ShopDreamUp AI ArtDreamUp
Deviation Actions
Suggested Deviants
Suggested Collections
You Might Like…
Description
One of the most famous 30's transport, A twin engine transport, which was retired from the IAF in 2001, after 52 years of active service. The plane is one of the wonders of the aviation world: more than 60 years have passed since the prototype's maiden flight, and hundreds of Dakotas are still in use. Although there are more modern, efficient and comfortable planes than the Dakota, it remains in service because of its almost unlimited lifespan, low initial cost, low cost of use and very high reliability, service in the Israeli Air Force center began in the War of Independence, for transport missions within Israel and from abroad, as well as on bombing assignments. In February of 1948, one of the IAF's most experienced pilots, Boris Senior, was sent to South Africa to try and procure planes. Among the planes he managed to purchase were two Dakotas, which made it to Israel later in that year.
However, the Dakota's greatest moments in the War of Independence were the times it was used as a bomber. Using the Dakota as a bomber was not an Israeli invention: the Egyptian Air Force had used Dakotas to bomb targets within Israel. The technique used was primitive: the bombs were placed on the floor, in the fore part of the cabin, and a crew of bombardiers dragged them carefully toward the opening (the doors had been removed before takeoff), passing them on from one person to the next. The last bombardier in the line removed the safety pins and threw the bombs out. The bombs weighed over 50 kg. each, and since there were no sights employed, the bombardiers had to rely on their 'touch'. In the end, an engineer named Ze'ev Segal designed a crib-shaped device that made it possible to safely drop bombs weighing up to100 kilos.
In the course of the war the Dakota attacked on all fronts, from Damascus and Kuneitra, southward to Gaza, Be'er Sheva and Faluja. Together with the Commandos and Skymasters, the Dakotas served in Operation 'Avak' ( 'Dust') - for supplying the Negev, and Operation 'Uvda' - the conquest of Eilat.
The Sinai Campaign
In the early 50's the Dakota squadron numbered a few planes, and served for paratrooper training and for flights abroad. Around the time of Operation 'Kadesh', the squadron was reinforced by additional planes, on loan from the French Armee de l'Air.
In the afternoon hours of October 29th 1956, the Dakotas took off from 'Ekron Airbase (now Tel Nof), each carrying 25 paratroopers. In order to avoid detection by Egyptian radar, the planes flew at 150 meters above ground level, climbing to 450 meters just before they reached the drop area. The mission was carried out successfully, and the airborne battalion commanded by Maj. Refael ( 'Raful') Eitan was dropped at the Mitle. This was the largest paratroop drop ever carried out by the IDF (it was also the last wartime paratroop drop to be carried out anywhere).
In the course of the campaign, the Dakotas carried out numerous sorties in the Sinai, performing airdrops of vital supply and equipment, medevac and reconnaissance missions. The Dakotas also had another mission, more in the field of psychological warfare: they flew at low altitude over Abu-'Ageila, with extra powerful loudspeakers blaring messages calling on the Egyptians to surrender.
On March 10th, three Dakotas participated in evacuating the IDF from Sharm a-Sheikh, as the IDF withdrew from the Sinai.
From the 1960's onwards and to this day, the IAF continues to use the Dakotas as second-line transports on many of its missions.
Several times during its long tenure in the IAF, the Dakota was officially phased out, in favor of a more modern replacement transport aircraft. However, each time the retirement did not last very long and this reliable workhorse was recalled to duty. In fact, inside every IAF Dakota there is a sign that proudly proclaims: "THE ONLY REPLACEMENT FOR A DAKOTA IS ... ANOTHER DAKOTA!"
Note, in 2011 was the restoration of the plane and now pleases the eyes of visitors, there is also another Dakota large yet but the museum has no money to repair it ...
However, the Dakota's greatest moments in the War of Independence were the times it was used as a bomber. Using the Dakota as a bomber was not an Israeli invention: the Egyptian Air Force had used Dakotas to bomb targets within Israel. The technique used was primitive: the bombs were placed on the floor, in the fore part of the cabin, and a crew of bombardiers dragged them carefully toward the opening (the doors had been removed before takeoff), passing them on from one person to the next. The last bombardier in the line removed the safety pins and threw the bombs out. The bombs weighed over 50 kg. each, and since there were no sights employed, the bombardiers had to rely on their 'touch'. In the end, an engineer named Ze'ev Segal designed a crib-shaped device that made it possible to safely drop bombs weighing up to100 kilos.
In the course of the war the Dakota attacked on all fronts, from Damascus and Kuneitra, southward to Gaza, Be'er Sheva and Faluja. Together with the Commandos and Skymasters, the Dakotas served in Operation 'Avak' ( 'Dust') - for supplying the Negev, and Operation 'Uvda' - the conquest of Eilat.
The Sinai Campaign
In the early 50's the Dakota squadron numbered a few planes, and served for paratrooper training and for flights abroad. Around the time of Operation 'Kadesh', the squadron was reinforced by additional planes, on loan from the French Armee de l'Air.
In the afternoon hours of October 29th 1956, the Dakotas took off from 'Ekron Airbase (now Tel Nof), each carrying 25 paratroopers. In order to avoid detection by Egyptian radar, the planes flew at 150 meters above ground level, climbing to 450 meters just before they reached the drop area. The mission was carried out successfully, and the airborne battalion commanded by Maj. Refael ( 'Raful') Eitan was dropped at the Mitle. This was the largest paratroop drop ever carried out by the IDF (it was also the last wartime paratroop drop to be carried out anywhere).
In the course of the campaign, the Dakotas carried out numerous sorties in the Sinai, performing airdrops of vital supply and equipment, medevac and reconnaissance missions. The Dakotas also had another mission, more in the field of psychological warfare: they flew at low altitude over Abu-'Ageila, with extra powerful loudspeakers blaring messages calling on the Egyptians to surrender.
On March 10th, three Dakotas participated in evacuating the IDF from Sharm a-Sheikh, as the IDF withdrew from the Sinai.
From the 1960's onwards and to this day, the IAF continues to use the Dakotas as second-line transports on many of its missions.
Several times during its long tenure in the IAF, the Dakota was officially phased out, in favor of a more modern replacement transport aircraft. However, each time the retirement did not last very long and this reliable workhorse was recalled to duty. In fact, inside every IAF Dakota there is a sign that proudly proclaims: "THE ONLY REPLACEMENT FOR A DAKOTA IS ... ANOTHER DAKOTA!"
Note, in 2011 was the restoration of the plane and now pleases the eyes of visitors, there is also another Dakota large yet but the museum has no money to repair it ...
Image size
2816x2112px 1.4 MB
Make
OLYMPUS IMAGING CORP.
Model
FE170,X760
Shutter Speed
1/800 second
Aperture
F/4.6
Focal Length
6 mm
ISO Speed
64
Date Taken
Nov 30, 1999, 12:00:00 AM
© 2016 - 2024 RomanOstrov
Comments0
Join the community to add your comment. Already a deviant? Log In