Category:NZ3546 (aircraft)

This aircraft (c/n 26480, s/n 43-49219) was manufactured as a C-47B by Douglas Aircraft, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and delivered to the USAAF on October 30, 1944. During World War 2 it served with various USAAF Units and Squadrons in the Continental United States before being converted to a C-47D on June 30, 1946. During the Korean war it was based in Japan before being transferred to the Philippines and then back to Japan.

Following decommissioning in April 1959 it was registered as PI-C486 and used by the Philippines Airlines on their first international service from Manila to Hong Kong. It was then sold to PATAIR in New Guinea before appearing on the Australian register 1970 as VH-PNM flying for Bush Pilot Airlines and Queensland Airlines. In 1983 it was retired to the Mackay Air Museum, reregistered VH-SBT, and flew as "Gooney Bird Tours" in Northern Queensland before being retired as a static exhibit.

Finally, in 1987, it was purchased by a New Zealand Warbird's group, reregistered ZK-DAK and underwent an extensive rebuild. The livery represents NZ3546 from No.42 Squadron at the time of its retirement from RNZAF service in 1977. Source: NZ Warbirds C-47 'NZ3546'