Arriving at the Museum of Military History in Saxonworld, Johannesburg, on Sunday 5th April was the latest winged exhibit, this in the form of a Douglas C-47 Dakota. Built in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA and unfortunately the serial/construction number have been removed form the construction plate located in the cockpit. The Dak ‘6850’ has until recently been ‘hung’ in the entertainment centre at Emperors Palace near OR Tambo Airport and was used as an internet café. The interior was refitted to house the computer equipment along with a fire prevention sprinkler system, which extends the length of the fuselage and the span of the wings.

’6850’ has been donated to the museum by Fernando Berreiro and is reportedly worth around 1 Million Rand. This Dakota had seen service with the SAAF and in its later days served in the Border War conflict and is currently fitted with the anti-Strella missile exhaust shrouds. It may have been used for photo reconnaissance and has some unusual antennae fitted. ‘6850’ is devoid of National Markings except for the serial 50 aft of the cargo door on the port side as was the style of the time. It spent its post SAAF days at the Air Force Museum AFB Swartkops from where it was purchased.

The Dakota was towed on Sunday 5 April 2009 from near OR Tambo Airport by road, a not uneventful trip, getting stuck on the off ramp at Oxford Road, and then a portion of the museum wall had to be removed to allow for access into the museum grounds. Restoration will take the Museum staff around a year, when 6850 will then take its place as the latest winged exhibit.

All photos: C. Burgess. Photo Manipulation: A. Dyason 

  Gallery Opens in New Window. Gallery registration required. Registration is free.