Ordered new by Trans Australia Airlines

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-TAA - August 28, 1946

Registered to Department of Civil Aviation

Departed Burbank on delivery flight to Australia - September 24, 1946

Arrived Essendon Airport, Melbourne at conclusion of delivery flight - September 28, 1946

Flight crew: Douglas aircrew with T.A.A. Captains A.A. Kock & A. Bayne

Ferried Essendon-Laverton, Melbourne - October 4, 1946

Aircraft was named 'John Eyre'

Registered to Australian National Airlines Commission - October 23, 1946

Converted to freighter configuration - 1960

Aircraft was renamed 'Watkin Tench'

Destoyed when it crashed on Bulwer Island whilst on approach to Brisbane Airport - May 24, 1961

Was operating cargo service Sydney-Brisbane as TN1902

Captain attempted to vacate seat whilst suffering cardiac arrest and collapsed over engine throttle controls

Copilot unable to access throttles and aircraft descended into the mangroves in total darkness

Had co-pilot (F/O Adams) been able to reach the landing light switch from his seat and illuminate the

crash landing area it may have been possible for him to avoid the large tree that was invisible in the dark and

that lay directly in the path of the aircraft

It had flown over 46,000 hours at the time of its destruction

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - October 10, 1961

VH-TAA. Trans Australia Airlines - in an early livery at Western Junction Airport, date unknown.

VH-TAA. Trans Australia Airlines - in an early livery at Melbourne's Essendon Airport, date unknown.

VH-TAA. Trans Australia Airlines - in an early livery at Melbourne's Essendon Airport, date unknown.