Douglas DC-3/C-47 Dakota

NZ3544 / ZK-BQK

The Douglas DC-3 was one of the most noteworthy aircraft ever built. It probably did more than any other plane to introduce a whole new segment of the population to air travel and establish air transportation as a normal way of travelling. Service with the DC-3 began in September 1936. By 1939, 90% of the world's airline traffic was being carried by these aircraft.

The C-47 or ‘Dakota’ was a military version of the DC-3.  It had a navigator’s dome and was equipped to carry heavy cargo with a large loading door and a reinforced floor. The RNZAF had 49 Dakotas, which were charged with transporting aircrew, ground staff, mail and urgent freight within New Zealand and the Pacific.

MOTAT’s DC-3 was manufactured as a C-47 Dakota in 1945.  It then served with the RNZAF as NZ3544 with Nos. 40 and 41 (Transport) Squadrons until April 1952 when it was damaged in an accident. It was withdrawn and bought by NAC as a fuselage and miscellaneous parts.  In 1956, it was registered and converted to a DC-3 for passenger services. Named ‘Koreke’, it entered service in October 1957 and in 1963 was converted to Skyliner status (larger windows, better soundproofing and a modernised interior) and renamed 'New Plymouth'.  It was withdrawn by NAC and leased to Polynesian Airlines in Samoa 1970 to 1973. 

MOTAT’s Dakota flying over West Coast Auckland in 1949.

Leo White Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library.

Date: 1945

Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Company Inc., Oklahoma City

Type: Twin-engined commercial or military transport

Wing span: 28.9 m

Length: 19.63 m

Engine: Two Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp R-1830-S1C3G 14-cylinder radial engines

Accommodation: Five crew and 20 passengers or equivalent freight (as C-47) or two pilots, one hostess and 26 passengers

 MOTAT’s DC-3 in its NAC livery, as ZK-BQK.

Walsh Memorial Library collection, MOTAT.

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