Re: Researching the history of a specific F24

Johann van Reenen · Post by **Johann van Reenen** » Mon Oct 07, 2002 5:00 am

'Hi folks

Not being an expert in these matters, I took the liberty of making
this request through the forum. Any ideas or suggestions from members
with an interest in and knowledge of aviation history and research
methods will be appreciated.

I am building a 1 : 4.8 scale radio-control model of the F24R Argus,
and need historical info (from birth to around 1965)on the specific
plane that I'm replicating. Here's what I have:

She was one of the US/RAF Lend-lease planes, with RAF s/n KK537. Any
RAF service details here will be excellent. Her "sister" plane was
KK410, last known to be in Turin, Italy. Airframe no 1155, Ranger L-
440-7 engine no R030521 (unsure if its the original engine, but I'd
think so.) Not sure when & how she landed in South Africa. Flew in
civilian guise as ZS-CDO until a mishap in 1965, was grounded, and
bought in 1969. Restoration was completed around 1973, and she was re-
registered as ZS-BAH. Final flight in 1985. Unfortunately whichever
logbooks, etc. that was in the plane at the time of the crash, was
either destroyed or lost. I'm looking for details prior to 1965,
primarily the pre-South Africa days, as the South Africa stuff I will
eventually be able to piece together here, I hope.

Thanks

Johann'

John Berendt · Post by **John Berendt** » Mon Oct 07, 2002 10:13 am

'Johann van Reenen

The F24 in question was built in the last group of 306 aircaft for the RAF.
It was number 275 in that group and probly carried the USAAF serial no
44-83194 The USAAF records will show when it was delivered from the
factory, when it arrived at the port of departure and when it left the U. S.
This would have been in late 1944 or early 1945. If you want to contract me
a fchld@rconnect.com

John Berendt
Fairchild Club

----- Original Message -----
From: "Johann van Reenen"
To:
Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 6:00 AM
Subject: [fairchildclub] Researching the history of a specific F24

> Hi folks
>
> Not being an expert in these matters, I took the liberty of making
> this request through the forum. Any ideas or suggestions from members
> with an interest in and knowledge of aviation history and research
> methods will be appreciated.
>
> I am building a 1 : 4.8 scale radio-control model of the F24R Argus,
> and need historical info (from birth to around 1965)on the specific
> plane that I'm replicating. Here's what I have:
>
> She was one of the US/RAF Lend-lease planes, with RAF s/n KK537. Any
> RAF service details here will be excellent. Her "sister" plane was
> KK410, last known to be in Turin, Italy. Airframe no 1155, Ranger L-
> 440-7 engine no R030521 (unsure if its the original engine, but I'd
> think so.) Not sure when & how she landed in South Africa. Flew in
> civilian guise as ZS-CDO until a mishap in 1965, was grounded, and
> bought in 1969. Restoration was completed around 1973, and she was re-
> registered as ZS-BAH. Final flight in 1985. Unfortunately whichever
> logbooks, etc. that was in the plane at the time of the crash, was
> either destroyed or lost. I'm looking for details prior to 1965,
> primarily the pre-South Africa days, as the South Africa stuff I will
> eventually be able to piece together here, I hope.
>
> Thanks
>
> Johann
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> fairchildclub-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

'

Airy-Hugues Millet · Post by **Airy-Hugues Millet** » Mon Oct 07, 2002 12:15 pm

'Hi Folks!

We are flying Argus III RAF s/n KK380 here in France...now registered
F-AZCI... construction number 998....this was the second on the list in the
USAAF 1944's numbers, being USAAF 44-83037!
And we are building the history of this plane with thanks to Karl Saenger,
and some other contacts I took recently in Great Britain.

Best regards,

Airy-H. MILLET

let's have a look at http://nostalgair.free.fr/

(english version will come soon, but you don't need to speak french to look
at pictures!!)

