The DC3 - Step back in time!

A feature aircraft at the Wide Bay Australia International Air show to be held at Bundaberg Airport over the weekend of 3-5 July 2009 will be one of the most popular aircraft ever built. The DC3 Was the RAAF'S WW2 General Transport & Cargo aircraft and gained quite a reputation for its reliability and dependable service. The DC3 and Hercules will be in attendance at the Airshow and the general public will be able to get up close to the ‘Herc’ while it is on public display.

Over 15,000 aircraft, known as The DC3/C47/Dakota/Gooney Bird/Sky Train and many other nick names, were built from the1940’s. General Eisenhower is recorded as saying the success of the aircraft was a major reason for the WW11 victory. It was the foundation aircraft for many airlines following the war and an earlier version, the DC2 was a star in the 1934 London/Melbourne Air Race for KLM.

The aircraft flying at the Airshow has quite a history. Delivered to the USAAF in 1942, it saw active service in the Pacific region with the name of Shanghai Lil and still has evidence of several bullet holes in the fuselage. In 1944 it was purchased by the Australian Government and became the start up aircraft for TAA in 1946 when it made the inaugural Laverton/Sydney flight. The name of 1838 Explorer Joseph Hawdon is the man the aircraft is named after. It flew the entire TAA network until retired in 1970 and later was placed on a pole outside the TAA Tullamarine terminal for eight years.

Because of the historical importance of the plane, it was restored by volunteers in 1987 and today is operated by Qantas Foundation Memorial Ltd for charitable and promotional services. Pilots Alan Searle and Chris Pennycuick, who originally flew this aircraft in New Guinea, will be at the controls.

To be at the Airshow to view this piece of aviation history, purchase your tickets from any branch of the Wide Bay Australia Bank or RACQ office. Further information from the Airshow hotline on 4155 0044 or the website at www.widebayairshow.com.au