"Workhorse of the air" is the name regularly given to the indestructible Douglas C-47 Dakota. The SAAF has for some time had the largest remaining fleet of Dakotas in the world, namely 47 aircraft. As a result of the SAAF decision in recent years to rationalise, it no longer retains the “pole position”.
The SAAF took on charge a large number of Dakotas during World War II and allocated them the serials 6801 - 6884.
At the cessation of hostilities in 1945 a large number of surplus Dakotas were disposed of, including transferring some to the South African Airways. The survivors of the SAA fleet found their way back to the SAAF in 1971 when they were allocated the serials 6885 to 6889.
When sanctions were imposed on South Africa from about 1975, other plans were devised to obtain aircraft and a number of Dakotas were purchased from various sources to supplement those still in SAAF service. In total 16 were added to the SAAF strength and most were given “old” serials.
One of the most successful “coups” was the purchase of 5 Royal New Zealand Air Force Dakotas which were withdrawn from that service in 1977. These were purchased by a concern in the Comores Islands with the name Island Associates and given Comores registrations before flying from New Zealand to the Comores. Once they were safely in the Comores, the next leg of the “coup” was to fly them to South Africa. In SAAF service they were given “old” serials, and some of them have found their way into the "Turbo Dak" program.
As a result of the rationalisation that has taken place over the last few years, a number of the “Turbo Daks” have been offered for sale during late 1997 and early 1998 and most of them have been bought by customers in the United States.
The only remaining operational Dakotas are those serving with 35 Squadron in Cape Town and which have been converted to the maritime role to patrol the long South African coastline. Those no longer required for service have been stored, pending disposal.
Much more Darker Cammo few weathering on and full descriptions on Logo's
Great one!
1 years ago
tjliverypainter