>From: "John Berendt"
>Reply-To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
>To:
>Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Researching the history of a specific F24
>Date: Mon, 7 Oct 2002 10:54:50 -0500
>
>Johann van Reenen
>
>The F24 in question was built in the last group of 306 aircaft for the RAF.
>It was number 275 in that group and probly carried the USAAF serial no
>44-83194 The USAAF records will show when it was delivered from the
>factory, when it arrived at the port of departure and when it left the U.
>S.
>This would have been in late 1944 or early 1945. If you want to contract
>me
>a fchld@rconnect.com
>
>John Berendt
>Fairchild Club
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Johann van Reenen"
>To:
>Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 6:00 AM
>Subject: [fairchildclub] Researching the history of a specific F24
>
>
> > Hi folks
> >
> > Not being an expert in these matters, I took the liberty of making
> > this request through the forum. Any ideas or suggestions from members
> > with an interest in and knowledge of aviation history and research
> > methods will be appreciated.
> >
> > I am building a 1 : 4.8 scale radio-control model of the F24R Argus,
> > and need historical info (from birth to around 1965)on the specific
> > plane that I'm replicating. Here's what I have:
> >
> > She was one of the US/RAF Lend-lease planes, with RAF s/n KK537. Any
> > RAF service details here will be excellent. Her "sister" plane was
> > KK410, last known to be in Turin, Italy. Airframe no 1155, Ranger L-
> > 440-7 engine no R030521 (unsure if its the original engine, but I'd
> > think so.) Not sure when & how she landed in South Africa. Flew in
> > civilian guise as ZS-CDO until a mishap in 1965, was grounded, and
> > bought in 1969. Restoration was completed around 1973, and she was re-
> > registered as ZS-BAH. Final flight in 1985. Unfortunately whichever
> > logbooks, etc. that was in the plane at the time of the crash, was
> > either destroyed or lost. I'm looking for details prior to 1965,
> > primarily the pre-South Africa days, as the South Africa stuff I will
> > eventually be able to piece together here, I hope.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Johann
> >
> >
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > fairchildclub-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
>

_________________________________________________________________
Affichez, modifiez et partagez gratuitement vos photos en ligne:
http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx'

james chybicki · Post by **james chybicki** » Mon Oct 07, 2002 3:17 pm

'Hi Airy-Hugues-
I am rebuilding ArgusIII RAF S/N HB-690
USAAF # 43-19464.
Love the pictures of your plane.
I can use any extra parts, pictures of the rebuild,
history, anything related to the UC-61K.
Can't wait to see more!
Keep 'Em Flying
Jim
--- Airy-Hugues Millet wrote:

> Hi Folks!
>
> We are flying Argus III RAF s/n KK380 here in
> France...now registered
> F-AZCI... construction number 998....this was the
> second on the list in the
> USAAF 1944's numbers, being USAAF 44-83037!
> And we are building the history of this plane with
> thanks to Karl Saenger,
> and some other contacts I took recently in Great
> Britain.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Airy-H. MILLET
>
> let's have a look at http://nostalgair.free.fr/
>
> (english version will come soon, but you don't need
> to speak french to look
> at pictures!!)
>
>
> >From: "John Berendt"
> >Reply-To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
> >To:
> >Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Researching the
> history of a specific F24
> >Date: Mon, 7 Oct 2002 10:54:50 -0500
> >
> >Johann van Reenen
> >
> >The F24 in question was built in the last group of
> 306 aircaft for the RAF.
> >It was number 275 in that group and probly carried
> the USAAF serial no
> >44-83194 The USAAF records will show when it was
> delivered from the
> >factory, when it arrived at the port of departure
> and when it left the U.
> >S.
> >This would have been in late 1944 or early 1945.
> If you want to contract
> >me
> >a fchld@rconnect.com
> >
> >John Berendt
> >Fairchild Club
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Johann van Reenen"
>
> >To:
> >Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 6:00 AM
> >Subject: [fairchildclub] Researching the history of
> a specific F24
> >
> >
> > > Hi folks
> > >
> > > Not being an expert in these matters, I took the
> liberty of making
> > > this request through the forum. Any ideas or
> suggestions from members
> > > with an interest in and knowledge of aviation
> history and research
> > > methods will be appreciated.
> > >
> > > I am building a 1 : 4.8 scale radio-control
> model of the F24R Argus,
> > > and need historical info (from birth to around
> 1965)on the specific
> > > plane that I'm replicating. Here's what I have:
> > >
> > > She was one of the US/RAF Lend-lease planes,
> with RAF s/n KK537. Any
> > > RAF service details here will be excellent. Her
> "sister" plane was
> > > KK410, last known to be in Turin, Italy.
> Airframe no 1155, Ranger L-
> > > 440-7 engine no R030521 (unsure if its the
> original engine, but I'd
> > > think so.) Not sure when & how she landed in
> South Africa. Flew in
> > > civilian guise as ZS-CDO until a mishap in 1965,
> was grounded, and
> > > bought in 1969. Restoration was completed around
> 1973, and she was re-
> > > registered as ZS-BAH. Final flight in 1985.
> Unfortunately whichever
> > > logbooks, etc. that was in the plane at the time
> of the crash, was
> > > either destroyed or lost. I'm looking for
> details prior to 1965,
> > > primarily the pre-South Africa days, as the
> South Africa stuff I will
> > > eventually be able to piece together here, I
> hope.
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Johann
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email
> to:
> > > fairchildclub-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
> >http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>

