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.   The above shot was taken at
                            Mascot in 1955 by Jim Dyson, whilst that below is from the Bob Neate collection and shows
                            the aircraft in PNG in the 1950s.  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  Withdrawn from service 6/67 (Capt.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.