After an illustrious 81 years of service, the Douglas C-47 Dakota, a stalwart of the South African Air Force (SAAF), is being retired. Known for its durability and versatility, the C-47 Dakota has been a cornerstone of military aviation in South Africa since its introduction in 1943.
The decision to retire the fleet comes as no surprise, given that the aircraft have not taken to the skies for approximately two years. The grounding of all eight C-47TPs in the SAAF’s inventory was confirmed by Armscor, South Africa’s state-owned defense company, during a presentation to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans (PCDMV). The primary challenge has been securing a maintenance provider, a task made difficult by the aircraft’s age and the absence of support from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
Armscor’s attempts to secure a maintenance contract for the C-47TP Dakota fleet since 2018 have been unsuccessful, leading to several specification amendments and ongoing discussions about the future of these historic aircraft. The lack of Aircraft Maintenance Organizations (AMOs) with the Dakota C-47TP in their operational specifications has further complicated the situation.
The C-47 Dakota, affectionately dubbed the “workhorse of the air,” has played a significant role in South African aviation history. The SAAF once boasted the largest fleet of Dakotas in the world, with these resilient aircraft supporting transport and logistical missions throughout their service life.
The Dakotas’ service extended beyond transport; they were pivotal during the Border War, performing troop transport, resupply, medical evacuation, paratrooping, and other ancillary activities. Post-war, the fleet size was reduced, and in the early 1990s, a significant upgrade transformed several Dakotas into ‘TurboDaks’ under Project Felstone, enhancing their capabilities with modern turboprop engines and avionics.
35 Squadron, based at Air Force Base Ysterplaat, has been synonymous with the Dakota since 1985. Despite the retirement of the classic piston-engined Dakotas in 1994, the squadron continued to operate the modified turbine engine C-47-TP Dakota in various roles, including maritime surveillance, transport, electronic intelligence gathering, and training.
Currently, only five C-47TPs remain in service, with three configured for maritime surveillance and two for transport. The future of 35 Squadron remains uncertain, but it is expected to continue operations with another SAAF platform to maintain pilot proficiency.
As the SAAF prepares to bid farewell to the C-47 Dakota, the exact date of withdrawal and the details of any final flight or disposal plans are yet to be announced. The retirement of these venerable aircraft marks the end of an era, but their legacy in South African aviation history will undoubtedly endure.