Re Dakota IVs KJ832, KJ833, KJ834
 

According to the Joe Baugher listing three Douglas C-47B/Dakota IVs - KJ832, KJ833 and KJ834 - were "returned" to the USAAF in August-September 1944.

If this is correct, I'm curious to know why they were returned and if they were ever actually assigned to and flew with any RAF squadrons.

Any help much appreciated.

Re: Re Dakota IVs KJ832, KJ833, KJ834
 

Steve

Air Britain's DC-3 books confirms the return but give no reason.
None of the three were used by any Squadron. Only KJ833 was assigned to a MU (33rd)

KJ832 to RAF in Montreal: 16.8.1944; 43-48355 8thAF at Aldermaston: 14.9.1944
KJ833 to RAF in Montreal: 28.8.1944; 33MU 5.9.1944; 43-48356 8thAF at Aldermaston: 14.9.1944
KJ834 to RAF in Montreal: 21.8.1944; 43-48357 8thAF at Aldermaston: 14.9.1944

All three then went on to the 9th AF

At face value, it looks like all three aircraft were ferried over the 'Pond' under RAF control and after arrival to UK stayed appx a little over a week before being tranferred back into US hands. There were heavy Dakota/C-47 losses at this time which probably was the reason, and maybe these three were needed to fill an urgent US gap somewhere.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Re Dakota IVs KJ832, KJ833, KJ834
 

Many thanks Stig, that's exactly the kind of help I needed . . . I've always been curious because I encountered 43-48356 at Bien Hoa, South Vietnam, in 1967 and wondered about her early history.

http://users.beagle.com.au/stevepb/356.JPG

Re: Re Dakota IVs KJ832, KJ833, KJ834
 

Nice shot Steve

Was in the nick of time as well since she was shot down on take off from the base on 23.3.1967. Incidentally she was the only one of those three to survive WW 2.

Cheers
Stig