CLASSIC aircraft fans are in for a treat this weekend when a relic of the war fires up its engines.

The Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington, near York, took delivery of its Douglas DC3 in 2001 and in the 12 years since it has been meticulously restored.

And at 11am on Sunday, May 5, the Dakota’s engines will be fired up in their first public start at the museum’s latest Thunder Day.

A former star of TV’s “Band of Brothers”, the museum has worked hard to get the aircraft back in ground operational condition.

After initial re-assembly at Elvington by the RAF, the Dakota has been re-painted in wartime colours and re-fitted with the paratroop style bench seating, reflecting the its role with British airborne operations.

Refurbished engines, propellers were sourced and refitted, then the complex process of connecting fuel lines and electric circuits began.