Classic Air DC-3 HB-ISC

Switzerland, December 1998 (Propfreak Collection)

Zurich based Classic Air used 2 DC-3s for pleasure flights from 1985 until 2003. In 1998 ISC was painted into this striking scheme promoting the perfume label Alrodo. HB-ISC still resides in Switzerland, owned privately, and has been seen recently in a metallic color scheme with Swissair titles at the nose performing at several airshows throughout Switzerland.

Connair DC-3 VH-UPQ

Australia, December 1979 (Propfreak Collection)

Connair (formerly known as Connellan Airways) operated out of Alice Springs, it flew routes throughout the Northern Territory and the north of Western Australia and provided support for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Connair came into financial difficulties and was bought out by East-West airlines in 1980, but went into liquidation shortly after.
VH-UPQ was a former Royal Australian Air Force example, based in Malaysia. After World War 2 she was transferred to the Aircraft Development & Research Unit (ARDU) and later based at the Woomera Rocket Range. In 1973 she joined Connair which was renamed to Northern Airlines in 1980. Setair took her over in December of the same year. In 1984 the old Dakota found a new home with Rebel Air (Sydney), an operator of two more DC-3s. The next owner became Dakota National Air who used her on nostalgic flights. In 2003 renamed to Discovery Airtours she continued to operate out of Sydney Bankstown. She remains stored at Bankstown in a rather derelict state.

Saeta DC-3 HC-AVQ

Guayaquil, June 1972 (Propfreak Collection)

SAETA (Sociedad Anonima Ecuatoriana de Transportes Aéreos) started operations in 1966. In 1971 HC-AVQ joined the fleet when she was bought from Bahamas Airways. Originally build in 1944 for the USAF, she later served with the RAF before entering civil life with BEA. After spending time with Cyprus Airways, Silver City Airways and Skyways she crossed the pond again to fly for Bahamas Airways. HC-AVQ and her 2 sisterships were used to establish domestic air links in Ecuador. When Viscounts and Caravelles where acquired their days were numbered. HC-AVQ was sold to Air Sunshine in February 1977. In the late nineties the old Dakota was again flying in the Caribbean, operated by Four Star Aviation and Virgin Islands International Airways. By 1989 her luck run out and she was hit by a hurricane while parked at St.Thomas. 2 years later the oldtimer was scrapped.

Finnish Air Force DC-3 DO-11

Bern Belp, July 1971 (Propfreak Collection)

DC-3A-453 was destined for Pan American but not taken up. Instead she went to the USAF as a C-53C in December 1942. She was in store at Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, when the state of Finnland acquired her for service with Aero Oy. As OH-LCH she served the airline till 1960. She was dismantled for spare parts, but emerged again in 1963 converted to a freighter and registered again as OH-LCH to Finnair Oy (the descendant of Aero Oy). She was sold to the Air Force in March 1970 and served as DO-11 till 1985 when all DC-3s were retired from the Air Force. Airverteran Oy bought her and again she took to the air as OH-LCH. 65 years old and the old lady is still flown regularly on the European airshow circuit.

Hamburg Fuhlsbüttel, 16th September 2007 (Propfreak)