VH-TAF. Douglas C-54A-5-DO. c/n 7469-77.


Delivered new to U.S.A.A.F. as 42-107450 - February 24, 1944

Sold to Braathens-SAFE - December 26, 1949

Entered onto the Norwegian Aircraft Register as LV-HAV - January 20, 1947

Aircraft was named 'Norse Explorer'

Cancelled from the Norwegian Aircraft Register - October 7, 1950

Sold to Trans Caribbean Airways - becoming N1220V - October 17, 1950

Leased to Seaboard & Western Airlines Inc for use as a freighter - October 1950

Aircraft was named 'Hawaiian Airtrader'

Returned to Trans Caribbean Airways - January 20, 1953

Leased to Seaboard & Western Airlines - 1958 to 1959

Sold to Aero Factors Corp, Luxembourg - September 1, 1959

Sold to Interocean Airways - becoming LX-LMK - March 7, 1961

Leased to the United Nations for use in The Congo on relief flights - March 7, 1961

Returned to Luxembourg and stored without engines - 1963

Sold to Aviation Traders Ltd - April 9, 1964

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-TAF - December 11, 1964

Registered to Australian National Airlines Commission

Sold to Trans Australia Airlines - December 15, 1964

Departed Southend on delivery flight to Australia - December 20, 1964

Ferry route was via Rome-Beirut-Damascus-Bahrain-Bombay-Calcutta-Colombo-Cocos Island-Perth

Arrived Melbourne - January 4, 1965

Aircraft was named 'George Grey'

Entered service with Trans Australia Airlines as a freighter - January 19, 1965

Operated its final service with T.A.A. - March 22, 1969

Placed in storage at Melbourne's Essendon Airport

Sold to Flying Tigers - October 1969

Sold to Air Vietnam - becoming XV-NUM - November 8, 1969

Departed Melbourne on delivery flight to Hong Kong - November 8, 1969

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - January 9, 1970

Was seriously damaged when a hijacker detonated explosives inside the aircraft - February 20, 1974

Was on scheduled service from Qui Non to Da Nang when pilot diverted to Hue

On learning of deception, hijacker killed himself and 3 other passengers

Aircraft was repaired, and later withdrawn from service at Phu-Bai airport

Exact fate of this aircraft is unclear at this point


VH-TAF. TAA Trans Australia Airlines 'Cargomaster' - at Sydney Airport, February 1967.

(Image 1125-034. B. Dannecker Collection)

VH-TAF. TAA Trans Australia Airlines 'Cargomaster' - at Sydney Airport, September 1967.

(Image 1125-325. R. N. Smith Photograph)

VH-TAF. TAA Trans Australia Airlines 'Cargomaster' - at Sydney Airport, September 1967.

(Image 1125-035. B. Dannecker Collection)

VH-TAF. TAA Trans Australia Airlines 'Cargomaster' - at Melbourne's Essendon Airport, date unknown.

(Image 1125-006. J. Hopton Photograph)

VH-TAF. TAA Trans Australia Airlines 'Cargomaster' - at Melbourne's Essendon Airport, date unknown.

(Image 1125-243. P. J. Gates Collection)

VH-TAF. TAA Trans Australia Airlines 'Cargomaster' - at Melbourne's Essendon Airport, date unknown.

(Image 1125-394. G. Bennett Collection)