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DC-3 VENNERNE (DANISH DAKOTA FRIENDS) is
an organization that, as one of its purposes, has to contribute
financially to keep the air worthy DC-3 belonging to "Foreningen For
Flyvende Museumsfly" (Association For Flying Museum Aircraft)
maintained and flying. Based on their activities to retain historic
aircraft, both organizations have received tax exemption. This is very
important for the organizations, since it gives them the best possible
opportunities to gather the economic resources needed to undertake the
very costly tasks of flying and maintaining the aircraft. |
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to an outstanding initiative begun 1991 success was gained in 1992
to keep the last air worthy DC-3 in Denmark, and thereby its
characteristic silhouette in the Danish skies. |
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DC-3 VENNERNE is very popular, and is now
at around 2900 members. Nevertheless, we still need more members. No
prior or current connection to aircraft is needed to join in keeping
this fine specimen, the most legendary aircraft in the history of
flight.
Incidentally, the DC-3 flew its first flight on 17 December 1935. This
particular aircraft is somewhat younger. OY-BPB (formerly known in the
Royal Danish Air Force as K-682) rolled out from the production line
in Long Beach, California on April 3rd 1944 as C-47A No 3406.
The Douglas Company produced a total of 10,655 DC-3 aircraft, while
some 5-6,000 has been built under license in Russia, China and Japan.
To celebrate the 50 years anniversary of SAS OY-BPB has been flying
the 1996 and 97 season painted in the original colors of SAS, but this
is now changed back to the original "Air Force One" paint scheme of
RDAF.
Another purpose of DC-3 VENNERNE is to promote the interest in and
knowledge about the importance of this aircraft to Danish and
international aviation.
Thus we publish our member's magazine "DC-3 NYT" four times a year,
containing 20 pages of exiting articles (all in Danish), pictures,
stories, flying programs and information to the members. We also run a
souvenir shop with ample opportunities to purchase lasting memories of
the DC-3, directly or by mail. We can offer pictures of the aircraft
in several different paint schemes, either as post cards or photos.
The shop has caps, T-shirts, shirts, socks, tags, DC-3 wine, carafe
and glass sets, key chains, lighters etc., anything you could desire.
As a member, you have the opportunity to join in on one of our many
exiting flights, offered each year from May to September. We fly a
great number of sightseeing flights and participate in several
aviation arrangements, one of which is the RDAF Open House Air Show.
You can even arrange you own flight, in Denmark or the immediate
surroundings, at reasonable prices. Treat yourself to a flight in our
lovely DC-3. Take in the view of the Danish countryside while enjoying
the low hum of the perfectly trimmed TWIN WASP engines. Honey for the
ears and the sound of freedom.
Enthusiasm and the joy of working around the dear DC-3 is the main
spirit of the organization, and even though the aircraft is flown by
voluntary unpaid people, the technicians, pilots and tour guides are
all professionals with many years of experience either from the
military or civil aviation.
The aircraft carries 16-18 passengers.DC-3 VENNERNE has been given
facilities at Værløse Air Base, and while our aircraft rest during
winter, we arrange evening meetings exchanging information about the
aircraft and memorizing the many flights.
So what's the cost of all this? It's got to be expensive giving all
these offers. NO, it's actually quite inexpensive to be a member. A
personal membership is only 140 DKr. a year, while the whole family
can join for 220 DKr. The price for all members living
outside Denmark is 220 Dkr due to the higher postage cost.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
OY-BPB History
- 03-04-1944 Roll out
- 09-04-1944 Accepted by USAAF
- 14-04-1944 TCC, Baer Field,
Indiana
- 29-08-1944 805. Base Unit,
George Field, Illinois
- 26-04-1945 Left George Field via
Nashville, Tenn. for Montreal, Canada
- 24-05-1945 Delivered to the
Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNAF) under "Lend and Lease"
Used by RNAF until June 1946 when it was leased by RNAF to Det
Norske Luftfartselskab,
DNL (The Norwegian Air Lines)
- 16-10-1946 Registered LN-IAT and
named "Nordtind"
- 18-10-1946 Began scheduled
flying
- 01-10-1948 Painted in
Scandinavian Airlines System colors. Retained reg. LN-IAT but
renamed "Terje Viking"
- 15-12-1948 Taken over by DNL
from RNAF - The price was 125,000 Norwegian kroner.
- 08-02-1951 Taken over by SAS
- 30-07-1953 Last scheduled flight
for SAS
- 16-09-1953 Deleted from the
Norwegian register
- 01-10-1953 Bought by the Royal
Danish Air Force (RDAF) from SAS - The price was
588,200 Danish kroner.
- RDAF serial 68-682.
- 01-01-1954 To ESK 721 (Squadron
721)
- 02-01-1955 Painted in camouflage
colors (gray/green/blue)
- 15-12-1960 Reregistered K-682.
Radio call sign: OV-JBM
- 09-12-1966 Repainted in "VIP-colors":
White top, two thin black cheatlines, silver bottom,
day-glo panels on nose,
tail and wing tips.
- 30-07-1982 Last flight for RDAF
- 06-08-1982 Stored at RDAF Base
Værløse
- 03-03-1983 Leased by Bohnstedt-Petersen
A/S
- 31-10-1983 Returned to storage
- 21-02-1985 Taken over by
Bohnstedt-Petersen A/S as OY-BPB. Retained RDAF colors.
Orange panels partly overpainted. Used as a company plane, but
also used for pleasure flights at airshows.
- 25-06-1992 Taken over by The
Association for Flying Museums Planes/Danish Dakota
Friends as OY-BPB.
- Retained RDAF colors.
- 19-04-1996 Repainted in original
1946 SAS colors and named "Arv Viking"
- 28-08-1996 New #2 engine (very
expensive - 300,000 Danish kroner)
Flying time: ca. 21000 hours
- 1998 Repainted to the 1966 Royal
Danish Air Force scheme.
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DANISH DAKOTA FRIENDS
