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  C-47B-25-DK Dakota Serial Number A65-73 Call Sign VH-CIP
RAAF
10 Squadron

Former Assignments
3 AD
37 Squadron
86 Wing
1 AD
90 Wing
2 AD
91 Wing
25 Squadron
8 Squadron
2 Squadron

Click For Enlargement
Allan H. Kelly 2000

Aircraft History
Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Contract AC535-AC-2032. Constructors Number 32671. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as C-47B-25-DK Skytrain serial number 44-76339. 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 February 1945 delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as C-47B Dakota serial number A65-73. On February 27, 1945 assigned to 3 Air Depot (3 AD). On March 3, 1945 assigned to No. 37 Squadron with call sign VH-CIP and fuselage code OM-P. Later, this Dakota was assigned to 86 Wing.

Postwar
In 1946 this Dakota was used in the Australian film The Overlanders (1946). On March 14, 1947 to Department of Aircraft Production (DAP). Next on August 25, 1947 to 1 Air Depot (1 AD). Around this time, stripped to bare aluminum finish with "No. 86 Transport Wing" painted in black above the fuselage windows and a stripe along the center of the fuselage. On the nose was the RAAF logo. On September 5, 1947 returned to 86 Wing.

On February 18, 1948 to CFS then to DAP on January 20, 1949 and back to CFS on July 15, 1949. On February 23, 1950 this Dakota suffered an accident at East Sale Airfield. On July 21, 1950 to DAP then to 1 Air Depot (1 AD) on October 4, 1951. On October 12, 1951 returned to 86 Wing. On November 5, 1951 assigned to 90 Wing and later reassigned to 86 Wing. On November 10, 1952 damaged while flying in a hail storm.

On December 6, 1952 received by DAP then back to 86 Wing on March 17, 1953. On June 3, 1953 assigned to 2 Air Depot (2 AD) then back to 86 Wing on August 17, 1953. On September 17, 1953 assigned to 91 Wing. Then on September 16, 1954 back to 86 Wing. On September 17, 1954 to DAP. On February 24, 1955 assigned to 1 Air Depot (1 AD). On April 30, 1955 assigned to 25 Squadron. On October 31, 1955 assigned to 2 Air Depot (2 AD). Then back to 25 Squadron on November 4, 1955.

On June 14, 1957 to 1 Air Depot (1 AD). This Dakota suffered oil leaks on August 9, 1957 and was repaired. On August 13, 1957 assigned to 25 Squadron. On May 7, 1958 to DAP then to 3 Air Depot (3 AD) on November 21, 1958. On May 16, 1959 to 86 Wing. On September 21, 1959 to 3 Air Depot (3 AD) then returned to 86 Wing on October 30, 1959.

On August 8, 1960 back to 1 Air Depot (1 AD). Back to 86 Wing on August 19, 1960. Assigned to the Base Squadron at RAAF Darwin on September 5, 1960. Then on August 16, 1961 assigned to ARW at Parafield Airfield. On February 23, 1962 to 86 Wing. On May 25, 1962 assigned to 2 Squadron at RAAF Butterworth. On April 16, 1965 assigned to ARW at Parafield Airfield. On August 8, 1966 assigned to ARDU. On June 20, 1967 assigned to HDH at Bankstown Airfield for TACAN calibration installation. On August 7, 1969 assigned to 10 MR Squadron.

Allan H. Kelly adds:
"My father, Robert H. Kelly, flew as the radio operator in this C-47 between 1947 and 1964 on supply runs throughout Southeast Asia.

On September 5, 1971 while landing at RAAF Townsville damaged beyond repair. On October 10, 1973 stricken off charge and disposed to the public.

Display
This C-47 was acquired by Sid Beck displayed outdoors at The Beck Museum. During the late 1990s painted in markings of C-47-DL Skytrain 41-38640 with olive drab upper surfaces and gray lower surfaces with tail serial number "138630" for use in the Hollywood movie The Thin Red Line (1998). The fuselage door appears at 2:05:31 loading personnel then taking off and again at at 2:20:11 with tail serial number "138630" with American personnel standing near the tail. In the middle of 2007 repainted to silver.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - C-47B-25-DK Skytrain 44-76339

"44-76339 (MSN 15923/32671) to RAAF as A65-73 (VH-CIP). Now on static display in Beck Collection, Mareeba, QLD."
ADF Serials - Dakota A65-73

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Last Updated
January 2, 2022

 

Tech Info
C-47
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