Transporting a DC-3 by road in Australia

[MMA_Historicflight]

Does anyone have any photos, or know of anyone involved with transporting a DC-3 by road? I am very interested in hearing from them or looking at pic's.

[the wizard of auz]

Ask the owner of the Bunbury flying school. Ask for Blair. He had one transported to his property. Funny enough, it has the same Rego as your username. :ok:

[ausflyer]

PM me for details of a Tocumwal transport operator. David S. is the man to chat with.
Cheers,
Aus':ok:

[muffman]

Call in at HARS at Albion Park and talk to Timmsy. Not sure if he's done a Dak but he's certainly moved a few aeroplanes in his time.

[185skywagon]

Also get in touch with the Qantas Founders Museum crew at Longreach. They had one delivered in last few years.

[spirax]

Suggest you contact Mike Spaulding at the Mareeba Warbirds Museum. They moved a C-47 from Wangaratta to Mareeba a few years back.

[Buster Hyman]

If its for a static display at a golf course...I'd give Qantas a call... :E

[Whiskery]

Now that's funny Buster. :D

[SeldomFixit]

If you can work out how to get the tail feathers there...............try this :ok:
Vannin in a DC-3 (http://jalopnik.com/photogallery/dc3van/1001217231)

[paulg]

This link contains a photo of DC3 VH BPL being transported by road from Hoxton Park to Longreach. There is also a link to the history of this aircraft. Last year there were some photos online following the story of this road trip. However this no longer shows on my Google Search. Longreach Museum may be able to give you this link. BTW this Aircraft was in latter years owned by the late and fondly revered Laurie McIver and was kept by him at Hoxton Park. It did post war service with Qantas.

Page 1 -Photos by Friends and Others (http://www.ruudleeuw.com/guestphotos.htm)

Kind regards
Paul

[MMA_Historicflight]

Thanks for your help so far people. I do remember seeing some pics of the one at Alice springs being transported, and also the one in Perth from Midland Macca's to Caversham. I did contact the guys up at Longreach and they did supply me with some pics. I also got in touch with the QAM people who also are been very helpful. I do hope within a week I can inform you of the plans. I do know Timmsy, and tonight I found out that some people I work with have relo's at HARS, I hope in time that will be handy. I just hope that I can pull off what I am planning to do. Fingers crossed.

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

Is not the 'real' MMA still flying / airworthy??

Still up at Darwhine..??:)

P.S......Good onya Buster.....
Something like....What's the correct phrase prior to flaring at BKK....


'Fore'.......:O

[Fantome]

What result the auction at West Maitland last week of VH-CWS?

[jetstar21]

While talking DC3s, I can add that MMA was the original registration of Mc Robertson Miller Airlines of W.A.

This aircraft started life as a C47 with the U.S. Marines in PNG then went to Perth as MMA and later returned to PNG as P2-ANS.

In 1977 it was purchased by Masling Airlines (Commuter Services) of Cootamundra and operated charter from Sydney and on occasions the route Sy-Wlm-Sy. It was given the registration VH-MWQ and when Masling started operating the Bandeirante in 1978, VH-MWQ was sold and went to Darwin where it operated for some time and the registration later returned to VH-MMA

[blackburn]

Heres a link to the list of owners of VH-MMA (hope I have got it right):

http://http://www.aussieairliners.org/dc-3/vh-mma/vhmma.html (http://www.aussieairliners.org/dc-3/vh-mma/vhmma.html)

[MMA_Historicflight]

MMA - Darwin - Airworthy
MMD - Bankstown - Museum (could become airworthy)
MMF - Bankstown - Restoring to Airworthy
MML - Bankstown - My Project to Airworthy
MMM - Taiwan - Museum

There is also a F27 Flying, F28 flying, and also a L10A Electra in the states in a museum.

I have also found the maintenance manual ref to remove the wings and the center section of the aircraft to. It doesn't seem too hard to do, just time consuming.

[PA39]

I remember many years ago helping Laurie polish the old Gooney by hand. Gee he never stopped loving that old bird. best regards to you mate.

