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Douglas DC-3 and C-47 in Zimbabwe

Seven ex Air Force of Zimbabwe C-47 Dakotas were put up for auction in September 2011
See www.aaauctionszw.com
 
 
 
 


The aircraft were all located at Manyame Air Base in Harare, Zimbabwe -17° 55' 45.20", +31° 5' 57.52" click on co-ordinates to open in Google Maps
.

By July 2014, 7313 had been dismantled and taken away.

 
Air Force of Zimbabwe reg C/N Fate
3700 13164
Transferred by road to Wonderboom Airport July/August 2017
3708
16390/33138
Preserved at the Zimbabwe Military Museum in Gweru
7036 14494/25939 Transferred by road to Wonderboom Airport July/August 2017
7053 16011/32759
Transferred by road to Wonderboom Airport July/August 2017
7301 16335/33083 Transferred by road to Wonderboom Airport July/August 2017
7303 13867/25312 Transferred by road to Wonderboom Airport July/August 2017
7313 15993/32741 To Xiaotangshan China Aviation Museum GPS 40°11'00.7"N 116°21'35.7"E

There is a derelict DC-3 at Harare c/n 11970 which is ex ZK-AMR United Nations Organisation.


Neil Gaunt supplied the following on 28 June 2012: "I grew up in Rhodesia - I am enjoying your web site and noticed the wholly numerical listing of the aircraft for the RRAF. If you remove the squadron number (3) it then becomes the aircraft s/n thus:"

 

Serial Air Force of Zimbabwe reg c/n
700 3700 13164
701 7301 16335/33083
702 3702 13865/25310
703 7303 13867/25312
704 7034 16799/33547
705 7053 16011/32759
706 7036 14494/25939
707 3707 16198/32946
708 3708 16390/33138
709 7039 15903/32651
710 7310 42978
711 3711 12049
712 7312 9492
713 7313 15993/32741
714 7134 14992/26437

 

   
Below is information and photographs of the C-47 Dakotas of Zimbabwe including the Air Force of Zimbabwe

 
Reg
C/N
History
3700
13164
Dakota 3700
 
TYPE: C-47A-20-DK
 
C/N 13164
 
Delivery date: 1 May 1944
 
KG 572 RAF Nassau 12 May 1944
ACSEA 18 June 1944
Indian Government 30 January 1947
Scottish Aviation Ltd 2 October 1947
G-AKJH Maharaja of Baroda 1 April 1948
Skyways ltd. 18 May 1950
BEA Edward Hillman 21 November 1950
Pionair 8 May 1951
Leased to WAAC
Derby Aviation Ltd. 17 April 1961
Derby Aviation Ltd. Named "Monsal Dale"
British Midland Airways 1 October 1964
Gregory Air Services 12 April 1965
EI-ARR Leased to Emerald Airways 15 June 1967
C-AKJH Gregory Air Services 5 December 1967
VQ-ZJB Swazi Air 12 August 1968
3D-AAH re-registered April 1977
A2-ZHR Air Botswana (Protea Airways) July 1973
Botswana Air Service, Jan Smuts Airport
ZS-KAT Protea Airways 4 May 1977 via Aviation Equipment
R3700 Rhodesian Air Force 3 Squadron 8 January 1978
26,849 Flying Hours
3700 Air Force of Zimbabwe
 

Information from Bill Sykes, 29 August 2009

Put up for auction in September 2011

3708
16390/33138

Dakota 3708
 
TYPE: C-47D-30-DK
 
C/N 16390/33138
 
Delivery date: 25 April 1945
 
KN538 RAF Montreal 1 June 1945
ACSEA (Air Command South East Asia) 18 June 1945
12 MU/UK 16 June 1947
Upper Heyford TC 26 January 1946
IP & GTS 6 July 1949
22 MU 9 November 1950
SAL 20 June 1955
RR158 RRAF 3 November 1955 (2,342 Flying Hours)
RRAF 708 3 Squadron
R3708 Rhodesian Air Force
3708 Air Force of Zimbabwe

