The Dakota Association of South Africa

Its founder, the late Victor Philip Fouche formed the Dakota Association, in 1984. The founder members were mostly serving members of the SAAF's 44 squadron, and a handful of Second World War veterans, all of whom flew the Dakota at some stage in their careers.

The following year saw the 50th Anniversary of the DC-3 celebrated in South Africa by a fly-past of 27 Dakotas, 24 SAAF and 3 civil, in formation over Swartkop Air Force Base, near Pretoria. The Dakota Association was very much involved in the event, and along with the SAAF, was justifiably proud of what must have been the largest formation of Dakota's since the end of the Second World War.

This event alone more than doubled the membership figures of the association, and, for the first time, the founder members found themselves surrounded by eager new enthusiasts who idolised not only the DC-3, but the men who flew her too. Many more events were held, including the celebrations of the anniversary of the first DC-3 to land in South Africa, the “Reiger”, of KLM.

The association grew from strength to strength, and saw members joining from as far afield as Holland, Germany, England, and Australia and, of course the U.S.A.

On more than one occasion the Association was sure that they had finally acquired a Dakota, only to have their hopes dashed. After several promises and proposals failed to materialise, the committee decided to pursue the acquisition of an airworthy example of the Dakota through sponsorship and based on commercial viability. This policy continues today, and there are some exciting prospects being investigated at the time of this writing.

The untimely death of the founder and chairman of the Association in May 1999, resulted in the possibility of the Association disintegrating, as so many institutions do that find themselves suddenly leaderless. However, at a special general meeting all members present voted unanimously to continue the running of the Association with the founder's son and ex-pilot Mark Fouche as the new chairman.

Mark was not able to continue running the association and it lay dormant until 2008 when it was resurrected and was soon gaining interest and members.

Dakota Association founder Victor Philip Fouché

Memorial Tribute to a DC-3 pilot.

Major Victor Philip Fouché

9th May 1935 to 4th May 1999

By Mark Fouche

My Father was born on 9 May 1935, the son of a postman, who decided that the skies above held promise of more excitement and adventure than ever was to be found on the ground.

He started his Aviation career in the RAF, flying in C-47's, Doves and Sunderlands as a Wireless Operator / Radar Operator.

After joining the South African Air Force, he flew the beloved Dak as well as T6 "Texans" as a Citizen Force member.

His career reached a peak when he became Chief Pilot of Royal Swazi National Airways Corporation, flying Fokker F-28 jets and Viscount turbo-props.

After returning to the SAAF during our bush-war, he saw action in the operational area, once again with the Dakota, and claimed the first kills in the South African version of the "Dragon" which was a C-47 with a 20mm cannon mounted in the door.

He founded the Dakota Association of South Africa in 1983, and continued as its Chairman, till the end. He continued flying Dakotas until the day he died, at the age of 63, passing his last ATP medical on the day of his unfortunate and tragic death in a car accident.

A lot of his friends said that he should have died in a Dak, but that would have meant "bending" an aircraft that he loved, and I know that in over 30 years, and 20,000 hours of flying, he never so much as scraped the paint on his beloved "Gooney Bird"

Maj. Victor Philip Fouche died on 4th May 1999, five days before his 64th birthday.

May he rest in peace, and may this stand as a tribute, both to him, and to the grand old lady of the skies, the DC-3.