[tail wheel]

I encountered this on the road to Longreach a few years ago:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v315/Woomera/DC3Longreach.jpg

Doing around 80 kts in reverse!! :E

[sms777]

I have spent many afternoons with Laurie drinking coffee walking around his Gooney Bird at Hoxton talking about the resto progress. I was one of the privilidged to have access to his fathers beloved Arrow VH-ARO after earning his trust not bending it. (Too bad his old men did on occassions). We had great plans for the future which came to a halt in a tragic way.
Great memories my friend :sad:

[philip1567]

I moved a DC3 from waggawagga to Tocumwal in about 2000
I still have the photos of the plane being loaded and unloaded and in Finlay on the way to Tocumwal
the wings went on one semi trailer with a escort and the plane was loaded on a exstendable trailer with a modified beam to support the under carage towed by a 1966 modle PeterBuilt prime
there where 2 police escorts to pilot cars and a service car
My name is Phil and my company was call Aircraft Transporter Service
I also moved other old airplanes over a 8 years
please email me and I will send you the photos

[Dora-9]

MMA Historicflight:

Discounting the ill-fated VH-MME, MMA had eight DC-3's. Missing from your list is MMB, MMK and MMT. Do you know what happened to them?

Good luck with your project....

[Ixixly]

Just for those interested, yes MMA is in Darwin, but its sitting around with its wings currently missing...was lucky enough to see it flying reasonably low overhead a couple of times last year though, what a beauty!!

[Hold_Short]

Ask a guy called Marty Taylor from Austrek Air Charter in Toowoomba. He brought one and transported to Moree where it is standing still outside the pub.

[Lancair70]

Australian Transport Discussion Board • View topic - Classic Commercials at Gatton (http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=62947&p=745237&hilit=gatton#p745237)

Australian Transport Discussion Board • View topic - Sputnik > an unusual truck (http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=48383)

A Couple of interesting versions ! I saw the silver and red one pass through Ballina a couple of years ago.

[Hold_Short]

http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/9028007@N05/5673422257/

[MMA_Historicflight]

I am suprised this thread has resurfaced.

As for the project I could not raise the funds in time and Peter Starr has "donated" VH-BPN ex VH-MML to the bloke to transported all the other DC-3's out to his property at Molong in NSW near Orange. So basically the project fell over like many other great projects.

As for the remainder of the MMA fleet
MMA Darwin
MMD Bankstown Museum
MMF Nick Leach
MML is BPN

There is 1 Fokker F27 in the Peru Navy
There is 1 remaining F28 I can't remember off the top of my head where it is though.

The Piaggio is located at Wollongong.

That is all that remains of the "original" MMA fleet that I am aware of.

[DC3Qld]

Not too surprised I hope.

The DC-3 has plenty of fans and I'm sure a few who would like to see one back in the skies.

Do you know the status of the aircraft stored at Molong? What are their plans with those machines, I hope they are being stored for someones' future project. I would love to see one flying in SE Qld, would be first in line for a ride.

Sorry to hear your project fell through, maybe give it a try again in a few years?

[MMA_Historicflight]

All the Dakota National Air aircraft were moved from Bankstown to Molong due to the museum having to move ASAP, which of course still has not happened. However VH-UPQ was "donated" to the Bankstown Aviation museum in some deal along with BPN to Ralph who transported the aircraft.

At Molong
VH-DNA transported out, relativly airworthy, needed 1 engine and a annual
VH-MIN transported out, needed a Annual and engines
VH-PWN transported out and needs lots of work
VH-BPN needs lots of work and going to be used as a "studio"
VH-SBL at Essendon
VH-DNF trucked from Wanervale to Molong and is supposidly going to be restored to a airworthy condition. This is the aircraft Ralph purchased from auction


F27's
VH-MMV ops as AB-584 with Servico Aeronaval de la Marina del Peru

VH-MMU at Bombay in bits it was VT-ERZ
VH-MMS at Santiago Chile in bits
VH-MMR broken up
VH-MMO at the ADL airport fire training area
VH-MMB crashed

[Wingnuts]

Bankstown to Molong
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/722x480/untitled_1__767ea40f6bc64f736bb3e102c02cf3a69d0ee617.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/319x480/5f2ddv_1__54e2be25f94cf82fb765e5c7b013a28357986349.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x427/2ag58uf_1__ca7e051cd1eead6cdb2cfe11861ddb7f34911486.jpg



http://i68.tinypic.com/2dl13xf.jpg

BELOW, Mareeba to Caboolture, Queensland, Australia, 1700 kms, Dec 2014
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/960x640/ri5hjl_1__2a65974ad99c6aa0f9b6691e639855bbb38fe3ce.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/960x720/26416om_1__d534d13391f1ecdd8042df887a1407da66cf566f.jpg


