strange DC-3

The Basler BT-67 which received civil registration PR-MGF after being sold to Brazil was later re-registered as PR-MSY in 2007 and reverted back to the civil registration ZS-ASN for a second time in 2008 after returning to South African service. It was involved in a landing incident while returning to Lanseria International Airport after a training flight in February 2022.  

https://www.aviationwa.org.au/20171112_zs-asn_david_eyre-3/

https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/276859

RE: strange DC-3

Looks to me like this aircraft is used for geophysical survey work. There is lots of mineral exploration these days in Brazil, and airborne surveys are a key tool in that work. Sensors are used to measure various things. For example, the tail boom is likely used to measure magnetic anomalies, using technology much like that used in coastal patrol aircraft like the Orion or Nimrod. Not really sure what the others would be for, but as a geologist, that’s my educated guess.

RE: strange DC-3

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 12-08-02 AT 04:32 PM (GMT)]If the serial is correct – and it looks a bit dubious – this aircraft is actually a BT76 conversion on DC3 c/n 33581

The history of that aircraft up to 1982 is below. Later in life it seems to have been used as a survey aircraft, so I think we can assume the probes at front and rear are something to do with that role.

Moggy

16833/33581 44-77249 D30Jun45 – KP279 RAF Montreal 02Jul45 – UK
01Feb46 – 46 Sq 16May46 1333 (T)CU 11Dec46 – 1382 (T)CU 07Jan48 –
240 OCU 05Jan48 – St 28Aug48 – 27 Sq 02Mar50 – 8MU 08Nov50 – G-AMNV
BEA “Sir Eric Geddes” R16Jan52 – Tyne Tees Air Charter Ltd R20Jun62
EC-ATM TASSA L 27Nov62 to 02Nov63 – SE-EDI Swedair 05Jan65 – G-AMNV
Autair Intl Ltd R19Feb65 – 6V-AAM Air Scnegal R15Jul65 ntu G-AMNV
Autair Ltd R29Oct65 – VQ-ZEA Bechuanaland Natl A/W R11Nov65 – A2-ZEA
Rr Aug68 – ZS-FKI Protea AAV – Natl Process Air R Dec68 – ZS-NPI Rr
Nov69 – ZS-ASN Acft Operating Co Surveys Ltd R Feb73 – AOC Surveys
Consultants Ltd, Lanseria (1980) – A2-ADL Ae Survey Botswana,
Gaberone, RFeb82.

Then I found

77249 (c/n 33581) to RAF as KP279. To civil registry as G-AMNV, then 6V-AAW, then VQ-ZEA, then ZS-FKI, then ZS-NPI, then ZS-ASN, then A2-ADL, then ZS-ASN again, then PT-XWE, then ZS-ASN for a third time. Converted by Basler to a turboprop variant. Now registered in Brazil as PR-MGF.

RE: strange DC-3

This looks like a Bazler turboprop converstion of the good old DC3, quite a few have been converted in this way by adding two PT6s and general overhaul of systems and airframe.

As for the stuff hanging on the aircraft, I guess it is some kind of environmental data gathering equipment. It is definatly not spraying or cropdusting gear.

Hope this helps,
Galdri

RE: strange DC-3

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 12-08-02 AT 10:56 AM (GMT)]Well the turbo trops are the early 90s modification, and it looks like some type of crop duster.

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