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  01959 578100

 

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  4. World War II C47 Dakota Taxi Experience

World War II C47 Dakota Taxi Experience

North Weald Airfield, Essex

  • £ 149.00

What's Included

  • Enjoy a taxi experience in the legendary C47 Dakota aircraft
  • Detailed pre-experience briefing covering the aircraft, equipment and safety procedures
  • Approximately 15 minutes’ start-up, engine checks and fast taxi ride
  • Meet the pilots/photo opportunities
  • Watching the famous WW2 aircraft from the paddock or original WW2 RAF ‘Scramble hut’ 
  • You will form part of a group of up to 16 participants for this experience

What Can I Expect

The Dakota experience - get up close to this iconic aircraft at North Weald Airfield in Essex! Your chance to meet a magnificent plane that served the military so well - and changed commercial air travel forever.

The DC-3 is the celebrated commercial version of the Dakota, which was the first aircraft to fly transcontinental, worldwide passenger flights. The C-47 ‘Skytrain’ as it was known, was the military version.

You’ll meet the living legend that is ‘Drag ‘em Oot’, the 1944 C47 Dakota that actually served in the D-Day operations, dropping paratroopers over the Normandy beaches and participating in Operation Market Garden too.

You’ll hear lots about the colourful and intense life of this particular plane in service, as well as learning about the history of Dakotas through the years.

The second Dakota you'll meet has a passenger configuration inside. As part of your experience, you’ll be invited to board the plane and take your seat. The pilots will then take you taxiing along the runway at North Weald, feeling the acceleration pushing you back in your seat as you reach near-takeoff speed.

One can only imagine what it must have felt like for the hundreds if not thousands of soldiers who boarded C47s to head off on daring missions in this rugged, plucky and dependable aircraft.

You’ll experience the very real noise, the anticipation and all that goes with being in a vintage Dakota. After taxiing back and coming to a stop, you will have lots of time to meet the pilots and take photos after you disembark.

What we love about these Dakota experiences is that you can invite friends and family to come along and watch, with great viewpoints from the Scramble Hut and the paddock, where there is a lovely airfield cafe too.

When Is It Available

  • Limited dates only
  • It is recommended you book well in advance to avoid disappointment

Scheduled 2025 dates

  • Saturday 5th April
  • Additional dates will be added in due course

Location

  • North Weald Airfield, Essex

Suitable For

  • Minimum age 18
  • Maximum height 6ft 6ins (198 cms)
  • Maximum weight 18 stone (115kg)
  • Participants must be able to walk 50 meters unaided and be able to safely board and egress the aircraft themselves

Spectators

  • Friends and family are welcome to watch from from the paddock or  original WW2 RAF ‘Scramble hut’ 

Anything Else

  • Please note this is a taxi experience and the Dakota will not take-off and fly
  • Images courtesy of Rich Cooper
Dakota Taxi Experience at North Weald Aerodrome in Essex
World War II C47 Dakota Taxi Experience Get this Experience