DC-3 VH-ANR

A CHRONOLOGY

12APR37

Registered PH-ALW to KLM as a DC-3-194B. (Source: Fred Niven).

24APR37

First flown at Santa Monica U.S.A. (fitted with a right hand door).

24APR37

Accepted by Fokker as agents for Douglas (the 10th DC-3 for Fokker).

24APR37

Accepted by customer (KLM).

25APR37

Delivered to KLM as PH-ALW "Wielewaal" (Golden Oriole).

25APR37

Flown away from Santa Monica (at 3.30pm).

28APR37

Arrived New York (in the morning).

15MAY37

Sailed from New York on the S.S. Pennland.

MAY37

Assembled at Waalhaven, Rotterdam by a team of KLM engineers including John Gyzemyter. After a test flight, the aircraft was ferried to Schiphol.

03JUN37

Entered service on the Amsterdam-Batavia route. PH-ALW was one of 9 DC-3s allocated to this route. These aircraft were fitted with only 11 seats (in lieu of the normal 21) for passenger comfort.

16SEP39

KLM flights on the Batavia route resumed from Naples (3 flights a week) after France and England closed their airspace to KLM on 08SEP39 and 10SEP39 respectively. Major overhaul was transferred to KNILM in Bandoeng.

01JUN40

Re-registered PK-ALW. The aircraft remained KLM property and retained KLM livery although under the operational control of KNILM.

22JUL40

KLM flights on the Batavia route resumed from Lydda, Palestine (2 flights a week) after it was feared that Italy would enter the war on the side of Germany. Two DC-3s were transferred to KLM in England, leaving 7 aircraft to operate the Lydda-Batavia route which was later reduced to one flight a week because of growing wartime restrictions.

08FEB42

PK-ALW Departed Lydda under the command of Captain Evert Van Dijk on the last service to Batavia. By this time the aeroplane was camouflaged.

13FEB42

Advised that he could not land in Singapore as planned, Van Dijk waited in Calcutta for further clearance.

14FEB42

Van Dijk cleared to depart for Akyab and Medan. On arrival in Medan, Van Dijk encountered a group of 36 women and children awaiting evacuation to Batavia. To accommodate the extra passengers and to reduce weight, the seats were removed and abandoned at Medan.

15FEB42

PK-ALW arrived in Batavia, the same day that Singapore capitulated.

03MAR42

Under the command of Captain Eddy Dunlop, PK-ALW was flown to an unfinished highway (Boeabatoe Road) just outside Bandoeng to await the arrival of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor General, Dr. H. Van Mook who was to be evacuated to Australia. This road had been used as a secret landing strip for several days previously. Several KNILM ground staff were also awaiting evacuation.

07MAR42

With the arrival of its important passenger, PK-ALW departed at 0100 as the last civil aircraft to leave the East Indies. Heavy fighting was in progress at Lembang, less than 15 km away from Bandoeng. PK-ALW arrived at Port Hedland, W.A. after a non-stop flight lasting a total of 7 hours 32 minutes.

19MAR42

Document shows aircraft sold to Australian Government for Ł5 as VH-ALW. Photographic evidence indicates that at least one of the Dutch aircraft was painted with VH marks.

28MAR42

KNILM signed a contract to hand over ten aircraft to the USAAF between 15MAY42 and 18MAY42. Date of sale also reported as 20MAR42 and price quoted as either $53,000.00 or $530,000.00. Eleven (11) KNILM aircraft (2 DC-2, 4 Lockheed 14, 2 DC-3 and 3 DC-5) had been evacuated to Australia when N.E.I. fell to Japan. (One Lockheed 14 subsequently crashed). Initially the KNILM aircraft operated under charter to the USAAF, but the US military were reluctant to leave a major part of the already meagre air transport fleet in private hands. General MacArthur (who arrived in Australia on 18MAR42) ordered that the Dutch aircraft be acquired by the USAAF. By cutting off logistic support (including 100 cases of spares) KNILM were effectively forced to sell their aircraft to the USAAF.

