620 Squadron Dakota's 1946.

[Steve Smith]

Hi,

Reading a diary of a member of 620 Squadron in 1946. In it he mentions that 620 was equipped on one flight with four Dakota's. Can anyone confirm the serials or any details?

TIA

[Zoran Petek]

Hello

These were
Dakota III:
KG344
Dakota IV:
KJ939
KN476
KN675

Later Halifax A.7, as
NA376 D4-W
PP365 QS-H

[Stig Jarlevik]

Zoran

Do you have any specific dates for the Dakotas?
To me it looks like 620Sq got their Halifax A.VII slightly before they received a few Dakotas.

Cheers
Stig

[Zoran Petek]

Hello,
You're right Stig. I should write also instead of later.
A few words about 620's Dakotas.
One MK III: KG344 512 Sqn RAF, then 620 Sqn 1946.
Mk IV:
KJ939 216 Sqn (recorded several times at Bari 1944-45). 620 Sqn 1946. Later 215 Sqn (recorded in Egypt 1947). Military Assistance Advisory Group mid-50s.
KN476 28 Sqn SAAF (I found no records in orb), 512 Sqn RAF (disbanded at Bari 14.3.1946), 620 Sqn 1946.
KN675 216 Sqn, probably early postwar (when Sqn code was GH?) - I found no mention in WW2 orbs. 620 Sqn 1946. Later 78 Sqn in Palestine; 114 Sqn based in Egypt (recorded at Aden 1947); 215 Sqn in Egypt 1947. Probably still on strength when 215 reformed as 70 Sqn VI.1948? Also operated by 1381(T) CU.
Dakotas were OD/NG, and Halifaxes in night bomber scheme with red codes.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Zoran

Will try and get the AM 78 cards for these aircraft.
Must have been a spill over to 113 Sq when 620 was re-named

Cheers
Stig

[Zoran Petek]

Hello Stig,

Guess You think about KJ939. Listed in some sources as in 113 Sqn, but could also be a typo (KJ339 Thunderbolt II, Burma, operational VII-IX.1945).

For comparison from www.joebaugher.com :
42-92539 (MSN 12351) to USAAF Jan 22, 1944. to RAF as KG344 at RAF Montreal Mar 2, 1944. To UK Mar 13, 1944. 512 Sqdn RAF Apf 22, 1944. Returned to USAAF May 29, 1947. To Foreign Liquidation Commission, Payne Field, Egypt 29May47; Technical and Aeronautical Exploitations 1947; TAE Greek National Airlines Jul 7, 1951. Registered SX-BAE. Olympic Airways 1957; Royal Hellenic Air Force 5Jan63 as 12351; 355/1 Flight, Sedes, Thessaloniki c1976; WFU 1990, scrapped [last noted Apr96
43-48851 (MSN 14667/26112) to USAAF Sep 26, 1944. To RAF for MAAF as Dakota IV KJ939 via RAF Montreal Sep 29, 1944. 216 Sqn RAF. 620 Sqn RAF 27Oct44. 215 Sqn RAF. RAF UK 05Jan48. 22 MU RAF. Transferred to Military Aircraft Assistance Group Jun 29, 1955. stored Davis Monthan 1962 OB-UT-633 Corpac NTU Feb63 Tucson Airport Authority May74. Ray Corp, Tucson, AZ US Feb77. To Peruvian AF as FAP-877. Now on civil registry as N40386
44-76621 (MSN 16205/32953) to USAAF Mar 28, 1945. To RAF for MAAF as Dakota IV KN476 via RAF Montreal Mar 29, 1945. 28 Sqn RAF 08Apr45. 512 Sqn RAF 08Mar46. 525 Sqn RAF 27Mar46. 620 Sqn RAF. 1381 (T)CU RAF 27Nov46 Oakington TC RAF 11Feb48. 8 MU RAF 13Sep49. SOC for spares at Brooklands Jan 19, 1950.
44-77050 (MSN 16634/33382) to USAAF May 29, 1945. To RAF in UK as Dakota IV KN675 via RAF Montreal May 30, 1945. RAF UK 12Jun45. RAF M East 20Sep45. 216 Sqn RAF. 620 Sqn RAF. 78 Sqn RAF. 215 Sqn RAF 29Jan48. 70 Sqn RAF 27May48. RAF UK 29Sep49. 8 MU RAF 03Oct49. SOC for spares Mar 16, 1950

And two from the post "Dakota Details Needed"
42-93472 (MSN 13387) to USAAF May 22, 1944. To RAF as Dakota III KG627 via RAF Montreal Jul 18, 1944. RAF Middle East Aug 31, 1944. Returned to USAAF May 29, 1947. VT-COH Indian National Airlines Aug 22, 1947. To XY-ACH Airways Burma 1950. Union of Burma Airways. to Burmese AF as UBT-708. To Nevada Airways Inc bought Apr 29, 1978, registered N2270W Jul 21, 1978. Current 2011.
43-48834 (MSN 14650/26095) to USaAF Sep 26, 1944. To RAF in India as Dakota IV KJ925 via RAF Nassau Oct 2, 1944. ACSEA 22Oct44. 357 Sqn RAF. Med ME RAF. 62 Sqn RAF 25Apr46. Returned to USAAF May 29, 1947. To Hellenic Airlines Olympic Airways as SX-BAK 08Mar49. To 4X-UWJ 01Jan57. Uganda Aviation Svces as 5X-VWJ 1972. Caspairas 5Y-BAX 08Feb77 WFU

Regards
Zoran

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks again Zoran

Was held up yesterday but will try for the AM 78 cards today.

Cheers
Stig