DC3 Dakota

[capney]

First flew on December 17, 1935 this particular DC3 is located at the Yorkshire air museum.
On one of my frequent visits I was speaking to the owner who kindly allowed me to take a look inside. This aircraft is grounded with a damaged engine but is still cared for by the owner.
He was hoping the museum would purchase the aircraft from him.

I hope you enjoy this short tour of this DC3, One of 16,079 built with some 400 still in service.
My memories of my one and only DC3 flight was not so good.
I flew from Changi in Butterworth in Malaysia and I can honestly say it was the worst landing ever.
Sort of bounced and crabbed down the runway..
I have many more pictures from this musuem if you wish for me to post and discuss.

This first picture you will notice the black and white invasion stripes on the wings. These were to aid recognition during the Normandy invasion to help reduce friendly fire incidents


This undercarriage has survived many a bumpy landing on some very rough strips.


A spacious cabin could quickly be converted to perform many duties


The office


Now what happens if I push this?


Wheres that instruction manual !


Can we get radio 2 on this?


Invasion stripes


Powerplant: 2× Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9 series (earliest aircraft) or Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp S1C3G in the C-47 and later civilian aircraft, 1,100 or 1,200 hp max rating, depending upon engine and model (895 kW) each.
Later aircraft were fitted with a variety of engines including some turoprop versions




I hope you have enjoyed our little tour of one of the most important aircraft ever in the history of aviation.

[DAG]

I have enjoyed it very much Robert and I think that you have posted up everything perfectly!

This is the third time I have attempted to answer this thread as we have had 2 power cuts this evening and sitting by candle light for the last hour or so!

I am hoping you will post up more articles like this, I know most of the ladies will not be interested, but I love all the dials, switches and knobs, just my sort of thing........... ;D

Looking forward to more in the future, keep it coming!

[nazimundo]

Really enjoyed that Robert,both the brill photos and the info, like Dag I love all the dials and knobs ;D

Ann and I have been to a few air shows but that was before I got my digital camera, and at most of them you end up taking photos into the light so all you end up with are silhouettes. We were at Fairford when the two Russian jets crashed, we were at the far end of the runway and Johnnie was at the end where they crashed and it looked as though one of them had landed on the car park where he had gone to take our coats back to the car. We have never been so glad to see him.

Alfie

[capney]

For sure, you will never forget that day Alfie.

[DAG]

Oh Alfie, I shudder to think about that!

[kedigato]

That gave me cold shudders, Alfie and Ann. You must have cried tears of joy at seeing him safe and sound after that horrifying sight!

I enjoyed the pics, Robert, even if all those dials, knobs and switches are not my thing. I'd have probably got every one mixed up. ;D

The tires seem to have no tread on them. Are they just worn out old ones or do planes really have no treads on the tires? (Sorry for being so ignorant.)

Many years ago, when Peter was still in the Air Force, he and a group of other soldiers flew to Crete on some manouver (sp?). It was in December and the inside of the transport plane they flew down in, didn't even have the luxury of this one with seats. They sat on the floor wearing almost all of their clothes as the plane didn't even have heat!!!

[capney]

"The tires seem to have no tread on them. Are they just worn out old ones or do planes really have no treads on the tires? (Sorry for being so ignorant.)"

Those tyres are perfectly servicable KG. When you think about it aircraft only have to go fast in a stright line down the runway.
They dont need cornering ability like our cars do. Hence the lack of a lot of tread pattern.
I remeber servicing a Qantus Boeing 707 out in Malaysia with one of the tyres showing canvas cords. I asked the flight engineer who said he was not worried and it do a few more landing yet !

[kedigato]

Thanks for clearing me up on that point, Robert, it makes sense what you say. Never thought of that before though.

Oh, that is frightening, the canvas cords showing through!

[capney]

I shall always remember the crews on those Quantus flights being very good to us.
They would drop us off buckets of ice cream and the latest mags from Australia. Always welcome.

[pete]

Very interesting thread Robert, I heard that all Dakotas are now grounded is that true?

It surely must be one of the longest serving of aircraft, lucky you to get inside and take them pics.

[capney]

As far as I kniow there are still about 600 Daks flying worldwide.
But, the two belonging to Air Atlantique Romeo Alpha and Papa Yankee, the last two passenger-carrying Dakotas in the UK, are being forced into retirement because of - yes, you've guessed it - health and safety rules.

Their owner, Coventry-based Air Atlantique, has reluctantly decided it would be too expensive to fit the required emergency escape slides and weather radar systems required by new European rules for their 65-year-old planes, which served with the RAF during the war.

Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-518349/How-health-safety-rules-grounded-Dakota-war-workhorse.html#ixzz0buFirvOJ