VH-TAT. Douglas C-47A-20-DK. c/n 13083.
Construction was completed at the Douglas Oklahoma City plant - May 1944 It was built as a Douglas C-47A-20-DK Delivered to the United States Army Air Force - May 1944 It was allocated the U. S. serial number '42-93198' Transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force under lend / lease agreement - June 04, 1944 Entered onto the Australian Military A ircraft Register as A65-48 It was operated using the radio callsign 'VHCID' Allocated to No 38, No 36, No 33 Squadrons & No 86 Transport Wing during the war Withdrawn from use and struck-off charge - August 23, 1946 Sold to Trans-Australia Airlines - July 05, 1948 Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-TAT - August 19, 1948 Registered to Australian National Airlines Commission, Melbourne The aircraft was named 'Grimes' Commenced service with Trans-Australia Airlines as a freighter - August 19, 1948 It was destroyed when it crashed into the waters of Barilla Bay, Cambridge, Tasmania - August 08, 1951 The probable cause was due to loss of lateral control during a turn at low altitude after taking-off An accumulation of ice on the airframe prior to departure in freezing conditions may have been a factor The two flight crew were killed Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - August 28, 1951 |