VH-ADZ Douglas DC-2-115G

Construction was completed at the Douglas Santa Monica plant, California - May 1935

Delivered to K.N.I.L.M. - June 12, 1935

Entered onto the Dutch Aircraft Register as PK-AFL - July 19, 1935

Its first visit to Australia was undertaken as a charter flight from Batavia - Sydney - January 10 - 12, 1937

The aircaft was evacuated to Australia ahead of enemy invasion forces - March 02, 1942

Offered to the Commonwealth of Australia by K.N.I.L.M. for 5 Pounds Australian - March 19, 1942

It was operated on a charter basis by the United States Army Air Force

Under instruction from General MacArthur all ex K.L.M. and K.N.I.L.M. aircraft in Australia were to be

taken-over by the U.S.A.A.F. as he didn't want a major part of the air transport fleet privately owned

MacArthur instructed that logistical support (including 100 cases of spare parts) be cut off to KNILM

This action effectively forced KNILM to sell their aircraft to the U.S.A.A.F.

Under the terms of this sale this aircraft had to be test flown before delivery

KNILM maintenance crews agreed to have all aircraft ready for a simultaneous test flights

This aircraft was a part of the 10 aircraft formation that was test flown over Sydney Harbour - May 14, 1942

Allocated the U. S. serial number '41-1376' and used the radio call-sign 'VHCXH'

Issued to the 22nd Troop Carrier Squadron (TCS)

It was damaged by enemy action at Wards Strip, Port Moresby - August 17, 1942

Written off by the U.S.A.A.F. and sold to Australian National Airways for spares - October 21, 1943

Rebuilt to airworthy standard at Melbourne (Essendon) with upgraded Wright GR-1820-G2 engines

Configured to seat 17 passengers

Test flown at Melbourne (Essendon) - January 25, 1944

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-ADZ (CofR 790) - January 27, 1944

Registered to Australian National Airways Pty Ltd, Melbourne

The aircraft was named 'Menana' (high)

Operated its first revenue service - January 27, 1944

Sold to Charles M. Macdonald t/a Macair - November 05, 1947

It was intended to be used on overseas migrant charter flights to Australia

Following a protracted legal dispute the aircraft was sold to Arthur Carveles t/a Rapid Air Service - June 1948

Sold to Sid D. Marshall t/a Marshall Airways Ltd - July 1948

Registered to Marshall Airways Ltd, Bankstown - July 08, 1948

Reregistered as VH-CDZ - August 24, 1949

This aircraft was utilised for weekend joy flights over Sydney and surrounding areas

On landing at Sydney (Bankstown) the undercarriage collapsed causing extensive damage - November 10, 1957

Withdrawn from service and stored at Sydney (Bankstown)

The wings were removed and it was towed to a private property at Camden for further storage - 1965

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - March 06, 1968

Returned to Sydney (Bankstown) by road transport - ?

Sold to R.M. Rosser, Graham, Texas, USA who was a pilot with American Airlines - November 1981

He intended to restore the aircraft for air operations by the U. S. Confederate Air Force, Harlingen, Texas

It was allocated the United States Registration 'N8486D' - 1981

The aircraft was refused an export permit and it remained in open storage at Sydney (Bankstown)

Transferred to the Australian Wing of the Confederate Air Force - February 23, 1983

Sold to M. B. Wansey of Rebel Air who began restoration activities - June 1984

Restoration activities had ceased - September 1985

The aircraft remained stored at Sydney (Bankstown)

Advertised for sale by Koomeela Air Services Australia - August 1989

Sold to International Air Parts - 1990

Moved by road to the Qantas Apprentice Training School, Alexandria, Sydney - April 27, 1990

Restoration work was undertaken by Qantas apprentices but at a slow pace

Current status and location of aircraft is unknown