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SAAF C-47TP (Photo Bob Adams (CC BY-SA 2.0)) 2

After an extraordinary 81 years of dedicated service, the South African Air Force (SAAF) is retiring its fleet of Douglas C-47 Dakotas.  These aircraft, known for their robustness and versatility, have been a mainstay of South African military aviation since 1943. The SAAF was the last military operator of the C-47, meaning the type is now officially retired from military service after an 8-decade career.

The Douglas C-47 Dakota, the military version of the DC-3, first flew on 23 December 1941 and was used extensively during World War II. The aircraft’s durability and adaptability made it invaluable for various missions, including troop transport, medical evacuation, and cargo delivery. The SAAF received its first C-47s in 1943, and these planes played a significant role in the Border War from 1966 to 1989, supporting operations in Namibia and Angola.

The C-47 Dakota had a distinguished career with the SAAF. Initially used during World War II, the aircraft were instrumental in post-war military and humanitarian operations. The fleet was modernized in the early 1990s under Project Felstone, converting many Dakotas to the C-47TP “TurboDak” configuration, equipped with turboprop engines and updated avionics. These modifications extended the operational life of the aircraft, allowing them to perform maritime surveillance, transport, and search-and-rescue missions.

Despite their storied history, the remaining C-47TPs in the SAAF have faced significant maintenance challenges. The lack of manufacturer support and difficulty in finding qualified maintenance providers led to the grounding of the fleet for the past two years. Armscor, South Africa’s arms procurement agency, made several attempts to secure maintenance contracts since 2018, but these efforts were unsuccessful.

SAAF C-47TP 6840 (Photo Asylumkid (CC BY-SA 2.0))

The final decision to retire the fleet was communicated to No 35 Squadron at Air Force Base Ysterplaat. This squadron, responsible for the remaining Dakotas, will likely transition to other aircraft platforms to maintain operational capabilities. The exact timeline for the withdrawal and disposal of the C-47TPs remains uncertain, but their retirement marks the end of a remarkable chapter in South African aviation history.

The C-47 Dakota’s retirement is a significant moment, reflecting on its long-standing contribution to the SAAF. While the fleet’s grounding and the challenges faced in maintaining such vintage aircraft are notable, the Dakota’s legacy endures as a symbol of resilience and adaptability. The SAAF is now looking towards modernizing its fleet to continue its vital maritime surveillance and transport missions.

Sources :

• https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/45848/south-africas-c-47-dakotas-set-for-retirement-after-80-years-of-service)
• https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/fact-file-douglas-c47tp-dakota/)
• https://www.africandefence.net/why-the-south-african-air-forces-c-47tps-were-grounded-and-why-it-matters
• https://vintageaviationnews.com/warbirds-news/end-of-an-era-south-africa-bids-farewell-to-the-c-47-dakota-after-81-years-of-service.html

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The C-47 “Blue Bonnet Belle” of the Commemorative Air Force’s Highland Lakes Squadron has been destroyed in an accident as the aircraft was departing for Oshkosh. Of the 13 people on board at the time of the crash, 7 were injured, including one with significant burn injuries who was airlifted to the hospital. The aircraft was totally destroyed in the fire that followed the take-off accident.

The C-47 Blue Bonnet Belle N47HL (Photo D. Miller (CC BY 2.0))

https://www.facebook.com/mattgallagher20/posts/10156341282861531

Sources:

• CBS Austin
• KXAN

* Some sources indicate that 14 people were on board “Blue Bonnet Belle”.

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The Douglas C-47A Skytrain “That’s All, Brother”, the aircraft that led the aerial invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, has flown again. The aircraft, whose unique history had somewhat been forgotten, hadn’t flown in nearly a decade and was scheduled to be converted to a turboprop by Basler Turbo Conversions in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The Commemorative Air Force discovered the aircraft and decided to restore it to airworthiness under its original specifications.

The first flight was made on January 31st, and was followed by two other test flights. Doug Rozendaal and Tom Travis were at the controls.

More information on the first post-restoration flight of this unique historical aircraft can be found on these websites:

• That’s All, Brother Facebook page
• Warbirds News
• Flying Mag

Continue reading]]> The wreckage of a lend-lease Soviet C-47 Dakota was recently discovered in Siberia, in a remarkable state of preservation. Aside from some damage due to the crash, most of the aircraft seems to be in good condition.

The aircraft, a C-47-DL with c/n 9118, was turned over to the Soviet Union in February 1943 and was used for ice reconnaissance by the Office of Polar Aviation. Later in 1943 and 1944, it was used for exploration and reconnaissance in the Kara Sea. In 1945, it was sent to the Chukotka Polar Air Arm.

The aircraft crashed on 13 April 1947 north of the village of Volochanka, in the Taymyr Peninsula. The cause of the crash was the failure of the left engine. After 20 days, 28 survivors were rescued, but another 7, who had left to find help, were never seen again.

Photos of the wreck can be found on the WW2 in colour blog.