VH-BZC Douglas
DC-3S1C3G (c/n 16494/33242)
Here's -BZC over the chain
link fence at
Essendon in 1954. It was named 'Ansalanta'
Like -BZB, this was an ex-RAF Dakota
IV, serial KN599 (actually a C-47B-35-DK).
After Ansett
acquired its Convair 340s it was decided
that the DC-3s would be repainted
in the "stolen Braniff" livery when
major overhaul became
due. Seen below, in almost the
same spot, it is seen
wearing the
new livery in 1957. If you want a
quick look as to how
that compared with
Braniff's, click here.
What can I
say? In 1958
-BZC was sold to
Papuan
Air Transport as VH-PAT. On 8 April
1961, during a
cargo flight, smoke was
observed
emanating from the bales of whatever
in the rear. An emergency landing
was made
at
Bereina in what was then Papua New Guinea. The
fire spread and the aircraft
was destroyed.
It was
surmised that the cause was improperly
packed chemicals.