The DC-3 Aviation Muesum
Presents The:
Royal Thai Air Force
Group Captain Kumrob Liyavanija
Collection
The Royal Thai Air Force
started to operate DC-3 (C-47)
by buying it from Qantas Engine Airway, Australia in 1947
which we called them:
"Gooney Bird, Sky Train and Dakota"
We recieved additional DC-3/C-47 from Mutual Assistance Program, USAF in 1953.
RTAF operated DC-3 from 1947 up until now almost 52 years, missions or duties as follow:
1. Airlift
2. Air Medical Evacuation
3. Aerial Photo Reconnaissance
4. Troop Transportation
5. Counter Insurgency (machine gun)
6. Parachute dropping
7. Chemical dropping
In 1997 RTAF sent 6 DC-3s to be modified from piston to turboprop engines in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
by Basler Turbo Conversion company.
The roles to be used after modification are Rain Making (cloud seeding) and Forest Fire Fighting.
My experience in DC-3 almost 7 years (1977 - 1984) total flying hours 1361.1 hrs.,
6 times of actual single engine (one engine out) in flight
and 2 times of shooting by terrorist anti aircraft gun.
Capt.Kumrob, prepared for border combat air patrol along
Thai - Loa Maekhong Riverborder conflict
AC-47 Training Mission in Takli Air Base Training area In 1979
Capt.Kumrob (Middle) with AC-47 (Spooky)
4025 Flying Unit at Nan province,
Northern part of Thailand in 1979 for Counter insurgency
20 millimeters cannon machine gun was
attached to sidedoor of AC-47 (Spooky)
Capt. Kumrob was flying to targets in Phetchabun province
for counter communist troop movements
with the old Puff and Magic Dragon (AC-47) in 1980
Gp.capt.Kumrob with DC-3
for Rain Making Mission in 1994
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