KG651 HISTORY
The Dakota in MAVC’s collection is not one that was used at RAF Metheringham, it was bought and put into active service by the RAF in 1944. It was then sold in November 1946 and converted into a civilian aircraft, finally being retired from operation in 2000.
We know little of her RAF Service other than she was assigned to 24 Sqn and used on VIP duties. If you have any information at all on this aspect of her life, we would love to hear from you. What we do know is this:-
The Dakota in MAVC’s collection is not one that was used at RAF Metheringham, it was bought and put into active service by the RAF in 1944. It was then sold in November 1946 and converted into a civilian aircraft, finally being retired from operation in 2000.
We know little of her RAF Service other than she was assigned to 24 Sqn and used on VIP duties. If you have any information at all on this aspect of her life, we would love to hear from you. What we do know is this:-
- Built at the Douglas Aircraft Company in Oaklahoma City, United States of America and allocated construction number 13468, as a C-47A-25-DK
- Originally delivered for service with the United States Army Air Force, with tail number 42-108962, on the 30th May 1944, but subsequently to the United Kingdom under the Lend Lease Agreement.
- Initially delivered to the Royal Air Force No. 45 Group at Montreal Dorval, Canada, on the 3rd June 1944, and allocated the RAF military serial KG651.
- Arrived in the United Kingdom on the 13th June 1944. The aircraft then served with the following RAF Squadrons:
- 109 Operational Conversion Unit, Crosby in Eden, Cumberland (26/8/44).
- 24 Squadron, VIP Flight, Hendon (29/8/45).
- 1383 Transport Support Conversion Unit, Crosby in Eden, Cumberland (01/03/46).
- 1333 Transport Support Conversion Unit, Leicester East (23/7/46).
- Declared surplus to requirements and placed into storage with 22 Maintenance Unit, Silloth, Cumberland (01/10/46)55.
- It was sold in November 1946 to Air Prospectors and given its civilian registration, G-AMHJ. Over the following 40 years the aircraft was owned by 20 different airlines / operators in countries as diverse as South Africa (registered ZS-BRW), Cyprus, Iraq, Egypt (registered SU-AZI) and the United Kingdom.
- Pan African Air Charters Ltd of South Africa – Registered as ZS-BRW – 16 May 1947
- Cyprus Airways, named "Paphos" - Registered G-AMHJ - 06 Feb 1951
- Iraq Petroleum Transport Co Ltd - 28 Jun 1956
- Hunting Clan Air Transport Ltd - 17 Apr 1957
- Hunting Clan Air Services Ltd - 9 Jan 1958
- Iraq Petroleum Transport Company Ltd, named "Qatar Petroleum" - 11 Jul 1958
- British United Airways Ltd - 15 May 1961
- Morton Air Services Ltd - 14 Jul 1962
- BUIA L (Dak Mk 6) - 1 Nov 1968
- British Island Airways - 20 Jul 1971
- Site Aviation Ltd - 08 Jan to 21 Jan 1974
- Macedonian Airways Ltd - 15 Mar 1974
- Humber Airways Ltd - 30 Dec 1974
- Pett Aviation Ltd - 1975
- Intra Airways - 30 Jun 1975
- International Air Cargo as SU-AZI - 5 Nov 1976
- Intra Airways as G-AMHJ again - 26 Aug 1977
- Jersey European Airways - 1 Nov 1979
- Field Aviation Ltd, East Midlands Airport - 23 Jan 1980
- Express Air Freight - Air Atlantique Coventry Airport - 29 Jan 1982
- Air Luton - Date unknown
- Finally purchased in 1987 by Air Atlantique, it was operated out of their Coventry Airport base, primarily in a Pollution Control and Oil Spill dispersal role.
- It was retired from operations in 2000 and stored at Coventry Airport.
- Stuart Powney of Air Atlantique, presented it to the Assault Glider Trust in November 2002 and in December 2003, it was delivered by road to the Trust's facility at RAF Shawbury.
- On closure of the Assault Glider Trust's facility, the aircraft was moved to North Weald, in connection with the Royal Air Force Transport Command Memorial.
