NZDF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

RNZAF Douglas DC-3/C-47A,B Dakota
NZ3501 to NZ3558

     
 

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Serial c/n US.Serial.no. Variant/Block. Delivered Aircraft history
NZ3501 9111 42-32885 C-47-DL 01/04/1943 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
Involved in collision with Ventura NZ4518 near Whenuapai on 21 March 1945 but landed safely.
Flown from Ohakea to Hobsonville 21 March 1946 and became INST114 with TTS Hobsonville.
SOC 1946. Towed to Whenuapai in March 1953 and used for fire-crew training.
Remains sold for scrap in 1962.
NZ3502 9418 42-23556 C-47A-25-DL 20/05/1943 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
WFU May 1948.
SOC Woodbourne 20 May 1948, Disp. No.147.
Reduced to spares and sold by tender number 4284 (13/11/1950).
Broken up at Woodbourne by Airwork (NZ) Ltd. and fuselage sold to Metal Smelters Ltd.

Dakota NZ3502 
Photo provided by 
Charles E. Mac Kay

NZ3503 9420 42-23558 C-47A-25-DL 20/05/1943 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC Wigram 20/5/48, Disp. No.146.
Reduced to spares by Airwork (NZ) Ltd. at Christchurch by 1955.
Nose section derelict in property at Burwood, near Christchurch in 1972.
Nose section held in storage by RNZAF Museum, but currently loaned out.
NZ3504 9419 42-23557 C-47A-25-DL 21/05/1943 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To INST111 at Hobsonville. Declared surplus SR3930.
SOC 1952. Broken up 1952-53.
NZ3505 9422 42-23560 C-47A-25-DL 24/05/1943 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC Woodbourne 20 May 1948, Disp. No.147.
Reduced to spares at Woodbourne in May 1948 by Airwork (NZ) Ltd. and fuselage sold to Metal Smelters Ltd.
NZ3506 9421 42-23559 C-47A-25-DL 26/05/1943 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC Woodbourne 20 May 1948, Disp. No.147.
Reduced to spares at Woodbourne in May 1948 by Airwork (NZ) Ltd. and fuselage sold to Metal Smelters Ltd.
NZ3516 12545 42-92714 C-47A-10-DK 09/04/1944 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC Wigram 06 April 1948, Disp. No.146.
Broken up at Woodbourne by Airwork (NZ) Ltd in April 1948.
NZ3517 12546 42-92715 C-47A-10-DK 09/04/1944 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai. SOC Woodbourne 20 May 1948, Disp.No.147.
Reduced to spares and sold by tender number 4284 (13/11/1950).
Broken up at Woodbourne by Airwork (NZ) Ltd. and fuselage sold to Metal Smelters Ltd.
NZ3518 13099 42-93212 C-47A-20-DK 10/04/1944 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To 41 Squadron March 1946.
INST117 at TTS Wigram 06 November 1946.
SOC 11 March 1948.
Sold by tender number 5267 (11/02/1954) for 200 pounds to NZNAC on 03 March 1954.
Registered as ZK-BEU.
Converted to DC3-C at Christchurch 17 December 1955.
Converted to DC3-C Skyliner at Christchurch 24 July 1964.
To Mount Cook and Southern Lakes Tourist Company 25 June 1970 with 24,903 hours total time.
Retired from airline service 16 May 1978 as New Zealand's last commercial passenger DC3.
Sold to Alpine Helicopters 25 January 1979 for transporting live deer, with total of 31,034 hours total time.
Retired in October 1980 with 33,588 flying hours logged.
To Zephyr Films.
Engines and all serviceable equipment removed and aircraft was floated across Lake Wakatipu on 11 November 1980 painted as USAAF "I-7689" for filming of "Race to the Yankee Zephyr".
Following completion of filming the aircraft was beached and the remains broken up.
Registration cancelled 08 April 1981 as withdrawn from use.
NZ3519 13088 42-108924 C-47A-20-DK 12/05/1944 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC Wigram 20 May 1948, Disp. No.146.
Reduced to spares at Woodbourne by Airwork (NZ) Ltd. in May 1948.
NZ3520 13928/25373 43-48112 C-47A-30-DK 09/08/1944 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC Woodbourne 20 May 1948, Disp. No.147.
