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Description

A hypothetical hybrid livery for a C-47/DC-3 restoration project. With a lengthy history in its airframe, it began its life in 1944 at Douglas’ facilities in Oklahoma City as serial number 12253, soon being transferred to the RAF, passing through Dorval. It transported paratroopers as part of the DDay invasion, participated in Market Garden and the closing stages of World War 2, as FZ668 in 271 Squadron.

After the war, the C-47 was converted to a civilian DC-3 by Canadair at Cartierville, serving with Trans-Canada Air Lines (the precursor of Air Canada) for several years as CF-TER. CF-DTD sees the day after the aircraft is acquired by the Canadian Department of Transport, where it served until the 1980s.

The livery combines the C-FDTD white with red striping on the inner portions of the fuselage, wing and engines. The invasion stripes mark the transition from the civilian livery to its wartime colours. The outer wings and tail retain the RAF olive drab with fin flash. The appropriate RAF roundels for a wartime Dakota are present in the form of Type B for the wing top and Type C for the tail. In 1944, 271 Sqn had L7 and YS as squadron codes, but my research could not determine which of the two was in use on June 6th, 1944. The “C” is a personal touch, as again, the lack of a registry or pictures cannot confirm that FZ668 was the 3rd aircraft of the squadron on that day.

As a project, it is fascinating to contribute to something that has a local attachment, and an aircraft that I saw sitting on the tarmac on a few occasions when I passed by.

More info can be found at: planesavers.com/

Description

A hypothetical hybrid livery for a C-47/DC-3 restoration project. With a lengthy history in its airframe, it began its life in 1944 at Douglas’ facilities in Oklahoma City as serial number 12253, soon being transferred to the RAF, passing through Dorval. It transported paratroopers as part of the DDay invasion, participated in Market Garden and the closing stages of World War 2, as FZ668 in 271 Squadron.

After the war, the C-47 was converted to a civilian DC-3 by Canadair at Cartierville, serving with Trans-Canada Air Lines (the precursor of Air Canada) for several years as CF-TER. CF-DTD sees the day after the aircraft is acquired by the Canadian Department of Transport, where it served until the 1980s.

The livery combines the C-FDTD white with red striping on the inner portions of the fuselage, wing and engines. The invasion stripes mark the transition from the civilian livery to its wartime colours. The outer wings and tail retain the RAF olive drab with fin flash. The appropriate RAF roundels for a wartime Dakota are present in the form of Type B for the wing top and Type C for the tail. In 1944, 271 Sqn had L7 and YS as squadron codes, but my research could not determine which of the two was in use on June 6th, 1944. The “C” is a personal touch, as again, the lack of a registry or pictures cannot confirm that FZ668 was the 3rd aircraft of the squadron on that day.

As a project, it is fascinating to contribute to something that has a local attachment, and an aircraft that I saw sitting on the tarmac on a few occasions when I passed by.

More info can be found at: planesavers.com/