_________________________________________________________________

> Affichez, modifiez et partagez gratuitement vos
> photos en ligne:
> http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx
>
>

__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More
http://faith.yahoo.com'

tonyb42uk · Post by **tonyb42uk** » Mon Oct 07, 2002 4:55 pm

'Johaan,
I have not seen the RAF record card for KK537, but here is the
transcript as published in Air-Britain's RAF Serials Rgister, KA100 -
KZ999:
"KK537 Med Retd to US 29.8.46"

There may be more on the actual card, but as I know from
transcribing RAF Cornell cards, the service history of some Lend-
Lease aircraft are poorly recorded.

There may be the name of the vessel on which KK537 was shipped, the
port of embarkation (probably New York or Newark, NJ), the
destination, the date of departure and the RAF "taken on charge"
date. I would not expect to find any reference to the unit or
location at which KK537 served. This may have been an RAF
Communications Flight, a Station Flight, or at an RAF or USAAF
Squadron as "hack" aircraft. I very much doubt if this unit
information will be easy to find.

The above transcript means KK537 was delivered to the Mediterranean
Allied Air Forces, a joint RAF/USAAF command covering North Africa
and the countries around the Mediterranean involved in the fighting.

In 1946 it was returned in good order to the U.S. authorities for
disposal. Lend-Lease aircraft were just that, borrowed and to be
returned as per agreement, when the war was over. It does not mean
returned to the USA. Some US Government agency, probably the
Foreign Liquidation Corporation organised the storage and sale of
suitable surplus Lend-Lease and USAAF and US Navy aircraft from a
site (or sites) in Southern Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.

At least 70 ex RAF Argus were sold to S. African buyers, who then
ferried them down the length of continent to their new homes.

According to a published South African register KK537 was not
registered as ZS-CDO until 1956, so there appears to be a period of
ten years to account for. I understand the archive of South African
civil aircraft records "dissappeared" when the authority was
privatised.

All the UC-61K/Argus III were delivered to the RAF, which accounts
for why they are so rare in the USA today. As far as I can tell all
were originally delivered in RAF camouflage and serials. Air-
Brit's "KA100 - KZ999" has two photographs of Argus III KK549 the
first, whilst with the Levant Communications Flightin what looks
like camoufage and the second at Fayid in May 1947 painted, what
appears to be, silver with a black anti-dazzle panel ahead of the
windscreen -- a typical post war colour scheme. There are two
similar painted Argus II in the back ground, and in view of the
date, Fayid may have been one of the storage/sales depots.

I keep promising myself another trip to the RAF Archives and the PRO
to look out further Argus and Cornell records, but have not had the
opporunity for a while.

A copy of the USSAF card for 44-83194 (KK537's AAF identity) could
be obtained from the Air Force Historical Research Agency at Maxwell
AFB, AL. This would give you the AAF acceptance date, Port of
embarkation and possibly how it was delivered to the port (rail road
or by air).

Sorry I cannot give you any more at present. To find which
Elementary Flying Training School where each Cornell served in S
Rhodesia it has been neccesary to search and beg for copies or
transcripts from the log books of RAF pilots trained in Rhodesia
because the RAF Cornell record cards are devoid of such details. To
undertake such a search for the RAF pilots that flew a particular
Argus would be a much more daunting!

Tony Broadhurst

--- In fairchildclub@y..., "Johann van Reenen"
wrote:

> Hi folks
>
> Not being an expert in these matters, I took the liberty of making
> this request through the forum. Any ideas or suggestions from

members

> with an interest in and knowledge of aviation history and research
> methods will be appreciated.
>
> I am building a 1 : 4.8 scale radio-control model of the F24R

Argus,

> and need historical info (from birth to around 1965)on the

specific

> plane that I'm replicating. Here's what I have:
>
> She was one of the US/RAF Lend-lease planes, with RAF s/n KK537.

