PNGDF
Former Unit Assignments
RAAF
2 ATU
34 Squadron
Don Fetterly 2002
Justin Taylan 2005
Yoji Sakaida 2005 |
Aircraft
History
USAAF serial number 44-76545. Manufacture Number 32877.
Wartime History
Constructors Number 32877. Delivered to the RAAF in April 1945. Assigned RAAF iin April, 1945 and assigned serial number A65-84 and callsigns: H-RFA and VM-HJM. Assigned to 34 Squadron and 2 ATU.
Post War
Stationed at Butterworth Station with markings P65-002 and RAAF Richmond
until 1973. Converted into a DC-3, it became the second of seven
ex-RAAF C-47s donated by Australia to Papua New Guinea's PNGDF (Papua
New Guinea Defense Force) on August 11, 1975. In PNGDF service, it
carried tail markings P2-002, and served until the late 1980s. When
all the DC-3s were phased out, this aircraft was retained for display
in Port Moresby. It was stored at Jackson
Airport (7-Mile Drome) until 2003.
Wreckage
In January 2002 it was transported
to the Airways Hotel, across from the airport. It was converted into
the "Balus
Bar" (Airplane Bar) / Dakota Lounge and displayed supported by struts
next to the hotel in a flying position, opened in 2004. It is painted in Air Niugini
markings.
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Last Updated
October 1, 2009
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C-47
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