 
Information from Bill Sykes 29 August 2009
7034
16799/33547
Dakota 7034
 
TYPE: C-47B-40-DK
 
C/N 16799/33547
 
44-77215
 
Contract no. AC-2032
 
Delivery date: 25 June 1945
 
KP245 RAF Montreal 27 June 1945
UK 4 July 1945
10 Squadron 18 August 1945
ACSEA 27 September 1945
22 MU/UK 22 December 1947
Brookland Aviation 16 September 1948
8 MU 9 May 1949
SAL 31 May 1955
RRAF Royal Rhodesian Air Force RRAF 154 16 June 1955
704 colour scheme of VP-YZD
R7034 Rhodesian Air Force
7034 Air Force of Zimbabwe
 
Crashed 6 January 1977
 
Total hours flown 9,892.10

 
Information from Bill Sykes 29 August 2009

Preserved at the Zimbabwe Military Museum in Gweru.
7036
14494/25939
Dakota 7036
 
TYPE: C-47B-5-DK (VIP Converted Military)
 
C/N 14494/25939
 
Delivery date: 9 September 1944
 
KJ908 RAF Montreal 17 September 1944
Middle East 27 October 1944
6861 South African Air Force 1945
RRAF 706 7 February 1964 (4,904 flying hours)
R7036 Rhodesian Air Force
7036 Air Force of Zimbabwe
Withdrawn from use 21 February 1986

 
Information from Bill Sykes 29 August 2009

25939 VIP Dak 7036 Ed Potterton


Douglas C-47 VIP Dakota No. 7036
Rhodesian Air Force Livery

Photograph: RRAF
 
7039
15903/32651
Dakota 7039
 
TYPE: C-47B-25-DL
 
C/N 15903/32651
 
Delivery date: 9 February 1945
 
KN337 RAF Montreal 12 February 1945
MAAF 21 June 1945
South African Air Force 28 Squadron 28 June 1945
6874 SAAF 4 October 1945
RRAF 709 Royal Rhodesian Air Force 7 February 1964 (4,410.00 flying hours)
R7039 Rhodesian Air Force colour scheme of VP-YZH
7039 Air Force of Zimbabwe
 
Withdrawn from use

 
Information from Bill Sykes29 August 2009

One of three ex Zimbabwe Air Force Dakotas flown to Wonderboom in 2001/2,  to Gert de Klerk for conversion to TP.
The three were C/N 26437 (7134) C/N 32651 (7039) C/N 42978 (7310)

C/N 32651 (7039) and C/N 42978 (7310) were relocated to Gert de Klerk's Freeway Airfield, Kromdraai, in August 2009. C/N 26437 (7134) remained at Wonderboom.


Stored by Gert de Klerk near Kromdraai, north of Pretoria. Ex SAAF 6874 (1)
-25° 29' 11.19", +28° 16' 21.68"

32651 Zimbabwe Air Force 7039 Roy Blewett
C/N 32651
Zimbabwe Air Force
7039
ex SAAF 6874 (1)
Wonderboom Airport 12 February 2004
Photograph: Roy Blewett Gatwick Aviation Society
7053
16011/32759
Dakota 7053
 
TYPE: C-47B-25-DK (Military)
 
C/N 16011/32759
 
Delivery date: 5 March 1945
 
KN385 RAF 8 March 1945
UK 24 March 1945
Azores 26 April 1945
St. Flt. Azores (Lagens) 21 January 1946
St. Evel 10 September 1946
238 Squadron 18 April 1947
TOMSU 19 August 1947
53 Squadron 29 Septemver 1947
Oakington 8 November 1948
8 MU 26 April 1949
RRAF 155 3 Squadron 3 June 1955 (Via Sal)
1,475 flying hours
RRAF 705
R7053 Rhodesian Air Force
7053 Air Force of Zimbabwe

