Qantas ran a regular charter service to Cocos Island for the reconstruction of the airport by the army. Qantas used the improved airport on its services to South Africa. VH-EBK was reregistered VH-EDA in 1959. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)

Built in 1946 for Western Airlines, then went to Australia from 1947 to 1977 and imported in 1981 ex-Basler Flight Service (N5581S). On 16 June 1987 it was wrecked when the crew tried to squeeze it into a 3500 ft gravel strip at Hidden Bay/SK. [The minuscule registration is just below the tail logo.]

Mike Madden photo

Air Express DC-4s VH-EDA and EDB were sold in 1980 to Basler in the US as N5581S and N5581T respectively. However in a painting mix-up at Essendon the registrations were painted on the wrong aircraft. The error was corrected after arrival Oshkosh. EDA and EDB differed in detail. The former was a DC-4 and had a small porthole window behind the cockpit on the port side. EDB, a C-54, did not have this window. Mike Madden photo.

Qantas Dc4 VH-EDA seen during maintenance at Sydney Airport.

Qantas retained two immaculate DC-4s for services to Norfolk Island. It was in theory an international destination and Qantas protected its international monopoly vigorously. But for an airline with ambitions to become all 747 they were an expensive luxury. Runway restricts on the island stopped jets and limits on overwater operations prevented twin props. The dilemma was resolved when an exemption was given to allow F27s with long-range tanks to replace the DC-4s. Longer, stronger runways later opened the airport to 737 and A320 aircraft.

Qantas' last two DC-4s were maintained in top condition.

VH-EDA in its initial livery with two red stripes on the tail. Later updated to a single stripe with the flag removed and the Qantas logo added. Later still received Qantas' 747 era red tail and ochre cheat line.

Resting on the Eagle Farm International tarmac on one of her rare visits to Brisbane.

VH-EDA climbs away on a hazy day bound for Norfolk Island. Its days were numbered, with Qantas finally prepared to hand over the route to another operator. VH-EDA was sold in 1977.

Taxying for take-off to Norfolk Island.