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  C-47A-50-DL Dakota Serial Number A65-17  (VH-ANK)
ANA
Former Assignments
USAAF
RAAF
3 AD
No. 35 Squadron
No. 33 Squadron
26 RSU
15 ARD
10 RSU
No. 34 Squadron
1 AD
CFC
2 AD
3 AD
ANA
Guinea Airways

Tech Info
Ed Coats c1945-1948

Aircraft History
Built by Douglas Aircraft Company as a DC-3A-456. Constructor Number 9999. This aircraft had a 24-volt electrical system and hot-air heating with R1830-92 engines with wide blade propellers per specification number 6477A-0 with governor specification number 4GB-615D. Ordered under Contract W535-AC-20669S-2. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as C-47A-50-DL Skytrain serial number 42-24137. On August 15, 1943 departs on a ferry flight via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia.

Wartime History
On August 23, 1943 assigned to the Royal Australian Ar Force (RAAF) as C-47A Dakota serial number A65-17. Call Sign VH-CTQ. Initially, this aircraft was received by 3 Air Depot (3 AD). On September 8, 1943 assigned to No. 35 Squadron. On September 22, 1943 assigned to No. 33 Squadron.

On February 18, 1944 took off piloted by F/Sgt Frederick J. Ashelford, 415850 co-pilot Sgt R. A. Sedgwick, 430060 crew Sgt Maxwell J. Sibley, 417764, and LAC Arnold P. Carpenter, 26460 plus 23 passengers on a flight to Vivigani Airfield on Goodenough Island. While landing, this swung to the left and was damaged without injury to anyone aboard.

On February 24, 1944 assigned to 26 Repair Salvage Unit (26 RSU) and initially approval was given to convert the aircraft into components but after temporary repairs was made airworthy.

On August 14, 1944 flown to Australia and assigned to 15 ARD / 10 Repair Salvage Unit (10 RSU) for additional repairs.

On October 18, 1944 received by Australian National Airways (ANA) at Parafield Airfield. On June 22, 1945 assigned to CFS. On July 1, 1945 assigned 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On July 24, 1945 returned to CFC. On September 5, 1945 assigned to No. 34 Squadron.

Postwar
On March 1, 1946 assigned to 2 Air Depot (2 AD). On March 18, 1946 assigned to No. 34 Squadron. On April 18, 1946 assigned to 3 Air Depot (3 AD).

On February 18, 1947 sold to Australian National Airways (ANA) for £6250 and returned to DC-3A configuration. Registered in Australia as VH-ANK. During November 1946 to Guinea Airways. On February 25, 1945 returned to Australian National Airways (ANA). Nicknamed "Lutana". with "Australian National Airways" on the upper fuselage above the windows. and used for civilian passenger service in Australia.

Mission History
On September 2, 1948 at 5:30pm took off from Archerfield Airfield piloted by Capt. A. Drummond, co-pilot J. R. Atkinson and hostess B. M. Wise with ten passengers on a flight bound for Sydney Airport (Mascot). Last reported position was over New South Wales (NSW) the weather was rain with heavy clouds. At roughly 8:15pm crashed into Mount Crawney (Crawney Mountain) at an elevation of roughly 4,570' east of Quirindi.

Wreckage

On September 4, 1948 at 12:45pm the crash site was located by an Anson VH-ASM from East West Airlines flying from Tamworth bound for Sydney Airport.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - C-47A-50-DL Skytrain 42-24137

"24137 (MSN 9999) to RAAF as A65-17 (VH-CTQ) Aug 1943. To Guinea Airways 11/1946 as VH-ANK. To Australian National Airways (ANA) Feb 25, 1947 as "Lutana"."
ADF Serials - Dakota A65-17
WW2 Nominal Roll - Frederick J. Ashelford, 415850
WW2 Nominal Roll - Robert A. Sedgwick, 430060
WW2 Nominal Roll - Sgt Maxwell J. Sibley, 417764
WW2 Nominal Roll - Arnold P. Carpenter, 26460
Oz@War - 2 Sept 1948 ANA DC3 email from Gerry Butler
Aircrash: The Story of How Australia's Airways Were Made Safe Vol 2 (1992) by MacArthur Job

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Last Updated
March 23, 2023

 

Tech Info
C-47
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