03APR42

21st Transport Squadron activated at Archerfield.

14MAY42

Under the terms of the contract of sale to the USAAF, all aircraft had to be test flown before delivery. The KNILM maintenance crew agreed to have all aircraft ready for a simultaneous test flight. Thus all 10 aircraft were in the air together over Sydney Harbour. The Dutch destroyer "Tromp" berthed at Woolloomooloo was buzzed by several of the aircraft. Three of the KNILM aircraft then flew under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, once in each direction. The "Bridge" formation was led by Captain Frans Van Breemen in DC-2 PK-AFK followed by Capt Peter Deenik in DC-3 PK-ALW and Captain Dirk Rab (with John Gyzemyter as Flight Engineer) in DC-5 PK-ADC. (Previously shown incorrectly as PK-ADG).

15MAY42

Handed over to United States Army Air Force as C-49H "11944" (not an official serial number but one apparently contrived from the c/n). Operated by 21st Transport Squadron USAAF out of Archerfield, Brisbane as VHCXE (radio call-sign). Used mainly on troop flights to/from New Guinea under control of Directorate of Air Transport (DAT).

17MAY42

Request to Chief-of-Staff, Allied Air Forces for aircraft to be assigned to General Headquarters. (See 14JUN42).

20MAY42

History of 374th Troop Carrier Group states that VHCXE was assigned to the 21st Transport Squadron on this date. The history of the 21st Troop Carrier Squadron states June 1942.

14JUN42

Letter from Air-Vice-Marshal Bostock, Chief-of-Staff, Allied Air Forces SWPA to Commander-in-Chief SWPA offering an unidentified "DC-3 with two new engines, fitted with seven regular passenger seats, new radio equipment and heating apparatus and a 1000 mile safe range".

16JUN42

Letter from Colonel Fitch, Adjutant General, to Commander, Allied Air Forces "It is understood that the DC-3 will be at Essendon on June 18. An inspection will be made at that time. By command of General MacARTHUR".

17JUL42

General MacArthur travelled from Melbourne to Canberra and return to attend the Prime Minister's War Conference. Letter from Colonel Henry Godman dated 07JUL95 states that he was the pilot and the aircraft was "the Dutch DC-3". Although Godman is unable to confirm the exact date, this date is consistent with MacArthur's known movements.

26JUL42

21st Transport Squadron redesignated 21st Troop Carrier Squadron.

27SEP42

Final mention of VHCXE in 21TCS records. Shown as transferred to GHQ South West Pacific Area.

24APR43

Flight Report (AAF Form No 1 2-2-42) records a local flight from Archerfield by DC-3 serial number 1944. Crew shown as follows:
Maj H.C. Godman GHQ (Pilot)
Maj Gen R.K. Sutherland GHQ (Co-pilot)
S/Sgt V.L. Gumm (Engineer)
S/Sgt S.P. Bone (Radio Operator)

Flight departed 14:10
Flight returned 15:55
Flight time 1:07
Landings 2

14MAY43

Received at Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation, Fisherman's Bend, Melbourne as USAAF 41-1944 for modifications. (Some sources claim that this work was performed by A.N.A. at Essendon.) Allocated sequence number CAC 17 and was with CAC for 89 days. AHSA Journal Vol. 22 No. 4 Page 92 provides these dates which were taken from the diary of the CAC Chief Security Officer. It is also stated that C-49H-DO 41-1944 changed its radio callsign from VHCXE to VH-CXL (with hyphen) during the mods at CAC. It is also stated that this aircraft (c/n 1944) had been General Douglas MacArthur's aircraft until the arrival and modification of C-47A-20-DL 41-23421 c/n 9283 which assumed the radio callsign VH-CXE (with hyphen) and the name "Shiny Shiela" (Photographic evidence that the name was spelled "Shiela" not "Sheila") This latter aircraft passed through the CAC programme as CAC 16, arriving on 13MAY43 and departing on 05JUN43. It is believed that some internal fittings were removed from c/n 1944 for fitment to c/n 9283. DC-3 c/n 1944 was then fitted with side-saddle seats although it apparently retained its small right hand door.

