Warplanes of the UK: Douglas C-47 Dakota and Skytrain

Douglas C-47 Dakota and Skytrains preserved in the United Kingdom

The aim of this website is to locate, identify and document Warplanes from the Second World War preserved in the United Kingdom.  Many contributors have assisted in the hunt for these aircraft to provide and update the data on this website.  Photos are by the author unless otherwise credited.  Any errors found here are by the author, and any additions, corrections or amendments to this list of Warplane Survivors of the Second World War in the United Kingdom would be most welcome and may be e-mailed to the author at hskaarup@rogers.com.

(Carlos Menendez San Juan Photo)

(Alan Wilson Photo)

(Cpl Phil Major (RAF)/MOD Photo)

(Aldo Bidini Photos)

Douglas Dakota (Serial No. ZA947), built at Long Beach, California in March 1942, was issued to the US Army Air Forces and later transferred to the RCAF where she served until 1971.  The aircraft was purchased by the Royal Aircraft Establishment before being issued to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Coningsby, in March 1993.  She is equipped with authentic period 'para seats' and is used in commemorative parachute drops.

Douglas Dakota Mk. IV (Serial No. KN645), Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, Shifnal, Shropshire.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain USAAF (Serial No. 42-100521), formerly of the 79th Troop Carrier Squadron, 436th Troop Carrier Group that flew with the USAAF from Membury airfield (Station 466) during the Second World War.  The aircraft, christened “Night Fright” took part in all the Airborne missions in Europe during the war, dropping paratroopers, towing gliders, evacuating wounded and flying tons of much needed supplies to the front line.   Once completed, the aircraft will be a flying memorial to those men and women who served as part of Troop Carrier Command.  Currently at Coventry in Warwickshire, it will be based at Membury.

(Alan Wilson Photos)

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (Serial No. 43-15509), ex-Spanish Air Force Serial No. T.3-29, Imperial War Museum, Duxford.

Douglas C-54Q Skymaster (Serial No. 56498), built in 1944 in Chicago, served with both the USN and USMC during the Second World War, in Korea and in Vietnam.  C-54 Skymaster Society, North Weald, Essex.  There are plans for this aircraft to be restored to airworthy status.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4233648)

Wounded being evacuated by Douglas Dakota, from the Royal Air Force's No. 1680 Transport Flight, Normandy 1944.

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