Aircraft History
Originally allocated constructions number 15665. Built in 1943 with USAAF serial number 43-49849, as a 26 seat VIP transport for the USAAF and sent to the United Kingdom as a lend-lease aircraft. The Manufacture number of the plane was 27110.

Wartime History
The plane was presented to the British General Bernard Montgomery "Monty" by the American Commander General Dwight Eisenhowser. Monty used the aircraft extensively throughout the European campaign during the last years of the WWII.

Post War History
After the war it was converted to a DC-3 and became a VIP carrier for Greek shipping company, Stavos Niachos.

Trans Australian Airlines (TAA, now merged with QANTAS) bought the aircraft in 1965 and registered it as VH-SBW for service in Papua New Guinea. When VH-SBW was purchased by TAA it had only flown a little over 4,500 hours. - This was considered to have been the lowest number of hours logged on a DC-3 at that time.

On entering Papua New Guinea service and based at Jackson Airport, the plane was named "Jim Taylor" after the famous patrol officer who was one of the first white men to discover the Eastern Highlands and Western Highlands during the 1930's. The plane became part of the Air Niugini fleet in 1973 after the formation of the airline and, in 1976. Registered P2-ANQ, making her last flight in late July 1979.

Display
When phased in 1979, it was displayed on a metal pole outside the Air Nugini offices (old terminal building) at Jackson Airport where it remains to this day. Named after pilot Larry Blackman.

Contribute Information

C-47

Photo Archive

Placing on Pole