VH-EDA  Douglas DC-4-1009                (c/n  42917)

                            

                                The top three photos seen here are images of this Qantas DC-4 in various stages of its career with
                                the airline. All excellent shots by Greg Banfield, and all at Mascot.  At the foot of the page is a color
                                slide from the Ken Watson collection showing -EDA about to depart Mascot for Norfolk Island in
                                1967 resplendent with black radar nose, and amidst a cloud of smoke emanating from the No. 2
                                engine.         The above shot , taken in January 1963 under some nice cumulus effect shows -EDA
                                as "Malayan Trader" (see inset)     
                                                                                                                                       
                             This purpose-built DC-4 was delivered new to Western Air Lines in 1946.  It was then  purchased by
                             ANA in April 1947 as the first VH-ANF, before being seconded to BCPA a year later as VH-BPC.
                             Qantas acquired it in 1949 when it was re-registered VH-EBK.  It was re-registered VH-EDA in 1959.
                             By 1966 it had acquired a new livery as well as a new name (immediately below, with accompanying inset)..
                             Finally, just before being withdrawn from use by the airline it is seen in 1976 with jet-age livery and radar
                             nose (bottom of page), although still retaining the name "Pacific Trader".         It was purchased by Air
                             Express in Australia in 1977 (who also operated as Kwikasair ) and then went to Basler Flight Service in
                             January 1980 ostensibly as N5581T*.   Three pictures of it in Air Express, Kwikasair and Basler titling
                             appear on a seperate page.  Finally, at the end of 1981 it was sold to Calm Air International becoming
                             C-GPFG.           As such it was damaged beyond repair after under-shooting a landing at Hidden Bay,
                             Saskatchewan on 16 June 1987.
                             *  VH-EDB was to have become N5581S and -EDA N5581T.  Either originally in Melbourne, or some-
                                 where along the way, these got reversed and -EDA wound up as N5581S and -EDB as N5581T.