Any

> RAF service details here will be excellent. Her "sister" plane was
> KK410, last known to be in Turin, Italy. Airframe no 1155, Ranger

L-

> 440-7 engine no R030521 (unsure if its the original engine, but

I'd

> think so.) Not sure when & how she landed in South Africa. Flew in
> civilian guise as ZS-CDO until a mishap in 1965, was grounded, and
> bought in 1969. Restoration was completed around 1973, and she was

re-

> registered as ZS-BAH. Final flight in 1985. Unfortunately

whichever

> logbooks, etc. that was in the plane at the time of the crash, was
> either destroyed or lost. I'm looking for details prior to 1965,
> primarily the pre-South Africa days, as the South Africa stuff I

will

> eventually be able to piece together here, I hope.
>
> Thanks
>
> Johann

'

johann_van_reenen@cyborg.com · Tue Oct 08, 2002 1:09 am

'Hi John

Thanks for your response. It is greatly appreciated.

I concur with the 1944/1945 arrival in the UK - it agrees with notes that
I do have. In addition, I have so far managed to trace it back to having
been allocated to the RAF's 15 OTU (the KK Squadron Code) at Harwell during
WW2, but tthen the trail got a bit cold - I haven't managed to trace
individual aircraft records back from there, as the RAF did not really keep
these accurately. It seems as if it might have ended up in North Africa
somewhere, being used for comms duties, or the normal to-and-fro ferrying
of pilots. It was then shipped to South Africa only after the war, but
couldn't have worked too hard, as it was close to the end of the war anyway
when she arrived in the UK. I will pursue the war/post war angle as much as
I can, but your USAAF info will be of great help - it is somewhat difficult
to embark on this type of exercise from here (South Africa) without having
the prior experience and/or contacts (even WITH the help of the Internet -
I could only imagine what it would have been like without it!), and it
would have been unlikely that I would have managed to obtain that sort of
info, at least not without a great deal of effort.

I am starting to understand why the Fairchild had, and still has, such a
large following. They were brilliant, and I only wish I had the means of
obtaining a full-scale one!

Thanks again

Johann

************************************************
This communication may contain SECRET, PRIVILEGED AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION intended only for the use of the addressee. If you are not
the addressee you may not review, retransmit, disseminate or make any use
of or take any action in reliance upon the information contained herein.
If you received this communication by mistake, please immediately notify
Cyborg Systems, Inc. by return email to the sender and destroy this email.'

johann_van_reenen@cyborg.com · Tue Oct 08, 2002 1:26 am

'Thanks guys (Airy-H & John) - I appreciate the info that has been shared
so far. I'm getting quite into the mechanisms of this, even though it might
have started off as a coincidental interest, and I'm starting to appreciate
why the Argus had/has such an avid fan club - they are great!

I looked at the pics on nostalgair on Friday, and downloaded & printed the
in-flight pic of F-AZCI - it's beautiful, and is up on the wall at my
office now. I have managed to track down my father-in-law's photo albums of
ZS-BAH after 17 years, and will start scanning the photos in soon - there
are some great shots of the restoration process. I'd be quite happy to send
to anybody if you wanted to see them. My 1:4.8th scale scratchbuild will go
more of=r less the same route, even though I won't have to go down to the
last bit of detail - we'll see.

Not understanding one single word of French, I'm waiting with bated breath
for the full English version of the site - it'd make a great read!

Regards

Johann

"Airy-Hugues
Millet" To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Researching the history of a specific F24

07/10/2002
20:10
Please respond
to
fairchildclub

Hi Folks!

We are flying Argus III RAF s/n KK380 here in France...now registered
F-AZCI... construction number 998....this was the second on the list in the
USAAF 1944's numbers, being USAAF 44-83037!
And we are building the history of this plane with thanks to Karl Saenger,
and some other contacts I took recently in Great Britain.

Best regards,

Airy-H. MILLET

let's have a look at http://nostalgair.free.fr/

(english version will come soon, but you don't need to speak french to look
at pictures!!)

>From: "John Berendt"
>Reply-To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
>To:
>Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Researching the history of a specific F24
>Date: Mon, 7 Oct 2002 10:54:50 -0500
>
>Johann van Reenen
>
>The F24 in question was built in the last group of 306 aircaft for the

RAF.

