Douglas Dakota

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain, known as the Dakota in the UK, needs no introduction. One of the most famous aircraft of the Second World War, it was the workhorse of the Allied nations and formed the backbone of the airborne invasion during D-Day. Developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner, the C-47 differed through the installation of a cargo door, a strengthened floor, and an astrodome in the cockpit for navigation. Following its first flight in December 1941, 10,714 C-47s were produced in total. 

The RAF received over 1,900 Dakotas during the Second World War, the first of which arrived in 1942 and was immediately entered into service in India. The Dakota officially left RAF service in 1970; however, a single ex-RCAF example was operated by the RAE at Farnborough until 1993. This aircraft is now operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) as a flying memorial. Returning to the squadron following a period of heavy maintenance this year, the BBMF’s Dakota has now been repainted to represent an aircraft flown in the Far East. 

Whilst their iconic Lancaster is undergoing major maintenance and will not be displaying this year, the BBMF will instead be providing their newly repainted Dakota to display at RIAT26. Joining it will be one aircraft from each of their Spitfire and Hurricane fleets. 

Photo Credit: Fred Taylor