Donated to the museum. This aircraft had flown with Qantas from 1948 to 1960, initially as VH-EAP and later as VH-EBY. Sold to TAA as VH-SBG and later P2-SBG and P2-ANP with Air Niugini. Became N5590A in 1980 before returning to Australian ownership in 1982 as VH-BPL. Made its last flight in January 1993 to Hoxton Park near Sydney. Plans to operate the aircraft ended when the owner passed away. Condition of the aircraft deteriorated. By the time it was donated it was could not be made airworthy and had to be trucked to Longreach

VH-EAP has been preserved at the Qantas Founders Museum at Longreach, Queensland, in this livery. It has carried six other registrations between the photo and today - VH-EBY, VH-SBG, P2-SBG, P2-ANP, N5590A and finally VH-BPL. Last registration cancelled in 1996. In 2004 trucked with some difficulty from Hoxton Park aerodrome - where it had ended its flying days in 1993 - to Longreach. Photo from: Whites Aviation Collection / Alexander Turnbull Library

Reregistered VH-EBY in 1957 to make for a Lockheed L.1049. Later VH-SBG with TAA. Photo from: State Library of Queensland

Originally allocated to the RAAF in 1944 as A65-44 this aircraft was purchased by Qantas in 1948 and registered VH-EAP. It was sold to TAA in 1960 and registered VH-SBG. In 1973 it was sold to Air Niugini. This photo shows it still in full TAA Airlines of New Guinea colors. It was withdrawn in 1977 and in 1982 it was sold to Air Queensland as VH-BPL until 1988, after which it was sold and finally stored at Hoxton Park in NSW. it was later moved to the Qantas Founders Museum at Longreach and is on display as VH-EAP.

To the Papua new Guinea register in 1974 as P2-SBG, reregistered P2-ANP in November 1974. Returned to the Australian register in 1982 (VH-BPL)

Looking immaculate after a rain shower.

VH-BPL is now part of the Qantas museum at Longreach, Queensland. It was a former Qantas aircraft (1948 to 1960).

P2-ANP was sold in the US as N5590A in 1980 and subsequently went to Australia as VH-BPL

Manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Corporation at Oklahoma City in Oklahoma and rolled off the production line on 28/3/1944. Aircraft was designated as a C-47A-20-DK.

Manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Corporation at Oklahoma City in Oklahoma and rolled off the production line on 28/3/1944. Aircraft was designated as a C-47A-20-DK.

Manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Corporation at Oklahoma City in Oklahoma and rolled off the production line on 28/3/1944. Aircraft was designated as a C-47A-20-DK. Seen here on the tarmac with VH-BPN.

Manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Corporation at Oklahoma City in Oklahoma and rolled off the production line on 28/3/1944. Aircraft was designated as a C-47A-20-DK.

VH-BPL had a long history in Australia, starting with the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. It went to Qantas after the war and used on services in Papua New Guinea, then an Australian territory. It passed to Trans- Australia Airlines when it replaced Qantas in the territory and then to Air Niugini on independence. It entered the Australian register again in 1982, as VH-BPL. It is now with the Qantas Founders Museum, at Longreach, Queensland, restored as a static exhibit in its original Qantas markings (VH-EAP).