VH-MAC    Douglas DC-3CS1C3G                         (c/n  13587)

                        

                            Built as a C-47A-5-DK, this Dakota saw service in the RAF in India as KG720.  Civilianized
                            in 1948 as VH-BFW, it was re-registered VH-MAC in 1951.   This shot was taken at Mascot
                            by Jim Dyson in 1955.   It was with Mandated into the late 1950s.  Fred Niven provides the
                            following detailed history:

                                      Registered VH-MAC to Mandated Airlines Ltd. 10/8/51 - 28 seats.  It was leased to Guinea Air Traders 1953 & crashed
                                      at Madang 11/2/53.  Registered to the New Guinea Co. Ltd. (t/a Mandated Airlines Ltd.) 26/6/59.  Registered to Ansett-M.A.L.
                                      20/1/61.  It tipped on its nose, due to a burst starboard tyre, on landing at Kaiapit, 29/5/52; with only minor damage & without
                                      injury (Capt. Tom G. Deegan).  Withdrawn from service 6/67 (Capt. Tom Deegan) (approximately 25,800 hours, of which
                                      some 20,000 had been flown in PNG).   Sold to Far Eastern Air Transport (F.E.A.T.) 8/6/67.  It departed Lae 20/6/67
                                      & routed via Madang-Wewak-Vanimo-Koror-Mactan-Manila-Taipei (known crew Capt. Jim Cronin & Navigator Brian
                                      Stuart McEwen).  Reregistered B-251 on arrival at Taipei, 24/6/67.  Struck-Off-Register 3/7/67.  Crashed on landing at Phan
                                      Thiet Airport, Vietnam 24/4/69; after it was hit by ground fire.  The port wheel hit first; the aircraft swung to port & hit a small hut.