Dutch Dakota Delight

‘Let’s take some pictures while we still can.’ This was the first thing I heard when I arrived at Gate C11, and it added to the slight feeling of excitement I already had. I joined the rest of the group that had been invited by KLM Germany to make this flight to Hamburg. Flying to Hamburg might not be that special, but the aircraft taking us there certainly was. Among those in the know, its registration – PH-PBA – will have a familiar ring. This is a Douglas DC-3 Dakota, an aircraft that pioneered our modern commercial airline industry.  KLM received her first DC3 in 1936.  With more space and comfort for its passengers KLM started using the Dakota’s on routes to Asia in 1937. In the late thirties it took the aircraft about six days and twenty stopovers to reach her destinations in Asia.

The PH-PBA Princess Amalia just before departure from Schiphol. (Photo by Michael Prophet).

If this 68-year-old beauty could talk, it would tell quite a story. Before it was put to use by The Dutch Dakota Association in 1998, it served the RAF and even took part in Operation Market Garden. After World War II, Prince Bernhard bought the plane from General Eisenhower. The PH-PBA became the Netherlands’ first aircraft dedicated to transporting members of the Dutch royal family In 1975, this gorgeous DC-3 went into what would be a temporary retirement. She was exhibited in the Aviodome for more than 28 years before entering her second life when she was named ‘Princess Amalia’ in honour of the Dutch princess who is now second in line to the throne.

After I had snapped my 100 pictures, it was time to depart. To board this amazing aircraft, we had to climb her fold-out boarding ramp. Awaiting us inside were eighteen roomy seats in an elegant cabin. It felt like receiving a special invitation to enjoy the upcoming flight. At eleven o’clock, the ‘Princess Amalia’ taxied to runway ‘04’22 where we would take off to the northwest.

I heard and felt the engines. I could smell the fuel. And then we were airborne. More than I had ever noticed when sitting in any other aircraft. I was aware of every bank the plane made and any kind of turbulence we experienced. It was a bit like being on a roller coaster. Ultimately, I was glad that we had air sickness bags available.

Sunny Amsterdam

After making a marvellous circuit at around 1200 feet over Amsterdam, we took a route over Lelystad and Kampen – over the flat yet magnificent Dutch landscape – on our way to the German border.

For me, the highlight of the day was a visit to the cockpit where I watched in amazement at how the pilots flew this aircraft. The captain and his co-pilot were constantly adjusting the course and engaged in navigating. Always turning knobs and keeping an eye on the dashboards. The heavy winds that day made their task not only a mental but also a physical challenge.

Fully focussed

Just before landing, we made another aerial circuit, this time above the harbours of Hamburg where a major nautical event was taking place. Despite the strong crosswinds, our Dakota made a smooth landing. Having touched down, my flight with DDA Classic Airlines came to an end. What a special experience – I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. A modern KLM Boeing 737 flew me back to Amsterdam a little later.

The PH-PBA Princess Amalia just after it had landed in Hamburg

Posted by:   KLM  | 
Join the conversation Show comments

Mamdoo

‎12.Mai 2012 in Hamburg ,ein super Erlebnisflug!

Mamdoo

‎12.Mai 2012 in Hamburg ,ein super Erlebnisflug!

Matthijs van Dusseldorp

Was a great trip Jasper  -nice to have met you…!! 

Matthijs van Dusseldorp

Was a great trip Jasper  -nice to have met you…!! 

Ainars Tiss

I had an unique opportunity to fly with this beautiful plane couple months ago! Still remember it with smile on my face!

Ainars Tiss

I had an unique opportunity to fly with this beautiful plane couple months ago! Still remember it with smile on my face!

