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| USAAF Former Assignments Guinea Airways TAA 5th AF 374th TCG 6th TCS |
Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company at Long Beach. Constructors Number 6007. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as C-47-DL Skytrain serial number 41-18646. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia. Wartime History On October 31, 1942 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 54th Troop Carrier Wing (54th TCW), 374th Troop Carrier Group (374th TCG), 6th Troop Carrier Squadron (6th TCS). Buzz Number / Nose Number 52. and Australian call sign VH-CFB. Assigned to pilot S/Sgt. Ernest C. Ford of Manzanola, Colorado with crew chief T/Sgt. Amerigo Grassie. Nicknamed "Irene" the crew chief's wife, as he was the only person in the crew that was married. This aircraft had a long history of flying resupply missions based at 5 Mile Drome (Ward) near Port Moresby. On November 3, 1942 dropped supplies over Kokoda. On February 6, 1943 flew to supplies to Wau Airfield. During July 11, 1944 transferred to the RAAF and registered as VH-AER but no serial number was assigned. The next day assigned to ANA and converted for civilian service at Essendon Airfield. Afterwards, leased to Guinea Airways on January 29, 1945 and operated in New Guinea until October 14, 1946. Postwar On October 14, 1946 transferred to Trans Australia Airlines (TAA). Nicknamed "Batman" and later "Dampier". Next, to East West Airways as "Oxley City" on March 11, 1955 and registered as VH-EWF on June 14, 1955 and VH-EWE on August 22, 1955. Afterwards, sold to the NSW Department of Lands and nicknamed "Phillip F. Adams on November 3, 1965 then sold to Connair on July 13, 1973. Next to Fleetair Services of Tasmania on October 14, 1976 and IPEC on March 11, 1977, but remained in Fleetair colors until April 29, 1979, then nicknamed "Spirit of William". Sold again to Masling Commuter Services during December 1979. Then to Racovolis Provedores Pty, Melbourne on February 12, 1980 and operated with Setair colors. During September 1980 to Cranways Pty and General Cargo Australia during 1981. Transported by road to Adelaide and installed as part of a McDonalds Restaurant at Turner Drive, West Lakes SA on December 3, 1983. Displayed in the markings of VH-AER in 1948 colors. It was displayed there until the end of the 1980s. Finally, during 2000, sold to Jeff Morgan of Karoona, South Australia. Relatives Steven Ford adds: "My father, S/Sgt. Ernest C. Ford, was pilot of “Irene” On the day C-47 “Early Delivery” was shot down, the Japanese were making an attempt to capture the Wau airstrip. Hundreds of Australian troops ‘Kanga Force’, ammunition and supplies were transported by the USAAF’s 54th TCW. So important was this battle, that the Department of Information of the Australian Military Forces published the brochure,The Battle of Wau,for the “Australian people” to know the seriousness of this battle. My father was given a battlefield commission and ended up flying the most combat missions of any USAAF pilot, 365. On behalf of the Ford Family,we thank you for an excellent and informative web site." References USAF Serial Number Search Results - C-47-DL Skytrain 41-18646 "18646 (MSN 6007) to USAAF Oct 31, 1942 - 5th AF, Australia ‘Irene’ Jan 12, 1943 - Transfered to RAAF Jul 11, 1944. To civil registry as VH-AER (Dept of Civil Aviation Jul 11, 1944 - ANA/Guinea Airways Jan 29, 1945 - TAA ‘Batman’ Oct 14, 1946, later ‘Dampier’ - East West Airways ‘Oxley City’ Mar 11, 1955). Rr VH-EWF Jun 14, 1955 and VH-EWE Aug 22, 1958. Lsd to NSW Deptmt of Lands ‘Philip F Adams’ Nov 03, 1965, then sold to Connair Jul 13, 1973, Fleetair Services, Tasmania Oct 14, 1976 and IPEC Mar 11, 1977. Remains in Fleetair colours until Apr 29, 1979, then named ‘Spirit of William’. Sold again to Masling Commuter Services Dec 1979, Racovolis Provedores Pty, Melbourne Feb 12, 1980 (operated with Setair colours), Cranways Pty Sep 1980 and General Cargo Australia in 1981. Last transferred by road to Adelaïde to become part of a McDonald’s Restaurant, West Lake Dec 03, 1983 as VH-AER (1948 colours)." AussieAirliners - VH-AER Douglas DC-3 Contribute
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