Reduced to spares and sold by tender number 4284 (13/11/1950).
Broken up at Woodbourne by Airwork (NZ) Ltd. and fuselage sold to Metal Smelters Ltd.
NZ3521 13929/25374 43-48113 C-47A-30-DK 11/08/1944 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
Ditched into sea 400 yards north of Savo Island, Guadalcanal on 12 July 1945.
Written off books Whenuapai 28 July 1945.
NZ3522 13930/25375 43-48114 C-47A-30-DK 11/08/1944 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC Woodbourne 20 May 1948, Disp. No.147.
Reduced to spares and sold by tender number 4284 (13/11/1950).
Broken up at Woodbourne in May 1948 by Airwork (NZ) Ltd. and fuselage sold to Metal Smelters Ltd.
NZ3523 13931/25376 43-48115 C-47A-30-DK 15/08/1944 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC Woodbourne 20 May 1948, Disp. No.147.
Reduced to spares and sold by tender number 4284 (13/11/1950).
Broken up at Woodbourne in May 1948 by Airwork (NZ) Ltd. and fuselage sold to Metal Smelters Ltd.
NZ3524 13932/25377 43-48116 C-47A-30-DK 12/08/1944 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC Woodbourne 20 May 1948, Disp. No.147.
Reduced to spares and sold by tender number 4284 (13/11/1950).
Broken up at Woodbourne in May 1948 by Airwork (NZ) Ltd. and fuselage sold to Metal Smelters Ltd.
NZ3525 14561/26006 43-48745 C-47B-5-DK 10/10/1944 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC Woodbourne 23 February 1951.
To NZNAC as ZK-AYK on 28 March 1951.
Converted to DC3-C at Palmerston North 12 December 1951.
Converted to DC3-C Skyliner "TAURANGA" at Christchurch 09 November 1963.
Withdrawn from NAC service in 1968 with a total of 31,944:55 hours.
To Lao Airlines, Vientiane as XW-TDO on 06 October 1969.
Written off 29 June 1970.
NZ3526 14562/26007 43-48746 C-47A-5-DK 10/10/1944 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
Disappeared during flight from Espirito Santo to New Zealand 25 September 1945.
Radio contact was lost shortly after 0900 hours and nothing further was ever heard or seen of the 4 crew and 16 passengers despite several days of searches.
It is presumed that the aircraft suffered a catastrophic structural failure after encounting severe turbulence in the area.
Written off books Whenuapai 12 October 1945.
Worst flying tragedy in RNZAF's history.
NZ3527 14563/26008 43-48747 C-47A-5-DK 10/10/1944 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC 23 February 1951.
To NZNAC as ZK-AYL on 28 March 1951.
Converted to DC3-C at Palmerston North 17 August 1951.
Converted to DC3-C Skyliner "TIMARU" at Christchurch 28 May 1964.
To Lao Airlines, Vientiane as XW-TDH on 29 May 1968.
To USA with Somerset Area Vocational School, Somerset, Kentucky, USA as N8056 1971-1975.
Further details unknown.
NZ3528 15204/26649 43-49388 C-47-B-15-DK 30/12/1944 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC 27 September 1951.
To NZNAC as ZK-AYZ on 16 October 1951.
Converted to DC3-C at Palmerston North 17 December 1953.
Converted to DC3-C Skyliner "HASTINGS" at Christchurch 29 March 1963.
Crashed Kaimai Range, North Island, New Zealand on 03 July 1963, with loss of all 23 on board.
This was New Zealand's worst air disaster at that time.
NZ3529 15205/26650 43-49389 C-47-B-15-DK 30/12/1944 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
Written off in takeoff accident at Pallikulu Airstrip, Espirito Santo when aircraft swung off airstrip before becoming airborne on 06 July 1945.
Written off books Whenuapai 23 July 1945.
NZ3530 15206/26651 43-49390 C-47-B-15-DK 30/12/1944 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC Woodbourne 04 June 1952.
To New Zealand Civil Aviation Administration Department as ZK-AUJ on 17 April 1952.
Withdrawn from service May 1971. Registration cancelled 31 August 1973.
To Australian Aircraft Sales 03 January 1973.
Ferried Auckland to Australia 20 June 1973.
To Cambodia August 1973.
Further details unknown.