 
Information from Bill Sykes 29 August 2009
7134
14992/26437
26437 Air Force of Zimbabwe 7134 John Reid-Rowland
C/N 26437
7134
Air Force of Zimbabwe
The above photo of 7134 was taken at Bumi Hills aerodrome, Lake Kariba, on 14 March 1981. We were taking the Zimbabwe Promotion Council around the country.
Text: John Reid Rowland
Photograph: John Reid-Rowland

Dakota 7134
 
TYPE: C-47B-10-DK (VIP Converted Military)
 
C/N 14992/26437
 
Delivery date: 28 October 1944
 
KJ998 RAF Montreal 28 October 1944
ACSEA 22 February 1945
62 squadron Med ME 25 April 1946
114 Squadron 11 February 1948
Oakington 16 February 1949
12 MU 17 October 1949
G-AMYY BKS Aero Charter 11 April 1953
Aviation Servicing Ltd. 16 May 1953
VP-YKP Central African Airways “Manica” 28 May
Air Rhodesia
Withdrawn from use 1974
R7134 Rhodesian Air Force 3 Squadron 16 April 1974 (VIP) 22,112 flying hours
7134 Air Force of Zimbabwe 3 Squadron (VIP)
To Gert de Klerk at Wonderboom.
 
 
Information from Bill Sykes, 29 August 2009


One of three ex Zimbabwe Air Force Dakotas flown to Wonderboom in 2001/2,  to Gert de Klerk for conversion to TP.
The three were C/N 26437 (7134) C/N 32651 (7039) C/N 42978 (7310)

C/N 32651 (7039) and C/N 42978 (7310) were relocated to Gert de Klerk's Freeway Airfield, Kromdraai, in August 2009. C/N 26437 (7134) remained at Wonderboom.

7301
16335/33083
Dakota 7301
 
TYPE: C-47B-30-DK
 
C/N 16335/33083
 
Delivery date: 14 April 1945
 
KN531 RAF Montreal 18 April 1945
300 Wg 26 May 1945
512 Squadron UK 26 March 1946
1333 TSTU 12 December 1946
1382 (T) CU 5 January 1948
240 OGU
22 MU 11 April 1951
G-ANZR Field Aircraft Services 27 May 1953
SN-AAJ Sudan Airways 11 May 1954
ST-AAJ re-registered 1957
VQ-ZBB Bechuanaland National Airways (Pty) Ltd. September
A2-ZBB Botswana National Airways October 1968
Wfu 1972
ZS-IPP Protea Airways November 1972
Rennies Air
Aviation Equipment 1 June 1977
Cancelled 21 June 1977
R7301 Rhodesian Air Force 31 October 1977 3 Squadron
(20,229 flying hours)
7301 Air Force of Zimbabwe
Withdrawn from use 11 February 1981

 
Information from Bill Sykes 29 August 2009
7303
25312/13867
Dakota 7303
 
TYPE: C-47A-30-DK
 
C/N 13867/25312
 
Delivery date: 10 July 1944
 
KG768 RAF Nassau 22 July 1944
6841 South African Air Force 11 August 1944
5 Wg 17 February 1945
15 AD 1954
RRAF703 January 1964 (7,573.00 flying hours)
R7303 Rhodesian Air Force
7303 Air Force of Zimbabwe
 
Hours flown as at 11 June 1991 14,909.15
 
Information from Bill Sykes 29 August 2009

25312 7303 crash 1 Photograph RRAF 20 February 1975 via Ed Potterton

7303 named Chaminuka lies dead on Rushinga runway following an intentional ground loop when the brakes failed
 
28 February 1975
 

Photograph: RRAF

25312 7303 crash 2 Photograph RRAF 20 February 1975 via Ed Potterton

7303 port side showing damage caused by propeller as it entered the cabin.

Photograph: RRAF

25312 7303 crash 3 Photograph RRAF 20 February 1975 via Ed Potterton

7303 interior damage after the port propeller had sliced into the cabin immediately behind the left hand seat.

