Douglas C-47A Dakota (X-5) as used by the "Koninklijke Luchtmacht" (RNLAF) at the Military Aviation Museum, Kamp Zeist (the Netherlands)

The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota (RAF designation) is a military transport aircraft developed from the civilian Douglas DC-3 airliner.
It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remains in front line service with various military operators to the present day.
The C-47 differed from the civilian DC-3 in numerous modifications, including being fitted with a cargo door and strengthened floor, along with a shortened tail cone for glider-towing shackles, and an astrodome in the cabin roof. During World War II, the armed forces of many countries used the C-47 and modified DC-3s for the transport of troops, cargo, and wounded. More than 10.000 aircraft were produced in
Long Beach and Santa Monica, California and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in the United States.

Just in 1952 the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) received its first Dakotas. The X-1 entered service in February 1952 and is a mysterious aircraft, since the nameplate was missing. In August 1952 an additional four aircraft entered service, originating from the Belgian Air Force; these received registrations X-2 through X-5. In the summer of 1952 arrived a number of Dakotas, which were borrowed under MDAP conditions from the USA, these received registrations X-5 to X-17. In 1960, the Dakotas X-4, X-5 X-11 and X-13 were flown to Biak in Dutch New Guinea. Between 1960 and 1961, the X-6 till X-9, X-12, X-14 till X-17 were returned to the USA. The X-2, X-3 and X-10 were flown to Mokmer in Dutch New Guinea because of the tense situation with Indonesia at that time. In 1962, two aircraft have been purchased to replace losses. These DC-3C's received registration X-18 and X-19 and could be be distinguished from the other aircraft by the absence of a large cargo door in the fuselage. In November 1962 all remaining aircraft were sold to the aircraft brokers Jones & Guerro in Manila (Philippines).

This Douglas C-47A, c/n 20118, has a fake Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) registration X-5; its previous identities include:
43-15652 (United States Air Force), 315652 (Royal Norwegian Air Force), 68-688 and K-688 (Royal Danish Air Force)