Flying in a DC3

Aboard the 75-year old royal PH-PBA dakota

Oct. 19, 2019 - Willem L. Middelkoop

As a wonderful birthday gift I was honoured to fly in a DC-3 classic plane. It was the 75-year old PH-PBA, a C-47A Skytrain or Dakota, formerly owned by H.R.H. Prince Bernhard from The Netherlands. It's a very special plane operated by the enthusiastic people from the Dutch Dakota Association (DDA Classic Airlines). Read along for some aviation history!

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Frisian lakes visible from the C47-A PH-PBA cockpit

The PH-PBA taking Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard to Belgium, May 1960 (Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat)

Paratroop C-47, 12th Air Force Troop Carrier Wing, during the invasion of southern France (August, 1944)

Riveted by the Rosies, the C-47-A PH-PBA — Riveted by the Rosies, the C-47-A PH-PBA "Prinses Amalia" remains a beauty at her 75th year anniversary

Lelystad Airport terminal building near the hangar where the PH-PBA is stationed

PH-PBA — PH-PBA "Prinses Amalia" being prepared for takeoff by DDA volunteers at Lelystad Airport (October 2019)

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