Mary Helen Ferris

Lovely

GR8LISTENER

Lovely

Anonymous

I remember a flight with a similar ‘small’ aircraft from Hamburg to Berlin way back. With PanAm :-)

AndreasWiedow

I remember a flight with a similar ‘small’ aircraft from Hamburg to Berlin way back. With PanAm :-)

Laurasykes

I remember Dakotas well , because they remained in service with Indian Airlines for many years. I was never actually sick (poor you) but they were uncomfortable for passengers – obviously the normal seating lay out was not as generous as you had. The thing I remember most was, as you can see clearly in the photograph, the walk along the aisle was steeply uphill from back to front – a feature I am very glad was dropped from subsequent plane. I was very relieved when Indian Airlines moved on to Viscounts – wonderful planes with huge picture windows instead of today’s tiny portholes.

Laurasykes

I remember Dakotas well , because they remained in service with Indian Airlines for many years. I was never actually sick (poor you) but they were uncomfortable for passengers – obviously the normal seating lay out was not as generous as you had. The thing I remember most was, as you can see clearly in the photograph, the walk along the aisle was steeply uphill from back to front – a feature I am very glad was dropped from subsequent plane. I was very relieved when Indian Airlines moved on to Viscounts – wonderful planes with huge picture windows instead of today’s tiny portholes.

Alexander BK

Excellent pictures of the Dutch Dakota. I would love to enjoy more of this trip.

Alexander BK

Excellent pictures of the Dutch Dakota. I would love to enjoy more of this trip.

Steve Hall

For anybody interested in aviation history this would have been a dream flight …..glad you enjoyed it. “6 days and 20 stop-overs to Asia” … not much more than 6 hours direct nowadays! 

thisisspain

For anybody interested in aviation history this would have been a dream flight …..glad you enjoyed it. “6 days and 20 stop-overs to Asia” … not much more than 6 hours direct nowadays! 

Bob Warren

Have a Super Thursday!

Bob Warren

Have a Super Thursday!

Ernest Koncaba

6 days and 20 stopovers. Seems like a life time ago. Ohh, it is a lifetime ago! :)

Ernest Koncaba

6 days and 20 stopovers. Seems like a life time ago. Ohh, it is a lifetime ago! :)

Yordie Sands

Wonderful article, beautiful pics.

Yordie Sands

Wonderful article, beautiful pics.

Sandor Benko

Wow that must have been quite a treat. I only flew once on a turboprop airplane, and I can attest to the noise and “bumpy” ride. It’s fun though.

Sandor Benko

Wow that must have been quite a treat. I only flew once on a turboprop airplane, and I can attest to the noise and “bumpy” ride. It’s fun though.

Fatfriaruk

great airplane and a great report on your trip :)

Fatfriaruk

great airplane and a great report on your trip :)

Fatfriaruk

great airplane and a great report on your trip :)

KLM

Thank you all for the compliments.
It really was an amazing experience. I think it would be quite an adventure to
fly all the way to Asia in this Dakota with all its twenty stopovers.

Kind regards,

Jasper

Lars

Wouldn’t that be a big promotion for KLM? Flying the KLM DC-3 to Batavia and back? I bet it would be world wide news..

KLM

Thank you all for the compliments.
It really was an amazing experience. I think it would be quite an adventure to
fly all the way to Asia in this Dakota with all its twenty stopovers.

Kind regards,

Jasper

Lars

Wouldn’t that be a big promotion for KLM? Flying the KLM DC-3 to Batavia and back? I bet it would be world wide news..

Anonymous

used servers says,
No carry some weight I beg your pardon? Your IT needs are we give birth to you covered. If you are looking pro on-site hardware and software repairs/maintenance, servers additional or back distribute, member of staff serving at table parts, member of staff serving at table support, back distribute laptops and desktops, or truthful data backups and security we will be able to gather your needs. Please visit our location and knowing many more pro Miki pro.

001faren

used servers says,
No carry some weight I beg your pardon? Your IT needs are we give birth to you covered. If you are looking pro on-site hardware and software repairs/maintenance, servers additional or back distribute, member of staff serving at table parts, member of staff serving at table support, back distribute laptops and desktops, or truthful data backups and security we will be able to gather your needs. Please visit our location and knowing many more pro Miki pro.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Loading