Dakota NZ3530 
ZK-AUJ 
Essendon 
5th July 1973 
Photo Daniel Tanner

NZ3531 15699/27144 43-49883 C-47B-20-DK 19/02/1945 BOC Unit 19 Whenuapai.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To storage 24 May 1946.
SOC 31 May 1947.
To NZNAC as ZK-AZA on 17 September 1951.
Converted to DC3-C at Palmerston North 11 August 1952.
Loaned to Fiji Airways as VQ-FAJ.
Converted to DC3-C Skyliner "ROTORUA" at Christchurch 06 September 1963.
To NAC as ZK-AZA 06 September 1963.
To Fiji Airways as VQ-FBF on 29 September 1967.
To Air Pacific as DQ-FBF on 31 July 1971.
Fijian registration cancelled 31 October 1972.
Restored to NAC as ZK-AZA 14 December 1972.
Converted to topdresser at Christchurch 06 March 1973.
To James Aviation 01 December 1973.
WFU 01 October 1979.
To Dwen Airmotive 17 July 1983.
Registration cancelled 11 October 1983.
Broken up at Ardmore during November 1983 and parts sent to Cook Islands for use as a wind machine in movie production "The Silent Ones"
Engines since removed and sold. Remains still current at Airtutaki

Dakota NZ3531 
Aitutaki, Cook Islands
March 2008
Photo Mark12

NZ3532 15701/27146 43-49885 C-47B-20-DK 22/02/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
First C-47 for 41 Squadron.
To Air Secretary, Air Department 19 February 1947.
SOC Harewood 31 May 1947.
To NZNAC as ZK-AOD on 20 June 1947.
Converted to DC3-C at Palmerston North 11 October 1950.
Converted to DC3-C Skyliner at Christchurch 09 October 1963.
To Mount Cook and Southern Lakes Tourist Co. on 02 November 1964.
To Fieldair 17 November 1972.
Registration cancelled 13 April 1976.
Broken up and reduced to spares.
NZ3533 15700/27145 43-49884 C-47B-20-DK 22/02/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai. SOC Harewood 3 May 1947.
To NZNAC as ZK-AOJ 20 June 1947.
Converted to DC3-C at Palmerston North 01 April 1947.
Converted to DC3-C Skyliner "WHANGAREI" at Christchurch 29 April 1964.
Leased Polynesian Airlines 02 October 1967.
Returned NAC 21 April 1968.
To Lao Airlines as XW-TDI 28 October 1968.
Crashed and written off Ban Honeisai, Laos 30 June 1971.
NZ3534 15945/32693 44-76361 C-47B-25-DK 07/03/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai. Badly damaged at Morotai on 09 September 1945 when a USAAF B-24 taxied into NZ3534 and NZ3540.
Repaired and remained with 41 Squadron as their first C-47 to be used in the air ambulance role.
To 40 Squadron 19 June 1946. SOC Harewood 22 March 1947.
To NZNAC as ZK-APB on 28 April 1947.
Converted to DC3-D by ANA in Australia 06 September 1947.
Withdrawn from service with NAC on 31 August 1965 with a total of 33,685 hours.
To Airland (NZ) Ltd. 05 January 1966.
To Fieldair 20 February 1978.
Withdrawn from use 16 November 1981 with a TTA of 41,588 hours and registration cancelled 19 December 1983.
To Wellington 06 March 1985 and used as a restaurant and bar at Mirimar near Wellington.
The aircraft has since been dismantled and the nose section is now with the Sport and Vintage Aviation Society.
Sold 15/12/2003 to Athol Murray and in 02/2014 moved to his property at Dipton
NZ3535 15947/32695 44-76363 C-47B-25-DK 05/03/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC Harewood 06 January 1947.
To NZNAC as ZK-AQS on 14 October 1947.
Converted to DC3-C at Palmerston North 27 November 1947.
Converted to light freighter at Christchurch 14 April 1961.
Withdrawn from use 30 January 1966 with a total of 28,941 hours.
