Astra in Quinte West in Hastings County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
CC-129 Dakota
Douglas
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 12, 2025
1. CC-129 Dakota Marker
The Douglas Aircraft [Corporation] DC-3/C-47 (designated CC-129 Dakota by the RCAF) was built in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The venerable Dakota (sometimes nicknamed Gooney Birds and Daks) were designed by Arthur Raymond with help from Jack Northrop, who created the aircraft's cantilever multicellular wings. The Dakota also used a new aluminum alloy that has just been invented by Alcad. The first DC-3 took off on December 17, 1935, in Santa Monica, California.
The planes could fly through almost anything, including enemy fire and even collisions. They were trustworthy transports that could deliver goods or soldiers wherever needed. Their finest moments came in Burma, where they played an enormous role in resupplying the British Army. Dakota 12963 had a long and distinguished career before arriving at the National Air Force Museum in 1989 when the fleet was retired.
In January 1944, the aircraft was delivered to the RAF and given the serial number FZ658. While with the RAF, it served with 512 Squadron (Broadwell) and 48 Squadron (Down Ampney). On the night of June 5, 1944, FZ658 was one of 32 Dakotas
this page online
In September 1945, FZ658 was tasked for use in India, with the RCAF's 435 and 436 Squadrons. Like many other Dakotas, its job was to transport supplies and troops from India to the British Army in Burma during the war in the Pacific. When the war ended, it was the last Canadian aircraft to leave Burma. It returned to England with 435 Squadron and in 1946 it was officially transferred to 436 Squadron [in] the RCAF fleet. Because of this, the Museum's DC-3 was repainted in the "Canucks Unlimited" Burma colours.
Specifications
Tail #: 12963 Mark: 3
Wingspan: 28.95 m. Length: 19.64 m
Max Weight: 11793 kg
Max Speed: 369 km/h
Crew: 2 pilots, 3 crew, 26 passengers
Role: transport, trainer, target towing and search & rescue
In service: 1943-1990
N° d'immatriculation: 12963 Mark: 3
Envergure: 28,95 m, Longueur: 19,64 m
Masse maximale: 11 793 kg
Vitesse maximale 369 km/h
Équipage: 2 pilotes, 3 membres
d'équipage, 26 passagers
Rôle: transport, entraînement, remorquer de
cibles ainsi que recherche et sauvetage
En service: 1943-1990
Erected by National
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., May 12, 2025
2. CC-129 Dakota Marker
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Patriots & Patriotism • War, Cold • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is June 5, 1944.
Location. 44° 6.886′ N, 77° 33.009′ W. Memorial is in Quinte West, Ontario, in Hastings County. It is in Astra. It can be reached from Hastings 21. Marker and aircraft are in the National Air Force Museum of Canada's Memorial Air Park. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 220 RCAF Road, Quinte West ON K0K 3V0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Eastern Ontario and specifically in Southeastern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 436 Transport Squadron "Adopt an Aircraft" (here, next to this marker); Loadmasters Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Para Rescue Association of Canada (a few steps from this marker); Ex-RCAF Flight Sergeants (a few steps from this marker); World War II Canadian Aviators Lost in South East Asia (a few steps from this marker); MiG-21 (a few steps from this marker); No. 6 Repair Depot (a few steps from this marker); CH-118 Iroquois (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Quinte West.
More about this memorial. Admission required, and the outdoor Air Park is closed during inclement weather.
Also see . . .
1. CC-129 Dakota. (Submitted on June 2, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. National Air Force Museum of Canada. (Submitted on June 2, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 2, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 2, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
