The Medals Gone Missing Administrator recently came into possession of an “in flight” status sheet, written by a Flight Lieutenant SELWYN of Transport Command, Royal Air Force. Whilst of no major historical significance in the big scheme of things, it would be interesting to see if this serviceman is still alive.
Purchased from ebay Australia for just $5 AUD, the flight slip is quite old and may have been written circa 1940’s – although there is little information on the sheet to confirm or deny this. However, it can only be surmised that the number of flight crew with the rank of Flight Lieutenant and the surname of SELWYN; who have operated as part of Transport Command over the years – is limited.
IMAGE RIGHT: The flight sheet, completed by Flight Lieutenant SELWYN of Transport Command, RAF (Royal Air Force). Whilst there is no date to indicate the exact time period to which this flight relates, it is hoped that somebody can shed some light as to the identity of this man – who served as flight crew, in this particular unit.
Should you look at the information adjacent to the word “Aircraft” you will see, what appears to be the Serial Number KK137 or similar. Is it possible that this number relates to a Douglas DC3 (also known as a C47 Skytrain) which entered service with the Royal Airforce under this serial number? Inquiries reveal that an aircraft, built as a C-47B-15-DK Skytrain, c/n 15274/26719 was delivered to United States Army Air Force as 43-49458. It was then transferred to the Royal Air Force as KK137 where it saw operational service. It was later transferred to BOAC (the British Overseas Airways Corporation) in 1944. Then registered as G-AGNB in 1945. This particular aircraft was eventually leased to Iraqi Airways in July 1947 and re-registered as YI-GNB, returned to BOAC in November 1947 and then to Aden Airway and re-registered as VR-AAF on the 1st of February 1952. It would later be leased to Jordan Airways during 1953; and upon the dissolution of Aden Airways – it was sold to Air Djibouti in August of 1967 and re-registered F-OCKV. The registration of this aircraft was finally cancelled in August 1971. If all of this is correct, then this puts the date of this flight slip as “pre 1945”. So based on that, if the aircraft was in fact flying from mainland Europe as it crossed the English coast, could one assume that this flight originated from a “captured” European airfield post D-Day ?
IMAGE LEFT: A Douglas Dakota in RAF markings in flight. To the Americans, this aircraft type was known as the C-47, but to the Commonwealth Air Forces – it was the Douglas Dakota; and served in just about every theatre of war. It is a little known fact that even the Japanese made a number of this type of aircraft, initially under licence.
And should you study the identity of the “navigator” as pencilled on the bottom of the document, the signature appears to be a Flight Officer D. SMYTH or similar.
So if you had a relative who served with Transport Command, whose name happened to be SELWYN or SMYTH, then we would like to hear from you. As always, the Medals Gone Missing Administrator is keen to get this particular piece of memorabilia, back into the hands of the family to which it pertains. The fact that this slip of paper has survived at all, is a small miracle. Considering that items such as this were probably “throw away items” which were discarded, once the flight had concluded.
IMAGE RIGHT: A DC3 (C-47) which now serves out it’s life as a “gate guardian” in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The man in the photograph is Australian ex-pat Peter KERR from Wisconsin, USA – whose father flew this type during World War 2 with Number 36 Squadron, RAAF.
As can be seen, the aircraft in question was flying in a westerly direction and was bound for RAF Northolt. Considering that it was crossing the English Coast and was tracking just south of Harwich, can it be assumed that this particular aircraft had flown from Amsterdam or other major city on mainland Europe?
Perhaps a Royal Air Force Historian can assist us and shed some light as to the identity of this man. Also, any reader who has flight experience in this part of the world, may be able to take an educated guess as to the original take off point (assuming that the aircraft did not deviate from it’s original course and was making a direct flight to RAF Northolt.
If you can help to identify the aircrew on this flight; or confirm the identity of this aircraft – please contact the Medals Gone Missing Administrator by making a “Comment” on this story.
IMAGE LEFT: An example of the DC-3 in camoflage paint scheme. Whilst this aircraft type (in various Marks) saw service before the war as a Civillian airliner and then throughout the war, it is perhaps best remembered for the parts it played in the D-Day landings, and later – Operation Market Garden (the dropping of airborne troops to capture the bridges at Arnhem and Nijmegan). Not only did this type carrier Paratroops, but also performed the role of ‘Glider Tow’.
IMAGE RIGHT: The Cockpit or business end of the DC-3 owned and operated by the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Inc. (HARS) which is based out of Albion Park areodrome, on the south coast of New South Wales. As can seen, the longevity of this aircraft type is celebrated with the 50 year motif; the lifespan which is so typical of many of these aircraft that are still flying around the world. Is is possible that the aircraft KK-137 which is subject of this story, is still out there somewhere? Either being restored or waiting to be ressurrected?
IMAGE LEFT: The HARS (Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Inc.) DC-3 Douglas Dakota A65-95 taxis on Albion Park Aerodrome after coming in for a landing during the 2008 Airshow. This particular aircraft is immaculately restored, and flies regularly at displays and open days in the skies of the Illawarra.
IMAGE RIGHT: Port side view of the HARS (Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Inc.) DC-3 Douglas Dakota serial number A65-95.
