The years slide by
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's 'D-Day' Invasion striped Douglas Dakota ZA947 slides by below us as she passes Beachy Head on her way back to base.
Originally used by the USAAF, she was transferred to the RCAF, then when in 1971, surplus to requirements she was acqulred by the MoD and allocated KG661 based on the '661' she used in Canadian service.
However, research proved that the original KG661 had actually been destroyed so she became ZA947 and was allocated to the Royal Aircraft Establishment for experimental test and support duties being painted in their lovely red, white and blue 'Raspberry Ripple' colours.
Eventually she passed to the BBMF where she is used not only for display purposes but as a multi-engined 'taildragger' - ideal for crew training before moving onto the BBMF's Lancaster PA474.
DSC01948
The years slide by
The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's 'D-Day' Invasion striped Douglas Dakota ZA947 slides by below us as she passes Beachy Head on her way back to base.
Originally used by the USAAF, she was transferred to the RCAF, then when in 1971, surplus to requirements she was acqulred by the MoD and allocated KG661 based on the '661' she used in Canadian service.
However, research proved that the original KG661 had actually been destroyed so she became ZA947 and was allocated to the Royal Aircraft Establishment for experimental test and support duties being painted in their lovely red, white and blue 'Raspberry Ripple' colours.
Eventually she passed to the BBMF where she is used not only for display purposes but as a multi-engined 'taildragger' - ideal for crew training before moving onto the BBMF's Lancaster PA474.
DSC01948