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C-47TP - Turbo DAK E-mail
Written by Anton Dyason - IPMS SA Media Group   
Friday, 03 May 2002
Page 1 of 2

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By A. Dyason and P.Cater, Top photo C. Hugo. Original article - L. Vosloo.

For several decades, the SAAF was the largest user of the C-47 Dakota, with 50 aircraft on strength. The Arms Embargo caused inability to source a suitable replacement and increasing costs to operate the C-47 - resulted in SAAF establishing ‘Project Felstone’ to upgrade their fleet. This project effectively gave the SAAF a new aircraft in the medium transport role.

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Example of an early SAAF Dakota.
To the SAAF such a project meant the highest quality product at the lowest price. To cut costs the project was administered by the SAAF's engineering department and this resulted in huge savings. Although the local industry had its usual input, the SAAF made use of it's own technical capability to complete the project. Apart from the aircraft a number of support arrangements (such as a dedicated computer based asset control network) were developed. In order to enable the upgrade to turbine power, the SAAF established two production lines - one at AFB Swartkop (Snake Valley), Pretoria and the other at AFB Ysterplaat, Cape Town. The first mention of a upgraded engine on a SAAF C-47 appeared in 1988. At the time, the reports were cited as 'mere rumours'. Some suggest at least one aircraft appeared in the "Border War" area. This could have been part of a feasibility study. The first C-47TP "TurboDak" serial number 6835, was unveiled at Swartkops Air Force Base on 26 August '91. This aircraft took four years to complete. But the first aircraft to be publicly unveiled was the first Ysterplaat example, 6858 in a three-tone sky camouflage, on 19 October 1991. The conversion programme at Ysterplaat started on 15 February 1991. The first aircraft re-entered service in 1992, and the initial project was completed by 1997. However, the fleet has been constantly refined and updated over the years. The latest version being a dedicated EW platform. 

 
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Fuselage plug.
Central to the upgrade is the fitment of the new; light weight Pratt & Whitney PT-6A turbines. These engines replace the old Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasps. The new turbines use less fuel, are very quiet in operation, while offering a significant increase in power output. The turbines are housed in new composite cowlings, which significantly reduce drag. Old props have been replaced by a new 5 blade Hartzell prop. The lighter powerplant causes a shift in the centre of gravity and to counter this effect the fuselage is extended by a 1.02m fuselage plug. The airframe also received a complete overhaul at the same time it was extended. Two additional fuselage windows are fitted which brings the windows to eight on the port side and nine on the starboard side. However, some TpDaks are fitted with a different arrangement. The front cockpit windows were replaced by a single pane window for improved forward visibility. Modifications were made to the elevators, ailerons and rudder. More power output and a longer fuselage, means a heavier payload, which necessitates a new strengthened cargo floor. The cockpit received modern instrumentation and communication equipment.
 
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Composite engine cowling.

Newer insulation, heating and pressurization equipment. Electric windscreen wipers and a new fire-extinguising system also formed part of the upgrade. Pilots describe the TP-Dak as a major improvement over the old Dakota. The new aircraft is far faster, getting in the air in record time, while offering far easier in-flight handling with excellent fuel economy.


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