Douglas C-47 OO-AWN with the South Kasai flag painted on the fin. The “V” stood for victoire (victory).

Douglas C-47A OO-AWN at N’Djili Airport, Leopoldville, in 1961. The aircraft was acquired by Belgian national airline Sabena in November 1950; it operated Belgian Congo services until 1960, when it went to Air Congo on the African nation’s independence (Sabena had a 30 per cent holding in the new airline). During April-May 1961 OO-AWN was operated by Air Sud Kasai, before being returned to Sabena that June. After a brief spell in Spain, it went to the Nigerian Air Force as NAF-307 in 1969.

Vickers Viking G-AHPG made its first flight on November 28, 1946, and joined British European Airways (BEA) in March 1947. Given the BEA fleet name Velocity, the aircraft was actually sold almost immediately to Central African Airways, with which it operated as VP-YHJ, named Sabi. After a spell with South African airline Suidair as ZS-DDO, it was returned to Central African in 1950 before being sold to Hurn-based Independent Air Travel, with which it is seen here back as G-AHPG. By 1960 it was operating with Air Sud Kasai.

The spartan interior of the Viking, photographed in October 1960. As it was used for both freight and passenger services, the seats would be fitted or removed as required. Sold at a public auction in a non-airworthy condition, G-AHPG ended its days as a snack bar.