Dates

Event

1944

Constructed as a C-47A-10-DK by Douglas at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.

8 February 1944

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 42-92652.

14 February 1944

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Air Force with s/n KG441 as a Dakota IV.

10 October 1944

To 233 SQDN, Blakehill Farm, Swindon.

30 November 1944

To 233 SQDN.

From 2 June 1946 to 28 March 1967

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Canadian Air Force with s/n KG441.

1 May 1967

Photographer: Eric Roscoe
Notes: At Prestwick Airport, Scotland

By 3 September 1970

To Hunting Surveys with new c/r G-AVPW (DOUGLAS C47 DAKOTA 4, 12476).

3 September 1970

Involved in an incident.
Summary: The damage to the airframe was substantial. The survey/research flight departed Nova Lisboa Airport (NOV/FNHU), Angola. The event occurred at near Huambo (Angola) while en route. The airframe was repaired. Narrative: During a lo altitude (about 150 m) survey flight out of Nova Lisboa (now Huambo) the DC-3 was being fired at. Hydraulic lines were damaged and fuel leaking rapidly from the starboard fuel tanks. A safe emergency landing was carried out at Nova Lisboa Airports runway 11. One of the pilots was injured in the occurrence...
For a complete description of the event read the Aviation Safety Network Report.

From 1973 to 1975

Operated by Hunting Surveys, Venezuela.
Nick Evans comments (4 June 2019): Survey operations for the Government Geological department. As one of the airborne electronics technicians operating the equipment we flew over the Amazon area of Venezuela, using a few forward bases, including San Juan de Manapiare where this photo was taken. Note the stinger that contained the Gulf Magnetometer. We also had a gamma ray spectrometer for detecting the radiation given out by the rock formations. We flew at 250 feet, contour flying. Very uncomfortable turbulence, and the sorties lasted 10 hrs and more with transits. We had an additional fuel tank in the cabin, as well as the four wing tanks.

1974

Photographer: Nick Evans
Notes: Note the stinger containing the Gulf Magnetometer. A device developed in WW2 for detecting submarines.

Circa May 1974

Photographer: Nick Evans
Notes: The crew l-r. John Electronics, military observer, geologist (visiting), Peter Calnan (ex RAF V Bomber pilot), Monty Burton - team leader(Ex RAF, holder of London to New Zealand air race record 1953) Nick Evans Snr Electronics Tech.

From 1975 to 1980

Operated for Tecnica Roraima, CA.

Circa 1975

Photographer: Nick Evans
Notes: This photo was taken when the aircraft had been re-registered in Venezuela and operated by Tecnica Roraima, a Caracas based office. The photo shows work on the engines, after an incident that saw kerosene in the extra fuel tank, that meant an engine change in the bush. We were lucky to make it back to the airstrip. Luckily one engine was fairly new. Both engines were eventually changed.

Circa June 1975

Photographer: Nick Evans
Notes: Taken at the bush airstrip at San Juan de Manapiare in Amazonas Venezuela.

By 9 September 1980

To unknown owner with c/r YV-25CP.

9 September 1980

Photographer: Paul Thallon
Notes: 1980 photo at Ft.Lauderdale International, Florida - of a Douglas C-47A

To unknown owner with c/r N2627Z.

To Avensa Corporation, Miami, FL with new c/r N25CE (DC3, 12476).

5 April 1986

Crashed.
The accident occurred at the El Paso Airport (ELP) El Paso, TX, United States while cruising. The damage was substantial. The pilot reported that he was leveling off from climb when he experienced a prop runaway. He observed oil streaming from the left engine, but could not feather. Unable to maintain altitude with a windmilling prop, he performed a gear up emergency landing in the desert. Teardowns were performed, but the evidence had been tampered with...
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

25 October 1991

Civil registration, N25CE, cancelled.
Exported to Venezuela.

By 17 December 1994

To Servivensa with new c/r YV-761C (Douglas C-47A (DC-3), 12476).

17 December 1994

Crashed.
Summary: The airframe was written off. There were seven fatalities. This was a cargo flight. The accident occurred at Cerro Aicha (Venezuela) while on approach. Narrative: The left wing of the DC-3 clipped trees on a hillside, causing the aircraft to enter a steep right bank and crash just 2 km short of the Cerro Aicha runway 15.
For a complete description of the event read the Aviation Safety Network Report.

Written off.

Photographer: 412 Sqn member
Notes: Photo was provided to me by a WW2 412 Sqn member. I assume it was in support of their squadron while at Wunstorf, Germany.