By Kevin Wilkins
The volunteer organization DC-3 Vennerne (Danish Dakota Friends) has received official approval from Denmark’s aviation authorities to begin technical work aimed at returning their historic Douglas DC-3, registration OY-BPB, to airworthy condition. According to the organization, the authorization was formally granted on February 20, 2026, when Technical Manager Jørgen Skouborg received the approved workshop authorization certificate from the Danish Transport Authority (Trafikstyrelsen). The certification allows the group to conduct the technical inspections and restoration work necessary to bring the aircraft back into operational condition.
The approval represents a significant milestone for the group, which operates the last airworthy DC-3/C-47 in Denmark. Once weather and temperatures permit—and with the assistance of mechanics from Nordic aviation organizations—the team plans to begin a major inspection of the aircraft. Although the authorization clears the way for work to begin, considerable effort remains before the aircraft can return to flight. The organization notes that substantial financial resources and volunteer labor will still be required to complete the necessary inspections, repairs, and maintenance tasks needed to restore the aircraft to flying condition.
DC-3 Vennerne was founded in 1992 as a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and operating the historic Douglas transport aircraft. Since its formation, the group has maintained regular summer operations with OY-BPB, typically flying between May and September. The continued operation of the aircraft has been made possible through the efforts of certified mechanics, licensed pilots, and ground crew who volunteer their time and expertise to keep the aircraft flying. Through this collective effort, members and supporters have the opportunity to experience flight aboard the historic aircraft while helping preserve an important piece of aviation heritage. The organization is currently continuing its fundraising campaign to support the restoration work required to return OY-BPB to the air. Supporters can contribute through donations that help fund the technical inspections and maintenance required for the aircraft’s return to service.
Aircraft History
Douglas DC-3 OY-BPB has a long and varied operational history spanning military and civilian service across several countries. The aircraft rolled out of the Douglas Aircraft Company factory in Long Beach, California, on April 3, 1944. It was taken on strength by the United States Army Air Forces six days later and assigned to the Troop Carrier Command at Baer Field, Indiana. In August 1944, it was transferred to the 805th Base Unit at George Field, Illinois. In April 1945, the aircraft departed George Field and was flown via Nashville, Tennessee, to Montreal, Canada. The following month, on May 24, 1945, it was delivered to the Royal Norwegian Air Force under the Lend-Lease program. The aircraft served with the Norwegian Air Force until June 1946, after which it was leased to Det Norske Luftfartselskab (DNL), the Norwegian national airline. On October 16, 1946, it was registered as LN-IAT and named “Nordtind.” Just two days late,r it entered airline service. In October 194,8 the aircraft was repainted in Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) colors and renamed “Terje Viking,” though it retained its registration LN-IAT. Later that year, DNL purchased the aircraft from the Norwegian Air Force for 125,000 Norwegian kroner.
SAS took ownership of the aircraft in February 1951, operating it until July 30, 1953, when it flew its final scheduled airline service. It was removed from the Norwegian civil registry that September. Shortly afterward, on October 1, 1953, the aircraft was purchased by the Royal Danish Air Force for 588,200 Danish kroner and assigned military registration 68-682. It entered service with Squadron 721 in January 1954.
Over the following decade,s the aircraft served in a variety of roles with the Danish Air Force. In 1955, it received a gray-green-blue camouflage scheme. In 196,6 the aircraft was repainted in distinctive VIP transport colors consisting of a white upper fuselage, thin black stripes along the sides, a silver lower fuselage, and orange markings on the nose, tail, and wingtips. The aircraft flew its final mission with the Royal Danish Air Force on July 30, 1982, after which it was transferred to the Danish Army Museum (Tøjhusmuseet). It was stored at Værløse Air Base before being leased to the Danish aviation company Bohnstedt-Petersen A/S in 1983. In 198,5 the aircraft returned to flying as civil-registered OY-BPB, operating primarily as a corporate aircraft and appearing at airshows while still wearing modified Danish Air Force colors. The aircraft returned to museum ownership in 1992 and was subsequently operated by the Association for Flying Museum Aircraft. In 1966, it was repainted in original SAS colors as “Arv Viking” to mark the airline’s 50th anniversary.
Throughout the following decades, the aircraft continued to fly in historic commemorations and aviation events across Europe. In 200,4 it celebrated its 60th anniversary while still airworthy, including participation in commemorations of Operation Market Garden. In 2014, the aircraft again took part in historic events, flying in formations marking the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings along the Normandy coast. Five years later, it participated in the 75th anniversary commemorations. After the closure of Værløse Air Base in 2007, the aircraft relocated to Roskilde Airport, where it has remained based. Ownership of OY-BPB transferred to DC-3 Vennerne on August 11, 2020. Since then, the organization has continued efforts to maintain and operate the aircraft while preserving one of Denmark’s most important surviving historic aircraft. With workshop authorization now secured, the group hopes that OY-BPB will once again take to the skies, joining the small but dedicated community of Douglas DC-3s that remain flying around the world. To learn more about the aircraft and support the return to flight of this historic aircraft, visit www.dc3vennerne.dk.
