April 1, 1989 marked the ceremonial retirement at CFB Winnipeg of the remaining nine Douglas Dakotas of 402 Sqn, Canadian Armed Forces - the last Nato air force to operate the type. As part of the farewell celebrations two of the Daks swapped their standard markings (seen here on aircraft 12938) for more nostalgic colour schemes.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Skytrain/С-53 Skytrooper / Dakota - СШАUSA - 1935

Further view of specially-painted Dak 12963

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Skytrain/С-53 Skytrooper / Dakota - СШАUSA - 1935

Further view of specially-painted Dak 12944, airborne over Vancouver Island in mid-March during its farewell tour of Western Canada.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Skytrain/С-53 Skytrooper / Dakota - СШАUSA - 1935

Aircraft 12944, formerly FZ671, was repainted in the D-Day colours of 437 Sqn in Europe in 1944-45, while its hangar-mate 12963 (shown here) wore the Burma colours of 435/436 Sqn of the same period.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Skytrain/С-53 Skytrooper / Dakota - СШАUSA - 1935

Aircraft 12944, formerly FZ671 (shown here), was repainted in the D-Day colours of 437 Sqn in Europe in 1944-45 (shame about the camouflage shades though), while its hangar-mate 12963 wore the Burma colours of 435/436 Sqn of the same period.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Douglas DC-3 / C-47 Skytrain/С-53 Skytrooper / Dakota - СШАUSA - 1935