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West Wyalong’s vintage warbird, the Douglas DC-3 Dakota, has completed a multi-month restoration in a key achievement for Australia’s aviation history.
Bland Shire Council received more than $167,670 from the NSW government to repair and upgrade the plane, including site works at Lions Park, concreting, paint stripping and repainting.
The plane was moved from Cootamundra to Lions Park in March 1983 and restoration completed in time for Anzac Day last week.
“It’s wonderful to see this local landmark and tourist attraction get a new lease on life and I hope visitors take a moment to pause and reflect on the meaning of service this Anzac Day,” Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said.
“New landscaping around the plane will make it more accessible for residents and visitors and will keep this piece of local history, which is a source of immense community pride at the heart of West Wyalong for years to come.”
The DC-3 saw service with the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy between 1950 and 1974, before being bought by Cootamundra aviator and airline operator Jack Masling OAM for spare parts.
“The restoration effort, done in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force’s Heritage Restoration Team, is one of the most unique projects he’s seen during his time with council,” Bland Shire Council mayor Cr Brian Monaghan said.
“This has been a truly rewarding experience for Bland Shire Council, it’s not every day you get the opportunity to restore a piece of Australia’s aviation history and breathe new life into something so iconic.
“The DC-3 Dakota is a beloved landmark in West Wyalong and this restoration ensures its continued presence as an important part of our community as the plane is not only a piece of the past, but a symbol of our community’s pride, and I’m incredibly pleased about the work that’s gone into it.”
The West Wyalong DC-3 was built in 1943 in Oklahoma City and served as a transport aircraft and flying classroom for multi-engine training, search and rescue, navigation and anti-submarine warfare, clocking up 4,254 flying hours before it was retired.
The first DC-3 prototype flew in 1935, starting as a passenger liner in the US but the planes quickly earned a reputation with the US military for freight and transport and supported the D-Day landings at Normandy.
DC3s were affectionately dubbed “biscuit bombers” for their role doing food drops to troops, including on Papua New Guinea’s Kokoda Track during World War II.
After the war, they became a mainstay of global passenger and freight services in regional areas because of their low-running costs and ability to perform on rough airfields and with low maintenance.
“It is fantastic to see the Douglas DC-3 Dakota has been restored to its former glory just in time for the 110th anniversary of Anzac Day,” Minister for Veterans David Harris said.
“Local landmarks like this allow communities to gain a deeper understanding of the service and sacrifice of our veterans during times of conflict.”
