My uncle was the chief pilot for Malayan Airways
Hello. I just stumbled across this very old thread and thought I'd supply some information. My late uncle, Denis Walker Fenton, was the Chief Pilot and Operations Manager for Malayan Airways back in the late '40s and throughout the '50s. He flew the first Consul and the early Dakotas from Britain to Singapore. He and my aunt made Singapore their home until he returned to Canada in 1960.
In response to the OP, an article was published on June 17, 1947, saying the first Dakota would arrive in a fortnight. A fortnight later would be the first week of July 1947. I'd post the clipping, but the forum won't let me.