VH-CAC was one of 3 Lockheed Model 18 Lodestars acquired in March 1947 from RAAF surplus stock at RAAF Tocumwal, NSW. Built at Burbank, California, as a C-60-5-LO (c/n 2612) the aircraft was allocated USAAC Serial Number 43-16452. The aircraft later saw wartime RAAF service, being allocated serial A67-8.

After the war, the DCA purchased A67-8 for £2,500 along with two other Lodestars. The aircraft were not considered safe to be ferried out of storage at Tocumwal because of a recurring problem with the sealant in their wing fuel tanks. Instead, they were trucked to Adelaide in September 1947 where two were rebuilt to full civil standards by the Department of Aircraft Production at Parafield Airport. The aircraft were initially fitted for 8 passengers and 2 crew. After this overhaul, the aircraft was added to the civil register as VH-CAC on 20 July 1950 and based at Melbourne/Essendon. The photo above shows it on the Adelaide/Parafield apron in June or July 1950 resplendent in freshly painted blue & white trim over polished metal with the DCA emblem on the nose and fin. The figures are Norm Warner and DCA Aircraft Surveyor Bill Sykes.