C-47 Dakota

The Douglas DC-3 was the modern airliner of the 1930s and 40s, carrying passengers in great comfort. It was fast, had good range, and was very reliable. The C-47 Dakota was a military version of the DC-3 built for use in World War II. Over 10,000 C-47 Dakotas were built. They had many uses including dropping paratroops and supplies, evacuating the wounded, troop transportation, and glider towing. Dakota FZ692 was delivered to the Royal Air Force in February 1943 and was then transferred to the 437 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force when it was formed in Blake Hill Farm UK in September 1943. After the war, it was operated by the Canadian Armed Forces where it served with 424 Squadron for Search & Rescue at CFB Trenton. After it was retired from service by the Canadian Armed Forces in 1973, the aircraft ended up with Environment Canada where it was used for mineral and environmental surveys. It was donated to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in May 2014. Dakota FZ692 has been restored to the paint scheme it would have worn at the end of the Second World War II with 437 Squadron RCAF. FZ692 flew 208 operational trips with 437 Squadron and 16 with 233 Squadron for a total of 224. It ended up flying hundreds of individual legs between airfields in Europe. FZ692 participated in two major airborne operations, Normandy and the Rhine Crossing. It carried 298 casualties to medical aid and repatriated 456 prisoners of war. It carried over 5,100 passengers to destinations around Europe and carried over two hundred tons of freight (187954 kg).