History[]
Built in 1943 as a C-47A-75-DL by Douglas at Long Beach, California, USA, this aircraft was taken on strength with the United States Army Air Force on 29 December 1943 as 42-100884, joining the Royal Air Force as TS423 on 2 September 1944. In October 1967 ownership passed to Short Bros (and) Harland Ltd, and then on 15 May 1969 to Marshalls of Cambridge Ltd/RAE.
In 1978 the aircraft joined the Royal Aircraft Establishment, moving on 14 September 1979 to Michael Woodley/Aviation Services as G-DAKS. From 8 May 1980 to 12 May 1986 the aircraft was owned by Aces High Limited, who in 1981 applied the false registration G-AGHY for the TV Series Airline.
By 28 May 1983, the aircraft had recieved D-Day markings, unit code YS-L, and registration KG374, which it wore when photographed by Robert Nichols at RAF Mildenhall Air Fete 83. Nichols again photographed the aircraft on 30 July 1983, at RAF Wethersfield Airshow, and on 8 July 1984 at Middle Wallop Airshow, by which time the D-Day stripes and the red centre of the Roundral had been removed.
From 12 May 1986 to 21 April 1987, the aircraft was held at Ipswich Airport, before rejoining Aces High Ltd, North Weald, Epping. On 23 May 1987 the aircraft was photographed by Peter Nicholson while on display at the 1987 RAF Mildenhall Air Fete, with D-Day stripes restored and the RAF roundral replaced by US Star and Bar insignia.
On 5 March 1998 civil registration G-DAKS was cancelled, and on 12 March the aircraft was registered to Aces High US Inc, Wilmington, DE as N147DC, based at Dunsfold Airport, Dunsfold, Surrey, England.[1] Between 15th and 18th June 1999, N147DC temporarily carried Aero Argentina's colours and the registration LV-FYI, and parked at Shoreham airfield for it's apperance in Agatha Christie's Poirot.[2][N 2] By July 2002 the aircraft had recieved Unit code NF-A, and full RAF roundral in place of the D-Day stripes. These markings were, in turn, replaced by the previous US D-Day scheme by 14 July 2007. On 5 June 2019 the aircraft was photographed by David Blaker, while departing Duxford UK for Normandy France. The aircraft was taking part in the 75th D Day anniversary event Daks over Duxford.[1]