To Australian Aircraft Sales 15 September 1967.
To Far East Air Transport, Taiwan as B-255 on 19 January 1968.
Further details unknown.
NZ3536 15948/32696 44-76364 C-47B-25-DK 07/03/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To Air Secretary, Air Department 01 September 1947.
SOC Harewood 20 October 1947.
Converted to freighter in Australia.
To NZNAC as ZK-AQT on 14 October 1947.
Crashed after engine failure during approach to Paraparaumu Airport, Wellington on 22 May 1954 with loss of 3 lives.
NZ3537 16147/32895 44-76563 C-47B-30-DK 04/04/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To Air Secretary, Air Department 28 April 1947.
SOC Harewood 03 May 1947.
Converted to DC3-D by ANA in Australia 14 November 1947.
To NZNAC as ZK-AOZ on 11 March 1948.
Withdrawn from service with NAC on 30 June 1962 with a total of 28,896 hours.
Leased to Polynesian Airlines as 5W-FAA on 18 June 1963.
To Australian Aircraft Sales 27 December 1967.
To Seulawah Air Service, Indonesia as PK-RDB on 30 September 1968.
Damaged beyond repair by cyclone at Darwin, Australia on 25 December 1974.
NZ3538 16149/32897 44-76565 C-47B-30-DK 08/04/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To NZNAC as ZK-AOG on 19 February 1947 but not taken up.
On loan to NZNAC as ZK-AQP on 02 September 1947.
SOC 29 September 1947.
Converted to Freighter in Australia 09 October 1947.
Withdrawn from NAC service on 04 September 1966 with a total of 23,520 hours.
Returned to RNZAF as NZ3538 on 15 October 1966.
Converted to Paradropper in Christchurch and delivered to 42 Squadron 19 December 1966.
Withdrawn from use on 16 March 1977.
Total time on retirement 26,959 hours.
Sold by GSB tender number D41/45/3 dated 20 December 1978 to K. Neely.
Registered as ZK-AQP on 06 December 1978.
Registration cancelled 19 December 1980 as sold in Singapore.
To Island Associates, Moroni, Comoros Republic as D6-CAF.
Ferried ex Auckland to Singapore on 01 February 1981.
To South African Air Force as 6858.
Converted to Pratt and Whitney powered C-47TP by Wonder Air.
To Dodson Aviation, Kansas, USA as N146RD on 11 December 1997.
Last sighted at Olathe, Kansas in August 2000.
NZ3539 16151/32899 44-76567 C-47B-30-DK 08/04/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To Air Secretary, Air Department 19 February 1947.
SOC Harewood 31 May 1947.
To NZNAC as ZK-AOF on 01 June 1947.
Converted to Freighter at Butler Aviation in Australia 21 February 1949.
Converted to DC3-C in Palmerston North 30 April 1952.
Converted to DC3-C Skyliner "BLENHEIM" at Christchurch 12 December 1963.
Leased to Fiji Airways as VQ-FBJ on 11 June 1969.
Returned NAC as ZK-AOF on 28 April 1972.
Operated NAC's last scheduled DC3 service on 19 December 1974.
Leased to Air New Zealand for pilot training of navigators from February 1975.
To P. Wieland Ltd., Sydney, Australia 01 September 1976.
Cancelled from NZ register 25 January 1977.
To R. Bixler, San Jose, California, USA as N99435 on 29 October 1976.
To Opa Lockie Flight Centre, Florida.
To World Wide Aviation, Florida.
To International Monetary Consultants, Florida.
To Lemac Inc. Florida, on 14 August 1979.
Noted derelict at Aruba in 1991 and later dumped into the sea at that location.
NZ3540 16148/32896 44-76564 C-47B-30-DK 10/04/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
Badly damaged at Morotai on 09 September 1945 when a USAAF B-24 taxied into NZ3534 and NZ3540.
Written off books 09 September 1945.

