Douglas C-47A (DC-3A) Qantas Empire Airways, VH-EDC 1/200 Scale Diecast Model JC Wings JC2QFA091 / XX2091

JC Wings JC2QFA091 / XX2091 – 1/200 Scale C-47A (DC-3A) Diecast Model

JC Wings JC2AAA528 / XX2528 diecast model replicates in 1/200 scale the Douglas C-47A registration VH-EDC. In livery of Qantas Empire Airways.

This aircraft MSN 12874, completed on March 28, 1944, transferred to the RAAF under lend/lease agreement and issued serial number A65-46. Withdrawn from service on September 17, 1948, and sold to the Department of Civil Aviation registered VH-JVF, reregistered as VH-CAR in July 1950. Qantas Empire Airways purchased the aircraft in May 1961 registered as VH-EDC. Transferred to Qantas Airways Ltd in June 1970 and then sold to Queensland Pacific Trading Co in November 1971. After several more changes in ownership including Bush Pilots Airways, Air Queensland Ltd, DC-3 Queensland it finally went to South Pacific Airmotive in June 1991. The Aircraft ditch into Botany Bay, Sydney after taking-off for a charter flight on April 24, 1994. All on board escaped with minor or no injuries. The aircraft was salvaged but considered uneconomical to repair and permanently withdrawn from use.

Qantas Airways

Qantas Airways is the largest by fleet size Australia airline, operating both national and international routes. The airline started in November 1920 as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited flying the Avro 504K and is the third oldest airline in the world. The Qantas name comes from an acronym of its original name. In 1934, Qantas and Britain’s Imperial Airways established Qantas Empire Airways Limited (QEA). In 1967 the name changed to Qantas Airways Limited. Subsidiary airlines are Jetstar, QantasLink and Qantas Freight.

Douglas DC-3

The Douglas DC-3 is an American twin-engined short-to-medium-range Airliner. Developed from the Douglas DC-2, it is one of the most remarkable transport aircraft ever to enter service, reshaping civilian and military air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. The first flight occurred on December 17, 1935, and entered service on June 26, 1936, with American Airlines.

1/200 scale diecast model of the Douglas C-47A (DC-3A)

Compared to previous airliners, it was faster; longer ranged with a shorter takeoff run. Reliable and easy to maintain, the DC-3 rendered greater comfort for passengers and is considered to be the first airliner to make money carrying passengers only. Others, even with 100% occupancy could not make money and relied on government mail pay.

1000s of DC-3 served with many defence forces around the world. The main military variant was the C-47 Skytrain, designated as the R4D by the US Navy. In British Commonwealth service identified as the Dakota, manufactured in the Soviet Union as the Lisunov Li-2 and in Japan as the Nakajima L2D.The C-47 had various changes from the DC-3, including a cargo door, strengthened floor, Astrodome, hoist attachment and a modified tail to allow the towing of gliders.

Post World War II surplus aircraft found use as civil airliners and freighters with many remaining in commercial operation today.

Douglas DC-3A specifications

General

• Flight crew: Two pilots
• Passenger Seating: up to 32
• Length: 19.7 m (64 ft 8 in)
• Wingspan: 29.0 m (95 ft 2 in)
• Height: 5.16 m (16ft 11 in)
• Empty weight: 7,650 kg (16,865 lb)
• Engines: two Wright R-1820 Cyclone or Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S1C3G Twin Wasp air-cooled radial piston engines, each driving a 3.51 m (11 ft 6 in) diameter 3-bladed Hamilton Standard 23E50 propellor.

Performance

1/200 scale diecast model of the Douglas C-47A (DC-3A)

• Cruise speed: 333 km/h (207 mph), Mach 0.27
• Maximum speed: 370 km/h (230 mph), Mach 0.30
• Range: 3,421 km (2,125 mi)
• MTOW: 11,430 kg (25,199 lb)
• Service ceiling: 7,100 m (23,200 ft).