Photograph: RRAF
 
7310
42978
Dakota 7310
 
TYPE: DC-3D VIP (Converted Military)
 
C/N 42978
 
Delivery date: 1946
 
NC34982 Douglas Aircraft Company
HB-IRC Swissair 15 April 1946
ZS-FRJ Protea Airways may 1946
3D-ABI Swazi Air December 1973
ZS-FRJ Protea Airways 14 May 1977
R7310 Rhodesian Air Force 3 Squadron 27 June 1979 (VIP) 28,682 flying hours)
7310 Air Force of Zimbabwe
 
Withdrawn from use

 
Information from Bill Sykes 29 August 2009

One of three ex Zimbabwe Air Force Dakotas flown to Wonderboom in 2001/2,  to Gert de Klerk for conversion to TP.
The three were C/N 26437 (7134) C/N 32651 (7039) C/N 42978 (7310)

C/N 32651 (7039) and C/N 42978 (7310) were relocated to Gert de Klerk's Freeway Airfield, Kromdraai, in August 2009. C/N 26437 (7134) remained at Wonderboom.


Stored by Gert de Klerk near Kromdraai, north of Pretoria.
-25° 29' 11.19", +28° 16' 21.68"

42978 Air Force of Zimbabwe 7310 Bill Sykes 1
 
 
C/N 42978
7310 Air Force of Zimbabwe
Photographer: Unknown
Source: Bill Sykes collection
 
42978 Air Force of Zimbabwe 7310 Bill Sykes 2
 
C/N 42978
7310 Air Force of Zimbabwe
Photographer: Unknown
Source: Bill Sykes collection
7312
9492
Dakota 7312
 
TYPE: C-47A-30-DL
 
C/N 9492
 
42-23630
 
Contract no. AC-20669
 
Delivery date: 6 May 1943
 
FD874 RAF 19 May 1943
Middle East
6801 South African Air Force 26 June 1943
5 Wing 1945
ZS-DJB South African Airways Simonsberg 4 January 1954
6889 SAAF 44 Squadron 8 February 1971
R7312 Rhodesian Air Force 3 Squadron 21 February 1973
7312 Air Force of Zimbabwe 3 Squadron
Crashed on take off from Chimoio Mozambique 10 July 1986
 
Total hours flown 20,036.55

 
Information from Bill Sykes 29 August 2009
7313
32741/15993
Dakota 7313
 
TYPE: C-47B-25-DK
 
C/N 15993/32741
 
Delivery date: 3 March 1945
 
KN371 RAF Montreal 5 March 1945
300Wg 10 March 1945
UK 14 March 1945
187 Squadron 31 May 1945
1 PTS 10 October 1946
12 Mu 7 December 1950
G-AMPS Eagle Aviation Ltd. “Renown” 4 March 1952
VP-YKN Central African Airways “Mashona” 13 May 1953
7Q-YKN Air Malawi 1966
VP-WCG Air Rhodesia 1968
R7313 Rhodesian Air Force 16 April 1974 (24,920 flying hours)
7313 Air Force of Zimbabwe
Withdrawn from use 25 February 1981
 
Information from Bill Sykes 29 August 2009
VP-YNH 32954

32954 VP-YNH Mario Serrano Harare Salisbury May 1993 medium

C/N 32954

VP-YNH

Air Zimbabwe

Harare (Salisbury) International Airport

May 1993

Photograph: Mario Serrano
 
 
 
 
 
Rhodesia and Zimbabwe registered DC-3 and C-47 accidents.
 Sorted in date order.
Registration letters prior to Z
VP-Y
VP-W
 
C/N
Registration
Date
Operator
Location
Fatalities
19979
VP-YFD
1947/01/25
Spencer Airways
Croydon
12
15109/26554
VP-YKO
1955/02/23
Central African Airways
Salisbury
0
19351
VP-YRX
1961/11/22
Rhodesian Air Services
Salisbury
3
16198/32946
7307
1975/02/21
Air Force of Zimbabwe
Rushinga
0
33547
7034
1977/01/06
Air Force of Zimbabwe
Buffalo Range
3
25310
3702
1977/05/30
Air Force of Zimbabwe
Mapai
1
12049
3711
1981/07/15
Air Force of Zimbabwe
Marandellas
0
9492
7312
1986/07/10
Air Force of Zimbabwe
Maputo
17
11989
Z-WRJ
1988/09/20
Crest Breeders
Harare
0
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
Reg
C/N
History
152
15967/32715
Dakota 152
 
