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  C-47B-20-DK Dakota Serial Number A65-71 Tail Code OM-N
RAAF

Former Assignments
No. 37 Squadron
No. 38 Squadron


AWM July 6, 1945



Daniel Leahy 2012

Aircraft History
Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Contract AC535-AC-40652. Constructors Number 27131. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as C-47B-20-DK Skytrain serial number 43-49870. Ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia.

Wartime History
During February 1945 delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as C-47B Dakota serial number A65-71 with call sign VH-CIN. On February 19, 1945 assigned to 3 Air Depot (3 AD). On February 28, 1945 assigned to No. 37 Squadron with fuselage code OM-N. On July 6, 1945 this C-47 transported the casket with the body of Prime Minister Curtin from Canberra Airfield to Perth for his funeral.

The aircraft was withdrawn from operational use by the RAAF in October 1981. Ownership was transferred to the Australian War Memorial (AWM) and flown by the RAAF on their behalf until being retired in 1997.

In Storage
This C-47 is stored at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) at the Treloar Technology Centre (AWM Annex).

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - C-47B-20-DK Skytrain 43-49870
"49870 (MSN 15686/27131) to RAAF as A65-71 Feb 1945. Operated with wartime call sign VH-CIN. Carried Prime Minister Curtin's body from Canberra to Perth for funeral in 1945. To Australian War Memorial. Under restoration at Treloar Centre."
ADF Serials - Dakota A65-71
FindAGrave - John Joseph Curtin (photo, grave photo)
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional information

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Last Updated
January 2, 2022

 

Tech Information
C-47
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