Wings Over Illawarra Airshow 2019

Douglas C-47 Dakota
The Douglas C-47 Dakota is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas
DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in frontline
service with various military operators for many years.
The C-47 differed from the civilian DC-3 in numerous modifications, including being fitted
with a cargo door, hoist attachment, and strengthened floor, along with a shortened tail cone
for glider-towing shackles, and an astrodome in the cabin roof.
During World War II, the armed forces of many countries used the C-47 and modified DC-
3s for the transport of troops, cargo, and wounded. The U.S. naval designation was R4D.
More than 10,000 aircraft were produced in Long Beach and Santa Monica, California and
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Between March 1943 and August 1945, the Oklahoma City plant
produced 5,354 C-47s.
A65-94 was built in Oklahoma city as a C-47B-30-DK and was delivered to the USAF on 20
April 1945 registered as 44-76774.
The aircraft was then delivered to the RAAF on 2 May 1945 as A65-94 with a domestic
registration of ‘VH-RFK’ and served in 38, 36 and then 34 Squadrons.
In 34 Squadron A65-94 was used as a VIP aircraft, transporting members of parliament
and visiting dignitaries. During the Queen’s visit to Australia in 1954, A65-94 was used as a
support aircraft carrying equipment for the tour. She was also used as a crew currency training
aircraft and was based at Canberra. Gooney Birds, as they were commonly known, finished
service with 34 Squadron in 1967 and A65-94 finally went to the Aircraft Research and
Development Unit (ARDU) in 1982 where she served until 1997.
When A65-94 was decommissioned in 2000, the aircraft had flown a total of 14,600 hours
and was 55 years old.