Flight Plan: A Review of Civil Aviation in Australia Today
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Documentary (1950)
Production:
Stanley Hawes (Director)
Lee Robinson (Associated Director)
Franck Bagnall (Photography)
Clive Douglas (Music)
Reginald Goldsworthy (Narration)
Alan Anderson (Sound)
This film examines the organisation of civil aviation in Australia, from passenger flights to freight and utility aircraft. It includes planning and control procedures before and during each flight, safety measures established by the Department of Civil Aviation, training of pilots and maintenance staff, and plans for future development.
Also from this series:
Australian National Film Board
Short S.25 Sunderland Mk.III
Taking off from Rose Bay Water Airport (RSE/---), Sydney.
Registration G-AGER, c/n unknown. Ex Royal Air Force, modified for civil use after WWII and operated by B.O.A.C until 1947, sold later to Aquila Airways in 1948, scrapped at Hamble, UK in July 1956
Lockheed L-749A Constellation
Taking-off from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD/YSSY).
Registration VH-EAC, c/n 2572. Delivered new to Qantas Empire Airways in October 1947. Sold to Aerovias Guest S.A. in October 1955, registered XA-LIO. Broken up in 1963 at Lockheed Air Terminal Hollywood-Burbank (KBUR/BUR), USA in 1963.
Lockheed L-749A Constellation
The famous and powerfull Wright R-3350.
Arrival at Darwin Airport (DRW/YPDN).
Douglas C-47A-80-DL Skytrain
Landing at Tooraweenah Aerodrome, New South Wales (YTWN).
Registration VH-AOI, c/n 19694. Delivered new to USAAF in February 1944 as 43-15228. Purchased by Butler Air Transport Pty in November 1946, registered VH-AOI, named RMA Warrina. Absorbed into Ansett as Airlines of New South Wales in 1959, then as Ansett-ANA in Skyliner livery. Transferred to Ansett-MAL in April 1961, named Golden Orchid on use to Papua New Guinea. Sold to Merpati Nusantara Airlines in June 1969, registered PK-NDH. Leased to Dirgantara Air Services in 1972. Wfu at Tanjung Santan, Indonesia (Kalimantan Timur (East)) (WRLT/TSX) in February 1977.
VH-AAO De Havilland DH84 Dragon in the foreground (listed below).
Seen later in the film.
Later in the film.
De Havilland DH84 Dragon 2
On preparation for departure at Tooraweenah Aerodrome, New South Wales (YTWN).
Registration VH-AAO, c/n 6112. Built in March 1937, registered G-AEMK owned by Mutual Finance Ltd. Delivered to the RAAF as A34-5 in June 1938. Sold to Butler Air Transport in 1943. Damaged at Coonamble NSW in December 1947.
Avro 652A Anson I
Registration VH-BIU, c/n R3549. Delivered new to RAAF in July 1940. Bought by Airlines (WA) Ltd , Perth WA in July 1947. Converted to civilian use with new windows and smooth engine covers in September 1947. Registered VH-BIU, named RMA Mount Barker. Crashed beyond repair at Cue, WA in June 1948. Dismantled for parts in November 1948.
We can see the AWA Ltd logo on the fin.
Avro 652A Anson I
Registration VH-BFG, c/n DG729. Delivered new to RAAF in September 1942. Bought by Western Airways , Warrnambool Vic in February 1947. Converted in July 1947 to civilian use by Air Operations with new windows, 7 passengers seats. Sold to Corio Air Freighters in April 1948. Leased to Connellan Airways in May 1948. Returned to Corio Air Freighters in July 1948. Converted to cargo service in October 1948. Sold to Bass Islands Airways in December 1949. Wfu in August 1951.
No idea of the date of the pictures, no titles on the aircraft, therefore it's impossible to say from what company it belongs to.
De Havilland DH84 Dragon
De Havilland DH82 Tiger Moth Air Ambulance conversion
Registration VH-BAA, c/n DHA.181. Delivered to RAAF registered A17-180, converted as Air Ambulance aircraft with streched cokpit. Sold to Connellan Airways in October 1946. Operated for Flying Doctor Service. Sold to unknown owner with registration VH-BOA in March 1949. Crashed at Darwin, NT in january 1953. Repaired and purchased by unknown owner with registration VH-POL in December 1959.Sold to Camden Aero Club in September 1968. Wfu in 1998. Sold to Jace Harrison, Sunbury, VIC with registration VH-JCF in may 2006, then to John Fisher, Harcourt North, VIC in July 2007, then to Carolen Ann Fisher, Harcourt North, VIC in Fevruary 2012. Restored on July 2017, ownership of Conrad Hammel, Tyabb, VIC.