TYPE: C-47B-25-DK
 
C/N 15967/32715
 
44-76383
Contract no. AC-2032
 
Delivery date: 19 February 1945
 
KN352 RAF Montreal 24 February 1945
300 Wg 3 March 1945
ACSEA 23 February 1946
SHQ Bassingbourn 30 December 1947
8 MU 29 September 1948
SAL 31 August 1954
SR 152 Royal Rhodesian Air Force 3 Squadron colour scheme of VP-YZR (1957)
Written off August 1964
 
Information from Bill Sykes
29 August 2009
 
32715 Royal Rhodesian Air Force 152 Sykes
C/N 32715
RRAF 152
Royal Rhodesian Air Force
Photographer: Unknown
Source: Bill Sykes collection
 
3700
13164
Dakota 3700
 
TYPE: C-47A-20-DK
 
C/N 13164
 
Delivery date: 1 May 1944
 
KG 572 RAF Nassau 12 May 1944
ACSEA 18 June 1944
Indian Government 30 January 1947
Scottish Aviation Ltd 2 October 1947
G-AKJH Maharaja of Baroda 1 April 1948
Skyways ltd. 18 May 1950
BEA Edward Hillman 21 November 1950
Pionair 8 May 1951
Leased to WAAC
Derby Aviation Ltd. 17 April 1961
Derby Aviation Ltd. Monsuldale (or Monsildale)
British Midland Airways 1 October 1964
Gregory Air Services 12 April 1965
EI-ARR Leased to Emerald Airways 15 June 1967
C-AKJH Gregory Air Services 5 December 1967
VQ-ZJB Swazi Air 12 August 1968
3D-AAH re-registered April 1977
A2-ZHR Air Botswana (Protea Airways) July 1973
Botswana Air Service, Jan Smuts Airport
ZS-KAT Protea Airways 4 May 1977 via Aviation Equipment
R3700 Rhodesian Air Force 3 Squadron 8 January 1978
26,849 Flying Hours
3700 Air Force of Zimbabwe
 
Information from Bill Sykes
29 August 2009
3702
13865/25310
Dakota 3702
 
TYPE: C-47A-30-DK (Oklahoma City)
 
C/N 13865/25310
 
43-48049
Contract no. AC-40652
 
Delivery date: 10 July 1944
 
KG766 RAF Nassau 24 July 1944
6842 South African Air Force SAAF 12 August 1944
SR-25 Southern Rhodesian Air Force 12 November 1947 (Donated by General Jan Smuts)
RRAF 157 Royal Rhodesian Air Force
RRAF 702 colour scheme VP-YEA 3 Squadron
R3702 Rhodesian Air Force
Shot down 31 may 1977 near Mapai
 
Total hours flown 9522.45
 
Information from Bill Sykes
29 August 2009
 

25310 3702 crash photo from Prop Geldenhuys via Ed Potterton

3702 Shot down during take-off from Mapai on 31 May 1977

Bruce Collocott (16 PTC Pilot Training Course) was killed when shot down by RPG7 during the dusk take-off from Mapai airfield at the end of Op Aztec (the assault on Madulo Pan). The aircraft was flying out captured munitions. It burnt out completely but the despatcher, the co-pilot Jerry Lynch, and the engineer just managed to escape the inferno. Bruce's body could not be recovered till the next morning.

