Douglas DC-3/C-47 transports use in RAAF/ADAT service during 1939-46 - Part 7 - 8 Squadron & 1 CU (Communication Unit)

by Steve Mackenzie


Douglas DC-3-232, A30-1, 09 Oct 39, at Canberra, A.C.T, R.A.A.F., No. 8 Sqn. Photo John Hopton Coll p1789-1435

8 Sqn RAAF

I intend to run a series of articles looking at the Douglas DC-3/C-47 transports use in RAAF/ADAT service during 1939-46. After some thought I have decided the best way to approach such a large subject is to look at each user unit in turn (in numerical order to simplify things) with images of some of their airframes. No profiles as that involves a lot of extra work for an airframe type that I will later probably have no more use for.

In 1939 the Govt impressed four DC-3 airframes that were owned by ANA (Aust National Airline) and gave them serials A30-1 to 4 inclusive, they served with 8 Squadron. In 1940 they were returned to ANA control (between Feb and June) when the RAAF received the 10 second hand DC-2s which they acquired thru the British Purchasing Commision in the USA. By that time they had been camouflaged (although I have not worked out the colour scheme which almost appears to be one colour overall which is not correct for that period). ANA were likely not impressed but no doubt changed their tune when the shooting war came along in Dec 1941.

1 CU (Communication Unit)


A65-108 VH-RFZ 1 CU RAAF Aug 1945.

1 CU was starting to receive C-47s at the end of WW.II. Known serials are A65-108 and 118 which were both outfitted as Ambulance airframes (and marked with Red Cross markings) plus A65-123 which was a V.I.P airframe known to have been used by the PM and the Governor General.


A65-118 VH-RGF from 1 C.U Ambulance.

Almost overall view of A65-118. Further above A65-108 would have been in similar markings.


A65-123 VH-RGK 1 C.U Lae, N.G, 1945-12-23. The RAAF C-47 while carrying the Right Honorable J. B. Chifley, PM , on a tour of battle areas. Photo AWM. 1099586


A65-123 VH-RGK from 1 C.U. Photo CPE RAAF Laverton.

Two images above are of A65-123 VH-RGK in it's overall Natural Metal scheme fulfilling it's role of VIP transport.

This completes the survey of RAAF units that used DC-3/C-47s in the 1939-46 period. When I get a chance I hope to do another article on the various types (C-49, C-50, C-53, C-47 etc) that were used under the control of the Directorate of Air Transport (ADAT) which mainly used civilian crews on contract cdargo operations in a followup 1-2 articles. (Steve).

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