VH-MIN  Douglas DC-3CS1C3G                    (c/n  13459)

                           

                                 This DC-3 was operated by the Bureau of Mineral Resources, a branch of the Commonwealth
                                 Government of Australia, and is seen here at Essendon in 1954 whilst undergoing maintenance
                                 by the Department of Civil Aviation. It did extensive survey work in the Mt. Isa - Cloncurry area
                                 in 1955.  Built as a C-47A-25-DK, this aircraft saw service with the RAF as Dakota III KG647
                                 and was civilianized in the UK in 1946 as G-AIAZ.  It was exported that same year to Australia
                                 as VH-SMI and re-registered VH-MIN when allocated to the Bureau.  The nice color shot below
                                 was taken by Neil Follett at Whyalla, South Australia in 1965.    By that time it had had an aerial
                                 magnetometer fitted.     It was then, and apparently still is, an immaculate DC-3, and is still on the
                                 register.  Curiously (for Australia) it it still VH-MIN, based, I believe somewhere in Sydney.
                                 The following details regarding its later life were provided by Fred Niven:

                                                 Registered to Setair Pty. Ltd. 5/2/81.  To Rebel Air 30/6/83.  Flown to Cairns 22/11/83.  Struck Off Register 3/2/84.
                                                 Seen in North West titles 5/88 at Brisbane Airport.  Delivered to Koomeela Australia 8/12/88.  To Colbinra Transport
                                                 Pty. Ltd., Maitland, NSW, 8/12/88.  In Rebel Air colors 2/93.  To South Pacific Airmotive Pty. Ltd. 10/6/94.  Delivered
                                                 to Dakota National Air 15/2/98; registered 1/5/98.     To Discovery Air Tours in 2003.  
                                                                         
                                 Barry Maclean saw it an an air show in Richmond, NSW in October 1991 (foot of the page)
                                 while it was in Rebel Air livery.