Photograph supplied by Prop Geldenhuys via Ed Potterton

 
 
3707
16198/32946
TYPE: C-47B-30-DK
 
C/N 16198/32946
 
44-76614
 
Contract no. AC-2032
 
Delivery date: 28 March 1945
 
KN471 RAF Montreal 29 March 1945
Middle East 11 April 1945
6963 South African Air Force 27 September 1945
RRAF 707 Royal Rhodesian Air Force in colour scheme of VP-YZP January 1964
R3707 Chaminuka Rhodesian Air Force (Also given serial no. R7307)
Crashed 21 February 1975
 
Total hours flown 5,818.00
 
Information from Bill Sykes
29 August 2009
3708
16390/33138
Dakota 3708
 
TYPE: C-47D-30-DK
 
C/N 16390/33138
 
Delivery date: 25 April 1945
 
KN538 RAF Montreal 1 June 1945
ACSEA (Air Command South East Asia) 18 June 1945
12 MU/UK 16 June 1947
Upper Heyford TC 26 January 1946
IP & GTS 6 July 1949
22 MU 9 November 1950
SAL 20 June 1955
RR158 RRAF 3 November 1955 (2,342 Flying Hours)
RRAF 708 3 Squadron
R3708 Rhodesian Air Force
3708 Air Force of Zimbabwe
 
Information from Bill Sykes
29 August 2009
3711
12049
Dakota 3711
 
TYPE: C-47A-1-DK
 
C/N 12049
 
42-92267
 
Contract no. AC-28405
 
Delivery date: 11 November 1943
 
PL625 RAF Nassau 5 January 1944
West Africa 26 January 1944
6822 South African Air Force 7 February 1944
ZS-BXG South African Airways Piketberg 10 November 1948
6887 SAAF 8 February 1971
44 Squadron October 1972
R3711 Rhodesian Air Force 3 Squadron
3711 Air Force of Zimbabwe
Crashed near Marondera 15 July 1981
 
Total hours flown 27,925.35
 
Information from Bill Sykes
29 August 2009

12049 3711 crash a Ed Potterton

Dakota 3711 17 April 1980

This is the end of the air test to check that the carburettor modifications done to the engines were acceptable after the change to 100LL fuel. This was the last Dak to have been converted, and was the one that gave the most trouble, having done numerous air tests before this one.

The crew were Flt Lt Spider Webb, Air Lt Rob Rogerson, with SAC Frans Fyfer as scribe. According to Fransie, the test on each engine went well, and it had passed at long last. The trouble came when restarting the second engine. Frans was standing between the pilots when he saw hands flashing about and he was told, in graphic terms, to get buckled in. As he did so, they hit the water, and in true Dak fashion, the left hand prop appeared through the fuselage into the area that he had just vacated !!! They all escaped out of the top escape hatch onto the top af the fuselage, and shouted to a local with a boat to hurry up and resue them, which he did, and landed them ashore without them even getting their feet wet, while the Dak slowly slipped from view (photo below).

Photograph taken from the Rhodesia Herald newspaper, supplied by Kevin Milligan through ORAFS Old Rhodesian Air Force Sods 

 

12049 3711 crash b under water Ed Potterton

Photo taken by Air Force of Zimbabwe, supplied by Kevin Milligan through ORAFS Old Rhodesian Air Force Sods

 

12049 3711 crash c 1981 Dakota moves through Salisbury Photo taken from Rhodesia Herald supplied by Kevin Milligan through ORAFS via Ed Potterton

Dakota 3711 passing through Salisbury in 1981 following the accident. It never flew again.

 

7034
16799/33547
Dakota 7034
 
TYPE: C-47B-40-DK
 
C/N 16799/33547
 
44-77215
 
Contract no. AC-2032
 
Delivery date: 25 June 1945
 
KP245 RAF Montreal 27 June 1945
UK 4 July 1945
10 Squadron 18 August 1945
ACSEA 27 September 1945
22 MU/UK 22 December 1947
Brookland Aviation 16 September 1948
8 MU 9 May 1949
SAL 31 May 1955
RRAF Royal Rhodesian Air Force RRAF 154 16 June 1955
704 colour scheme of VP-YZD
R7034 Rhodesian Air Force
7034 Air Force of Zimbabwe
 
Crashed 6 January 1977
 
Total hours flown 9,892.10
 
Information from Bill Sykes
29 August 2009
7036
14494/25939
Dakota 7036
 
TYPE: C-47B-5-DK (VIP Converted Military)
 
