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Historic aircraft restored to its former glory

Galya Dimitrova
BBC News
RAF Brize Norton The restored Dakota Gate Guardian at RAF Brize Norton 47 Air Despatch Royal Logistic Corps in Oxfordshire on a sunny day. There is a marble badge and its name in front of the plane.RAF Brize Norton
The Dakota Gate Guardian has stood watch over 47 Air Despatch Royal Logistic Corps in Oxfordshire since 2013

The Royal Air Force has announced an "iconic" aircraft has been restored to its former glory.

RAF Brize Norton said the Dakota Gate Guardian has stood watch over its 47 Air Despatch Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) in Oxfordshire since being moved from its original base at RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire on 28 January 2013.

Its restoration, which took about three months, was crowdfunded by current and former serving personnel.

Captain Joshua Lakey, of the 47 Air Despatch Squadron RLC, said the freshly painted Guardian was "not only a visual powerful landmark but also a tribute to the generations who have served with distinction".

RAF Brize Norton A plaque on the stone tag that reads "The air dispatch Dakota was inaugurated by major General MS White CB CBE DL on 21 June 2002 in honour of those Air Dispatchers who made the ultimate sacrifice."RAF Brize Norton
Captain Joshua Lakey said the Guardian was "a tribute to the generations who have served with distinction"
RAF Brize Norton A side view of the restored Dakota Gate Guardian at RAF Brize Norton 47 Air Despatch Royal Logistic Corps in Oxfordshire on a sunny day. RAF Brize Norton
The restoration took about three months to complete

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