RAF Dakota in Burma WWII
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Perth - Western Australia
Age: 75
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This thread reminds me of a story I read in perhaps either the Australian "Pix" or "People" magazine in the late 1960's or early 1970's.
It was the story of an escape from Burma in early 1942, in front of the advancing Japanese, of a load of women and children, in a patched-up Dakota flown by a young Chinese pilot (not sure of his name now - Ho Fun rings a bell?)
The Dakota had been bombed and badly damaged. The locals, including some Allied troops set to and patched the holes in the Dakota wings with sheets.
They then loaded the aircraft with something like 42 or 43 women and children, tied the Dakota to a tree to assist with a STO (due to bomb damage to the runway) - and after Capt Ho firewalled the throttles, the troops chopped the rope with an axe and the Dak departed for Singapore.
They arrived in one piece, and the aviation authorities were staggered that the aircraft even flew. Capt Ho was insistent that he needed to return to Burma to rescue more women and children that had been left behind.
The authorities in Singapore refused to refuel the Dak, and Capt Ho harrassed them mercilessly until they relented and refuelled him.
Capt Ho attempted a takeoff, but a main gear tyre blew as he reached near V2min, the aircraft slewed out of control, and crashed and blew up. Capt Ho was incinerated.
The whole sad story was one of desperate and incredible heroics - and I thought of the futility of the entire exercise (which was unknown to all the participants at the time of course), as Singapore was rapidly overrun not long after, and all the women and children became captives anyway.
Does anyone have any reference or knowledge of this story, or is it just one small story of WW2 heroics lost in the passage of time?
It was the story of an escape from Burma in early 1942, in front of the advancing Japanese, of a load of women and children, in a patched-up Dakota flown by a young Chinese pilot (not sure of his name now - Ho Fun rings a bell?)
The Dakota had been bombed and badly damaged. The locals, including some Allied troops set to and patched the holes in the Dakota wings with sheets.
They then loaded the aircraft with something like 42 or 43 women and children, tied the Dakota to a tree to assist with a STO (due to bomb damage to the runway) - and after Capt Ho firewalled the throttles, the troops chopped the rope with an axe and the Dak departed for Singapore.
They arrived in one piece, and the aviation authorities were staggered that the aircraft even flew. Capt Ho was insistent that he needed to return to Burma to rescue more women and children that had been left behind.
The authorities in Singapore refused to refuel the Dak, and Capt Ho harrassed them mercilessly until they relented and refuelled him.
Capt Ho attempted a takeoff, but a main gear tyre blew as he reached near V2min, the aircraft slewed out of control, and crashed and blew up. Capt Ho was incinerated.
The whole sad story was one of desperate and incredible heroics - and I thought of the futility of the entire exercise (which was unknown to all the participants at the time of course), as Singapore was rapidly overrun not long after, and all the women and children became captives anyway.
Does anyone have any reference or knowledge of this story, or is it just one small story of WW2 heroics lost in the passage of time?
Last edited by onetrack; 7th May 2013 at 01:32.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tiger Mate, I've been following this thread with awe at your knowledge, skill and dedication. Re the green jungle fatigues, we were issued with these in the mid-1950's as cadets in the school cadet corps, presumably when it was decided that they were never going to be needed again for normal service. We thought they were the bees' knees and much better than the denim blouse and trousers usually issued.
I've often wondered why you made the top of the Dakota's fin/rudder as you did, when I remembered them as slightly different; A340yoyo's photo is how I recall the DC3's we operated in the late 60s, but I just assumed I must be wrong. I guess that you have painted an earlier/later model?
I've often wondered why you made the top of the Dakota's fin/rudder as you did, when I remembered them as slightly different; A340yoyo's photo is how I recall the DC3's we operated in the late 60s, but I just assumed I must be wrong. I guess that you have painted an earlier/later model?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You have me worried now about the rudder, although the rudder in the photo is hard over to starboard and therefore the appearance is one of distortion.
There are antenae still to be added and I have seen a few variations on that theme so will probably use the aformentioned photograph as reference.
There are antenae still to be added and I have seen a few variations on that theme so will probably use the aformentioned photograph as reference.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tiger Mate, I see now that your rudder is exactly as the one in the drawing and, for that matter, the photo. I'm looking at your picture on a small Asus with not much resolution, and thought that you had given the rudder a balancing horn, sort of, at the top, not unlike the Valetta shown in your drawing. But with the prompt of the correct drawing, I see that it's absolutely correct.
I am sorry to have worried you unnecessarily!
I am sorry to have worried you unnecessarily!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No dramas, it could well have been an invaluable input, and I thank you anyway.
Reference the forward door just behind the cockpit: It appears to be made for patagonian midgets as a chap standing in the area of the 'normal (rear) door' could bang his head if he did not duck slightly. Does anybody know if this fwd door served any other purpose than letting some air circulate or an emergency exit if a drama happened?