C/N 14494/25939
 
Delivery date: 9 September 1944
 
KJ908 RAF Montreal 17 September 1944
Middle East 27 October 1944
6861 South African Air Force 1945
RRAF 706 7 February 1964 (4,904 flying hours)
R7036 Rhodesian Air Force
7036 Air Force of Zimbabwe
Withdrawn from use 21 February 1986
 
Information from Bill Sykes
29 August 2009

25939 VIP Dak 7036 Ed Potterton


Douglas C-47 VIP Dakota No. 7036
Rhodesian Air Force Livery

Photograph: RRAF
 
7039
15903/32651
Dakota 7039
 
TYPE: C-47B-25-DL
 
C/N 15903/32651
 
Delivery date: 9 February 1945
 
KN337 RAF Montreal 12 February 1945
MAAF 21 June 1945
South African Air Force 28 Squadron 28 June 1945
6874 SAAF 4 October 1945
RRAF 709 Royal Rhodesian Air Force 7 February 1964 (4,410.00 flying hours)
R7039 Rhodesian Air Force colour scheme of VP-YZH
7039 Air Force of Zimbabwe
 
Withdrawn from use
 
Information from Bill Sykes
29 August 2009
Stored by Gert de Klerk near Kromdraai, north of Pretoria. Ex SAAF 6874 (1)
-25° 29' 11.19", +28° 16' 21.68"
7053
16011/32759
Dakota 7053
 
TYPE: C-47B-25-DK (Military)
 
C/N 16011/32759
 
Delivery date: 5 March 1945
 
KN385 RAF 8 March 1945
UK 24 March 1945
Azores 26 April 1945
St. Flt. Azores (Lagens) 21 January 1946
St. Evel 10 September 1946
238 Squadron 18 April 1947
TOMSU 19 August 1947
53 Squadron 29 Septemver 1947
Oakington 8 November 1948
8 MU 26 April 1949
RRAF 155 3 Squadron 3 June 1955 (Via Sal)
1,475 flying hours
RRAF 705
R7053 Rhodesian Air Force
6053 Air Force of Zimbabwe
 
Information from Bill Sykes
29 August 2009
7134
14992/26437
Dakota 7134
 
TYPE: C-47B-10-DK (VIP Converted Military)
 
C/N 14992/26437
 
Delivery date: 28 October 1944
 
KJ998 RAF Montreal 28 October 1944
ACSEA 22 February 1945
62 squadron Med ME 25 April 1946
114 Squadron 11 February 1948
Oakington 16 February 1949
12 MU 17 October 1949
G-AMYY BKS Aero Charter 11 April 1953
Aviation Servicing Ltd. 16 May 1953
VP-YKP Central African Airways “Manica” 28 May
Air Rhodesia
Withdrawn from use 1974
R7134 Rhodesian Air Force 3 Squadron 16 April 1974 (VIP) 22,112 flying hours
7134 Air Force of Zimbabwe 3 Squadron (VIP)
 
 
 
Information from Bill Sykes, 29 August 2009

To Gert de Klerk at Wonderboom.
7301
16335/33083
Dakota 7301
 
TYPE: C-47B-30-DK
 
C/N 16335/33083
 
Delivery date: 14 April 1945
 
KN531 RAF Montreal 18 April 1945
300 Wg 26 May 1945
512 Squadron UK 26 March 1946
1333 TSTU 12 December 1946
1382 (T) CU 5 January 1948
240 OGU
22 MU 11 April 1951
G-ANZR Field Aircraft Services 27 May 1953
SN-AAJ Sudan Airways 11 May 1954
ST-AAJ re-registered 1957
VQ-ZBB Bechuanaland National Airways (Pty) Ltd. September
A2-ZBB Botswana National Airways October 1968
Wfu 1972
ZS-IPP Protea Airways November 1972
Rennies Air
Aviation Equipment 1 June 1977
Cancelled 21 June 1977
R7301 Rhodesian Air Force 31 October 1977 3 Squadron
(20,229 flying hours)
7301 Air Force of Zimbabwe
Withdrawn from use 11 February 1981
 
