The Dakota will be new!

The 2012 flying season is an anniversary year in Norwegian aviation. It is the 100th anniversary of military air power in Norway. For this reason, our former chairman, Gunnar Arnekleiv, took the initiative with the Norwegian Air Force (RNOAF) to ensure that the Dakota could be used in the celebrations. The Air Force was interested in the project and more thorough research into Dakota operations after 1945 was initiated. With the help of Flyhistorie.no and Nils Mathisrud, documentation was obtained on No. 20 Transport Squadron that operated from Fornebu in 1945. Our history Story from No. 20 Transport Squadron.

Clipped from Nils Mathisrud's article:

As the war drew to a close in the spring of 1945, it was clear that there would be a great need for air transportation to rebuild the country. The Norwegian Aviation Board had been established to prepare for civilian scheduled flights in Norway after the war. The board purchased three C-53D Skytroopers which, together with the seven remaining Lodestar aircraft from the Stockholm route, would form the basis for passenger routes in Norway. In addition, in April 1945, the Air Force received seven C-47A Skytrains from American surplus stocks. As a common designation for both the C-47 and the C-53, it was decided to use the aircraft's British name, Dakota.   The C-47s underwent the necessary maintenance at Canadian Vickers in Montreal before being flown to Norway by Norwegian crews in May and June 1945. In June, the Lodestar and Dakota aircraft were organized into a unit at Fornebu, which was named No. 20 Transport Squadron. The squadron was formally subordinate to the RAF, but had nothing to do with the RAF's existing No. 20 Squadron. The name was a continuation of the Luftwaffe's 20 Transportfliegergeschwader, which had been based at Fornebu during the war. The squadron flew regular routes between Norwegian cities and abroad. In addition, they carried out ad-hoc missions and VIP flights. In February 1946, the squadron was disbanded and the Dakota machines were transferred to DNL. The Lodestar aircraft were retained by the Air Force and in August of the same year were assigned to the newly established 335 squadron at Gardermoen. More story here.... Choice of paint

The board chose to go for the painting of aircraft individual "Z" No. 73 after the original photo from Fornebu in 1945. There is not much information about the photo, but "Z" was involved in a landing accident at Fornebu in 1945.

Implementation

Gunnar Arnekleiv and Lars Gagnum were commissioned by the board to carry out the project. Gunnar was in contact with the Norwegian Air Force and Lars was responsible for the design of badges and production. The Norwegian Armed Forces have decided to support the project financially in return for Dakota Norway performing in the new livery during the 2012 season.

On Friday, May 11, the tags were picked up in Oslo, transported to Torp and put on LN-WND.

The marking consists of:

* Split flag on the nose

* Z letter on the nose

* RAF type C1 roundels on body

* RAF type C1 roundels on upper side of wings

* 73 on vertical tail surface

RAF C1 rotors were used from 1942 until 1947 on all heavy aircraft operated by the RAF.

Premiere

The premiere of the new markings was just hours after they were installed. Then it was off to Kjevik and the "Bernt Balchen Airshow" with the Inspector General of the Air Force as VIP guest.

The Foundation would like to thank Nils Mathisrud for history and photos. Gunnar Arnekleiv and Lars Gagnum for carrying out the project. Thanks to Odd Johnny Pettersen at Konsis.no for quick processing and good service when time was short.

And finally, a big thank you to the Air Force for footing the bill for the decals!

Images.