CWS departing Bankstown for shipping to Korea
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x480/cws_shipping_ex_bankstown_to_south_korea_40c70c72b328727ec67 c43af715370aea3123988.jpg

SPY ex Cairns Airport to
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x360/vhspy_dc3_pvt_ybcs_020216_1_feb16_supplied_1__b5d9b910015ded 4c3a2eda1b50edd9bb0eaf68ce.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x360/vhspy_dc3_pvt_ybcs_020216_1_feb16_1_copy_f295bc79a7ebd20802f a3ead1a38af95979cf320.jpg




Plan B
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1024x483/dc3pub9094_c3c486948228d563f766cca2225e8039ee24a7fc.jpg

[DC3Qld]

Reading about my favorite subject, I noticed that MMF was recently purchased at auction, does anyone know if this is going to join the other airframes at Larras Lee? There was a comment that it was intended to be used as spares for another DC-3, are we about to see one of these aircraft return to the skies? Always interested in hearing about what is happening with the remainder of the shrinking fleet of these legendary aircraft.

[RedCup]

Would anyone have the contact for Peter Starr? I am to understand that he still owns MIN and I would like to get in contact to discuss his plans for this particular C47.
Regards.

[LeadSled]

I noticed that MMF was recently purchased at auction, does anyone know if this is going to join the other airframes at Larras Lee? DC3QLD.
This is staying at YSBK, the new owners are going to put it back in the air. After massive restoration work over the last ten years, it has to be one of the best airframe in the country, with a "new" centre section and including new paint.
Nick took a real cold bath on this one, the total at the auction, for a complete aeroplane, less engines, but including two zero time props., was about $50,000.
Two complete overhauled engines will be about US$90,000 for R-1830-94's.
Tootle pip!!

[StallsandSpins]

This is staying at YSBK, the new owners are going to put it back in the air. After massive restoration work over the last ten years, it has to be one of the best airframe in the country, with a "new" centre section and including new paint.
Nick took a real cold bath on this one, the total at the auction, for a complete aeroplane, less engines, but including two zero time props., was about $50,000.
Two complete overhauled engines will be about US$90,000 for R-1830-94's.
Tootle pip!!

good to hear!the restoration had been going a lot longer than 10 years. MMF was saved from the scrapper by my grandfather back in the 80's and i remember helping NL take the wings and center section off it at berwick when he first took it up to syd around 91 or 92 on the condition that he let me fly it one day ( i was 13 at the time) .......oh well guess that's not gonna happen now :{

[junior.VH-LFA]

I've heard that SBL is now located with the other Dakota's at Larras Lee.

There is also a Dakota (I assume SBL) on aviation trader now.

Whats the goss on these old girls?

Aviation Trader - DC3 C47B (http://www.aviationtrader.com.au/adverts/dc3-c47b/)

[FourStar]

I think the one for sale on Aviation trader is VH-DNF

[TBM-Legend]

Saw a Hawker Hunter on a truck yesterday heading north from Brisbane....

[Desert Flower]

I have a couple of photos of MIN on the wall of what was my old airport office. Probably should have donated them to the Aviation Museum in Adelaide when they picked up the DC3 steps a few years ago.

DF.

[TBM-Legend]

DC-3 coming to Caboolture Air Museum I hear possibly from Mareeba!

[onetrack]

No aircraft could have been as well-travelled (by air and road) as this old Dak.

I well remember her outside the MacDonalds restaurant in Midland in the 1990's. My workshop was only a kilometre away from MacDonalds.

I was thrown a little by this discussion, as I always thought this one really was an MMA aircraft - but it was just repainted to resemble VH-MMF when it was located at MacDonalds.
She still sits on the property of Blair Howe ("Dakota Driver") at Myalup, W.A.

VH-ANW Douglas DC-3 (http://www.aussieairliners.org/dc-3/vh-anw/vhanw.html)

http://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-aviation-questions/259259-old-dakota.html

[underfire]

Years ago, I worked in San Diego...the Company next door specialized in converting the DC3 into business aircraft. Very stable aircraft and great airport access potential.

Absolutely beautiful interiors on some of these, would spend my whole lunch break checking them out.

Nice to see the birds flying, not sitting!

[Flying Binghi]

DC-3 coming to Caboolture Air Museum I hear possibly from Mareeba!