- However, once again fate intervened and another new home had to be found rather quickly, which led to KG651 being presented to the Friends of Metheringham Airfield, where it arrived by road on 16th November 2015.
KG651 having arrived by road from North Weald. Photo with kind permission of the owner
Metheringham
Our Douglas Dakota KG651 is one of the star attractions at Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre as it provides a unique opportunity for visitors to climb inside this remarkable WW2 workhorse and even sit in the cockpit. The restoration of Dakota KG651 to represent a 1944 RAF Dakota is a significant ongoing project at Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre.
With its link to the aircraft type, Metheringham, is a fitting place for her to now rest and be displayed to the public. Originally on display outside. The elements, combined with her age were taking their toll, and the decision was taken to provide hangarage. This was a rather ambitious task for such a small Museum, but with dedication and assistance, it was finally achieved and access for the public is now far easier; as are the maintenance aspects for the volunteer engineers who look after her.
Our Douglas Dakota KG651 is one of the star attractions at Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre as it provides a unique opportunity for visitors to climb inside this remarkable WW2 workhorse and even sit in the cockpit. The restoration of Dakota KG651 to represent a 1944 RAF Dakota is a significant ongoing project at Metheringham Airfield Visitor Centre.
With its link to the aircraft type, Metheringham, is a fitting place for her to now rest and be displayed to the public. Originally on display outside. The elements, combined with her age were taking their toll, and the decision was taken to provide hangarage. This was a rather ambitious task for such a small Museum, but with dedication and assistance, it was finally achieved and access for the public is now far easier; as are the maintenance aspects for the volunteer engineers who look after her.
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14 April 2024
A lot has happened since the last update. The repaint of the Dakota in RAF and USAAF schemes has been completed, other than a few small additions such as “No Step” markings that will be applied over the next few months. The majority was done over the Winter of 2022 /2023 with the finer details, such as nose art and mission marking, being progressed over the following months. The split RAF/USAAF scheme has been well received by all who have seen it. It is a vast improvement over the faded paintwork we had and all carried out by our team of volunteers, top work and all within budget.
The cosmetic rebuild of the Pratt & Whitney R1830 Dakota engine is almost finished. We are still trying to source a few missing parts but it is complete enough to show how these large, impressive piston engines work. Having this engine to display on a stand has permitted better close up viewing for visitors and allowed us to fit all the engine fairings to the Dakota and still be able to display an engine.
Our storage of parts and equipment has improved greatly with the arrival of a Portakabin and container outside the hangar in mid 2023. This has allowed us to remove the stored items from the hangar and finally open the walkway all the way round the hangar. The RAF side of KG651 can now be viewed fully, along with the 1/3 scale Horsa glider, Jeep, Welbike and CLE container, all key pieces of Airborne operations equipment in one place.
A problem we had with the hangar in it's first year of operation (2023) was that the temperature on sunny Summer days became excessive inside. It would have been nice to have some big hangar doors to open but the cost was prohibitive. In February 2024 we fitted a pair of large ventilation fans that will hopefully improve the situation this year. We just need some warm sunny weather to test it now......
The view from the Dakota cockpit was rather disappointing, being just the hangar wall. In late 2023 we made enquiries with a digital artist, Piotr Forkasiewicz in Poland, about producing a high resolution image of RAF Metheringham in 1944, viewed from a Dakota cockpit height. Piotr has produced a fantastic image with lots of detail, for us. We have had it printed locally on a large banner 3m x 10m. This has been mounted on the wall in front of the Dakota, just in time for the opening in 2024. The view from the cockpit is now over the airfield with 106 Sqdn. Lancasters parked on the dispersals being worked on, it looks great.
New for 2024, we have a series on information boards around the hangar walls detailing the history of Dakotas, KG651, some of the crews who flew it, Airborne operations, Casevac operations and other related information.
Future work.
Over the coming months we will progress the finer details of the repaint of the Dakota, all those little instructions about what oil to use, where to refuel and where not to step. All small details but they all add to the authentic 1940's appearance of the Dakota.