12AUG43

Modification work completed by CAC. Returned to USAAF.

15AUG43

Taken on charge by the RAAF as VH-CXL. Operated by No 36 Sqn, Townsville on courier flights. On loan from the USAAF.

21AUG43

First flight with 36Sqn from Townsville to Port Moresby and return (F/O McConachie and P/O Garde). During 36Sqn service VH-CXL was natural metal with USAAF stars. VH-CXL was the only aircraft in 36Sqn not camouflaged, which may be why all subsequent flights were to Horn Island.

NOV43

General MacArthur's B-17E 41-2593 "Bataan" entered service.

13JAN44

Flown from Townsville to Essendon by P/O Len Ball and SGT Varney. Last flight with 36Sqn.

02MAR43

ANA offered Ł5,000 for the aircraft. (Source: Fred Niven).

23MAR44

Returned to Allied Directorate of Air Transport (ADAT).

31MAR44

Australian National Airways Pty Ltd applied to D.C.A. for a Certificate of Airworthiness. Paperwork describes aircraft as c/n 1944, USAAF serial 41-1944 and "VH-CXL".

01APR44

Australian CofA No. X-16 issued to Australian National Airways as VH-CXL (22 passenger seats). The aircraft did not appear on the Australian Register. This special "X" series CofA permitted carriage of civil passengers on military aircraft. Used on ANA's "Pacific Islands Courier" service out of Melbourne.

23APR44

Struck off charge by RAAF and returned to USAAF.

25APR44

Delivered to ANA at Essendon.

14JUN44

Allocated USAAF serial 44-83229 as a C-49H-DO (presumably a book-keeping exercise prior to imminent disposal).

NOV44

Offered for sale by U.S. Foreign Economic Administration (as PK-ALW) "Estimated Flying Time 3500 hours"

DEC44

ANA were operating a daily service from Archerfield to Finschhafen and a Brisbane-Sydney-Melbourne return service every Sunday.

17MAR45

Struck off by USAAF.

24MAY45

As VH-CXL operated Brisbane-Melbourne-Brisbane crewed by Captain Elliot, W/O Dick Bampton and Flt Sgt Dixon. (Source: Log Book of Warrant Officer Dick Bampton assigned 4CU, Archerfield)

21JAN46

A new CofA was issued. (Source: Fred Niven).

22MAY46

Registered VH-ANR to Australian National Airways as a DC-3-G202A. Certificate of Registration No 985, having previously been purchased from the U.S. Foreign Economic Administration.

18OCT46

An engraved plate fitted to the aeroplane states that it was converted by A.N.A. on this date. The conversion included relocating the main cabin door from the starboard side to the port side. The full wording of the plate is as follows:

AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL

AIRWAYS PTY. LTD.

DOUGLAS C50 A.N.A. 500

SERIAL NO. 41-1944 REGN. VH-ANR

CONVERTED 18 - 10 - 46

"C50" has been altered from something unknown. This plate was photographed in situ at Essendon on 27OCT64 by John Hopton.

26OCT46

Named "Oana" (To Inform) in ANA service. (Source: Fred Niven). Total Time 7802:33.

