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 'Watkins
                                           Trench'.   On 24 May 1961 the aircraft 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.