We have been gathering information and parts to improve the aerial installation on KG651. It has very few of the radio and navigation aerials it would have had in 1944. Some were removed in later civilian life and others were added in the 1960's and 70's to comply with requirements then. Many of the 1940's aerials are no longer available, most got thrown away as changes were made. We are getting some 3D printed and others made from drawings to recreate an authentic 1944 appearance. Again, a small detail but something that all adds to the look.
We have fitted a glider tow fitting, well the visible parts at least. We hope to get a genuine glider tow fitting that we plan to renovate and display so visitors can see all of this important piece of equipment, not just the the end of it that is visible when installed.
With a restoration project like this, you never can tell what will turn up and what opportunity may present itself. We have a small chance of acquiring another R1830 engine that will possibly be in much better condition than our static display item, it's big end bearings were in the oil filter! We hope to be looking into the possibility of having a ground runner at some point...... That could be an interesting long term project for our volunteers.
A lot has happened since the last update. The repaint of the Dakota in RAF and USAAF schemes has been completed, other than a few small additions such as “No Step” markings that will be applied over the next few months. The majority was done over the Winter of 2022 /2023 with the finer details, such as nose art and mission marking, being progressed over the following months. The split RAF/USAAF scheme has been well received by all who have seen it. It is a vast improvement over the faded paintwork we had and all carried out by our team of volunteers, top work and all within budget.
The cosmetic rebuild of the Pratt & Whitney R1830 Dakota engine is almost finished. We are still trying to source a few missing parts but it is complete enough to show how these large, impressive piston engines work. Having this engine to display on a stand has permitted better close up viewing for visitors and allowed us to fit all the engine fairings to the Dakota and still be able to display an engine.
Our storage of parts and equipment has improved greatly with the arrival of a Portakabin and container outside the hangar in mid 2023. This has allowed us to remove the stored items from the hangar and finally open the walkway all the way round the hangar. The RAF side of KG651 can now be viewed fully, along with the 1/3 scale Horsa glider, Jeep, Welbike and CLE container, all key pieces of Airborne operations equipment in one place.
A problem we had with the hangar in it's first year of operation (2023) was that the temperature on sunny Summer days became excessive inside. It would have been nice to have some big hangar doors to open but the cost was prohibitive. In February 2024 we fitted a pair of large ventilation fans that will hopefully improve the situation this year. We just need some warm sunny weather to test it now......
The view from the Dakota cockpit was rather disappointing, being just the hangar wall. In late 2023 we made enquiries with a digital artist, Piotr Forkasiewicz in Poland, about producing a high resolution image of RAF Metheringham in 1944, viewed from a Dakota cockpit height. Piotr has produced a fantastic image with lots of detail, for us. We have had it printed locally on a large banner 3m x 10m. This has been mounted on the wall in front of the Dakota, just in time for the opening in 2024. The view from the cockpit is now over the airfield with 106 Sqdn. Lancasters parked on the dispersals being worked on, it looks great.
New for 2024, we have a series on information boards around the hangar walls detailing the history of Dakotas, KG651, some of the crews who flew it, Airborne operations, Casevac operations and other related information.
Future work.
Over the coming months we will progress the finer details of the repaint of the Dakota, all those little instructions about what oil to use, where to refuel and where not to step. All small details but they all add to the authentic 1940's appearance of the Dakota.
We have been gathering information and parts to improve the aerial installation on KG651. It has very few of the radio and navigation aerials it would have had in 1944. Some were removed in later civilian life and others were added in the 1960's and 70's to comply with requirements then. Many of the 1940's aerials are no longer available, most got thrown away as changes were made. We are getting some 3D printed and others made from drawings to recreate an authentic 1944 appearance. Again, a small detail but something that all adds to the look.
We have fitted a glider tow fitting, well the visible parts at least. We hope to get a genuine glider tow fitting that we plan to renovate and display so visitors can see all of this important piece of equipment, not just the the end of it that is visible when installed.
