Bomber Harris's Dakota 'Command Centre'

[Larry]

Towards the end of the war a standard Dakota aircraft was converted into a flying office and conference room for Bomber Command C in C, Bomber Harris.
What was the aircraft's serial number?

[MW Giles]

Air Britain RAF a/c KA100 to KZ999

KG782 on Bomber Command Communications Flight for AOC, went to 24 Sqn before return to US 12/4/1948

This might be it, but I do not know where Harris went that would need a Dakota, it would be interesting to find out how much it was used

Martin

[Leendert]

Reference to and interior picture of KG782 in following link: https://www.laceygreen.com/Sections/...y/Mosquito.pdf

Regards,
Leendert

[Larry]

Great Thanks

My informant only had 782 as the serial so KG782 fits nicely!

[Revi16]

48198 (MSN 14014/25459) to RAF as Dakota III KG782. Returned to USAAF Apr 12, 1948 but probably never left England. To R. M. Hayes as G-ALBG Jun 1948.
http://cgibin.rcn.com/jeremy.k/cgi-b...&content=C-47B

[Leendert]

Some more info of KG782 after RAF life: https://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/43-48198.html

It appears that KG782 took part in the No. 35 Squadron Goodwill Tour to the USA in 1946, taking the then Air Marshal to San Francisco.
See Reel 1 in https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ect/1060013465

Regards,
Leendert

[andy bird]

Having visited MRAF Bert Harris's home between 1977 and 1982 at least once a month and corresponded with him on a weekly basis too. There was an image of this Dakota pinned to the first wooden beam as you entered his personal archive. Its now as is his log book at the RAFM along with my 1/48 scale Lancaster made when 15 year old Air Cadet that started our friendship.

KG782 went onto be Monty's, Sholto Douglas and I beleive Robertsons aircraft when Govenors of Berlin.

Regards

Andy Bird