PH-DDA's engines roar into life at Eindhoven Airport on April 23, 1985 as a cabinload of journalists prepare for a flip.

HERMAN POTGIETER'S photograph, taken in December 1984, depicts a Douglas C-47 of 25 Sqn SAAF.

PH-DDA is painted silver with dark blue cheatlines. The words "50 Golden DC-3 Years” appear in gold above the windows on the port fuselage side, with "Dutch Dakota Association” in white on the starboard.

PH-DDA's crew includes two delicious stewardesses in period-style uniform. Members of the Flight Operations department take turns at manning the aircraft, on a sort of Dakota rota.