Douglas DC-3 (CC-129) Dakota

The Douglas CC-129 Dakota was perhaps the most successful Aircraft of all time. It was acquired by the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) in early 1943 and served until finally retiring in 1988! Unofficially, the Aircraft was known as the "Gooney Bird" to the Americans but was always affectionately called the "Dak" by Canadian airmen.
CF Photo

The longest serving Aircraft in the RCAF/CF, the "Dak" entered service in 1943 and some continued to fly until January, 1990. In June, 1970 the Dakotas were redesignated as CC-129 and the remaining fleet of 71 was reserialled causing the Aircraft originally delivered as 42-23971, known to the RCAF as 659 suddenly became 12940 (or just 940). The Aircraft displays the Air Force's first United Nations paint scheme used during UNEF I in the Sinai from 1956-1967.
CF Photo

One of the most widely produced Aircraft in the world, the Dakota has served the Canadian Air Force from the Second World War until its retirement in 1989. In Canadian service, the "Dak" was used for transportation of troops and supplies, navigation training, search-and-rescue and training CF-104 pilots to use the CF-104's radar. This example entered service in 1945 with 437 Squadron and is painted in wartime camouflage with D-Day invasion stripes.
CF Photo

Photographed over an European airfield this Freighter and Dakota in all likelihood belonged to 137 Transport Flight which was formed at RCAF Lachine (Dorval), Quebec on 1 August, 1952 and transferred to 1 Air Division as a component of 30 Air Material Base at RAF Langar, England on 20 October, 1952. The flight was tasked with transporting personnel and supplies as well as dis-assembled Aircraft, and with ferrying Aircraft to and from overhaul and rebuild facilities in England. The flight was also tasked to test fly Aircraft that had been so refitted. The unit had on its strength six Bristol 170 Mk.31M Freighters, one Dakota (662), and two Dakota Mk. IIIs (KG441 and KG455).
CF Photo

By means of deduction this photograph was taken somewhere over Alberta where all of these aicraft were based during a single period in service with the Canadian Armed Forces, the Tutor and T-33 operating out of CFB Cold Lake where they were used in conjunction with the fighter squadrons there, while the Hercules and Dakota were based out of CFB Edmonton in Search and Rescue and transport roles.
CF Photo

The "Dak" first flew in 1935 and still remains in service today in many smaller airlines! In the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force), the "Dak" performed well in a variety of roles such as towing gliders, dropping cargo and paratroopers, and training CF-104 Starfighter pilots to navigate.
CF Photo