Avro 652A Anson I in the background, maybe VH-BFG already listed above.
De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth
Registration VH-AKF, c/n DHA.445. Delivered to RAAF registered A17-401. Its history is a bit obscure but VH-AKF is linked to this airframe from March 1947 until a crash at Nambrok, near Sale, Victoria in January 1950 pilot. Then from October 1958 VH-AHB appeared, built from many parts including VH-AKF. VH-AHB crashed at Kerang in Victoria in October 1964 and seems to have disappeared for forty years to pop up as ZK-BAR in 2004. Sadly it crashed and was burnt out not long after take off from Ashburton in December 2006 claiming the life of its owner and his passenger.
Kof...kof...!! (cancer bomber).
Douglas DC-4-1009
Registration VH-TAC, c/n 43067. Delivered new to TAA in August 1946. Registered VH-TAC, named John Forrest. Sold to BCPA British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines in April 1948, registered VH-BPA named Adventure. Sold to Qantas Empire Airways in February 1949, registered VH-EBL named Hong Kong Trader. Sold to Ansett-ANA in January 1961, registered VH-INY. Leased to MMA MacRobertson-Miller Airlines in November 1965. Bought by Marine Diamond Co. in January 1970, registered ZS-IGB. Transferred to Consolidated Diamond Mines in January 1972. Sold to Suidwes Lugdiens in May 1972, named Ondangua. Wfu in October 1977 at J.G. Strydom International Windhoek (Hosea Kutako International nowadays) Namibia (FYWH/WDH). Broken up in January 1979.
Seen later in the film.
Douglas DC-4-1009
At Mascot Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith Airport nowadays) (SYD/YSSY).
Registration VH-ANB, c/n 42948. Delivered new to ANA-Australian National Airways in July 1946. Registered VH-ANB, named Lackrana. Leased to BCPA British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines from September 1946 until April 1948. Sold to Twentieth Century Airlines in August 1958, registered. Sold to Trans Mediterranean Airways in May 1959, registered OD-ADK. Sold to Air Gabon in July 1971, registered TR-LPU. Bought by Sofimatex in December 1971, registered TN-ACF, then sold to Agence et Messageries Aeriennes du Zaire, registered 9Q-COK. Brocken up by 1973.
Douglas C-47-DL Skytrain & Douglas DC-4
Main Terminal building of Mascot Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith Airport nowadays) (SYD/YSSY) with two TAA's C-47 Skytrains followed by an unidentified DC-4 in the far background (maybe from ANA?).
In the foreground is the left wing of Douglas C-47-DL Skytrain, registration VH-AEO, c/n
6051 of TAA. Delivered new to USAAF in November 1942, registered 41-38668. Transferred to Australia, named Geronimo. Take over by Commonwealth of Australia/Department of Civil Aviation in July 1944, registered VH-AEO, and leased to ANA-Australian National Airways. Chartered by Guinea Airways Ltd in 1946. Transferred to TAA-Trans Australia Airlines in July 1946, named Cunningham. Leased to Qantas Empire Airways for use as freighter in 1948. Renamed Clive Murray when returned to TAA and converted to aerial survey. Leased to South Australia Lands Commission in January 1958, registered VH-DAS named Clive Hambridge. Sold to East-West Airlines in March 1975. Wfu in December 1976. Bought by Travmar Holdings in December 1978, used as source of spares parts. Used with fake registration 6903077 for the film 'Sky Pirates' in 1983. Bought in 1984 by Gary Williams Kuranda Queensland, on display Heritage Homestead Museum.
From right to left.
Convair 240-5
At Mascot Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith Airport nowadays) (SYD/YSSY).
Registration VH-TAP, c/n 42. Delivered new to TAA in October 1948, named Matthew Flinders. Sold to Pakistan International Airlines in June 1956, registered AP-AHO. Sold to Fokker NV as a trade-in on a Fokker F27 Friendship in October 1959, registered PH-NHZ, changed to PH-EUR in 1960. Sold to Remmert Warner in June 1960, registered N557R. Sold to Falstaff Brewery in 1964, registered N503. Sold to Alaska Coastal Airlines in 1966, registered N196N. Transferred to Alaska Airlines after merge in April 1968. Sold to Pacific Nevada Airlines in June 1973. Sold to Pacific Costal Airlines in 1975. Bought by Crocker National Bank San Francisco CA in January 1976. Scrapped at Long Beach, California (KLGB/LGB) in June 1979.
