2271C	25309	VH-CWS	9286	VH-PWN #2	26001
PK-AFV	1965	VHCXD	1941	VH-SBL	12056
PK-GDC	20041	"VHDAK"	13210	VH-SBO	6108
PK-RDB	32895	VH-DAS	6051	VH-SPY	33113
P2-001	33109	VH-DNA	27130	VH-TAK	13338
P2-003	26638	VH-DNF [NTU]	33109	VH-TMQ	32884
VH-ABR	2029	VH-EAE	33096	VH-UPQ	33300
.	.	VH-EAF	33106	ZS-OJJ	32961
VH-AEQ	6024	VH-EAP	12873	41-20066	4836
VH-AES	6021	VH-EDC	12874	42-23420	9282
VH-AGU	32668	VH-EDD	25367	42-108879	12638