Last Wednesday, just as the museum was closing at Duxford, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Dakota emerged from its hangar and moved under the fading evening light to the north side of Hangar 2. The aircraft’s new paint scheme is something truly special. The paint work was conducted by Aircraft Restoration Company also based in Duxford. Now adorned in the striking colors of the South East Asia Command (SEAC), it pays tribute to an important but often overlooked chapter of World War II history.
Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft serving in the SEAC theater primarily used a Temperate Land Scheme of Dark Earth and Dark Green on the upper surfaces, with Sky or Medium Sea Grey undersides. The BBMF frequently updates the paint schemes of its aircraft to represent different squadrons, specific missions, or key periods of RAF involvement in the war. This latest transformation honors the RAF’s contributions in Southeast Asia, where they played a vital role in supporting Allied operations against Japanese forces.
The South East Asia Command (SEAC) was a supreme Allied headquarters that operated from 1943 to 1946. It was formed following strategic disagreements at the Trident Conference in May 1943, held in Washington, where British and American leaders debated how best to reconquer Burma. While the British sought to contain Japanese forces until they could launch a major amphibious offensive, the Americans prioritized expanding air routes and reopening land supply lines to China. As a compromise, SEAC was created as a joint Anglo-American command, with British leadership and an American deputy. Lord Louis Mountbatten was appointed Supreme Commander on August 25, 1943, and SEAC officially began operations on November 1 of that year. Despite facing logistical challenges and strategic conflicts, SEAC played a crucial role in coordinating Allied efforts across Burma, India, and China, ultimately contributing to Japan’s defeat in Southeast Asia. The command was officially dissolved in November 1946.
BBMF Dakota ZA947 has a rich history that dates back to World War II. Built as a C-47A by Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California, in 1942, it was delivered to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) on September 7 of that year. Just over a week later, on September 16, it was transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) under the Lend-Lease agreement, re-designated as a Dakota III, and assigned the serial number ‘661.’ Unlike many C-47s that saw combat, this particular aircraft served entirely in Canada during the war.
Following the end of the war, Dakota ‘661’ was deployed to Europe, supporting Canadian forces from 1965 to 1969 before being declared surplus. For the next 23 years, it was operated by the British Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE). Initially designated as KG661 by the RAF, an administrative error was later discovered—the serial number had already been assigned to another Dakota that had been lost in an accident. In July 1979, the aircraft was re-designated with the serial number ZA947, which, while anachronistic for a World War II aircraft, became its official identifier.
When the Defence Research Agency—successor to the RAE—declared ZA947 surplus in 1992, the aircraft was adopted by RAF Strike Command and assigned to the BBMF in March 1993. Today, it serves as both a crucial multi-engine tailwheel training asset and a highly sought-after display aircraft. More importantly, it stands as a flying memorial to the brave RAF personnel who operated these unarmed transport aircraft during World War II, ensuring that their legacy and sacrifices are never forgotten. The aircraft represents a 31 Squadron Dakota that served during the Burma campaign in 1943-44. ZA947 now features a two-tone camouflage scheme on the upper surfaces, complemented by authentic ‘blue-on-blue’ South East Asia Command (SEAC) markings. Intricate stenciling has also been applied to enhance historical accuracy. Many thanks to Tad Dippel and David Whitworth for the photos. For more information about the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, visit www.raf.mod.uk/
