The DC-3 Aviation Museum
Presents:
The
Jean-Pierre Sonck
Collection #1
Here is a photograph of
KAT40 - ex N55U C/N 20455
taken in Kipushi City Airport
(katangase border province)
in October 1962.
The men wearing civil clothes who are going aboard are "volunteer's" (Merc)
and they are going to the city of Kongolo, surrounded by legal Congolese forces;
this plane was also carrying munitions for the other garrison of katangase forces.
The DC-3 "Moineau Flyer" was transferred in august 1962
by a famous French artist called the "Môme Moineau"
to the president Moïse TSHOMBE of secessionism Katanga
(a province of DR Congo).
This plane was registered KAT40 and used to fly for VIP purpose.
Later it was used air transport for the katangase army and escaped to Angola
when UN nation forces attacked the secessionist province in the end of 1962.
One year later, the DC-3 VIP "Moineau Flyier II" exHI-40 became KAT-40
and was used for military air transport.
When UN troops fought renewed battles
with Katangase the 28th of December, 1962,
DC-3 KAT 40 evacuated to Angola
300 million in Katangase money
and was seized by Portuguese in Loanda.
Moïse TSHOMBE ended his secession in January 1963.
KAT40 was seized in Loanda airport by Portuguese authorities.
After this the plane disappeared into South Africa
(if you have any information about this aircraft e-mail us
at: The DC-3 Aviation Museum)
Jean-Pierre Sonck is an author,
and
has written an article concerning the Katangase Aviation
in the French monthly magazine "Avions"
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