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Re: DC3 Dakota in RAF service

Posted by Tony Broadhurst on Sat Sep 14, 2002 04:47:43 PM

In reply top Re: DC3 Dakota in RAF service posted by Simon Rix on Sat Sep 14, 2002 02:27:21 PM

: According to "The illustrated encyclopedia of aircraft" ,t
: he first RAF Squadron to use the Dakota was 31 Squadron, B
: urma, June 1942.
: So, unless anyone else knows different......

Strictly speaking the original query asked about DC-3. The June 1942 date relates to a Dakota.

The following if rom Air Britain Impressment Log, Vol.III, published 1964:
"Two DC-3s of Sabena, OO-UAH and 'AUL escaped to the UK in May 1940 and were taken over by the RAF. There are conflicting stories concerning their fate and the official Air Ministry one is, in our opinion, the least likely. They claim that both aircraft were returned to Sabena and during February 1942 they left the UK for the Belgian Congo, but something went wrong en route and they were interned by the Vichy authorities. Their more likely stories are below.

2093 OO-AUH (no RAF serial) Impressment date 11.5.40 S.A.B.E.N.A. Delivered to No.24 Sqn on the 11th at Speke and used by "E" Flight. Returned to Sabena in June and flown to Algiers where it was interned on August 27th by Vichy France. Most likely taken over by the Germans in 1942 and flown by Lufthansa in civil markings.

2094 OO-AUI (no RAF serial) Impressment date 11.5.40 S.A.B.E.N.A. Delivered to No.24 Sqn on the 11th at Speke and attached to "E" Flight. On the morning on May 23rd, OO-AUI was being loaded with food and ammunition at Croydon, in company with five Ensigns and two S.73s, for isolated troops at Merville, France. The formation landed safely at their destination, but during the unloading they were attacked by two Bf 109s; one Ensign was destroyed and the engines of one S.73 were made u/s by cannon shells. The remaining aircraft took off and flew back towards the UK., but were fired at by ground units en route and both the S.73 and OO-AUI were shot down near Calais."

This being the case, then the RAF appears to have received it's first DC-3 in May 1940.

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