>It was number 275 in that group and probly carried the USAAF serial no
>44-83194 The USAAF records will show when it was delivered from the
>factory, when it arrived at the port of departure and when it left the U.
>S.
>This would have been in late 1944 or early 1945. If you want to contract
>me
>a fchld@rconnect.com
>
>John Berendt
>Fairchild Club
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Johann van Reenen"
>To:
>Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 6:00 AM
>Subject: [fairchildclub] Researching the history of a specific F24
>
>
> > Hi folks
> >
> > Not being an expert in these matters, I took the liberty of making
> > this request through the forum. Any ideas or suggestions from members
> > with an interest in and knowledge of aviation history and research
> > methods will be appreciated.
> >
> > I am building a 1 : 4.8 scale radio-control model of the F24R Argus,
> > and need historical info (from birth to around 1965)on the specific
> > plane that I'm replicating. Here's what I have:
> >
> > She was one of the US/RAF Lend-lease planes, with RAF s/n KK537. Any
> > RAF service details here will be excellent. Her "sister" plane was
> > KK410, last known to be in Turin, Italy. Airframe no 1155, Ranger L-
> > 440-7 engine no R030521 (unsure if its the original engine, but I'd
> > think so.) Not sure when & how she landed in South Africa. Flew in
> > civilian guise as ZS-CDO until a mishap in 1965, was grounded, and
> > bought in 1969. Restoration was completed around 1973, and she was re-
> > registered as ZS-BAH. Final flight in 1985. Unfortunately whichever
> > logbooks, etc. that was in the plane at the time of the crash, was
> > either destroyed or lost. I'm looking for details prior to 1965,
> > primarily the pre-South Africa days, as the South Africa stuff I will
> > eventually be able to piece together here, I hope.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Johann
> >
> >
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > fairchildclub-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
>http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >
> >
>

_________________________________________________________________
Affichez, modifiez et partagez gratuitement vos photos en ligne:
http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
fairchildclub-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

************************************************
This communication may contain SECRET, PRIVILEGED AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION intended only for the use of the addressee. If you are not
the addressee you may not review, retransmit, disseminate or make any use
of or take any action in reliance upon the information contained herein.
If you received this communication by mistake, please immediately notify
Cyborg Systems, Inc. by return email to the sender and destroy this email.'

johann_van_reenen@cyborg.com · Tue Oct 08, 2002 1:27 am

'Hi Jim

You would have seen my previous mail -I will scan all the rebuild pics in
as soon as I have a chance, and either send them, or post them on the group
if there's space.

Johann
----- Forwarded by Johann Van Reenen/Cyborg Systems on 08/10/2002 09:21
-----

james chybicki
cc:
Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Researching the history of a specific F24
07/10/2002
23:16
Please respond
to
fairchildclub

Hi Airy-Hugues-
I am rebuilding ArgusIII RAF S/N HB-690
USAAF # 43-19464.
Love the pictures of your plane.
I can use any extra parts, pictures of the rebuild,
history, anything related to the UC-61K.
Can't wait to see more!
Keep 'Em Flying
Jim
--- Airy-Hugues Millet wrote:

> Hi Folks!
>
> We are flying Argus III RAF s/n KK380 here in
> France...now registered
> F-AZCI... construction number 998....this was the
> second on the list in the
> USAAF 1944's numbers, being USAAF 44-83037!
> And we are building the history of this plane with
> thanks to Karl Saenger,
> and some other contacts I took recently in Great
> Britain.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Airy-H. MILLET
>
> let's have a look at http://nostalgair.free.fr/
>
> (english version will come soon, but you don't need
> to speak french to look
> at pictures!!)
>
>
> >From: "John Berendt"
> >Reply-To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
> >To:
> >Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Researching the
> history of a specific F24
> >Date: Mon, 7 Oct 2002 10:54:50 -0500
> >
> >Johann van Reenen
> >
> >The F24 in question was built in the last group of
> 306 aircaft for the RAF.
> >It was number 275 in that group and probly carried
> the USAAF serial no
> >44-83194 The USAAF records will show when it was
> delivered from the
> >factory, when it arrived at the port of departure
> and when it left the U.
> >S.
> >This would have been in late 1944 or early 1945.
> If you want to contract
> >me
> >a fchld@rconnect.com
> >
> >John Berendt
> >Fairchild Club
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Johann van Reenen"
>
> >To:
> >Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 6:00 AM
> >Subject: [fairchildclub] Researching the history of
> a specific F24
> >
> >
> > > Hi folks
> > >
> > > Not being an expert in these matters, I took the
> liberty of making
> > > this request through the forum. Any ideas or
> suggestions from members
> > > with an interest in and knowledge of aviation
> history and research
> > > methods will be appreciated.
> > >
> > > I am building a 1 : 4.8 scale radio-control
> model of the F24R Argus,
> > > and need historical info (from birth to around
> 1965)on the specific
> > > plane that I'm replicating. Here's what I have:
> > >
> > > She was one of the US/RAF Lend-lease planes,
> with RAF s/n KK537. Any
> > > RAF service details here will be excellent. Her
> "sister" plane was
> > > KK410, last known to be in Turin, Italy.
> Airframe no 1155, Ranger L-
> > > 440-7 engine no R030521 (unsure if its the
> original engine, but I'd
> > > think so.) Not sure when & how she landed in
> South Africa. Flew in
> > > civilian guise as ZS-CDO until a mishap in 1965,
> was grounded, and
> > > bought in 1969. Restoration was completed around
> 1973, and she was re-
> > > registered as ZS-BAH. Final flight in 1985.
> Unfortunately whichever
> > > logbooks, etc. that was in the plane at the time
> of the crash, was
> > > either destroyed or lost. I'm looking for
> details prior to 1965,
> > > primarily the pre-South Africa days, as the
> South Africa stuff I will
> > > eventually be able to piece together here, I
> hope.
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Johann
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johann_van_reenen@cyborg.com · Tue Oct 08, 2002 2:32 am

'Tony

Thanks a million - your info is invaluable! Does this mean that the info
that I have on the KK being the 15 OTU (Harwell) "Squadron code" might not
necessarily have been correct? I do concur with the North Africa bit - it
agrees with notes that I do have.

Yea, it's interesting about the missing 10 years until '56, isn't it? It's
not too serious though - I at least know that it was here somewhere.

I saw the Fayid pics of KK549. Inteetrsting to note the paint scheme, and
then also what looks like RAF camouflage. I have a very old black & white
photo of KK410 taken at Payne Field near Cairo, Egypt in 1946, where the
paint scheme is a uniform scheme - probably olive drab, instead of camo,
which is how KK537 was eventually redone. I have both b&w pics of KK537
after the rebuild, (one where she's sitting on a grass field somewhere with
what was then the SA Air Force Museum's flying Fieseler Storch, which I
think has now been grounded.) and also lots of colour pics. I also have a
few pics of her when she was alive as ZS-CDO, one of which is where she was
grounded in 1965 after a port undercariage collapse. Also of ZS-CEW's fin &
rudder, where the silver dope was in the process of being stripped, showing
the Olive Drab & RAF fin flash underneath. There's a large B&W showing the
instrument layout (not original - I think it's after rebuilding) as well.

Lots of colour pics covering the rebuild process. I don't know if any of
this is of any interest to you, or anybody else in the Fairchild rebuilding
/ aviation history areas for that matter, but if anybody wants to have the
files, let me know - I will gladly supply.

Don't worry too much about the post-war history - like you say, the South
African records have mostly disappeared. I'm even battling a bit to obtain
a copy of the final accident report from 1985 - that's not even that long
ago. It's the birth to South Africa bit that has really been missing, and
that has been of interest to me. I will make contact with the USAAF
Research people - thanks for the info.

I'd better do some work - it's been far more interesting doing this, but
I'd better play some catch-up for an hour or so.

Johann

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almorris@mweb.co.za · Post by **almorris@mweb.co.za** » Tue Oct 08, 2002 2:32 pm

'Hallo Johann
Brian Hook owned ZS_BAH and was killed in the aircraft while flying
formation with Tom Burge and Chalkie Stobbard when the engine gave trouble
and he went into the deck at Wonderboom just outside Pretoria. Tracy Robb
still has bits and pieces from the wreck.
-----Original Message-----
From: tonyb42uk
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Date: 08 October 2002 12:55
Subject: [fairchildclub] Re: Researching the history of a specific F24

