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| Keywords: RNZAF DC-3.jpg en Douglas C-47B Dakota NZ3551 Manufacturer's no 16963 ex-USAAF 45-960 No 40 Squadron and later No 41 Squadron operated C-47B transport aircraft from 1943 in support of RNZAF operations in the South and South-West Pacific theatres The C-47 remained in RNZAF service until 1977 It was replaced in its transport role in 1951-52 by the Bristol Freighters and Handley Page Hastings The RNZAF retained two C-47s for VIP transport with No 42 Squadron during the Royal Tour of 1953-54 and subsequently four ex-National Airways Corporation DC-3s originally RNZAF C-47s were obtained for general duties including drogue-towing and parachute training Manufactured in July 1945 NZ3551 was delivered by the RNZAF Pacific Ferry from California to No 1 Aircraft Storage Unit Hamilton and brought on charge on 14 August 1945 It was allocated to No 40 Squadron on 29 August 1945 and then in October to No 41 Squadron With No 41 Squadron it made many flights to Japan in support of J-Force On 17 April 1953 it went into service with No 42 Squadron However this was short-lived as the aircraft was transferred to De Havilland Ltd Rongotai for conversion to the flagship of the Royal Flight On the 13 November 1953 it was returned to No 42 Squadron at Ohakea as a VIP aircraft In its VIP role it was well known as it carried Royalty Governors- General Prime Ministers Ministers of the Crown and visiting dignitaries on its various flights around the country Records show that the aircraft operated with either No 41 or No 42 Squadrons for a continuous period in excess of 32 years The aircraft was retired from operational flying in late 1977 and flown to Wigram for display in the Museum NZ3551 is displayed in the Aircraft Hall exactly as it was when it left VIP service in 1977 2015-06-29 14 09 03 https //www flickr com/photos/volvob12b/19486019039/ Bernard Spragg NZ other versions cc-zero Bernard Spragg https //flickr com/photos/88123769 N02/19486019039 2016-12-04 19 31 18 cc-zero Royal New Zealand Air Force | ||||
