Org. Photo: US C-60 Lodestar Transport Plane (#42-32174) on Airfield!!! | eBay
Civilian Model 18-56 impressed by USAAF as C-60 and intended
for Lend-Lease to RAF as FK246/FK260, but all but one (RAF FK246) were retained by USAAF and transferred to
Australia
42-32174 (MSN 2194) to RAAF as FK254, callsign VH-CEE. Assigned to 21 Troop Carrier Squadron, RAAF Sep 1942.
To 36 Squadron Jul 8, 1943, namee "Tiki". Returned to USAAF Feb 10, 1944. To Guinea Airways as VH-CEE
Feb 29, 1944, returned to USAAF again Jun 29, 1945. Sold to Aircrafts Pty Ltd Feb 1946 and
registered as VH-BAG Nov 28, 1946. Sold to Truth and Sportsman LTd Dec 16, 1946 and operated by Aircrafts Pty
Ltd. Leased Jul 1948 to Guine Air Traders, Lae for one month while its DC-3 VH-GAT was being overhauled
The Lodestar was to be re-registered as VH-BYG as VH-BAG had become a prohibited registration. In
the event, this did not proceed. APL renamed Queensland Airlines Oct 18, 1948. Crashed into swampy
area after takeoff from Coolangatta Mar 10, 1949