A Question

[Catch22]

My brother purchased the Revell 1/72 Dornier Do 24 yesterday and found that Australia operated 5(?) of them during the war. We actually have some Aussie decals that came with my brother's Monogram Mossie, so it's well within his abilities to do one. He hasn't picked a scheme, but wanted to know what colours to use on the Aussie bird. There's no rush as he has to finish his Heinkel He 219 Uhu before he can start, but I thought I'd ask now to give him some time. Thanks!

[Heinz]

Hi Catch,

We used them after the East Indies fell.
Some info:


" A49 Dornier DO-24K
Built by Aviolanda in Holland for the Dutch East Indies Naval Air Force, six survivors of some 30 original aircraft escaped to Australia early in 1942 and five were immediately impressed into RAAF service as A49-1 to 5. These aircraft were in poor condition when received, but served in the transport role with No 41 Squadron, flying cargo into Goodenough Island, Milne Bay and Port Moresby.

Two of them later served with No 8 Communications Unit in the search and rescue role. The sixth machine escaped to Perth from a Japanese bombing raid on Broome and served the Dutch Intelligence Agency on clandestine flights to New Guinea until handed over to become A49-6 in RAAF colours in October 1943.

All aircraft were withdrawn from service and scrapped in November 1944"



Heres one profile I found

[Thorlifter]

Nice image Heinz. Thanks for the info on the plane.

[Catch22]

Thanks Heinz! I had a picture up, but it seems to be kaputt.

[Wildcat]

Hi Catch, definately one of the more interesting a/c operated by the RAAF. here are some pics.

[freebird]

Originally Posted by Heinz

Hi Catch,

We used them after the East Indies fell.

Wow what an interesting story!

[Catch22]

Thanks guys! I'm also wondering if anybody knows what exact paints my brother should use for this beast.

[Heinz]

Great shots Wildcat!

Im not actually sure about the paint Catch.

[Wayne Little]

Well bugger me! I didn't even know we used them?

So!.. learned something new today!!

[Heinz]

Just found some info on what became of each flying boat;

Aircraft Serial

C/N
NEIAF
Fate

A49-1
765
X-5
Ex NEI. These aircraft were in poor condition when received, but served in the transport role with 41 Squadron, flying cargo into Goodenough Island, Milne Bay and Port Moresby. 1944 entered service with Communications Unit No.8 for search and rescue missions. December 20th 1944 taken out of service and scrapped at Lake Boga due to lack of parts.

A49-2
767
X-7
Ex NEI. These aircraft were in poor condition when received, but served in the transport role with 41 Squadron, flying cargo into Goodenough Island, Milne Bay and Port Moresby. Probably got scrapped in 1944 at Lake Boga due to lack of parts.

A49-3
768
X-8
Ex NEI. These aircraft were in poor condition when received, but served in the transport role with 41 Squadron, flying cargo into Goodenough Island, Milne Bay and Port Moresby. June 4th 1942 made her first flight for the RAAF after a long overhaul. Crew were Squadron leader Monkton, Sergeant Emes, Sergeant McKnight, Sergeant Canny, Corporal Aubin and Lance corporal During. The flight lasted 4 hours and 20 minutes. May 14th 1944 transferred to Lake Boga and stored at the Flying Boat Repair Depot. December 20th 1944 taken out of service and scrapped at Lake Boga due to lack of parts.

A49-4
769
X-9
Ex NEI. These aircraft were in poor condition when received, but served in the transport role with 41 Squadron, flying cargo into Goodenough Island, Milne Bay and Port Moresby. Coded DQ-G. May 14th 1944 transferred to Lake Boga and stored at the Flying Boat Repair Depot. December 20th 1944 taken out of service and scrapped at Lake Boga due to lack of parts.

A49-5
770
X-10
Ex NEI. These aircraft were in poor condition when received, but served in the transport role with 41 Squadron, flying cargo into Goodenough Island, Milne Bay and Port Moresby. Coded DQ-H, 12/06/43. March 11th 1944 caught fire at Port Darwin due to a short-circuit and was destroyed.

A49-6
785
X-24
Ex NEI. Escaped to Perth from a Japanese bombing raid on Broome and served the Dutch Intelligence Agency on clandestine flights to New Guinea until handed over to become A49-6 in RAAF colours in October, 1943. May 14th 1944 put into storage at No.1 Flyingboat Repair Depot at Lake Boga. December 20th 1944 scrapped at Lake Boga due to lack of parts

[Wayne Little]

Interesting stuff Alex!

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by Catch22

Thanks guys! I'm also wondering if anybody knows what exact paints my brother should use for this beast.

"RAAF camouflage and markings vol 1" by Geoffrey Pentland states that A49-4 DQ-G of 41 sqn, was painted extra dark sea grey, dark ocean blue and sky blue undersides. HTH.

[Heinz]

I knew you'd have the answer Wildcat

I wanna build one now.

[freebird]

Originally Posted by Heinz

A49-1
765
X-5
scrapped due to lack of parts.

A49-2
767
X-7
scrapped in 1944 due to lack of parts.

A49-3
768
X-8
scrapped at Lake Boga due to lack of parts.

A49-4
769
X-9
scrapped at Lake Boga due to lack of parts.

A49-5
770
X-10
1944 caught fire at Port Darwin due to a short-circuit and was destroyed.

A49-6
785
X-24
1944 scrapped at Lake Boga due to lack of parts

Sounds like you Aussies were as bad as the Brits in scrapping everything - are there even any Do 24's left?

I know there are no Whirlwinds or Hornets left, and there is a restored Hampden now only because we fished one out from 60 feet of water in Canada!

[Heinz]

Yeah there are still one or two in European museums I believe,.