Used on Guinea Airways services. (Source: Fred Niven)

30OCT47

Converted to Wright Cyclone R1820-97 engines. (Source: Fred Niven)

12OCT48

Operated Melbourne-Nhill-Adelaide-Melbourne crewed by Captain Riesen and F/O Dick Bampton. (Source: Log Book of Dick Bampton)

27DEC48

Operated Brisbane-Sydney crewed by Captain Girault and F/O Dick Bampton. (Source: Log Book of Dick Bampton)

28DEC48

Operated Sydney-Brisbane crewed by Captain Girault and F/O Dick Bampton. (Source: Log Book of Dick Bampton)

11JAN49

Operated Brisbane-Sydney-Brisbane crewed by Captain Mellor and F/O Dick Bampton. (Source: Log Book of Dick Bampton)

01FEB49

Operated Brisbane-Cairns crewed by Captain Bullen and F/O Dick Bampton. (Source: Log Book of Dick Bampton)

20FEB49

Operated Brisbane-Sydney crewed by Captain Robertson and F/O Dick Bampton. (Source: Log Book of Dick Bampton)

21FEB49

Operated Sydney-Brisbane crewed by Captain Robertson and F/O Dick Bampton. (Source: Log Book of Dick Bampton)

31AUG49

Operated Brisbane-Cairns crewed by Captain Humphries and F/O Dick Bampton. (Source: Log Book of Dick Bampton)

15FEB50

Operated Brisbane-Cairns crewed by Captain Edgerton and F/O Dick Bampton. (Source: Log Book of Dick Bampton)

23FEB50

Aircraft tipped on to its nose at Van Rook Station, near Normanton, Qld due to poor airfield conditions. Aircraft was commanded by Capt Maurice Bonney. This incident is described thus in Nan Whitcomb's book "Up Here and Down There":

"During the wet season when some of the airstrips became extremely soggy, the station owners had to make the decision for us whether it was safe to land. On a visit to Van Rook Station, the safety markers were out, so after a low observation run across the strip, Captain Maurie B. and First Officer Ernie S. decided it was OK to land. On touching down, all seemed well, until the Captain pulled back on the power and we came to an abrupt stop in a deep bog with the result that the aircraft ended up on its nose. For a moment, I thought we would flip right over but that sturdy old DC-3 shuddered and eventually flopped back on to its belly - lucky for us. Multipots, cutlery, dishes and food became airborne and ended up near the cockpit. As twelve of our passengers had disembarked at the stop before, we had only one delightful old bushman on board who, I am still convinced, thought it was a perfectly normal landing. The only thing he was concerned about was losing his pipe. After a very pleasant four day rest as enforced guests at Van Rook, we were flown out in the air ambulance Dragon Rapide - only to hear rumours that we had hit high tension wires and were all dead - so much for the bush telegraph!" Account contributed by Flight Hostess Mary Dulhunty (later Turbayne).

16MAR50

The aeroplane was flown out of Van Rook by Capt P.L. "Lyn" Taylor, ANA Flight Superintendent, direct to Melbourne in 7 hrs 35 mins. The total non-stop distance of 1450 miles was claimed as a record for a DC-3 in Australia. As a result of the nose-over, both propellors were changed and "all engine controls were adjusted due to pedestal being pushed out of line." (Flight time and nature of repairs is drawn from the aircraft logs).

MAY50

ANA records show total time 18,720 hours.

27NOV50

Operated Brisbane-Cairns crewed by Captain Brooks and F/O Dick Bampton. (Source: Log Book of Dick Bampton)

01DEC50

Operated Sydney-Brisbane crewed by Captain Bullen and F/O Dick Bampton. (Source: Log Book of Dick Bampton)

APR55

Major overhaul (9,000 hours) by Fairey Aviation, Bankstown. Total time 26,623 hours.

13DEC56

Skin repaired on main cabin door adjacent to door handle. (Source: Aircraft logs).

16JAN57

CofA renewed until 15JAN58. (Source: Aircraft logs).

21OCT57

ANA was renamed Ansett-ANA.

14JAN58

CofA renewed until 13JAN59. (Source: Aircraft logs).

18FEB58

Ansett Transport Industries gained control of Butler Air Transport.

APR58

Leased to Butler Air Transport Pty Ltd, Sydney as VH-ANR.

