Douglas C 47
"Dakota" (RAF)
Die Cast
Model Airplane
by Corgi

During WWII in the morning of September 14th, 1944, A Douglas C47 Dakota YS-L piloted by Flt. Lt. David S. A. Lord DFC, along with others of the 271 Squadron RAF Transport Command, took off from a base at Down Ampney in Gloucestershire to re-supply beleaguered Allied troops at Arnhem in Holland. The Allied Airborne Troops had been surrounded and were being pressed into a small area heavily defended by anti-aircraft guns. The flight crews mission orders were for a re-supply dropping their containers at 900 feet to ensure accuracy.

While flying at 1500 feet near Arnhem the starboard wind of Flt. Lt. Lord’s Dakota was hit twice by anti-aircraft fore and as a result the starboard engine was set on fire. On learning that all his crew were uninjured and that the drop zone was just three minutes away, he decided he would complete his mission as the troops on the ground were in such dire need of supplies.

With the starboard engine burning furiously, Flt. Lt. Lord came down to 900 feet where he was singled out by all the anti-aircraft guns. Undaunted he held his Dakota level and on course while the supplies were dropped. At the end of the run the dispatchers informed him that 2 containers remained. Although he must have known that the starboard wing would collapse at any time, he circled, rejoined the stream of aircraft and made a second run to drop the remaining containers. His task completed, Flt. Lt. Lord ordered his crew to abandon the aircraft, making no attempt to do so himself thereby giving his crew members a successful chance at bailing out. A few seconds later the starboard wing finally collapsed and the aircraft fell in flames. There was only one survivor – Harry King who survived the war and who died a few years ago.

Flight Lieutenant D.S.A. Lord DFC was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

Scale: 1/144, Wingspan: 6.25"
Loose Parts: (not suitable for young children)
Fully assembled.

OUT of STOCK