Reference the forward door just behind the cockpit: It appears to be made for patagonian midgets as a chap standing in the area of the 'normal (rear) door' could bang his head if he did not duck slightly. Does anybody know if this fwd door served any other purpose than letting some air circulate or an emergency exit if a drama happened?
Two purposes - an emergency exit (a rope could be stowed in a canvas bag on the bulkhead) and also as a precarious entry/exit via a groundcrew ladder if the cabin was full of freight.
As you can see, the door was alarmingly close to the propeller.
As you can see, the door was alarmingly close to the propeller.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for that. On all the photographs of the painting thus far, the door has been open albeit without an actual door. Given what you have said, I have decided that 'closing the door' is the most realistic way to go, and instead concentrate on the venturi (ASI?) and radio aerials (beneath the captains window) that can be seen on the previous B&W photograph.
Tiger:
The venturi was connected to the main electrical junction box by SCAT hose and kept the voltage regulators etc cool.
The venturi was connected to the main electrical junction box by SCAT hose and kept the voltage regulators etc cool.
Last edited by stevef; 10th May 2013 at 21:39. Reason: Mental refresh!
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Charlotte, NC USA
Age: 64
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The "suicide door" behind the Captains set was originally dual purpose. Its main purpose was as a loading hatch for mail bags and small cargo going into the forward cargo compartment (navigators area in C-47) and as an emergency escape hatch (along with the overhead). It is truly NOT sized for regular ingress/egress of adult sized humans.
C2j
C2j
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The forward door is now closed and the Jeep totally repainted. It appeared on B&W photos that the aircraft crews wore the same kit as the troops, although some with what appears No 1 tropicals which is not very warry. Does anyone know different?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Does anybody know what personal weapons transport crews would have had? I have given the briefing soldier a rifle over his shoulder and am wondering if the crewmember would have had a rifle or pistol as a personal weapon. Also if a pistol would it likely be a belt mounted holster.
The guys in the previous B&W photo have nothing
The guys in the previous B&W photo have nothing
Last edited by Tiger_mate; 13th May 2013 at 11:31.
TigerMate
I have a print of a Dak' landing at a Burmese strip, painted by Ron Homes. After completing a tour as a pilot on Lancasters in Bomber Command he was posted to India to fly Dakotas, with (IIRC ) 62 Sqn,which then went on to various bases in Burma including Meiktila.
Google Ronald Homes for more information; he must be about 90 now but hopefully is still with us.
Google Ronald Homes for more information; he must be about 90 now but hopefully is still with us.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No Joy at finding that image on line; any chance you may be able to post it here? I would like to see it if possible.
I did find Ron Homes on the GAvA website, including a painting of a silver Dakota off the coast of New Guinea but none as you describe.
I did find Ron Homes on the GAvA website, including a painting of a silver Dakota off the coast of New Guinea but none as you describe.
Just checked Ron's website and I can't see the print either, his email address is there so it might be worth sending him a message. Tell him that Anne Wildey's better half suggested you contact him. My wife is an artist who has exhibited with Ron in the past; not aviation I'm afraid, apart from a great atmospheric painting she did from a photo I took of our Herc' in Tarawa in 1969.
I'm the 'technophobe' in the family and Anne is away for 2 nights, so hoping she can send you a shot of Ron's Dak' painting.
BW
I'm the 'technophobe' in the family and Anne is away for 2 nights, so hoping she can send you a shot of Ron's Dak' painting.
BW
Last edited by Brian 48nav; 14th May 2013 at 20:59. Reason: missing word
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The painting is finished. The Hurricane was replaced with an Indian Air Force one based in Burma to balance the colour.
36" x 24" Oil on stretched canvas. Looks like a Norseman aircraft is next: I appreciate all the contributions made on this forum which have been most helpfull. Thank you.
36" x 24" Oil on stretched canvas. Looks like a Norseman aircraft is next: I appreciate all the contributions made on this forum which have been most helpfull. Thank you.
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Manila
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RAF 547 Squadron
I'm new to this group and this is my first interaction with the site. I am trying to piece together my Dad's life during WWII. I understand he was in 547 Squadron and I know he flew Dakotas and was for a time based in Burma. Some of the other threads mention pilots making their way to Burma through India which also matches some of the memories of what Dad told me (he died in 1976). Can anyone confirm the existence of 547 Squadron in Burma at that time? Seems there is very little info available.
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Chessington, Surrey
Age: 76
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Lost, but often Indonesia
Posts: 653
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Weapon cannisters
Does anyone know what a typical load was in the weapons canisters that were dropped to troops in trouble? Curious to know. Apart from ammo, I'm guessing gun parts (barrels) and possibly weapons along with ration packs?
Cheers
Octane
Cheers
Octane