VH-TAA         DC-4-1009                 'John Eyre'                     c/n  43065

                                           In 1946 Trans Australia Airlines purchased four Douglas DC-4 Skymasters new from the
                                           factory.  VH-TAA was the pride of the fleet in the late 1940s.   When the Viscounts arrived,
                                           the DC-4s were relegated to cargo duties and, at that time, VH-TAA was renamed 'Watkin
                                           Tench', (an officer in Australia's First Marine Corps, circa 1787).              On 24 May 1961
                                           VH-TAA was operating cargo flight 1902 from Sydney to Brisbane. Whilst on final approach
                                           to Brisbane's Eagle Farm Airport, the captain evidentally experienced a heart attack.     In
                                           attempting to leave his seat he fell across the engine throttle quandrant closing all four engines.
                                           The copilot was unable to regain control and the aircraft crashed in mangrove swamps short
                                           of the runway killing both crew members.   The rare in flight photograph (below) of -TAA was
                                           obtained from Trans Australia Airlines in 1948.  My shot (above) was taken on the ramp at
                                           Essendon in 1954.