RAF Transport Command Memorial – Airworthy Dakota?

re;

has ZA947 been used for dropping paratroopers at recent events or was that a civvie one?

I thought the BBMF Dakota was was a memorial? It has been painted as
such for most of its service with the flight.
mmitch.

Yes it is, but it’s a military aircraft and not available for public charter flights

I thought the BBMF Dakota was was a memorial? It has been painted as
such for most of its service with the flight.
mmitch.

Pure speculation based on co-incidence, but p.15 of ‘Aviation News’ Jan ’13 edition reports the C-47 Skytrain N308SF is bound for the UK, acquired by by Charlie Walker.

I thought about that one also, but that is a genuine D-Day veteran and they plan to repaint it in its original USAAF D-Day colours and nothing to do with RAF Transport Command. The only aircraft that comes to mind is Atlantique Classic Flight’s DC-3 which I believe will comply with the new CAA regulations.

isn’t the idea to charter a Dakota for a special flight?

Not from reading the blurb on thir Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/RafTransportCommandMemorial?ref=ts&fref=ts

If you search the internet you will find many discussions about how EASA and the Europeans have stopped aeroplanes like the DC-3 flying fare paying passengers. This isn’t strictly true. The UK CAA have a very sensible view on the operation of such aircraft, allowing dispensations for certain operations, as long as you can prove that safety is not compromised by such dispensation.
I have spoken with the CAA and this project is certaily far from impossible. The great fanfare in 2008 of the end of DC-3 passenger flights was based on the new EASA rules written for modern airliners stating any aircraft over 19 seats must have various safety related equipment fitted. In fact, at the time this was a brand new legislation, now the CAA and EASA have found their feet and this was never intended to stop vintage aircraft flying. Having moved away from passenger flying, other operators have found the commercial market more profitable.
This project is aimed at getting a DC-3/Dakota/C-47/Skytrain (to give some of its names) airworthy and certified to fly passengers, as a permanent memorial to RAF Transport Command.
A major aim of this project, aside from keeping the memorial, is to offer Veterans FREE travel aboard the aircraft back to Normnady in 2014 for the 70th anniversary and Holland for the 70th Anniversary of Market Garden.

re;

isn’t the idea to charter a Dakota for a special flight?

Private concern, then? No involvement directly by the RAF?

According to the page, they haven’t acquired one yet but are looking at options

Pure speculation based on co-incidence, but p.15 of ‘Aviation News’ Jan ’13 edition, and ‘FlyPast’ p.14 Jan ’13 edition, reports that C-47 Skytrain N308SF is bound for the UK, acquired by by Charlie Walker of Wiltshire. Those sources state that it started life as 42-100521, served with 79th TCS, taking part in Operations Market Garden and Dragoon. No RAF service. Back to US as N65384 and N48V, with Northeast amongst others. With French AF 1962-1985, then back to the USA as N308SF. C/no. 18984. Recent restoration work in the USA undertaken by Yesterday’s Wings, Arkansas, is now currently at Punta Gorda, Florida, to fly to the UK this summer.

Sounds like a good way to loose a boat load of money!