|
History of Douglas C-47A “Dakota” ZS-NTE
By Brendan Odell
October 2012
c/n 11926
This aircraft was built at the Douglas Aircraft Corporation plant at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in the USA under Contract number W535-AC-2405 for the United States Army Air Force (USAAF), as a model C-47A-1-DK. It was test flown and delivered to the USAAF on the 24th of September 1943 as USAAF serial number 42-92157.It was transferred under the “lend-lease” agreement between the USA and Great Britain to the Royal Air Force and was transferred as such to RAF Middle East on the 20th of January 1944 and given RAF serial number FL565.Under RAF terminology it was designated a Douglas “Dakota” Mk III.
It was immediately transferred to 28 Squadron South African Air Force (SAAF) Transport Squadron, Mediterranean Theatre, then based at Castel Benito in western Libya. It operated flights throughout the Mediterranean region, in particular Bari (Italy), Ras-el-Ma (Morocco) and Rabat-Sale (Morocco).From June 1944 it was based at Maison Blanche, Algiers, Algeria continuing cargo and passenger flights throughout the Mediterranean area.
The final air assault in Italy, launched on 9 April 1945, was spearheaded by fighter-bombers of Nos 7 and 8 Wings, 5 Sqn, medium bombers of No 3 Wing and the Army co-operation Sqn. Liberators of No 2 wing and Baltimores of No 15 Sqn operated by night. The surrender of the German force on 2 May 1945 brought an end to a relentless pursuit which had taken the SAAF squadrons without a break from El Alamein through Tunis and Sicily to the Alps. The aircraft remained at Maison Blanche until September 1945, when it was flown Rand Airport in South Africa and serialised 6873 with the SAAF, on the 1st of October of that year. It was then impressed, still with 28 squadron, into no 5 wing and used on the “Shuttle Service” or “Springbok Shuttle” ferrying service men home from World War II. The service was extended to Cairo as the war progressed and eventually through the north of Africa to Bari and Rome by the time Dakotas were in use.
The Shuttle Service was greatly expanded at the war’s end, the intention being the return of all South African troops by Christmas 1945. The Dakotas of 5 Wing were joined by additional Dakotas of 28 Sqn as they returned home from the war zone. By 25 January 1946 some 101 676 passengers had been carried.
Refuelling at Tabora, Tanzania, 1945.
It probably flew the most concentrated long distance flying at this time in its life – flying between Pretoria and Cairo. In favourable weather, the journey down the length of the Africa was completed in 32 flying hours. Staging posts such as Kisumu, Tabora, Chingola, Juba, Kumala, Wadi Seidna and Khartoum would be expected to supply fuel for the aircraft, as well as food and accommodation for several hundred men each day. All 5 Wing aircraft were marked with a 4-letter code on the fuselage side in yellow.
Here is a typical routing;
Zwartkop Air Station – Bulawayo
Bulawayo – Ndola
Ndola – Kasama
Kasama – Tabora
Tabora – Kisumu
Kisumu – Juba
Juba – Malakal
Malakal - Khartoum
Khartoum - Wadi Halfa
Wadi Halfa – Cairo
Cario - El Adem
El Adem - Marble Arch
Marble Arch - Castel Benito
Castel Benito – Malta
Malta – Bari
Bari – Rome
(Then the aircraft would turn around and fly the identical, return route)
Interior of a Springbok Shuttle Service Dakota returning from Europe/North Africa.
It was placed in temporary storage by 1 Air Depot based at Roberts Heights (later Voortrekkerhoogte and subsequently Thaba Tshwane) on 28 November 1947. It was later placed in long term storage, just on the other side of Zwartkop Air Station, at Snake Valley, by 15 Air depot on 2 June 1950. It remained in long term storage for 10 years, and was successfully flown to AFB Ysterplaat on 6 August 1960 and taken to 11 Air depot, before returning to 1 Air Depot at Voortrekkerhoogte on 19 January 1966. It began a new life and service at 25 squadron at Ysterplaat on 13 September 1966. On 8 June 1971 it was transferred to 86 Multi Engine Conversion Unit at AFB Bloemspruit, Bloemfontein.
6873, cruising on the Highveld circa 1967.
