Aircraft History
Built by Douglas Aircraft Company as C-47A-20-DK Dakota. Constructors Number 12873. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as C-47A-20-DK Dakota serial number 42-93099.

Wartime History
During April 1944 delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and registered in Australia as VH-CIA. On April 21, 1944 assigned to 38 Squadron.

On February 27, 1945 this aircraft suffered an accident at Lae Airfield when the undercarriage retracted on the tarmac. None of the crew were injured.

Postwar
During November 1945, assigned to 33 Squadron. In October 1946 assigned to 37 Squadron and finally in November 1946 assigned to 38 Squadron.

During 1948, sold to Qantas Empire Airways (QEA) for £6,250 and registered in Australia as VH-EAP. Re-registered as VH-EBY in 1957. To Trans Australian Airways (TAA) in 1960 and re-registered as VH-SBG.

In November 1973 sold to Air Niugini and re-registered as P2-SBG in 1974. During 1975 re-registered as P2-ANP. This aircraft operated in Papua New Guinea. During 1977 withdrawn from service. In 1970, placed into storage at Port Moresby.

Today
Since 2005, this aircraft is displayed at the Qantas Founders Museum in Qantas Empire Airways (QEA) markings.

References
Qantas Founders Museum - They called it 'The Plane That Taught The World to Fly'
ADF Serials - Dakota A65-44
Ed Coates Collection - VH-EAP
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for further information

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Last Updated
January 2, 2022