>Johaan,
>I have not seen the RAF record card for KK537, but here is the
>transcript as published in Air-Britain's RAF Serials Rgister, KA100 -
> KZ999:
>"KK537 Med Retd to US 29.8.46"
>
>There may be more on the actual card, but as I know from
>transcribing RAF Cornell cards, the service history of some Lend-
>Lease aircraft are poorly recorded.
>
>There may be the name of the vessel on which KK537 was shipped, the
>port of embarkation (probably New York or Newark, NJ), the
>destination, the date of departure and the RAF "taken on charge"
>date. I would not expect to find any reference to the unit or
>location at which KK537 served. This may have been an RAF
>Communications Flight, a Station Flight, or at an RAF or USAAF
>Squadron as "hack" aircraft. I very much doubt if this unit
>information will be easy to find.
>
>The above transcript means KK537 was delivered to the Mediterranean
>Allied Air Forces, a joint RAF/USAAF command covering North Africa
>and the countries around the Mediterranean involved in the fighting.
>
>In 1946 it was returned in good order to the U.S. authorities for
>disposal. Lend-Lease aircraft were just that, borrowed and to be
>returned as per agreement, when the war was over. It does not mean
>returned to the USA. Some US Government agency, probably the
>Foreign Liquidation Corporation organised the storage and sale of
>suitable surplus Lend-Lease and USAAF and US Navy aircraft from a
>site (or sites) in Southern Europe, the Middle East or North Africa.
>
>At least 70 ex RAF Argus were sold to S. African buyers, who then
>ferried them down the length of continent to their new homes.
>
>According to a published South African register KK537 was not
>registered as ZS-CDO until 1956, so there appears to be a period of
>ten years to account for. I understand the archive of South African
>civil aircraft records "dissappeared" when the authority was
>privatised.
>
>All the UC-61K/Argus III were delivered to the RAF, which accounts
>for why they are so rare in the USA today. As far as I can tell all
>were originally delivered in RAF camouflage and serials. Air-
>Brit's "KA100 - KZ999" has two photographs of Argus III KK549 the
>first, whilst with the Levant Communications Flightin what looks
>like camoufage and the second at Fayid in May 1947 painted, what
>appears to be, silver with a black anti-dazzle panel ahead of the
>windscreen -- a typical post war colour scheme. There are two
>similar painted Argus II in the back ground, and in view of the
>date, Fayid may have been one of the storage/sales depots.
>
>I keep promising myself another trip to the RAF Archives and the PRO
>to look out further Argus and Cornell records, but have not had the
>opporunity for a while.
>
>A copy of the USSAF card for 44-83194 (KK537's AAF identity) could
>be obtained from the Air Force Historical Research Agency at Maxwell
>AFB, AL. This would give you the AAF acceptance date, Port of
>embarkation and possibly how it was delivered to the port (rail road
>or by air).
>
>
>Sorry I cannot give you any more at present. To find which
>Elementary Flying Training School where each Cornell served in S
>Rhodesia it has been neccesary to search and beg for copies or
>transcripts from the log books of RAF pilots trained in Rhodesia
>because the RAF Cornell record cards are devoid of such details. To
>undertake such a search for the RAF pilots that flew a particular
>Argus would be a much more daunting!
>
>Tony Broadhurst
>
>
>--- In fairchildclub@y..., "Johann van Reenen"
> wrote:
>> Hi folks
>>
>> Not being an expert in these matters, I took the liberty of making
>> this request through the forum. Any ideas or suggestions from
>members
>> with an interest in and knowledge of aviation history and research
>> methods will be appreciated.
>>
>> I am building a 1 : 4.8 scale radio-control model of the F24R
>Argus,
>> and need historical info (from birth to around 1965)on the
>specific
>> plane that I'm replicating. Here's what I have:
>>
>> She was one of the US/RAF Lend-lease planes, with RAF s/n KK537.
>Any
>> RAF service details here will be excellent. Her "sister" plane was
>> KK410, last known to be in Turin, Italy. Airframe no 1155, Ranger
>L-
>> 440-7 engine no R030521 (unsure if its the original engine, but
>I'd
>> think so.) Not sure when & how she landed in South Africa. Flew in
>> civilian guise as ZS-CDO until a mishap in 1965, was grounded, and
>> bought in 1969. Restoration was completed around 1973, and she was
>re-
>> registered as ZS-BAH. Final flight in 1985. Unfortunately
>whichever
>> logbooks, etc. that was in the plane at the time of the crash, was
>> either destroyed or lost. I'm looking for details prior to 1965,
>> primarily the pre-South Africa days, as the South Africa stuff I
>will
>> eventually be able to piece together here, I hope.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Johann
>
>
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