DC-3 of TAA in the background.
Douglas C-47 Skytrain
Douglas DC-4-1009
Douglas C-47A-20-DL Skytrain
Registration VH-EAM, c/n 9286. Delivered new to USAAF in March 1943, registered 42-23424. Transferred to the 36 Sqdn of the RAAF in April 1943, registered A65-9. Moved to 34 Sqdn of the RAAF as VHC-TI. Sold to Qantas Empire Airways in December 1946, registered VH-EAM. Damaged in September 1948 at Brisbane Archerfield on takeoff. Repaired and sold to East-West Airlines in July 1953, named Peel City. Re-registered VH-EWA and renamed Oxley City in September 1953. Re-registered again VH-EWF in May 1959. Leased to Westralian Air Surveys in December 1961. Leased to ASA Airlines of South Australia from June to May 1965. New registration VH-PWN still as East-West Airlines in November 1967. Leased to Queensland Pacific Trading Co.Pty.Ltd in September 1969. Leased to Adastra Aerial Surveys in May 1972. Sold to BPA Bush Pilots Airways in September 1972. Leased to Great Pacific Aeroplane Company in October 1979. Back to BPA and changed name to Air Queensland in 1982. Sold to Air Rambler in April 1988. Purchased by Desert Air Safaris in June 1991. Sold to Pionair in May 1993, registered ZK-AMS, named Spirit of Queenstown. Leased to Pionair Australia in May 2004. Sold to Classic Wings WA in June 2006, registered VH-CWS. Sold in July 2009 to JNP Enterprises. Dismantled in January 2016.
Seen later in the film.
Seen over Harbour bridge of Sydney later in the film.
Douglas C-47A-20-DK Skytrain
Another C-47 Skytrain of TAA in the background left at Mascot Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith Airport nowadays) (SYD/YSSY).
Registration VH-TAT, c/n . Delivered new to USAAF in May 1944, registered 42-93198. Transferred to the RAAF in June 1944, registered A65-48, then VHCID. Sold to TAA in July 1948, registered VH-TAT named Grimes. Crashed in Barilla Bay,Tasmania on a cargo run from Hobart in August 1951.
Douglas DC-4-1009
At Mascot Sydney Airport (Kingsford Smith Airport nowadays) (SYD/YSSY).
Registration VH-TAB, c/n 43066. Delivered new to TAA in October 1946. Registered VH-TAB, named Thomas Mitchell. Leased to BCPA British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines in April 1948, registered VH-BPB named Endeavour. Returned to TAA in February 1949, re-registered VH-TAB and renamed John Gilbert, converted to passenger/freight by 1959. Leased to Ansett-ANA in September 1959. Returned to TAA in March 1969, renamed David Collins. Sold to Flying Tiger Line in October 1969 but not registered to them. Sold to Air Vietnam in February 1970, registered XV-NUL. The eventual fate of this aircraft is not clear.
Lockheed Hudson IVA
Taking off from Mascot Sydney Airport (SYD/YSSY) in front of VH-TAB Douglas DC-4-1009 listed above. Ex USAAF and RAAF Lockheed Hudson IVA among several Australian airlines operating the aircrat in that era.
Douglas C-47A-20-DK Skytrain
Registration VH-AOH, c/n 12790. Delivered new to USAAF in April 1944 as 42-92934. Purchased by Butler Air Transport Pty in April 1947, registered VH-AOI, named RMA Warrumbungle. It was configured to 24 seat passenger with a built-in airstair. Transferred to Queensland Airlines in February 1961, renamed Darling Downs. Transferred to Airlines of New South Wales few days later. Sold to ANA-Australian National Airways in December 1964. Transferred to Ansett-ANA in 1966. Sold to Winner Airways Corporation in June 1967, registered B-308. Destroyed when landing at Tuy Hoa, Viet Nam in April 1970.
Douglas C-47A-50-DL Skytrain
To the right, behind VH-AOH Douglas C-47 Skytrain listed right above.
