The C-47 was one of the most successful aircraft ever, praised by General Eisenhower as one of the most important instruments of victory in WWII. Largely a military version of the highly successful Douglas DC-3 passenger aircraft, the C-47 Dakota carried supplies, airborne troops, and other personnel in all of the theaters of conflict in WWII. It was used as a troop transport and glider tug during the invasion of Europe and it kept the Allied forces in China supplied by carrying supplies "Over the Hump" of the Himalaya Mountains lying astride the India to China route. More than 13,300 of the DC-3s in all its forms were built, including Japanese and Soviet licensed aircraft. Although it first flew in 1941, many are still being used today. It last saw action in the Vietnam War as a gunship called "Puff the Magic Dragon", firing machine guns and cannons from it's windows for enemy troop suppression.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a RAF Dakota Mk.III troop transport that participated in The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 15-3/4-inches
Length: 10-3/4-inches

Release Date: August 2017

Historical Account: "Quit Your Bitchin'" - As one of the most popular Airshow performers on the UK Airshow circuit, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight have operated a Douglas C-47 Dakota since being presented with ZA947 in March 1993. Continually being renovated to as authentic a wartime condition as possible, the Dakota allows the Flight's Lancaster pilots to obtain multi-engined tail wheel conversion and currency training, essential in the continued operation of their much loved aircraft. More than this, the Dakota has become a sought after display aircraft in her own right and is a regular sight at UK Airshows, performing by herself, or with a BBMF Spitfire or Hurricane on each wingtip. The aircraft is currently presented as Dakota FZ692 'KWICHERBICHIN' of RAF No.233 Squadron, which flew numerous flights in support of the D-Day landings, Operation Market Garden and the Rhine crossing. Operating from her base at RAF Blakehill Farm, near Swindon, FZ692 delivered paratroopers and supplies in support of the Allied invasion of Europe, before transferring to forward operating airfields in France as they became available. Once troops and supplies had been delivered, the aircraft would be used to transfer casualties back to the UK to receive the medical attention they could not obtain in the field. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's Douglas C-47 Dakota is a fitting tribute to the work of this magnificent aircraft and the unsung heroes of the RAF's transport squadrons.