Dakota NZ3540

NZ3541 16383/33131 44-76799 C-47B-30-DK 13/05/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To Air Secretary, Air Department 19 February 1947.
SOC Harewood 31 May 1947.
To NZNAC as ZK-AOE on 20 June 1947.
Used as freighter.
Crashed Marlborough Sounds, South Island 09 August 1948 killing both crew.
NZ3542 16386/33134 44-76802 C-47B-30-DK 13/05/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC Harewood 31 May 1947.
Loaned to NZNAC as ZK-AQU on 28 November 1947.
Converted to DC3-D by Fairey Clyde in Australia 05 November 1948.
Withdrawn from NAC service in July 1965 with a total of 31,720 hours.
Returned to RNZAF on 30 August 1965.
Converted to paradropper in Christchurch and delivered to 42 Squadron as NZ3542 on 14 December 1965.
WFU with 42 Squadron 20 May 1977.
Sold to K. Neely as ZK-AQU on 06 December 1978.
Registration cancelled 10 December 1980 as sold in Singapore.
To Island Associates, Moroni, Comoros Republic as D6-CAH.
Ferried ex Auckland to Singapore 31 January 1981.
To South African Air Force as 6846.
Conversion to C-47TP abandoned and stored dismantled at Wonderboom, South Africa.
To Dodson Aviation, Kansas, USA as N8241T on 14 July 1998.
Still at Wonderboom in April 2002.
NZ3543 16387/33135 44-76803 C-47B-30-DK 13/05/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
Used in Singapore between 1949 and 1951. SOC 03 July 1952.
To NZNAC as ZK-AWP on 03 July 1952.
Converted to DC3-C at Palmerston North 23 March 1953.
Converted to DC3-C Skyliner "KAITAIA" at Christchurch 09 May 1963.
Leased to Polynesian Airlines as 5W-FAI 02 February 1970.
Returned to NAC as ZK-AWP on 08 June 1972 and was stored in the open stripped of it's engines and control surfaces.
Converted to topdresser by NAC in March 1973 and flew again on 25 July 1973.
Commenced topdressing with Southern Air Super 03 August 1973.
To Fieldair 14 July 1975 as a result of company takeover.
Withdrawn from use 27 May 1985 after 6722 hours of topdressing and converted to freighter configuration with Classic Air Services in the latter half of 1986.
To Fieldair Freight, Palmerston North 30 October 1986.
Reconverted to passenger configuration in 1993 when the freight operation was wound up.
To Alpine Fighter Collection, Wanaka 27 August 1993 and leased to Classic Air from 11 March 1994.
To Mackley Aviation, Auckland 14 December 1995.
To NZ Aerial Mapping, Albany, Auckland 28 August 1998.
During a major overhaul in 1999 the aircraft was painted in an NAC Skyliner colour scheme which it retains to this day.
Leased to Pionair Adventures, Christchurch from 05 July 2000.
To Future Flight Ltd., Ardmore 21 December 2001.
To Pionair Adventures Ltd, Christchurch 24 May 2002.
Damaged in takeoff accident at Mount Cook 2002 when the aircraft slid off the runway.
Now repaired and back in service in Pionair colours the aircraft has over 46,000 flying hours behind it.
10/2015 ZK-AWP commenced a weekend service departing Auckland on Saturday for Whakatane and returning on Sunday

Dakota NZ3543 
as ZK-AWP 
Essendon 
1st June 2003 
Photo George Canciani

NZ3544 16567/33315 44-76983 C-47B-35-DK 14/06/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
Crashed Wigram 14 April 1952 after engine failure on takeoff resulted in aircraft overshooting runway on subsequent crash landing.
Written off books 03 June 1952, dismantled and SOC 17 July 1952.
Sold by tender number 4801 (25/08/1952).
Purchased by NZNAC.
Rebuilt using parts from other aircraft and registered as ZK-BQK on 10 May 1956.
Converted to DC3-C at Christchurch 15 October 1957.
Converted to DC3-C Skyliner "NEW PLYMOUTH" at Christchurch 13 June 1963.
Leased to Polynesian Airlines as 5W-FAH 06 December 1969.
Withdrawn from use 12 October 1970 with 25,446 hours logged.
Presented to Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland on 23 July 1973.
On display at MOTAT in NAC Skyliner colours.
NZ3545 16568/33316 44-76984 C-47B-35-DK 17/06/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To 41 Squadron March 1946-April 1953.
First RNZAF aircraft to fly from New Zealand to the United Kingdom arriving there on 16 March 1947.
Served in Singapore 1949-1951.
Loaned to NZNAC as ZK-AZL 14 April 1953.
Returned to RNZAF for use during Royal Tour of NZ December 1953-January 1954.
Sold to James Aviation 14 May 1954 and converted to aerial topdresser.
Withdrawn from use 04 September 1974.
Registration cancelled 06 June 1984.
Presented to Clydesdale Museum, Hamilton and presently on display in James Aviation topdresser colours.