Registration VH-AOG, c/n 10083. Delivered new to USAAF in August 1943 as 42-24221. Purchased by Butler Air Transport Pty in April 1946, registered VH-AOG, named RMA Warrego. It was configured to 24 seat passenger with a built-in airstair. It force-landed at night in heavy turbulance at Evans Head NSW in 1951. The aircraft was repaired. It crash-landed after take off at Bourke NSW in December 1955. Destroyed by fire.
Douglas C-47A-25-DK Skytrain
Registration VH-ASD, c/n 10083. Delivered new to USAAF in 1944 as 42-93579. Sold to the Commonwealth of Australia/Department of Civil Aviation in March 1947, registered VH-ASD, named Arthur S. Drakeford. Re-registered VH-CAN in August 1950. Transferred to Dept of Transport, Air Transport Group in June 1974. Operated and serviced for DCA by TAA-Trans Australia Airlines until September 1977. Sold to Paradak Pty Ltd in October 1978. Sold to Golden Wings in October 1982. Sold to Air North Darwin NT in 1984. Sold to Top Flight Australia in February 1989. Sold to Winrye Aviation in March 1990. Sold to Splitters Creek Airlines in March 1992. Sold to Vincent Aviation in August 1994, registered ZK-AMY. Sold to GYM Properties in October 1998. Sold to Pionnair in June 2001, named Lady Jane operated for Peau Vava'u Air Tonga in 2004. Transferred to Southern DC3 Ltd in February 2007. Donated to Ashburton Aviation Museum in June 2008.
Didactic simulation of a failure on engine 2 and emergency landing in conjunction with the control tower.
Avro 652A Anson I
Parked in front of Mascot Sydney Airport terminal building.
VH-ANB Douglas C-54 Skymaster taxiing in foreground is listed right below.
Registration VH-BBI, c/n DG727. Delivered new to RAAF in August 1942. Sold to Bega Freight Service in May 1947. Bought by Western Airways Passenger Service in September 1947 for scheduled passenger service between Warrnambool and Melbourne under the name Western Airways. Modified by Brown & Dureau with 8 seat and short nose nicknamed 'Beaufighter nose' to match with DCA homologation (maximum weight approvals). Sold to East-West Airlines in April 1948 and operated on Tamworth-Sydney-Tamworth route. Sold to Air Express Co. in December 1953. Sold to Gillham Airways in April 1957, named 'Coral Islander'. Retired at Mackay due pending DCA grounding order of all Anson Mk.1s effective in June 1962. Donated to RAAF Air Training Corps in 1963, scrapped in 1965.
Douglas C-54A-15-DC Skymaster
Mascot Sydney Airport.
This VH-ANG registration had been shared by 2 different ANA's Douglas DC-4/ C-54 aircraft: c/n 10347-78 ( C-54) and c/n 42918-14 ( DC-4).Consequently to the presence of the Avro 652A Anson I from East-West Airlines (see right above), it is the ( C-54) delivered to ANA in November 1948 and not the ( DC-4) already sold at this time to BCPA since April 1948 (reregistered then VH-BPD). Therefore:
Registration VH-ANG, c/n 10347-78. Delivered new to the USAAF in July 1944 as 42-72242. Sold to Western Airlines in March 1946, registered NC88784. Sold to American Airlines in 1947 as N88784, then Transocean Air Lines. Bought by Matson Navigation Company in October 1948, then purchased by ANA-Australian National Airways in November 1948, named 'Palana'. Sold to Twentieth Century Aircraft in April 1958, registered N5519V. Sold to Seven Seas Airlines in August 1959, named Indian Ocean. Crash-landed near Bangkok in March 1961.
Douglas DC-4-1009
Maintenance hall at Mascot Sydney Airport (SYD/YSSY).
Douglas C-47-DL Skytrain
Registered VH-AEU, c/n 6108. Delivered new to USAAF in 1942, registered 41-19465. Transferred to Australia, named Cold Turkey. Take over by Commonwealth of Australia/Department of Civil Aviation in July 1944, registered VH-AEU, and leased to Qantas Empire Airways until January 1945. Chartered by Guinea Airways Ltd in January 1945, then by MMA MacRobertson-Miller Airlines in November 1945. Transferred to TAA-Trans Australia Airlines in March 1947, named Throsby then Lawson. Re-registered VH-SBO in April 1960, renamed Goroka for internal routes in New-Guinea. Transferred to TAA Sunbird Services in the mid 1960s, named Ivan Champion. Sold to Air Niugini in January 1973, registered P2-SBO, re-registered P2-ANT in November 1975 with Tour Liner titles. Sold to Travmar Holdings in December 1978, re-registered again VH-SBO. Repainted in a predominently blue colour scheme for the TV star Norman Gunston's outback tour. Crashed in Sydney in 1982.
