The Douglas Aircraft Corporation DC-3/C-47 (designated CC-129 Dakota by the RCAF) was built in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The venerable Dakota (sometimes nicknamed Gooney Birds and Daks) were designed by Arthur Raymond with help from Jack Northrop, who created the aircraft’s cantilever multicellular wings. The Dakota also used a new aluminum alloy that has just been invented by Alcad. The first DC-3 took off on December 17, 1935, in Santa Monica, California.

Dakotas were trustworthy transports that could deliver goods or soldiers and paratroopers wherever needed. Their finest moments came in Burma, where they played an enormous role in resupplying the British Army. Dakota 12963 had a long and distinguished career before arriving at the National Air Force Museum in 1989 when the fleet was retired.

In January 1944, the aircraft was delivered to the Royal Air Force (RAF) and given the serial number FZ658. While with the RAF, it served with 512 Squadron (Broadwell) and 48 Squadron (Down Ampney). On the night of June 5, 1944, FZ658 was one of 32 Dakotas from 512 Squadron to drop paratroopers of the 6th Airborne Division behind enemy lines in Normandy for Operation Tonga (part of the larger Operation Overlord and D Day landings).

In September 1945, FZ658 was tasked for use in India, with the RCAF’s 435 and 436 Squadrons. Like many other Dakotas, its job was to transport supplies and troops from India to the British Army in Burma during the war in the Pacific. When the war ended, it was the last Canadian aircraft to leave Burma. It returned to England with 435 Squadron and in 1946 it was officially transferred to 436 Squadron the RCAF fleet. Because of this, the Museum’s DC-3 was repainted in the “Canucks
Unlimited” Burma colours.