DC3 Preservation- Let's do another.

[Dakota Wannahave.]

I've always been fascinated by the DC3 Skytrain. If ever there was a definitive aircraft the Dakota is it! In the not too distant past (and maybe even now) if you asked a schoolboy to draw a steam locomotive his sketch would probably heavily resemble a Black 5. By the same token if you asked him to draw an aircraft it would probably look like a Dakota.
I would like to start a group to restore and preserve yet another one. I know very little about aircraft and aviation but am willing to surround myself with those who do. I am aware of the huge costs involved in getting a machine of this type airworthy-but it's more about attitude than instantly available wealth. It can be done-make no mistake.

Looking at the roll call websites there are hundreds still around the globe and some very fine preserved examples.. What's the best way to go guys? Is it buy a fairly good'un off the Timbuctoo Airforce or make one up from a few stored or 'wrecked ' examples. I'm skint , enthusiastic ,got limited time but this won't leave me.

Any advice lads- ('forget it' is not acceptable)

[Mayfly]

Anything is possible with enough money - however some of the first things to consider IMHO are:......

Where is there a suitable a/c and at what cost?
Where/how could you house it/move it and what facilities would you have?
What expertise/knowledge do you have find the right people who could bring this to fruition?
Where could you source spares?
Where will you get your funding?

And that's just the very basics.

By your own admission you have very little aviation knowledge so my first steps would be to make inquires to see if there are museums local to yourself who have a DC3 you can give some TLC to and try to increase your knowledge of what is involved including the required rules and regs to get an airworthy certificate for the type of a/c you are taking about.