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  C-47B-25-DK Dakota Serial Number A65-75  
RAAF
86 Wing
37 Squadron

Aircraft History
Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Contract AC535-AC-2032. Constructors Number 32667. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as C-47B-25-DK Skytrain serial number 44-76335. This aircraft was fitted with Wasp R1830-90C engines. This aircraft was part of the first batch of ten C-47B Skytrains ferried overseas via Hickam Field then across the Pacific to Australia.

Wartime History
During March 1945 delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as C-47B Dakota serial number A65-75. On March 2, 1945 assigned to 3 Air Depot (3 AD). On March 3, 1945 assigned to No. 37 Squadron. Australian call sign VH-CIR with fuselage code OM-R.

Postwar
On April 12, 1946 assigned to 2 Air Depot (2 AD) and returned to 86 Wing, 37 Squadron on May 6, 1946. On September 26, 1947 assigned to Department of Aircraft Production (DAP) and instruments with radium were added. Afterwards, on January 21, 1948 assigned to 1 CU for a week of trails.

On March 31, 1948 this Dakota suffered an accident at RAAF Base Laverton. On July 7, 1948 assigned to DAP. On January 25, 1949 assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD).

On July 14, 1949 returned to 86 Wing then on October 5, 1950 to DAP and returned again on May 10, 1951. On June 21, 1951 assigned to 91 Wing in Japan. On June 18, 1952 returned to 86 Wing and July 11, 1952 to DAP. On January 9, 1953 returned to 86 Wing. On March 30, 1953 returned to 91 Wing in Japan replacing Dakota A65-84.

On December 22, 1953 this aircraft suffered an engine incident in Japan. On January 21, 1954 returned to 86 Wing. On July 18, 1954 to DAP. On August 16, 1954 to 1 AD then on July 22, 1954 to 86 Wing. On September 18, 1954 to 91 Wing, then to DAP February 29, 1956 and 1 AD August 8, 1956.

During September 11-21, 1956 this aircraft was made available to Director Operations (DOPS) for visiting Edinburgh Airfield, Maralinga Airfield, Pearce Airfield and Woomera Airfield.

Mission History
On October 26, 1956 crashed on take off from Daly Waters Airfield.

Wreckage
After the crash, DCA was concerned that the wreckage presented a obstacle for approaching aircraft and was to be moved May 31, 1956. On November 19, 1956 officially stricken off charge and the next day converted to components and scrapped. Possibly, parts of this aircraft were sold to Aeroquipment in Israel.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - C-47B-25-DK Skytrain 44-76335
"76335 (MSN 15919/32667) to RAAF as A65-75 (VH-CIR). Crashed Oct 26, 1956 Daly Waters, NT. Scrapped Nov 1956."
ADF Serials - Dakota A65-75

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Last Updated
June 1, 2023

 

Tech Info
C-47
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