Done
C-47TP "Turbo Dak" #6840, (ex-USAAF C-47A-30-DK "Skytrain" #43-48050), N° 35 Squadron, AFB Ysterplaat, 2012.Drawing inspiration from the colourful C-130 support aircraft of the US Navy's "Blue Angels" display team, it was decided during 2011, that the support aircraft for the "Silver Falcons" was also to receive an eye-catching colour scheme.
The aircraft chosen was a C-47TP "Turbo Dak" from N° 35 squadron, tail number 6840. Initially built by the McDonald Douglas Aircraft Company as a C-47A-30-DK "Skytrain", with the USAAF serial 43-48050 (c/n 13866/25311). She was given the RAF serial of KG767 for her pending service with the RAF as a Dakota III. She did however, not serve with the RAF, but was instead, on the 11th August 1944, diverted to the SAAF, where she was allocated the serial of 6840. She was taken on strength with N° 5 Wing based at Germiston, and coded GZBS. She flew the "shuttle service" flights to Cairo, Bari & Rome, ferrying troops, supplies, mail & also evacuating casualties. After the war, she was operated by N° 25 squadron from November 1972 until the squadron's disbandment in 1990. In 1994, under project "Felstone", a conversion to turbine power was done, after which the aircraft, now re-designated a C-47TP "Turbo Dak", was transferred to N° 35 Squadon based at AFB Ysterplaat.
The re-spray work for the new colour scheme, was undertaken by N° 2 Air Servicing Unit (det) at AFB Ysterplaat. The work started started in June 2012 and was completed in September 2012. The blue chosen for the respray was different to that used on the PC-7's of the Silver Falcon's. As the TP-Dak was an older aircraft, it was thought that the high gloss finish used on the Silver Falcon PC-7's, would show up the surface imperfections in the aircrafts airframe. Therefore a less glossy satin blue colour was applied. The aircraft, which now sported the name "Gooney Bird", was officially unveiled at AFB Waterkloof on the 17th September 2012. She was first shown to the public on the 19th September, where she joined six PC-7 Mk II's of the Silver Falcons, making for an impressive seven ship display.
Unfortunately, on the 5th December 2012, the aircraft crashed whilst on a routine flight from AFB Waterkloof to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. The aircraft crashed into a section of cliff called "Long Wall", in the area of Giants Castle within the Drakensberg Mountains. All 5 of her crew and 6 passengers were killed in the resulting crash. Crew: Major Kurt Misrole (co-pilot 35 sqdn), Captain Zach M. Smith (pilot 35 sqdn), Sergeant Eric Boes (loadmaster 35 sqdn), Sergeant B.K. Baloyi (loadmaster 44 sqdn), Sergeant J.M Mamabolo (loadmaster 44 sqdn), Corporal Letshela Mofokeng (flight-engineer 35 sqdn). Passengers: Sergeant L. Sobantu (503 sqdn), Corporal N.W. Khomo (502 sqdn), Corporal A. Matlaila (503 sqdn), Corporal M.J. Mthombeni (502 sqdn), Lance Corporal N.K. Aphane (516 sqdn). 6840 had faithfully served the South African Air Force, for a period of 68 years.
EDIT: Profile changed on the 27th - corrected the colour of the tail-wheel hub. Thanks Piet !!
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