Spanish Air Force Douglas C-47A Dakotas T.3-2 and T.3-27 seen at Blackbushe

Military interlude A pair of ex-Spanish Air Force Douglas C-47A Dakotas T.3-2 and T.3-27 bask in the evening sunshine at Blackbushe airport.

According to rzjets the Fuerza Aérea Española operated no less than 69 Douglas C-47s over the years. During the late 1970s, a number of surplus aircraft passed through Blackbushe airport in Hampshire, on their way back to the USA. Some of the aircraft picked up temporary UK registrations whilst they awaited sale, and T.3-2 became G-BGCE, with T.3-27 becoming G-BGCG.

chrisengland29 has a fascinating album showing the vast array of visitors that Blackbushe used to see. He states: 'For many years Blackbushe was one of the most rewarding places in the UK to visit to see rare and interesting aeroplanes. This was especially true in the 1970s and early 80s when Doug Arnold imported aircraft from all over the world.' Indeed :))

You can see his album here: www.flickr.com/photos/chrisengland/albums/721576596028263...

T.3-2 Douglas C-47A-25-DK - c/n 13378 started life with the USAAF as 42-108953 in 1943. The aircraft was lend-leased to the RAF as KG619. After the Second World War, the aircraft was sold to Spain as EC-ACK, and flew as a civil aircraft until 1964, then acquired by Fuerza Aérea Española as T.3-2. Surplus to requirements in the late 1970s, the aircraft was imported into the UK and temporarily registered as G-BGCE. The aircraft was then sold in the USA as N37529 in 1980, but apparently ended up in Mexico as XA-ION. Fate unknown - believed to have been broken up at Oaxaca around 2003.

T.3-27 Douglas C-47A-85-DL - c/n 20002 started life with the USAAF as 43-15536 in 1944. After the Second World War, the aircraft was sold to Piedmont Air Lines as NC50322, later re-registered N49V. Acquired by Fuerza Aérea Española as T.3-27, coded 901-7 and later 745-27. Surplus to requirements in the late 1970s, the aircraft was imported into the UK and temporarily registered as G-BGCG. The aircraft was then sold to Westair International, Monument CO as N5995T in 1980, but apparently returned to the UK in 1982. Fate unknown. [Cancelled on 3-4-89 by the CAA. Stored since 1991 and now at Hatch, Bedfordshire with Skysport Engineering according to Chris England's caption on photo below]

No less than 17 of the Spanish AF Douglas C-47s got onto the UK register!:
G-BFHA c/n 25399 ex T.3-48 became 9Q-CRL fate unknown
G-BFHB c/n 25505 ex T.3-51 to Yemen fate unknown
G-BFHC c/n 12758 ex T.3-66 to Yemen fate unknown
G-BFPT c/n 19268 ex T.3-65 to Yemen fate unknown
G-BFPV c/n 34357 ex T.3-40 to Yemen fate unknown
G-BFPW c/n 33604 ex T.3-40 became N3753N fate unknown
G-BFXA c/n 4890 ex T.3-58 became ZS-OJD w/o in 2005
G-BFXB c/n 4225 ex T.3-42 became XA-IOH wfu
G-BGCE c/n 13302 ex T.3-2 became XA-ION wfu
G-BGCF c/n 20596 ex T.3-33 became N3753C fate unknown
G-BGCG c/n 20002 ex T.3-27 wfu and b/u
G-BHUA c/n 9914 ex T.3-28 wfu 1983 and b/u
G-BHUB c/n 19975 ex T.3-29 preserved in USA as 315509
G-BHUC c/n 25764 ex T.3-20 became CP-1668 w/o
G-BHUD c/n 32776 ex T.3-46 became N2619M fate unknown
G-BLFK c/n 20721 ex T.3-34 became C-GJDM wfu
G-BLFL c/n 34214 ex T.3-54 preserved in Berlin as 45-0951

Taken with a Soviet made Zenith E camera and standard lens.

You can see a random selection of my aviation memories here: www.flickriver.com/photos/heathrowjunkie/random/

Taken in: UK / England / Hart District / Blackbushe (show map)

Taken on: July 1, 1979

Tags:

T.3-2

T.3-27

C-47

Douglas DC3

Spanish Air Force

Fuerza Aérea Española

Blackbushe

G-BGCE

G-BGCG

propliner « less

Sets appears in: • Aviation Scene 1979 • Military Transports, Tankers & Reconnaissance more » • Propliners « less

Groups appears in: • Aircraft • Military Aviation Photography more » • Flickritis: over 87,000 waiting for a vaccine. • Aircraft Spotting • Plane Spotting • McDonnell Douglas • 250 views AND 10 faves - quality AND quantity • Planes & Airports • **FlickrsBest** • We Love Airplanes • "Exemplary Shots - Flickr's BEST! (Post 1 Award 3)" • **Explore Unexplored!** (10 Favs & No Explored) • *Best of Flickr* (Comment 1 / invite 2) PHOTOS ONLY • Your best photo on Flickr • Military Transport Aircraft • Douglas Skytrain or Dakota • british aircraft & aviation • Military Aircraft • Aviation Photography Group • Pre Digital Aviation • Aircraft Junkies • ***Flickr Global • Douglas Aircraft Company • Aviation Worldwide • SPOTTER'S AIRPLANE'S WORLD • ALL AVIATION PHOTOS • Zenit Central • Best of the Best on Flickr • AVIATION ♥ PASSION! • World Aviation Pics and Vids • Propliners (Historic Old Props) • ` FLICKR ´ • Planespotting in Britain • Plane Spotting [around the world] • GLOBAL MILITARY AVIATION • Aviones (Sin limite de grupos) • WorldAviation • Aircraft Addiction • Aviation World • Flickr Social • A V I A T I O N ✈ • The Aviation Group (No 30/60 limit) • Planespotter (No 30/60 limit) • Plane-Spotting • Plane in a Frame (unlimited upload) • world military aviation • Aircraft faded glory • #1 The Aviation reference group • AWP # Storage & Boneyard • Aircraft [No Limited] • AWP # Cargo & Freight • Aircraft [No Limited] • *** Aviation (No 30/60 Limit) *** • Aces in the sky • AWP # Vintage & Golden Years of Airlines [No 30/60 Limit] • SpottingLog - Aviation Photography • Aircraft Manufacturer # USA • Civil Defunct [No Limited] • The best photographs from around the world. • G - / (No 30/60 limit) UK Great Britain and Northern Ireland Nat • Douglas # DC "Propellers" family • All series • Old Aircraft, Old Planes (No 30/60 limit) • Military only, Warbirds Old and New (No 30/60 limit) military pl • Air Flickr or Flickr Flight (No 30/60 Restriction) « less

Stats: 2,764 views / 6 comments

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: