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"Klapperkop"
Douglas DC-3
ZS-BXF
c/n 12107
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Complementing the two Skymasters is another member of the Douglas Aircraft family; a DC-3 named "Klapperkop".
On 17 December 1903, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the 1903 Wright Flyer became the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to achieve controlled, sustained flight with a pilot aboard. With Orville Wright at the controls, the aeroplane took off from a launching rail and flew for 12 seconds and a distance of 37 meters (120 feet).
Thirty-two years later, to the day, on 17 December 1935, at Santa Monica, California, an aircraft, designed by Arthur Raymond, took to the skies. That aircraft was model number three of the Douglas Commercial Transports.
The venerable DC-3 has enjoyed an illustrious career with numerous South African operators. The South African Air Force was one of the World's largest operators of the DC-3 with over 80 examples. The first delivery to the SAAF having taken place in June 1943. The SAAF "Gooney Birds" took part in the Second World War ferrying troops and supplies and much later did duty in the Angolan war and the Namibian border campaign.
The Douglas DC-3 was one of the first aeroplanes to be put into service with most of the major airlines after World War Two, including South African Airways. After the end of hostilities in the Far East a number of SAAF C-47 "Dakota" aircraft were transferred to SAA to augment the Lockheed Lodestars with which SAA had started post-war services. The Dakotas were soundproofed and fitted out with 21 seats for airline service. The Dakota served with SAA for nearly a quarter of a century, providing reliable service on all the internal and regional sectors. When retired from SAA service the "Daks" were sold to the SAAF.
After her second spell with the South African Air Force ZS-BXF was again purchased by South African Airways and added to the Historic Flight fleet. She was restored to pristine condition and her fist post-restoration public outing was to the Vereeniging air show in October 1993.
Klapperkop as she is named, is painted to represent the DC-3s that began service with South African Airways during the 1940's. Her main task nowadays is a leisurely one, taking passengers on low-level nostalgia trips. Specifically safaris throughout Southern Africa to exotic places like the Victoria Falls. Her Sunday flips are extremely popular giving passengers a low-level view of Johannesburg and its environs.
Klapperkop was ferried from O.R. Tambo International Airport to Rand Airport on Friday 10 November 2006. She had been at O.R. Tambo for repairs to damage sustained during a forced landing in a grass field shortly after take-off from Lanseria Airport on 21 November 2003.
As a very warm and comfortable aeroplane, the DC-3 has always been at the forefront in the area of passenger comfort and this is evident when one steps on board “Klapperkop”. Durable, reliable, responsive, dependable – these are the traits that make the DC-3 one of the most respected and loved aircraft the world has ever known.
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Model:
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C-47A-1-DK
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Built in:
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Oklahoma City
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USAAF No:
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42-92320
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Delivered
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29-11-1943
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RAF No:
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FZ 572
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Accepted at Nassau
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24-12-1943
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SAAF No:
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6821
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To 5 Wing Cairo
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31-01-1944
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To S.A.A.
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16-08-1948 ZS-BXF KLAPPERKOP
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To SAAF No. 6888 08-02-1971
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44 Squadron
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To S.A.A. HISTORIC FLIGHT
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ZS-BXF 14-05-1991
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First flight after restoration:
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16-10-1993
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Technical details for Douglas C47/DC-3 Dakota
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Wingspan
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29.11 metres / 95.5 feet
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Length
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19.43 metres / 63.75 feet
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Weight empty
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7,650 kgs / 16,865 lbs
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Weight loaded
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11,431 kgs / 25,200 lbs
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Cruise speed
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333 kph / 207 mph
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Ceiling
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7,070 metres / 23,200 feet
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Normal range
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3,420 km / 2,125 miles
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Engines
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2 x Pratt & Whitney R-1830 S1C3G air-cooled Radials developing 894 KW / 1200 HP driving 3 blade constant speed Hamilton Standard propellers
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Passengers
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26
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Crew
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2 pilots 1 cabin attendant
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ZS-BXF arrives back at her home base Rand Airport after another successful ten-day charter to Southern Africa’s exotic tourist destinations. Photo Bruce Perkins
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Pratt & Whitney
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Twin Wasp. model SIC3G (R1830-92) geared 16:9 with one 3.5N damper.
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Type:
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2-row, radial, air-cooled
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Number of cylinders:
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14
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Bore:
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5.5 inches
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Stroke:
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5.5 inches
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Piston displacement:
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1830 cubic inches
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Compression ratio:
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6.70 : 1
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Impeller ratio:
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7.15 : 1
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Impeller diameter:
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11 inches
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Crankshaft rotation:
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Clockwise
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Propeller rotation:
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Clockwise
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Propeller reduction gear ratio:
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0.5625 : 1
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Propeller shaft spline size:
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SAE No. 50
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Average engine dry weight:
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1467 lbs
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Carburettor type:
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PS-12H4 (-92 engine)
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Fuel grade spec:
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MIL F-5572A, grade 100/130
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Oil grade spec:
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MIL L-6082 (Castrol AD120)
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Take-off (one minute only)
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1200 BHP at 2700 RPM and 48 in.Hg., or 1200 BHP at 2750 RPM and 47 in.Hg.
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Maximum take off weight
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26900 LB
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Maximum landing weight
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26200 LB
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Aircraft empty weight
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18838 LB
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Dry operating weight (24 seats)
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19608 LB
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Maximum fuel weight (804 USG)
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4824 LB
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US GALL
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IMP GALL
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LITRES
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Each main tank
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202
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168
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762
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Each aux tank
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200
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167
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759
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Total fuel
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804
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670
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3044
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Type: Hamilton Standard; Hub 23E50, Blades 6477A-0
Diameter: 11 foot 6 3/8 inches maximum
11 foot 3 3/8 inches minimum
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Prohibited rpm ranges
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BELOW 1700 (TAILPLANE)
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1850 – 1950 (PROPELLER)
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2100 – 2300 (CRANKCASE)
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Maximum ias
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180 KTS
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Gear down limit
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140 KTS
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1/4 flap limit
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130 KTS
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More flap limit
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100 KTS
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Turbulence speed
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115 KTS
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Critical speed Vmca
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76 KTS
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Engine-out climb V2
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84 KTS
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Climb best rate
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110 KTS
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Base leg speed
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90 KTS
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Finals speed
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80 KTS
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Threshold speed
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75 KTS
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Max X-wind
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23 KTS (TAKEOFF)
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18 KTS (LANDING)
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Douglas DC-3 ZS-BXF celebrated her 65th Birthday on 29 November 2008. Just when she thought it would be nice to park off in front of the Texan Room at the Harvard Cafe and relax for the day her operator had better ideas, in the form of a 30-minute Corporate Sunset Flight for Skynet Worldwide Express. The photographs below depict the aircraft kitted out with the corporate branding of Skynet in the form of decals to the exterior and branded headrest covers on the seats. The passengers boarded from a gate that leads from Harvard Cafe onto the airport apron.
Photos: John Austin-Williams
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