VH-ANT. Douglas C-47A-50-DL. c/n 10078.

Was also registered as: 42-24216; XW-TDM.

 

Construction was completed at the Douglas Long Beach plant - August 1943

It was built as a Douglas C-47A-50-DL

Delivered to the United States Army Air Force - August 20, 1943

It was allocated the United States serial number '42-24216'

Delivered to United States 5th Air Force at Brisbane (Eagle Farm) - September 20, 1943

Due to its poor condition it was condemned - October 01, 1944

Sold to Australian National Airways - 1945

Converted to civilian standards including the fitment of Wright GR-1820-G202A cyclone engines

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-ANT (CofR 892) - March 13, 1946

Registered to Australian National Airways Pty Ltd, Melbourne

The aircraft was named 'Wandana' (district in Ceduna)

Used by Guinea Airways on various services - 1946

Its conversion to freighter configuration was completed - December 1960

Withdrawn from use and stored at Melbourne (Essendon) - 1968

Sold to Australian Aircraft Sales - November 08, 1968

Sold to Laos Air Charter - November 1968

Entered onto the Loatian Aircraft Register as XW-TDM - November 1968

The incorrect registration 'XW-TDK' was painted on the aircraft

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - November 19, 1968

Accepted by Laos Air Charter at Melbourne (Essendon) - November 28, 1968

Departed Melbourne (Essendon) on the ferry flight to Laos - November 29, 1968

It carried some 2,860 kg of spare DC-3 parts including 2 spare engines

Transferred to Air Union, Laos - ?

The aircraft was destroyed when it was shot down by communist rebel ground fire - May 19, 1973

It was taking off from Suay Rieng, 125 km south east of Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Killed were the two crew and nine passengers on board

 

 

VH-ANT. Australian National Airways - 'Wandana' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, date unknown.

(E. D. Daw Collection Copyright Image 0250-301.)

VH-ANT. Australian National Airways - 'Wandana' in the standard livery at Melbourne Essendon Airport, date unknown.

(B. Colledge Copyright Image 0250-662.)

VH-ANT. Ansett-ANA - in the standard livery with 'Cargoliner' titles at Brisbane Eagle Farm Airport, date unknown.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-318.)

VH-ANT. Ansett-ANA - in the basic livery with 'Cargoliner' titles at Melbourne Essendon Airport, November 1968.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-319.)

XW-TDK. AAS Australian Aircraft Sales - in the basic'Ansett-ANA' livery with 'Cargoliner' titles at Melbourne Essendon Airport, November 1968.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 0250-315.)

XW-TDK. AAS Australian Aircraft Sales - in the basic'Ansett-ANA' livery with 'Cargoliner' titles at Melbourne Essendon Airport, November 1968.

(E. D. Daw Collection Copyright Image 0250-250.)