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Airman In Gallant Action In A Ki-21 Sally!

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gordon	Posted: Dec 24 2006, 05:21 PM
ADF Serials Webmaster Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 411 Member No.: 30 Joined: 10-July 05	Read an interesting piece about a RAAF F/Sgt Derrick Hosking who was an engine fitter during WW2. At the end of WW2 when the Japanese surrendered they were required to paint over the Hinomaru in white and apply a green cross on aircraft used for the surrender and repatriation of prisoners. Anyway one of these surrender aircraft a Mitsubushi Ki-21 Sally was flown to Australia by a RAAF crew! During the flight this war weary aircraft broke down several times on its ferry flight from Timor. On the third occasion both engines either failed or were shut down over the Timor Sea. F/Sgt Hoskins worked feverishly to restore the fuel flow on a system he didn't know and which was marked in Kana charaters. The engines were started about 15 metres above the water!. A very close call. For his actions he was awarded an AFM. This would put him in the position of being the only RAAF airman to receive an award in an enemy aircraft! An incredible feat. The Ki-21 had applied to the nose the words 'Tokyo Rose'. I believe applied by some RAAF type. Yes the Sally made it to Australia. More to follow. Gordon

gordon	Posted: Dec 26 2006, 11:11 AM
ADF Serials Webmaster Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 411 Member No.: 30 Joined: 10-July 05	A further update. It is believed that this Ki-21 Sally took part in several raids on Darwin in 1942! My understanding is that aircraft met its demise as a target. Where in the lates 1950s it was a wreck of green tubing on a range used by the then Duntroon Military College (currently the site of ADFA). I believe it was flown a few times from Fairbairn strip, I presume in the late 1940s. Anyone else have any further info? Pity we didn't take the same approach as the yanks and preserved the Japanese aircraft. Imagine the significance and value of this aircraft today.... Gordon

darren.crick	Posted: Dec 26 2006, 08:19 PM
ADF Serials Webmaster Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 1,782 Member No.: 2 Joined: 29-May 05	given it was located so close to the AWM, is it possible some parts survive there??

gordon	Posted: Dec 27 2006, 01:10 PM
ADF Serials Webmaster Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 411 Member No.: 30 Joined: 10-July 05	Hmmmm... I wonder Darren. Would be great if that was the case. Anyone able to shed any light on that? Gordon

herkman	Posted: Dec 27 2006, 03:18 PM
Lockheed Hercules (A97) Group: ADF Serials Team Posts: 415 Member No.: 6 Joined: 2-June 05	The only light I can throw, in 1963 whilst based at Fairbairn the kindergarten had the fusalage of a Jap airplane, looked a bit like a Lockheed 12. No other parts were noted, I suppose it ended up on the fire dump. Col

gordon	Posted: Dec 28 2006, 01:29 PM
ADF Serials Webmaster Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 411 Member No.: 30 Joined: 10-July 05	I'll have to check the dimensions but I think the Sally was larger than the Lockheed and it only had the single fin/rudder. Gordon

darren.crick	Posted: Dec 28 2006, 02:39 PM
ADF Serials Webmaster Group: ADF Serials Admin Posts: 1,782 Member No.: 2 Joined: 29-May 05	Gordon, Perhaps Daniel may be of help considering his connections lcoally... Darren

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