VH-ANG. Douglas DC-4-1009. c/n 42918-14.

also registered as: VH-BPD & VH-EBM.


Built for Western Airlines

Delivered to Western Airlines - as NC10203 - April 10, 1946

Sold to Australian National Airways - July 9, 1947

Entered onto Australian Aircraft Register as VH-ANG - August 26, 1947

Registered to Australian National Airways Pty Ltd

Aircraft was named 'Palana' (star)

Sold to British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines - April 22, 1948

Reregistered as VH-BPD - April 22, 1948

Registered to British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines Ltd

Aircraft was renamed 'Discovery'

Handed over to B.C.P.A. on completion of the last A.N.A. crewed service

Route: Vancouver-San Francisco-Honolulu-Canton Island-Nadi-Sydney

Sold to Qantas Empire Airways - May 6, 1949

Reregistered VH-EBM - May 9, 1949

Registered to Qantas Empire Airways Ltd

Aircraft was renamed 'Philippine Trader'

Operated first regular Qantas flight EM202 Sydney-Darwin-Labuan-Hong Kong - June 26, 1949

Aircraft under command of Capt J.M. Hampshire

Chartered by T.E.A.L. to operate first flight Melbourne-Christchurch (Harwood) return - June 29, 1951

Aircraft under command of Capt D.F. McMaster

Sold to Zantop Air Transport Inc, Detroit - October 16, 1959

Departed Sydney on delivery flight to Burbank, California (Capt Christensen) - October 16, 1959

Entered onto U.S. Aircraft Register as N600Z

Cancelled from Australian Aircraft Register - November 5, 1959

Sold to Trans Mediterranean Airways, Beirut - April 1962

Entered onto Lebanese Aircraft Register as OD-AEC

Crashed into the sea off Brindisi, Italy shortly after take-off - July 9, 1962

Was operating Flight 104 Beirut-London-Frankfurt-Brindisi-Beirut

All six people on board were killed

Cause of accident attributed to the loss of power in No. 1 & 2 engines, resulting in loss of altitude

Crew fatigue possible contibuting factor in accident


VH-ANG. Australian National Airways Pty Ltd - in the all-metal livery at Melbourne's Essendon Airport.

(B. Colledge Collection. 1125-999.)

VH-BPD. British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines - in the full livery at Sydney Airport, date unknown.

(E. D. Daw Collection. 1125-142.)

VH-EBM. Qantas Empire Airways - the crew of the inaugural flight to Hong Kong, June 26, 1949.

(Qantas Heritage Collection. 1125-523.)

VH-EBM. Qantas Empire Airways - in the original livery at unknown airport, November 1949.

(P. Sheehan Collection. 1125-498.)

VH-EBM. Qantas Empire Airways - undergoing a major overhaul at Sydney Airport, date unknown.

(Qantas Heritage Collection. 1125-524.)

VH-EBM. Qantas - in the revised livery, location and date unknown.

(Qantas Heritage Collection. 1125-525.)