HCVC Vintage Truck Forum - Carrier needed for DC3 Aircraft (http://www.hcvc.com.au/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1399805396/0)


:cool:

[Stanwell]

If it's from Mareeba there could be two possibilities:


The one at the late Sid Beck's museum or
The one at Mareeba strip done up in USAAF 'Jungle Skippers' scheme.


It's been a few years since I was there but the latter would be the more likely prospect for resto to flying status, I think.

[Engineer_aus]

Here is the response from the guy asking the question. It is the one from the Mareeba Museum.

It is fully complete but has not flown for a number of years. The people at the Caboolture airfield are going to restore it, paint it in its WW2 colours and use it for air shows including historic paratrooper displays.

I am involved in the Caboolture Warplane Museum and have moved a few aircraft over the years and they have just asked me to source a means of transport for it.

They are a nice aircraft to fly. I flew mainly Nomads when I was in the PNG Air Transport Squadron but we had DC3's also so I got to play around with them occasionally too. I had a fly of the South African Air Force turbo-prop conversion DC3's and they were really good with 50% more power but with pointy engine cowls they just did not look right.

Lang

[Wingnuts]

Last month, after languishing at Bankstown for the best part of a decade, CWS was dismantled and shipped to Korea. It will be reassembled for static display at The Independence Hall of Korea, Cheonan. (global.i815.or.kr)
---------
In the background of the lower pic is VH-XUX, which took to the air for the first time in 37 years on 25 Nov from Bankstown. As a result, its right hand engine has been changed due low oil pressure. Its next test flight is soon. Ultimately, it will be ferried to China for display at the Flying Tiger Museum.

http://i67.tinypic.com/5d6ik5.jpg
http://i66.tinypic.com/xg9kt1.jpg

[Hasherucf]

I watched the C-47 roll past in Cairns today on a low loader. What is the story with that, where is that heading.

[aroa]

The Beck Collection machine going south.? Believe that destination is QAM, Caloundra...static ?

NQ warbirds late 2015 to Caboolture ..to fly again. Good one.:ok:

Interesting to see pics and hear of the fates of others...far and wide.

[tail wheel]

If its for a static display at a golf course...I'd give Qantas a call...

I missed that comment six years ago Buster. Classic, just classic!!! :}

[Stanwell]

Hasherucf,
Are you sure it was a Dak you saw?
The information I have is that the item going south from Cairns to Caloundra on the low-loader would be a Neptune, not a Dak.


aroa,
QAM already have DC3 VH-ANR nicely restored as a static display. I somehow doubt they want another one.
.

[Fris B. Fairing]

Folks

The DC-3 that would have been seen on the road at Cairns is VH-SPY (formerly A65-102). One report had it heading for Edmonton which I believe is a suburb of Cairns. Another report has it going to Innisfail. I would like to know where it turns up eventually but it's definitely not going to QAM.

Just today a crew from QAM departed for Mareeba to recover Neptune A89-277 which has been purchased from the Beck Museum. This aircraft will be trucked to Caloundra in the coming weeks.

Rgds.

[Stanwell]

Thanks, Fris B. :ok:

[Hasherucf]

Hasherucf,
Are you sure it was a Dak you saw?

Surely was . because of width it had to go through Yates hangar as no gate on the airport would take it. Rumour was it was going to Innisfail

[Wingnuts]

Pics, courtesy of fnqskies.********.com, of Geoff Leach's DC3 VH-SPY, moved off Cairns airport last week. The future of the adjacent Belfast, also owned be Geoff Leach, is not looking good. The landlord wants it gone as well.
http://i64.tinypic.com/2ps5do7.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/20abarq.jpg

[wanabee777]

It's going to be quite an undertaking to relocate that Belfast off airport if it's non-airworthy.

That must be the radome of the Belfast showing on the very far right side of the top photo in the post above. It would be a tragedy for that rare aircraft to end up in the smelter. Only 10 were ever built.

http://binged.it/1RvDZ8f

[Pacdak]

Pacific Dakota Restoration at YCAB have a possible interest in purchasing VH-SPY and would like to know how to contact the owner - can anyone assist please

[Bend alot]

No aircraft could have been as well-travelled (by air and road) as this old Dak.

I well remember her outside the MacDonalds restaurant in Midland in the 1990's. My workshop was only a kilometre away from MacDonalds.

