This former SAAF Dakota has a very interesting history. Delivered to the RNZAF's 40 Sqd as NZ3546 in June 1945 where it served until July 1952 when it was passed on to New Zealand National Airways as ZK-AWQ. Returned to the the RNZAF in April 1961 where it served until wftu in 1977. After a further two years on the NZ register as ZK-AWQ, it was sold to the Comores as D6-CAG as part the SAAF clandestine scheme to replenish its transport fleet circumventing UN imposed sanctions on the country. In the SAAF it served as 6863 before being converted to at Turbo Dak seen here during conversion at PRY

Photographed stored at the Dodson Aviation premises at Ottawa, Kansas. Delivered to the USAAF as 44-76981 then to the RNZAF as NZ3546 in 1945. To NZNAC as ZK-AWQ in 1952. Back to the RNZAF as NZ3546 in 1961 then back to ZK-AWQ in 1978. Sold as D6-CAG then to the SAAF as 6863 in 1981. Converted to a C-47TP in 1991. To Dodson Aviation as N81907 in 1998. Reregistered as ZS-OJL in 2003 then shipped to the USA and back to N81907 by 2013. To Preferred Air Parts as N562PT in 2016. Still current on the register in 2022.

Delivered to the USAAF as 44-76981 then to the RNZAF as NZ3546 in 1945. To NZNAC as ZK-AWQ in 1952. Back to the RNZAF as NZ3546 in 1961 then back to ZK-AWQ in 1978. Sold as D6-CAG then to the SAAF as 6863 in 1981. Converted to a C-47TP in 1991. To Dodson Aviation as N81907 in 1998. Reregistered as ZS-OJL in 2003 then shipped to the USA and back to N81907 by 2013. To Preferred Air Parts as N562PT in 2016. Still current on the register in 2022.

NZ3546 was fitted with a bubble observation window. Photo from: RNZAF/Air Force Museum of New Zealand

This aircraft was delivered to New Zealand straight from the factory in 1945 (US serial 44-76981). It was used as an airliner with NZNAC from 1952 until 1961. In that year, it returned to the air force until its retirement in 1977. Note that this is not the aircraft that currently flies in these colours and with this serial as ZK-DAK! That one has c/n 26480/15305.