Information from Bill Sykes
29 August 2009
7303
25312/13867
Dakota 7303
 
TYPE: C-47A-30-DK
 
C/N 13867/25312
 
Delivery date: 10 July 1944
 
KG768 RAF Nassau 22 July 1944
6841 South African Air Force 11 August 1944
5 Wg 17 February 1945
15 AD 1954
RRAF703 January 1964 (7,573.00 flying hours)
R7303 Rhodesian Air Force
7303 Air Force of Zimbabwe
 
Hours flown as at 11 June 1991 14,909.15
 
Information from Bill Sykes
29 August 2009

25312 7303 crash 1 Photograph RRAF 20 February 1975 via Ed Potterton

7303 named Chaminuka lies dead on Rushinga runway following an intentional ground loop when the brakes failed
 
28 February 1975
 

Photograph: RRAF

25312 7303 crash 2 Photograph RRAF 20 February 1975 via Ed Potterton

7303 port side showing damage caused by propeller as it entered the cabin.

Photograph: RRAF

25312 7303 crash 3 Photograph RRAF 20 February 1975 via Ed Potterton

7303 interior damage after the port propeller had sliced into the cabin immediately behind the left hand seat.

Photograph: RRAF
 
7310
42978
Dakota 7310
 
TYPE: DC-3D VIP (Converted Military)
 
C/N 42978
 
Delivery date: 1946
 
NC34982 Douglas Aircraft Company
HB-IRC Swissair 15 April 1946
ZS-FRJ Protea Airways may 1946
3D-ABI Swazi Air December 1973
ZS-FRJ Protea Airways 14 May 1977
R7310 Rhodesian Air Force 3 Squadron 27 June 1979 (VIP) 28,682 flying hours)
7310 Air Force of Zimbabwe
 
Withdrawn from use
 
Information from Bill Sykes
29 August 2009
Stored by Gert de Klerk near Kromdraai, north of Pretoria.
-25° 29' 11.19", +28° 16' 21.68"
42978 Air Force of Zimbabwe 7310 Bill Sykes 1
 
 
C/N 42978
7310 Air Force of Zimbabwe
Photographer: Unknown
Source: Bill Sykes collection
 
42978 Air Force of Zimbabwe 7310 Bill Sykes 2
 
C/N 42978
7310 Air Force of Zimbabwe
Photographer: Unknown
Source: Bill Sykes collection
7312
9492
Dakota 7312
 
TYPE: C-47A-30-DL
 
C/N 9492
 
42-23630
 
Contract no. AC-20669
 
Delivery date: 6 May 1943
 
FD874 RAF 19 May 1943
Middle East
6801 South African Air Force 26 June 1943
5 Wing 1945
ZS-DJB South African Airways Simonsberg 4 January 1954
6889 SAAF 44 Squadron 8 February 1971
R7312 Rhodesian Air Force 3 Squadron 21 February 1973
7312 Air Force of Zimbabwe 3 Squadron
Crashed on take off from Chimoio Mozambique 10 July 1986
 
Total hours flown 20,036.55
 
Information from Bill Sykes
29 August 2009
7313
32741/15993
Dakota 7313
 
TYPE: C-47B-25-DK
 
C/N 15993/32741
 
Delivery date: 3 March 1945
 
KN371 RAF Montreal 5 March 1945
300Wg 10 March 1945
UK 14 March 1945
187 Squadron 31 May 1945
1 PTS 10 October 1946
12 Mu 7 December 1950
G-AMPS Eagle Aviation Ltd. “Renown” 4 March 1952
VP-YKN Central African Airways “Mashona” 13 May 1953
7Q-YKN Air Malawi 1966
VP-WCG Air Rhodesia 1968
R7313 Rhodesian Air Force 16 April 1974 (24,920 flying hours)
7313 Air Force of Zimbabwe
Withdrawn from use 25 February 1981
 
Information from Bill Sykes
29 August 2009
 
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