I was thrown a little by this discussion, as I always thought this one really was an MMA aircraft - but it was just repainted to resemble VH-MMF when it was located at MacDonalds.
She still sits on the property of Blair Howe ("Dakota Driver") at Myalup, W.A.

VH-ANW Douglas DC-3 (http://www.aussieairliners.org/dc-3/vh-anw/vhanw.html)

http://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-aviation-questions/259259-old-dakota.html


Something strange with the dates.

I was part of that assemble at the Midland McDonalds and that was pre 90.

I don't recall exactly but I think it was when I was doing my pre-apprenticeship at Midland TAFE with Warnock, Collie and Cousins that would make it 1986. I don't think it was during my apprenticeship with the same TAFE as they were short blocks with exams but that ended 89 anyway.

The instructors were for and against the project at Maccas but agreed as it was a once in a life time for many to do up 365 bolts.

[Fris B. Fairing]

Bendy

VH-ANW was part of the McDonalds restaurant at Midland, Perth from 1987 to 2000 so your memory fits.

Getting back to the former VH-SPY, I believe that Pacdak is trying to contact Geoff Leach.

[Engineer_aus]

Perhaps get in touch with the Cairns airport folk, they should have the contact details.

[Wingnuts]

SPY at Edmonton, Cairns. Not sure when.
December edition of Australian Aviation magazine reports, "It is understood there is a dispute over storage fees so the fate of the machine is in doubt."
Also reported is that the Beck War Museum, Mareeba is selling its collection, including a C47.

http://i65.tinypic.com/29gmu00.jpg

[RodgerDodger69]

About 12 months ago VH-SPY was stored at Edmonton (a southern suburb of cairns) with wings and propellers removed near my dads work. Yesterday i saw VH-SPY sitting in the same condition at Innisfail Aerodrome.

[Fris B. Fairing]

Thanks Rodger for the update.

[99Wombat]

I have some information and photos

[Fris B. Fairing]

I have some information and photos
Well I'd like to see them.

[99Wombat]

Well I'd like to see them.
Could you please let me know what do want to use the information and images for?

[vhxxxx]

Could you please let me know what do want to use the information and images for?
love to see the old bird again. I will be in Innisfail tomorrow and take a few pictures and post for
general interest . Cheers

[vhxxxx]

Photos taken today 3rd August 2022. Very sad looking. There appears to be work being done on the righthand wing which has some damage as well from transportation. There also appears to be a fair bit of corrosion in fuselage. Guardians appear to be the parachute people who advise it’s going to be restored to flying condition. Will need a lot of work , but let’s hope she will grace the sky’s again. Good luck !!! ( I have heaps of photos if anyone wants to see them )

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1504/31c25862_e8ed_49f8_a34a_86ec17514b49_4517571a7c9e2439220116e 3caa06b403e4f5748.jpeg
VH SPY AUG 2022

[aroa]

IFL is a very wet place Hence all the black mold...and looks like a window open.! Needs to be got under cover if they want to save it. Be quick.!

[tossbag]

Some of that will literally buff out. Dealing with corrosion in a Dak is completely different to dealing with corrosion in a Cessna.

[vhxxxx]

Some of that will literally buff out. Dealing with corrosion in a Dak is completely different to dealing with corrosion in a Cessna.
Some of the corrosion I saw and photographed of the wing section show totally rotten stringers under the removed sheeting. Probably a bit hard to remove this corrosion unless these areas are completely replaced. Big job.

[aroa]

The coastal environments SPY has been in for so long has probably given it the Big C. Could be saved ..but ..buckets of money required. At least the Beck Collection Dak has been in drier climes at YMBA. Now with FNQAM for l o n g term static resto.

[vhxxxx]

The coastal environments SPY has been in for so long has probably given it the Big C. Could be saved ..but ..buckets of money required. At least the Beck Collection Dak has been in drier climes at YMBA. Now with FNQAM for l o n g term static resto.

Looked at the C47 ex Becks at the FNQAM at YMBA as well. It looks in a lot better condition than SPY as far as the corrosion . As you say the drier climate up there certainly has preserved the aircraft better.

[tossbag]

Some of the corrosion I saw and photographed of the wing section show totally rotten stringers under the removed sheeting. Probably a bit hard to remove this corrosion unless these areas are completely replaced. Big job.

Yep, I appreciate that. But it's much easier working with the thicker guage ally.