Dakota NZ3545 
as ZK-AZL 
Photo Ed Coates

NZ3546 16565/33313 44-76981 C-47B-35-DK 20/06/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
Flew New Zealand contingent to the Japanese surrender ceremonies on 02 September 1945.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC 02 July 1952.
To NZNAC as ZK-AWQ on 10 July 1952.
Returned to RNZAF 42 Squadron as NZ3546 17 April 1961 after flying 16,777 hours with NAC.
Converted to DC3-C at Palmerston North in April 1963.
Took part in final RNZAF DC3 flypast on 12 November 1977 and then withdrawn from use.
Along with NZ3551 this was the last DC3 in RNZAF service.
Sold by GSB tender number D41/45/3 dated 20 December 1978 to K. Neely.
Registered as ZK-AWQ on 06 December 1978.
Registration cancelled 10 December 1980 as sold in Singapore.
To Island Associates, Moroni, Comoros republic as D6-CAG.
Ferried ex Auckland to Singapore on 31 January 1981.
To South African Air Force as 6863.
Converted to Pratt and Whitney powered C47-TP by Wonder Air.
To Dodson Aviation Kansas, USA as N81907 on 14 July 1998.
Transferred to Dodson International Parts South Africa P/L, Wonderboon South Africa as ZS-OJL on 15 February 2001.
Last sighted on overhaul at Wonderboom in April 2002.

Douglas C-47B  43-49219 (c/n 15035/26480)
Currently flies as ZK-DAK
Painted in 2008 as NZ3546

NZ3547 16730/33478 44-77146 C-47B-35-DK 07/07/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai. SOC 27 March 1953.
Loaned to NZNAC as ZK-AZM on 27 March 1953.
Converted to DC3-C at Palmerston North 05 August 1953.
Converted to freighter at De Havilland Wellington 27 October 1961.
Withdrawn from NAC service on 01 July 1966 with a total of 24,198 hours.
Returned to RNZAF as NZ3547 on 15 October 1966.
Converted to paradropper at Christchurch and delivered to 42 Squadron on 28 July 1967.
Withdrawn from use with 42 Squadron 20 May 1977.
Sold by GSB tender number D41/45/3 dated 20 December 1978 to K. Neely.
Registered as ZK-AZM on 06 December 1978.
Registration cancelled 19 December 1980 as sold in Singapore.
To Island associates, Moroni, Comoros Republic as D6-CAD.
Ferried ex Auckland to Singapore 31 January 1978.
To South African Air Force as 6865.
Conversion to C-47TP abandoned and stored dismantled at Wonderboom, South Africa.
To Dodson Aviation, Kansas, USA as N8190X on 14 July 1998.
Still at Wonderboom in April 2004, with no engines and with main gear removed.

