ex USAAF 43-15224, Netherlands East indies AF DT-973, VHR-CO, PK-RCO, PK-GDD. Any help on the location is appreciated.

This picture was taken by my father at Semarang airfield, shortly before it was handed over to the Indonesian air force. It shows several Dutch C-47s, including T-973. This aircraft had already been handed over to the KNILM - Koninklijke Nederlandsch-Indische Luchtvaart Maatschappij - as PK-RCO in 1947, but went back to the Netherlands Air Force because it was needed in the Indonesian war of independence. This may well be the last picture of that aircraft wearing Dutch markings. It remained in Indonesia after hostilities ended and went to Garuda as PK-GDD.

'We are back.' The Dutch threw an airshow at Batavia (Jakarta) on 9 March 1947. Note Australian callsign used by 19 Sqn, formerly 1 (NEI) Transport Sqn, RAAF. Aircraft bought in the USA in 1946. Later to Garuda as PK-RCO and PK-GDD. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)

Delivered to the USAAF as 43-25224. Transferred to the RAAF 19 (Netherlands East Indies) Sqd as DT-973/VHRCO in 1945, then to KNILM - Koninklijke Nederlandsch-Indische Luchtvaart Maatschappij - as PK-RCO in 1947. With the independence of Indonesia in 1949, the aircraft went to Garuda and re-registered as PK-GDD in 1956. From June 1974 PK-WHH with World Wide Helicopters. Wfu in 1981 and stored in Surabaya where I saw it in 1995.

Commenced service as 43-15224 with the USAAF.