Douglas C-47 Dakota MkIII (RAF 271 Sqn 1944)

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Douglas C-47 Dakota Mk III (RAF 271 Sqn 1944) (1:72 scale)
- On Sept 19th 1944, ‘ Dakota’ “YS – DM” took off to re-supply the allied troops at Arnhem in Holl&, who were hemmed into a small area heavily defended by anti-aircraft guns. To ensure accuracy the air crews were ordered to fly at 900ft when dropping their containers. While flying to Arnhem the starboard wing of Flt Lt Lord’s Dakota was hit by anti-aircraft fire & the starboard engine was set on fire. He could have turned for home, but on learning that the drop zone was just 3 minutes away he decided he would complete his mission. With the starboard engine burning furiously, Lord came down to 900ft where he was singled out by all the anti-aircraft guns. Un-daunted he held his course while the supplies were dropped. At the end of the run 2 containers remained. Lord circled, & made a second run to drop them. His task completed Lord ordered his crew to abandon the aircraft, making no attempt to do so himself, giving his crew members the best chance of baling out. By this time the plane was down to 500ft, at which point the wing collapsed & the aircraft fell in flames. There was only one survivor who was flung out while assisting other crew members. For his bravery Flight Lieutenant D.S.A. Lord DFC was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.