.
Click here for updates on Project 6832
Click here for Robin Stobbs' story of the Fish
Jacking
On December 21st, 1938, a strange fish was caught off the East London
coast. Professor J. L. B. Smith was fascinated by this fish, identified
as a Coelacanth. This fish was thought to have been extinct for over two
hundred million years.
Exciting at the possibility of obtaining a second specimen, he printed
hundred's of notices requesting information on the Coelacanth. Almost 14
years later he received a telegram informing him of the capture of another
Coelacanth in the Comores Islands.
As it was December 24th, he found difficulty in arranging transport.
In desperation he contacted the Prime Minister and persuaded him of the
importance of the find.
The Prime Minister instructed the Chief of the Air Force to assist.
In due course, a signal was received by the O.C. Natal to send an aircraft
to Durban to collect Prof. Smith, and then to travel to the Comores 'to
fetch a fish.'
(l to r) Director of Fisheries, Mayotte, Mr E. Breton;
Capt. Eric Hunt; Prof. JLB Smith;Commandant Blaauw;
Captain Letley; Lt. Ralston; Cpl. van Niekerk; Lt. Bergh; Cpl. Brink.
At the time the paint scheme was silver, with dark blue anti-dazzle on
the nose and engine cowlings. Her squadron code, strangely enough. was
K-OD. The Air Force insignia at the time was an orange roundel with Springbok.
Dakota 6832 on arrival in Grahamstown (l to r)
Lt. Bergh; Cpl. Brink; Cpl. van Niekerk; Mrs Margaret Smith;
Commandant Blaau; Prof. JLB Smith; Capt. Letley; Lt. Ralston;
William Smith. The coelacanth is in the box in the foreground.
Prof Smith's son, William Smith is now well known for his
participation in the TV show "A Word or Two" and his educational program.
Dakota MkII (C47A-10-K) was built in Oklahoma City and allocated Serial
Number 42-108863 by the U.S.A.A.F. In February 1944 she was placed on charge
by the R.A.F. under Serial Number KG 4434.
In March 1944 she was transferred to the S.A.A.F. and received Serial
Number 6832.
On being transferred to 28 Squadron she received the codes K-OD.
6832 is currently being restored.
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