This particular aircraft (c/n 26480, s/n 43-49219) was manufactured as a C-47B by Douglas Aircraft, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and delivered to the USAAF on October 30, 1944. During World War 2 it served with various USAAF Units and Squadrons in the Continental United States before being converted to a C-47D on June 30, 1946. During the Korean war it was based in Japan before being transferred to the Philippines and then back to Japan (for a full USAF operational record click here). Following decommissioning in April 1959 it was registered as PI-C486 and used by the Philippines Airlines on their first international service from Manila to Hong Kong. It was then sold to PATAIR in New Guinea before appearing on the Australian register 1970 as VH-PNM flying for Bush Pilot Airlines and Queensland Airlines. In 1983 it was retired to the Mackay Air Museum, reregistered VH-SBT and flew as "Gooney Bird Tours" in Northern Queensland before being retired as a static exhibit.

Finally, in 1987, it was purchased by a New Zealand Warbird's group, reregistered ZK-DAK and underwent an extensive rebuild. For many years the aircraft was painted in the colour scheme used by the RAF and other allied air forces during the invasion of Normandy and at Arnheim during World War II. It was olive green on upper surfaces and eggshell blue below. The black and white stripes around the inboard wing and rear fuselage were for identification purposes during the Normandy invasion and were carried by all allied aircraft. The aircraft markings chosen were those of a 48 squadron RAF C-47 flown by New Zealander, Squadron Leader Rex Daniell, DFC, AFC and Netherlands Flying Cross. He flew the original aircraft on D-day and over Arnheim, and later, the Rhine crossing. Squadron Leader Daniell was awarded his DFC for action over Arnheim in the Dakota in 1944.

Photo by Craig Brankin

A new paint job revealed a new colour scheme in 2007 and the aircraft now represents NZ3546 from No.42 Squadron at the time of its retirement from RNZAF service in 1977. NZ3546 (c/n 16565/33313, USAAF serial 44-76981) was taken on charge in June 1945. The aircraft was initially assigned to No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai and was used to fly the New Zealand contingent to Japan to witness surrender ceremonies in September 1945. Following this, it was transferred to No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai, before being struck of in July 1952 and being transferred to the National Airways Corporation (NAC) as ZK-AWQ - "Patarai" - later in the month. April 1961 saw ZK-AWQ become NZ3546 once more as it returned to the RNZAF, this time with No.42 Squadron. Along with NZ3551, NZ3546 was one of the last two DC-3s in RNZAF service and took part in the final RNZAF DC3 flypast on November 12, 1977. Sold by tender a year later, the aircraft reclaimed its civil registration of ZK-AWQ before being sold overseas in 1980. Currently it is believed to be based at Wonderboon, South Africa as ZS-OJL and (at the time of writing) is reported to be in the process of an overhaul and the installation of turboprop engines.