Douglas Dakota 
NZ3547
Photo by Ivan Prince

NZ3548 16732/33480 44-77148 C-47B-35-DK 07/07/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To 41 Squadron March 1946-July 1952.
SOC 01 July 1952.
To NZNAC as ZK-AWO on 11 July 1952.
Converted to DC3-C in Palmerston North 03 November 1952.
Converted to freighter in Christchurch 29 September 1958.
Withdrawn from NAC service on 05 September 1966 with a total of 24,109 hours.
To Airland (NZ) on 12 April 1967.
Converted to topdresser.
To Fieldair 20 February 1978.
Withdrawn from use 01 March 1984.
Registration cancelled 29 May 1985.
Aircraft TTA 32846 hours.
Nose section preserved by C. Rudge, Christchurch and on display at Wanaka Transport Museum.
NZ3549 16734/33482 44-77150 C-47B-35-DK 09/07/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
Crashed into sea off Hobsonville on 16 November 1951 after suffering engine failure while practicing single engine approaches.
Written off books Whenuapai 15 January 1951, stripped and sold by tender number 4979 (20/04/1953).
NZ3550 16733/33481 44-77149 C-47B-35-DK 13/07/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC 25 February 1953.
To NZNAC as ZK-AZN on 01 April 1953.
Converted to DC3-C at Palmerston North 29 October 1953.
First DC3-C Skyliner conversion, "NAPIER" at Christchurch 03 March 1963.
To Royal Air Lao as XW-TDR on 16 January 1970.
Damaged beyond repair in storm at Vientiane, Laos on 24 March 1976.
This aircraft was mistakenly recorded as c/n 16753/33501 (44-77169) for over 20 years of it's service.
NZ3551 16963/34223 45-0960 C-47B-45-DK 14/08/1945 Arrived at Whenuapai on ferry flight from San Diego on 14 August 1945 and BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
Converted to VIP configuration for the Royal Visit in 1953 by de Havilland at Wellington being delivered to them on 05 June 1953.
To 42 Squadron for Royal Tour duties on 13 November 1953.
Total hours flown by the end of April 1977 were only 12,135.
Took part in the final RNZAF DC3 flypast on 12 November 1977.
Withdrawn from use with No.42 Squadron 12 November 1977.
Along with NZ3546 this was the last DC3 in service with the RNZAF.
SOC 24 January 1978.
Flown from Ohakea to Wigram on 25 January 1978, departing Ohakea at 0946 hours and presented to RNZAF Museum Wigram.
On display at RNZAF Museum, Wigram in RNZAF VIP colour scheme.

Dakota NZ3551 
Wigram 
18th April 2006
Photo by George Canciani

NZ3552 16962/34222 45-0959 C-47B-45-DK 16/08/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
Served in Singapore with 41 Squadron 1950-1951.
SOC 03 July 1952.
To NZNAC as ZK-BBJ on 15 July 1952.
Converted to DC3-C at Palmerston North 06 June 1953.
Converted to DC3-C Skyliner "GISBORNE" at Christchurch 17 March 1964.
Leased to Alpine Helicopters 31 August 1970. To Fieldair 29 May 1972.
To Speedlink Freight 18 November 1980.
To North Shore Helicopters 19 April 1993.
Registration cancelled 14 September 1994 as withdrawn from use.
Ferried from Auckland to Cambodia on 21 April 1994 to operate with a New Zealand company carrying out contracts in that country.
Reported to be in Kenya in 1995.
Further details unknown.
NZ3553 16965/34225 45-0962 C-47B-45-DK 16/08/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To 42 Squadron November 1953.
Converted semi VIP configuration 1949.
WFU with 42 Squadron, Ohakea 20 May 1977.
SOC 20 December 1978.
Total time on retirement 13,701 hours.
Sold by GSB tender number D41/45/3 dated 20 December 1978 to K. Neely.
Registered as ZK-ERI on 06 December 1978.
Registration cancelled 19 December 1980 as sold in Singapore.
To Island Associates, Moroni, Comoros Republic as D6-CAE.
Ferried ex Auckland to Singapore 01 December 1981.
To South African Air Force as 6871.
To Professional Aviation Services, Lanseria, South Africa and converted to Jet Prop DC3 as ZS-LJI.
Impounded in Mozambique 23 July 1998.
Rumoured to have been purchased by Maputo Aero Club for $1.
Unconfirmed sighting of aircraft active at Lanseria in January 2001.

