I'd always believed that the turboprop conversions of the C-47/DC-3 Dakota had been carried out since the '60s, so that it came as a surprise to see a photo of a Dart engined Dakota from 1952! 

Yep - was it in BEA colours per chance - I think they called it the Pionair or something like that...

Charlie

Come to think of it I believe I saw the one in Charlie's photo demonstrated at Farnborough. Lots of experimenting & odd-looking aircraft around in those days. We were used to seeing at least 10 new prototypes at every show & would be disappointed if we didn't. It was an annual event (not biennial as it is now) & most aircraft on display were designed & manufactured in Britain. The Farnborough Air Show of today is a pale shadow of its former self.

PS. Quote:

I think Pionair was the name given to all BEA Dakotas.

PPS. Slightly off-topic. I wonder how many people have seen or even heard of the Vickers Nene-Viking. The caption reads: "The world's first jet transport aircraft, first flown on 25/7/1948. Temporarily became VX856"