One of only two still flying in New Zealand, the Southern DC3 Charitable Trust plane touched down in Queenstown yesterday while on a flight around the South Island.
Captain Dave Paterson said it was important to keep the "true-blue warbird" flying in New Zealand.
The Southern DC3 Charitable Trust was formed in 2006 to do exactly that, after an Australian company expressed an interest in buying the airliner.
"We got together and said, 'If this leaves the South Island, we will never get it back. We need to keep it flying and keep this heritage going.' The aim was to keep it flying and allow the people of Canterbury and the whole South Island to enjoy it."
Based at the Ashburton Aviation Museum, the DC3 has made numerous chartered trips "off the beaten track" around the South Island and all money made is put back into the trust.
The 28-seater travels at 120 knots (almost 200kmh) and at a height of 1000ft, which, Mr Paterson said, made flying a unique experience for passengers.
"It is a lot slower, a lot lower and allows time to take in the scenery. We allow people to come to the cockpit. We encourage it because it is the best view in the house."
Built in 1944 for the United States Air Force, the plane was still a baby, with just 18,500 hours logged. Brought to New Zealand in the 1990s, it has been operated in this country by Vincent Air, Pioneer Adventures and Mt Cook Airways before the Southern DC3 Charitable Trust stepped in to keep it in the South Island in 2006.