C-47B Dakota 
NZ3553 
42 Squadron Wigram 
1958 
Photo Glen Reid

NZ3554 16966/34226 45-0963 C-47B-45-DK 17/08/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To 41 Squadron January-July 1946.
To 40 Squadron August 1946-May 1947.
To Air Secretary, Air Department.
Converted to DC3 Freighter by De Havilland at Wellington 05 April 1947.
SOC Harewood 31 May 1947.
To NZNAC as ZK-AOI 20 June 1947.
Withdrawn from service with NAC on 19 July 1966 with a total of 22,758 hours.
To James Aviation 16 January 1967.
Converted to topdresser.
To Southern Air Super 11 May 1971.
Written off in accident near Clarence, South Island on 23 February 1973.
Registration cancelled 10 May 1973.
NZ3555 16964/34224 45-0961 C-47B-45-DK 20/08/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
SOC Harewood 13 April 1947.
To NZNAC as ZK-APA on 28 April 1947.
Converted to DC3-D by ANA in Australia 09 October 1947.
Converted to DC3-D Skyliner at Christchurch 27 November 1964.
Withdrawn from NAC service on 17 September 1966 with a total of 34,910 hours.
Leased to Polynesian Airlines as 5W-FAC 23 November 1966.
Crashed Faleolo Airport, Apia, Western Samoa on 13 January 1970 after encountering wind shear on takeoff with loss of all 32 persons on board.
NZ3556 16967/34227 45-0964 C-47B-45-DK 21/08/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.40 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To 41 Squadron January-June 1946.
To 40 Squadron June 1946-May 1947.
To Air Secretary, Air Department as ZK-AOK 01 June 1947 but not taken up.
Returned RNZAF as NZ3556 11 April 1947.
To Air Secretary, Air Department as ZK-APK on 06 May 1947.
Converted to DC3-D by ANA in Australia 29 May 1947.
SOC Harewood 31 May 1947.
To NZNAC as ZK-APK on 20 June 1947.
Withdrawn from service by NAC in 1962 with a total of 28,711 hours.
Converted to DC3-D Skyliner "KAIKOHE" in Christchurch 28 August 1964.
Leased to Fiji Airways as VQ-FAH from 22 May 1967-02 October 1967.
Returned to NAC as ZK-APK 02 October 1967.
To Airland (NZ) on 11 June 1969 and converted to topdresser.
To Fieldair 20 February 1978.
Withdrawn from use 03 July 1981.TTA 42,764 hours.
Registration cancelled 30 March 1984.
Towed to Mangaweka 1986 and used as a tea room with a number of schemes including Rangitikei River Adventures, "Cookie Time" and Mangaweka Adventure Company
NZ3557 16968/34228 45-0965 C-47B-45-DK 29/08/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
To Air Secretary, Air Department 19 February 1947.
Converted to DC3-D by QANTAS in Australia 02 April 1947.
SOC Harewood 31 May 1947.
To NZNAC as ZK-AOH on 20 June 1947.
Withdrawn from service with NAC on 30 June 1962 with a total of 28,392 hours.
To Commercial Aviation Ltd as VH-MMO.
To MacRobertson Miller Airlines in December 1962 as VH-MMO and named "Ord".
Re-registered as VH-MMB 20 December 1962 and operated for MacRobertson Miller named "BLACKWOOD" until 1969.
To Australian Aviation Sales 15 May 1969.
To Merpati Nusantara, Indonesia as PK-NDG 26 May 1969.
To Dirgantara Air Service as PK-VTM.
To Satuan Udara FASI.
To Indonesian Air Force as AF4775.
Believed to be flying marked as RI-001.
Latest report is that the aircraft has been withdrawn and is now derelict.
NZ3558 16969/34229 45-0966 C-47B-45-DK 29/08/1945 BOC No.1 ASU Hamilton.
To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai.
Crashed at Dilalongan, Philippines on 18 December 1947 during flight from Japan to New Zealand.
The starboard engine blew up about 300 miles north of Manila and all mail and baggage was jettisoned before the aircraft finally made landfall just after nightfall.
Three of the twelve occupants were injured in the ensuing wheels up landing.
Written off books at Whenuapai 10 March 1948.
     

Author: Ivan Prince (Updated by Brendan Cowan and Martin Edwards)

Sources: Various AHSNZ publications 1962-2002. "Douglas DC3" by J.M.G. Gradidge. "DC3 Southern Skies Pioneer" by B. Lockstone and P. Harrison. Aviation Safety database. NZ, Australian, American Civil Aircraft Registers. Air NZ Engineering records. RNZAF archives. NZ Wings 1972-1988. "For Your Tomorrow" by Errol Martyn. Air Britain Historians.

Emails: John Andrade, Roy Blewett, Ruud Leeuw, Warwick Blake, Jane Provan. Peter Layne, Erwin Husmann

Updated 17th December 2015

     
     

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