With a restoration project like this, you never can tell what will turn up and what opportunity may present itself. We have a small chance of acquiring another R1830 engine that will possibly be in much better condition than our static display item, it's big end bearings were in the oil filter! We hope to be looking into the possibility of having a ground runner at some point...... That could be an interesting long term project for our volunteers.
5th October 2022 - Engine Update
Our Engineers have been hard at work behind the scenes and now have the third engine stripped down with all 14 Cylinders removed, The engine and the cylinders are being cleaned up and once passed for inspection, the engine will be coming to the front of the aircraft as part of the engine change scene mentioned in the text below.
Our Engineers have been hard at work behind the scenes and now have the third engine stripped down with all 14 Cylinders removed, The engine and the cylinders are being cleaned up and once passed for inspection, the engine will be coming to the front of the aircraft as part of the engine change scene mentioned in the text below.
11th July 2022 - A third engine arrives
The latest acquisition for the Dakota Hangar, a Pratt & Whitney R1830 radial engine, as used in a Dakota, donated from RAF Heritage and the BBMF at RAF Coningsby. Many thanks to Chief Tech Tim Davies for organising the transfer to MAVC. The engine is suitable for static display and will be tidied up over the next few weeks and then become part of the maintenance scene around the starboard engine of KG651. The engine cowls will be refitted to the Number 2 engine once the “new” engine's cosmetic restoration is completed. The engine is a 14 cylinder radial with a 1830 cu in (about 30 litres) capacity, hence the R1830 designation.
The photos show Ch.Tech. Tim Davies, Ian Brett and Paul Gash with the engine almost ready to go from the BBMF. The tyres are to stop the engine moving in the trailer. Andrew Scoley transporting the engine from the trailer to the hangar door at Metheringham, with the very useful Manitou. Final photo is of the engine in (almost) the right place alongside the Dakota.
The photos show Ch.Tech. Tim Davies, Ian Brett and Paul Gash with the engine almost ready to go from the BBMF. The tyres are to stop the engine moving in the trailer. Andrew Scoley transporting the engine from the trailer to the hangar door at Metheringham, with the very useful Manitou. Final photo is of the engine in (almost) the right place alongside the Dakota.
Latest News as at 8th April 2022 - New propeller fitted
Another landmark day for MAVC as we have fitted a second propeller, meaning we again have two on the Dakota for the first time in 3 years. The dome is painted red because KG651 was with 24 Squadron in 1945 and that is the colour they used. The plan is for the existing propeller to remain in the colours used when the USAF flew Dakotas out of RAF Metheringham for repatriation of US soldiers after D day.
Our thanks go to Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby and Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust Ltd for their part in making this a possibility.
If you wish to support the work of the volunteers at MAVC and can help we are continuing to raise funds. We need £1000 to enable us to repaint KG651, please donate to the Dakota fund. Click on the link below.
Another landmark day for MAVC as we have fitted a second propeller, meaning we again have two on the Dakota for the first time in 3 years. The dome is painted red because KG651 was with 24 Squadron in 1945 and that is the colour they used. The plan is for the existing propeller to remain in the colours used when the USAF flew Dakotas out of RAF Metheringham for repatriation of US soldiers after D day.
Our thanks go to Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby and Kent Battle of Britain Museum Trust Ltd for their part in making this a possibility.
If you wish to support the work of the volunteers at MAVC and can help we are continuing to raise funds. We need £1000 to enable us to repaint KG651, please donate to the Dakota fund. Click on the link below.
The Future
The Dakota display inside the Hangar is continuously being added to. Plans are already afoot to eventually paint the aircraft depicting one side in her RAF colours and the other as she would appear in USAAF colours. Research is underway to find a suitable USAAF model to depict and in addition to find a real backstory to those American troops who would have been flown in her back to the US. If you can help in this, please get in touch through the Contact Us link.
The Dakota display inside the Hangar is continuously being added to. Plans are already afoot to eventually paint the aircraft depicting one side in her RAF colours and the other as she would appear in USAAF colours. Research is underway to find a suitable USAAF model to depict and in addition to find a real backstory to those American troops who would have been flown in her back to the US. If you can help in this, please get in touch through the Contact Us link.