On the 28th of December 1981 the aircraft was transferred to the Langebaanweg Navigation School where it remained until 20 November 1984 at which time it joined 35 squadron at Cape Town. Here it was the first aircraft converted to “Dakleton” status (its service followed the retirement of the much newer Avro Shackleton Mk 3s) as a maritime patrol aircraft. This involved extensive modification of the airframe and systems and conversion to SAAF “Dakota MkIV” status. It was the first Dakota to be fitted with radar equipment in the SAAF.
6873 on maritime patrol circa 1989.
In 1995 the aircraft was placed for sale by tender by Armscor together with its sister ship, 6848. Both aircraft were sold to Wally Gale and John Gaylard of Aero Rebuilds at Rand Airport and registered ZS-NTE and NTD respectively.
The aircraft received a cursory Check V and was placed in service, still in its blue SAAF colours, as ZS-NTE. It was re-flown on the 1st of August 1995.On the 23rd of May 1996 it was ferried to Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it was based for some time. It operated cargo flights in the Eastern DRC, destinations included Kalemie, Manono, Fungurume, Kamina base, Kabalo, Dilolo and Mbuji Mayi. On the 22nd of March 1997 it departed Dilolo via Ndola for Rand Airport arriving at Rand Airport 8 hours and 30 minutes flying time later. The total airframe since the 24th of September 1943 was just 12438 hours.
The aircraft had some small defects, which were not rectified- and the aircraft was parked. Later Mr. Gale passed away and the business he and Mr. Gaylard owned was liquidated. In 2002 the aircraft, by now partly dismantled was sold at auction to Captain Flippie Vermeulen. The aircraft was inspected and stripped pending restoration. It was then placed in storage for the next seven years.
 Outside the old Aero Air Hangar prior to auction 2002.
Restoration commenced on 5 April 2009, with aircraft receiving a very comprehensive Check V and conversion to modern standards. As a point of interest, during structural repairs, at least three bullet holes of small calibre were repaired in the left nacelle and aft fuselage.
November 2009, 90% restored.
--------------------------------------------------
|
|
|
C/N 11926
SAAF 6873
Operated by 27 Squadron.
Taken in the mid 1960s along the west coast of the southern Cape.
Photograph: Don East
|
|
C/N 11926
SAAF 6873
Photograph: Karel Zaayman
|
|
C/N 11926
SAAF 6873
Photograph: South African Air Force Museum Swartkop
|
|
C/N 11926
SAAF 6873
Photograph: Etienne du Plessis
|
|
C/N 11926
SAAF 6873
Photograph: South African Air Force Museum Swartkop
|
|
C/N 11926
SAAF 6873
At Rand Airport 1995
Photograph: South African Air Force Museum Swartkop
|
|
C/N 11926
SAAF 6873 and SAAF Albatros 900
Photograph: South African Air Force Museum Swartkop
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
At Rand Airport 2002
Photograph: South African Air Force Museum Swartkop
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Photograph: John Miller The Article Library
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Undergoing restoration to flying condition in hangar 5 at Rand Airport. 2009
Photograph: Bruce Perkins
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Undergoing restoration to flying condition in hangar 5 at Rand Airport. 28 June 2009
Photograph: Bruce Perkins
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Undergoing restoration to flying condition in hangar 5 at Rand Airport. 2009
Photograph: Bruce Perkins
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Undergoing restoration to flying condition in hangar 5 at Rand Airport. 2009
Photograph: Brendan Odell
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Undergoing restoration to flying condition in hangar 5 at Rand Airport. 2009
Photograph: Brendan Odell
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Undergoing restoration to flying condition in hangar 5 at Rand Airport. 2009
Photograph: Brendan Odell
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Undergoing restoration to flying condition in hangar 5 at Rand Airport. 2009
Photograph: Brendan Odell
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Undergoing restoration to flying condition in hangar 5 at Rand Airport. 2009
Photograph: Brendan Odell
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Undergoing restoration to flying condition in hangar 5 at Rand Airport. 2009
Photograph: Brendan Odell
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Undergoing restoration to flying condition in hangar 5 at Rand Airport. 2009
Photograph: Thinus van Staden
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Undergoing restoration to flying condition in hangar 5 at Rand Airport. 2009
Photograph: Thinus van Staden
