More in my ever-expanding collection of diminutive DC-3's, all from some version or another of the Minicraft kit, with homemade inkjet-printed decals.
First up, the C-47A "Vera Lynn" from the much-loved early-eighties British TV series "Airline." The series starred Roy Marsden as RAF veteran Jack Ruskin, who purchased a surplus Dakota to start his own shoestring air cargo operation in bleak postwar Britain. I've only been able to see a few of the episodes online, but the series was wonderful, and the battered "Vera Lynn" was fully as central a character as any of the two-legged variety.
Next, an ex-RAAF Dakota gone civil, operated by Papua New Guinea's national airline Air Niugini during the mid-70s. This particular aircraft was photographed, newly-painted in her AN livery, at Lae Airport in August 1976.
Third up, a 1945-vintage C-47 (USN R4D-4) photographed at the Davis-Monthan "Boneyard" in the mid-60s, and the subject of an earlier post here. The markings of the "United States Naval Attache Canberra" were interesting enough, but I was captivated by the tiny kangaroo stenciled above the US flag on the tail. Probably courtesy of their Aussie hosts who decided the big Yank plane should have a proper "Roo" on it, in the true spirit of inter-allied cooperation.
Finally, something a bit...off the radar. A scheme of my own devisement, inspired by an old Firesign Theatre routine and a half-remembered late-night B-movie from decades past. Not exactly PC, but I'm guessing quite a few old Gooney-birds saw service in a similar role back in the day.
Thanks for tuning in. Hope you folks enjoy the photos.