Douglas Dakota Mk. III, Cockpit Section

This Dakota was built in the USA in 1944, and flew across the Atlantic (via the Azores) to the UK. It served with No. 233 Squadron RAF from February of that year. The Squadron was heavily involved in airborne operations around D-Day and Operation Market Garden.

The Dakota is one of the most successful piston-engined transport aircraft of all time. During the Second World War it saw widespread service in all theatres of conflict. It was the mainstay of RAF and USAAF transport squadrons. In the Cold War it made a major contribution to the British effort during the Berlin Airlift.