Wardbirds DC-3 Paintjob

[ardypilot]

You may have noticed that ZK-DAK is looking rather shabby in real life at the moment.



I recently went up for a flight in the DC3, and the pilot told me that she was due for a paint scheme change, from the current '48 Squadron D-Day' livery to the 1950's RNZAF blue and white colours.

I am posting here as I have some breaking news from the DAK pilot himself:

I'll keep you posted with progress on the DAK - it is definitely going in for painting after Labour W/End and should be out later in Nov.

You heard it here first people, who is going to be the first person to capture her on camera?

[Charl]

Well, with the kind of connections you have, we could get it into the virtual skies before the real thing!

[ardypilot]

we could get it into the virtual skies before the real thing!

Are you offering to paint it up Charl?

[Charl]

If you can get the official paint plans, there is a wealth of talent on NZFF.
I might get killed in the crush to get there first

[Ian Warren]

There ya go Charl

[Zöltuger]

that's going to look pretty smart

I might get killed in the crush to get there first

the real crush will be when the A380 first arrives in Auckland

[Charl]

Ian your resources are amazing!
But I assume that's not what they're going to do to the WB Dak?

[Ian Warren]

Charl , thought u would want a SHOT at the paint ! , just guessin ? or maybe no? would be the plan they probally do , again guessin , there is an earlier Blue/white paint , got a few pics but no plans . The WB Dak had same paint at Debut Wanaka Airshow - that in 1988 probally time to bring it into the mid period . , heck never tried to paint a MS default before .

[gokanru]

Well when you get the paint job done let me know I'll show 'er off

[ardypilot]

The DAK is off to NP for a flyin at Labour W/end and then Tues 24 Oct heads off to Fieldair at PM to get the new paint job.

Stripping will take about 10 days & similar to put the new coat back on.We're hoping also to get the stbd engine changed at the same time.

No date set for completion but we need to be back in the skies for Dec 1 to keep a date with a charter.

Keep you posted on progress.

[ardypilot]

The aircraft is at Palm Nth and is completely stripped and undergoing general
maintenance and a tidy up ready for paint.

The white upper coat should have gone on today and the wings and tailplane will
get done next week.

She then has to come home for some very important charter work etc over Dec and
then it will return to PM early NY to have the lower fuselage conpleted.

Sadly it could not all be fitted in in the time allocated - usual story, took
much longer to prepare than estimated.

I'll be off to PM on Wed to get ready for the flight home Thurs. It's off to Kerikeri on Fri am.

So, if you want to see ZK-DAK in her half completed paint scheme soon, look out for it at Ardmore next Thursday and Friday.

[ardypilot]

Someone beat me to photographing DAK in her half painted colours:


I did a quick repaint edit for the default FS9 model (see screenies below) if anyone wants it: http://www.myfilehut.com/userfiles/4415 ... %20DAK.zip


I think it looks quite fresh and clean in its half white colors

[ZK-KAG]

Trolly,

While spotting on Wednesday at NZAA, DAK flew over the 23L Threshold. I got a few shots if you want to have a look

[FlyingKiwi]

I saw her when I went out there a couple of days ago, it should look really good once it's complete.

[ardypilot]

From the chief pilot, who is also just about to bring ANZ's latest 777 back from Seattle:

DAK is back at AR but the painting is not complete.
The aircraft will be going back to PM in early Jan to be finished and will be
all done in time for the Wings Over Wairarapa airshow.
Looks pretty sharp so far and has had a lot of work done on tidying up.

KAG- some photos would be awesome man! You should upload all of your planespotting pics at NZFF! I really need to get down to NZAA soon and get some of me own

[K5054NZ]

It feels so strange to see her looking so totally different.......but it really is about time. I can't think of a better scheme for a "warbird" Dak than a VIP machine. B) So how long til she reappears in her new clothes?



Perhaps in another 20yr she'll be done up as a wartime example? Mmmm........Pacific roundels........