French DH 89 Dominie

[roumsetom]

Hello,
Somebody would have information on the origin of four DH89 Dominies registered respectively HG664, HG670, HG672 and HG689? These planes arrived to Madagascar between March and October, 1944 and were used by French Air Forces at Ivato AB.
Thank you in advance
Regards
Franck

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hi Franck

HG664 c/n 6663 was TOC of 76 MU at Wroughton UK on 5.10.1943 and was sent to Madagascar onboard vessel Clan McBrayne 7.12.1943. It arrived to Diego Suarez 5.3.1944 and was handed over to FAFL (unit??)
It is presumed being struck from use on 1.1.1947

HG670 c/n 6669 has exactly the same history, but was later taken back to France and stored at Villacoublay, noted in 1958

HG672 c/n 6671 has also the same history, but was inspected at Ivato 30.5.1953 and reg F-OANU 9.9.1953 and handed over (sold to?) Soc Air Madagascar based at Ivato. Its CofA was suspended at Tana 19.1.1954

HG689 c/n 6674 was TOC by 76 MU on 26.11.1943 and was sent to Madascar onboard vessel Atlantean 5.3.1944 and it arrived to Diego Suarez 20.5.1944 and was handed over to FAFL (unit??). Nothing further is known about the aircraft.

Source: The de Havilland Dragon/Rapide family (Air Britain)

Do you have some more details of these four aeroplanes?

Cheers
Stig

[roumsetom]

Hello Stig

HG664 c/n 6663 : Nicknamed "Le Sakalava" and registered F-SCQE(French air force) . crash landing during take-off from Manakara airport after engine failure. The pilot was Adjudant-chef KORS and was a little bit injured.
Nota: "Sakalava" is an ethnic group of Malagasy warriors

HG672 c/n 6671: Used by french air force on Ivato AB , sold to SOCIETE AIR MADAGASCAR on July, 1953,6th .Registred F-OANU. destroyed on March,1954,5th. I don't have information on the destruction of this plane but I suppose that the accident took place in the region of Tamatave and that the pilot would have been killed. I'm looking for more information...

HG689 c/n 6674: always flying in 1946. Major overhaul and test flight (at Ivato AB) on March,1946,07th. No more information about.

HG670 c/n 6669: Always in account to the group GLA N°50 in July, 1948. No future information... Was maybe sent to France. Could have been used to release parachutists in the South of France before storage.

regards
Franck

[roumsetom]

Hi Stig
I forgot to give you the date of the accident of the HG664: in June 09th, 1947
Regrads
Franck

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Franck

Very nice extra details. Appreciated!

Cheers
Stig