17JUL58

Modified to "Viewmaster" configuration by Fairey Aviation at Bankstown. Believed to be the first "Viewmaster" conversion in Australia.

01OCT58

Returned to service with Butler Air Transport after modifications.

17FEB59

Registered to Airlines of New South Wales as VH-ANR although operated by Butler Air Transport in Butler colours.

19DEC59

Airlines of NSW commenced operations.

02FEB60

Modifications commenced at Essendon "to standardise as Viewmaster". The forward bulkhead was moved from Station 177.5 to Station 146.5 to permit the installation of an extra row of seats. An additional (small) window was installed on both sides of the fuselage in accordance with Airesearch Drawing No. 16002. Numerous other modifications were made to the cabin in connection with the fitment of the extra seats. (Source: Aircraft logs)

09FEB60

Above modifications were completed. (Source: Aircraft logs)

29MAY61

Withdrawn from service for a complete overhaul. (Source: Aircraft logs).

11SEP61

Departure from Sydney delayed because of a bomb hoax. (Source: Fred Niven)

JUN68

Airlines of NSW became Ansett Airlines of NSW.

23JUL68

Arrived Essendon from Sydney.

02AUG68

Extensive wing work commenced at Essendon. Both wings were removed during corrosion repairs. The port wing (s/n 3.40) was repaired and refitted but the starboard wing (s/n 3.77) was replaced with the starboard wing (s/n 3.97) from VH-ANQ. The starboard wing from VH-ANR was fitted to VH-ANQ which was retired to the "graveyard" and subsequently scrapped. A report that the wing centre sections were also swapped is evidently incorrect. (Source: Aircraft logs)
View the log book entry.

23AUG68

Above wing work was signed off. (Source: Aircraft logs)

01NOV68

Ansett-ANA became Ansett Airlines of Australia.

23SEP69

Ferried Sydney to Melbourne for overhaul.

28OCT69

Ferried Melbourne to Sydney after overhaul and modifications.

18DEC69

Registered to Ansett Transport Industries (Operations) Pty. Ltd. (Source: Fred Niven).

Used on food/fodder drops during the NSW floods. (Source: Fred Niven)

24JUL72

Ferried Sydney to Schofields for storage. Aircraft was leased for ten years for a token price of one dollar per year to two ANSW pilots who intended to operate the aircraft as a flying museum.

14AUG72

Struck off Register. Owners shown as Capt Alex Garriock and F/O John Wilson of Sydney.

14JUN74

Final entry in log book No. 11

Time Since Overhaul:	6 599 hrs 03 mins
Time Since New:	48 774 hrs 13 mins

14DEC74

Ferried to Camden (wheels down) by Alex Garriock and John Wilson and stored.

24JAN81

Ownership transferred from Airlines of NSW to George Markey, Sydney.

24JAN87

Restoration work commenced with view to flying aircraft under ANR108a.

18FEB94

Donated to Queensland Air Museum by George Markey.

23APR94

Aircraft inspected at Camden by QAM member who changed the lock on the cabin door.

28AUG94

QAM recovery crew arrived Camden.

15SEP94

Arrived at Caloundra on two semi-trailers.

19OCT94

Fuselage and centre section re-attached at Caloundra.

Issue	Date	Remarks
5	25SEP07	Added movements from the log book of Dick Bampton courtesy of his son, Chris.
4	09JUN04	Added several extracts from the aircraft logs. See: 13DEC56 16JAN57 14JAN58 29MAY61
3	06JUN04	The discovery of several log books for VH-ANR has yielded more detail of the following: The nose-over at Van Rook on 23FEB50. Further Viewmaster mods on 02FEB60. The wing swap on 02AUG68. Total times in log book. Also added details of the plate fitted by ANA in OCT46. Also several additions thanks to Fred Niven.
2	08SEP02	Corrected the registration of the DC-5 which flew under the Sydney Harbour Bridge from PK-ADG to PK-ADC. Refer entry under 14MAY42.