07.11.2025
Artikel Nummer: 54364
Historic DC-3 to remain grounded but not forgotten
Dutch aviation museum Aviodrome has decided not to keep the legendary DC-3 Dakota PH-PBA airworthy after concluding that maintenance and operational costs would outweigh the benefits of a few annual demonstration flights. Instead, the aircraft will become part of the museum’s permanent exhibition from 2026.
Built in 1944 as a C-47 cargo aircraft, the DC-3 played a key role during D-Day and Operation Market Garden, later serving as the Dutch government’s first official aircraft and flying for the Royal Family.
Aviodrome plans to display the aircraft in its T2 hangar and install a functional engine that can be run during events — keeping the sound of the Dakota’s propellers alive for future generations. (ah)