Avro 691 Lancastrian
Taking off from Mascot Sydney Airport (SYD/YSSY).
Registration G-AGMG, c/n 1187. Delivered new in December 1944. Named Nicosia Withdrawn from use in January 1951.
De Havilland DH104 Dove
Seems registered VH-ADC, or VH-AOC, ... not found. Maybe an aircraft of the Commonwealth Department of Health Australia?
Douglas C-47A-30-DL Skytrain
Registered VH-MMA, c/n 9593. Delivered new to USAAF in May 1943, registered 42-23731. Transferred to RAAF in July 1943 registered A65-13. Sold to MMA MacRobertson-Miller Aviation Co. in October 1947, registered VH-MMA named RMA Ashburton. Bought by Commercial Aviation Company in October 1955. Leased to MMA MacRobertson-Miller Airlines in December 1962 and purchased by the company in December 1966. Sold to Ansett Airlines of Papua New Guinea in January 1969. Sold to Air Niugini in November 1973, registered P2-MMA in January 1974.Re-registered P2-ANS in November 1975. Sold to Masling Commuter Services in May 1976, registered VH-MWQ. Sold to Setair Pty Ltd in August 1979, titled 3UZ and named Gooney Bird. Sold to Air North Pty Ltd in July 1983, re-registered VH-MMA. Sold to Harry & Walker Group in 1992, then to Vintage Aircraf Company Pty Ltd in August 1993. Sold to Hardy Aviation in 1999. Rebuilt by SAE Aircraft Maintenance in 2001. Displayed at the Darwin Aviation Museum. The aircraft was still airworthy in 2021.
Douglas C-47A-25-DK Skytrain
Registered VH-AML, c/n 13606. Delivered new to USAAF, registered 42-93669. Sold to Ansett Airways in 1946, re-registred VH-RML in 1948, then VH-BZL in 1949. Sold abroad in 1957. To Nigeria Airways, registered 5N-AAN. Transferred to Nigerian Air Force in April 1967, registered AAN. Wfu at Ikeja Lagos Airport (DNMM/LOS) in 1970.
Canadair C-4 North Star
Registration CF-CPI, c/n 147. Delivered new to Canadian Pacific Airlines in 1949, named 409 - Empress of Sydney. Sold to Trans-Canada Air Lines in 1951. Sold to LEBCA (Lineas Expresa Bolivar CA) in 1961. Registered YV-C-LBV. Written off in July 1962 off the coast near Maiqueta Airport Caracas (SVMI/CCS) due to fuel starvation.
Inaugural flight between Sydney and Vancouver in July 1949.
Lockheed L-749A Constellation
Registration VH-EAB, c/n 2565. Originally ordered by KLM but not taken-up. Delivered new to Qantas Empire Airways in March 1947, named Lawrence Hargrave. Chartered by Trans Australia Airlines in November 1949. Sold to B.O.A.C-British Overseas Airways Corporation in February 1955, registered G-ANUR named Basildon. Leased to Skyways Coach Air Ltd in July 1959. Fitted with large rear cargo door in 1960. Sold to Skyways Coach Air Ltd in July 1962. Taken over by Euravia in September 1962. Leased to ACE Freighters in July 1965. Returned to Britannia Airways (ex Euravia since 1964) in September 1966. Bought by American National Bank (WW Tilton) in May 1967, registered N1949. Sold to Aerolineas Uruguayas in January 1968, registered CX-BHC. Scrapped in 1970.
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See also
- Australian National Film Board
- Avro Anson
- Avro Lancastrian
- Canadair North Star
- Convair 240/340/440
- De Havilland DH82 Tiger Moth
- De Havilland DH84 Dragon
- De Havilland DH104 Dove
- Douglas C-47 Skytrain
- Douglas C-54 Skymaster
- Douglas DC-3
- Douglas DC-4
- Lockheed Constellation
- Lockheed Hudson
- Short Sunderland
- British Overseas Airways Corporation
- Canadian Pacific Air Lines
- Connellan Airways
- East-West Airlines
- Qantas Empire Airways
- Trans Australia Airlines