VH-UDY  Ford 4-AT-E                              (c/n  4-AT-61)

                                  

                                       This Ford Tri-motor was built as NC9768 and then went to the U.K. in 1931 as G-ABEF.   It was
                                       acquired in 1935 by Holden's Air Transport Services Ltd of Salamaua, New Guinea, and eventually
                                       transferred to Guinea Airways in 1937.   I am indebted to Ian Mackenzie for this nice shot from the
                                       Daryl Mackenzie collection showing it landing at Bulolo circa 1936.        Below is a photo from the 
                                       Peter N. Johmson collection showing at least two dozen 'locals' trying to release the machine from
                                       a muddy paddock, circa mid 1930s.    With the advent of WW II the Ford was impressed into
                                       service with the RAAF as A45-2.     It fell victim to a Japanese strafing attack on 13 March 1942
                                        and was destroyed.