Dakota, an acronym..... I didn't know

[OldAirmail]

Well, that settles it. This is the last little bit of info that I didn't know.


I always thought it odd that the British should call the DC-3 / C-47 the Dakota.

As in the state of North Dakota. Why


And now I know - Historical Snapshot

Dakota - "(a clever acronym composed of the letters DACoTA for Douglas Aircraft Company Transport Aircraft)."

[Anthindelahunt]

Never knew that.You learn something new every day.

Thanks OAM.

Anthin.

[Hagar]

Dakota - "(a clever acronym composed of the letters DACoTA for Douglas Aircraft Company Transport Aircraft)."

I'm not convinced that's correct. The RAF didn't generally go in for acronyms.

It seems more likely that Dakota was named after either the State or Native American tribe. Take your pick as nobody really knows. There's a long thread on the subject here --> http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?88250-Why-Dakota-%28The-origin-of-aircraft-names-in-general-now%29

In 1939, the policy for Transport aircraft was 'Counties or Districts of the British Empire' - however, a later paragraph of the AM memo stated:

"In the case of American aircraft....the basic rules should be followed as closely as possible...names with an American or Canadian flavour will be very appropriate. For instance. American-built transports should not neccessarily be named after a county or district of the British Empire, but would preferably be named after a district or State of the United States of America"

[OldAirmail]

Sound good, Hagar.

I'll go with your post.