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Undergoing restoration to flying condition in hangar 5 at Rand Airport. 2009
Photograph: Thinus van Staden
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Undergoing restoration to flying condition in hangar 5 at Rand Airport. 2009
Photograph: Thinus van Staden
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE Springbok Classic Air
Die Vlieénde Springbok
(Afrikaans for The Flying Springbuck)
Photograph: Bruce Perkins
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE Springbok Classic Air
The Flying Springbok
Photograph: Bruce Perkins
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE Springbok Classic Air
The Flying Springbok
Photograph: Bruce Perkins
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE Springbok Classic Air
At Rand Airport 13 September 2009
Photograph: Bruce Perkins
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE Springbok Classic Air
At Rand Airport
14 November 2009
Photograph: Bruce Perkins
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE Springbok Classic Air
At Rand Airport
- November 2009
Photograph: Bruce Perkins
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE Springbok Classic Air
At Rand Airport
16 November 2009
Photograph: Bruce Perkins
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE Springbok Classic Air
At Rand Airport
- November 2009
Photograph: Bruce Perkins
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE cockpit
Springbok Classic Air
At Rand Airport
4 September 2010
Photograph: Bruce Perkins
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Springbok Classic Air
2nd test flight 18 September 2010
Photograph: Kieran Bell
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Springbok Classic Air
Taxiing in afrter 2nd test flight 18 September 2010
Photograph: Kieran Bell
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Springbok Classic Air
Captain Flippie Vermeulen and Captain Lorrie Raath
After 2nd test flight 18 September 2010
Photograph: Kieran Bell
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Springbok Classic Air
Left to Right: Maryna Vermeulen, Captain Flippie Vermeulen, Peet Vermeulen, Captain Lorrie Raath, Ben Vermeulen
After 2nd test flight 18 September 2010
Photograph: Kieran Bell
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Springbok Classic Air
At Rand Airport
18 September 2010
Photograph: John Austin-Williams
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Springbok Classic Air
At Rand Airport
18 September 2010
Photograph: John Austin-Williams
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE data plate on fuselage next to passenger door.
Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Company
Model: Douglas DC-3C "Dakota"
Serial number: 11926
Registration: ZS-NTE
Date of manufacture: 08/1943
Operator: Springbok Classic Air (Pty) Ltd
MTOW: 26900 lbs
At Rand Airport
18 September 2010
Photograph: John Austin-Williams
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE plaque in cockpit
Douglas Aircraft Corporation C-47A-1-DK (modified to RAF/SAAF Dakota IV standard), manufacturers serial number 11926 has been de-militarized and converted to Douglas DC-3 specifications, in accordance with instructions as per Type Certificate Data Sheet no A-669 Revision 30 (as revised July 27th 1999).
This conversion was completed by Springbok Aviation Services at Check V, August 2009.
18 September 2010
Photograph: John Austin-Williams
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Today, 19 November 2010, at Richards Bay, we had the pleasure of playing host to a movie shoot, which featured newly restored DC-3 ZS-NTE, flying through from Rand airport on it's fourth outing since restoration. The aircraft has been temporarily decorated in "Air Congo" decals for the movie, which will be removed a bit later on. A big thanks to Flippie, Peet and Ben Vermeulen who came along. Also thanks again to Richards Bay airport management and fire for assisting.
Gerard Griessel www.wild-sky.co.za |
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Springbok Classic Air
At Rand Airport
Brendan Odell performs final engine runs before the first commercial flight for ZS-NTE
19 October 2010
The aircraft's first commercial flight took place on 22 October 2010 and went via Lanseria to Maun in Botswana, returning on the 25th.
Photograph: Ron Kosys Propliner Magazine
|
|
C/N 11926
ZS-NTE
Springbok Classic Air
At Rand Airport
Brendan Odell performs final engine runs before the first commercial flight for ZS-NTE
19 October 2010
The aircraft's first commercial flight took place on 22 October 2010 and went via Lanseria to Maun in Botswana, returning on the 25th.
Photograph: Ron Kosys Propliner Magazine
|
| |
DC-3 Individual Aircraft History 
