In the woods near the village of Best (NL) a museum called 'Bevrijdende Vleugels' (= Wings of Liberation) reminds us of the liberation of The Netherlands. The museum had two well-restored Dakotas parked outside in the markings used during the invasion. Both carry a fake serial, "290321" on this one is in fact the birth date of Jan Driessen, the founder of the museum. In real life this aircraft was USAAF 43-2022.

Start-up procedure

Over the last couple of years this DC-3 has been repainted in French Air Force colours, using a serial based its original USAAF identity of 43-2023. During WWII it was on the strength of 7th AF ATC and was used as the personal aircraft of General Montgomery, Commander 8th Army in North Africa and Italy. Civilianised after the war, it carried the identities NC19934, N93C, N81R, N400RS and finally N56NA. It arrived at Montelimar for addition to the museum by 2001, and until the recent repaint was displayed with red/black trim and that final US registration.

Delivered to the USAAF as 43-2023 in 1942. To NC19934 in 1945, N19934 after 1948, N93C in 1954, N81R in 1956, N400RS in 1978 and N56NA in 1985. Preserved at Montelimar since 1998, but recently repainted in military colours although it never served with the French military. (Info credit to Paul Seymour and Aad van der Voet).

Delivered to the USAAF as C-53C 42-2022 in 1942. To NC33315 in 1945, N33315 after 1948, N89SA in 1958, N894A in 1967 and N32MS in 1974. Preserved at Best from 1999.

Delivered to the USAAF as 43-2023 in 1942. To NC19934 in 1945, N19934 after 1948, N93C in 1954, N81R in 1956, N400RS in 1978 and N56NA in 1985. Preserved at Montelimar from 2001. Now in French military colours.

This C-53 has no French history. It flew as 43-2023 with the USAAF and received several US civil registrations (NC19934 , N93C, N81R, N400RS and finally N56NA) before ending up in the Montelimar museum

Withdrawn from use April 1976. Seen here with faded North Cay Airways titles.

N56NA (ex USAAF 43-2023 and United Air Lines N19934) was operated by Northern Airways since Sep 1983 and withdrawn from use by them in July 1989. It was acquired by Peter Milic and flown to Europe in May 1990, then on to Africa. In July 1991 it arrived at Jerusalem, Israel for storage (until at least June 1994). Then in July 1996 the Skytrooper turned up in France, and was first seen at the museum in May 1998. It was registered to Sunbest Industries Corp. in March 2001 and then to Maghreb Aero Service in September 2001, but those were paper actions only and the aircraft has remained on display ever since.

Despite the badly damaged wing, N400RS was revived and reregistered N56NA in February 1985.

In the woods near the village of Best (NL) a museum called 'Bevrijdende Vleugels' (= Wings of Liberation) reminds us of D-Day, an important event in our history. The museum had two well-restored Dakotas parked outside in the markings used during the invasion. Both carry a fake serial, "290321" on this one is in fact the birth date of Jan Driessen, the founder of the museum. In real life this aircraft was USAAF 43-2022.

Ex N32MS. The serial as worn is not authentic and merely reflects the owner's date of birth, 29 March 1921.

Carolina Aircraft Corporation purchased this DC-3 from Midwest Airways, but the cheat line design is from former operator Lake Central Airlines.

With ex RCAF Dakota N8563 in the background.