Flying Boat D-42

[Tommy Wo!]

Thanks for the info on D-42. I'm currently working on the manuscript for my latest book. It delves into a program in which the MLD hired 12 American flight instructors to train Dutch pilots on the island of Java in 1941. Most of these instructors were deemed unqualified and the Dutch were largely dissatisfied with the outcome of the program.

Per a declassified secret KM / MLD document dated September 16, 1941, D-42 was under the command of Roy Brister, an ex-US Navy pilot hired as one of these instructors. The commander of the MLD flight school, Commander P.J. Hendrikse directly blamed Brister for both accident and the flying boat's damage. This brief snippet from my upcoming manuscript...

In mid-September, D-42 – one of the elderly Do 15 flying boats used for advanced training – was heavily damaged. Roy Brister was instructing a student pilot as he landed following a training flight. While providing no details of the incident itself, Commander Hendrikse laid the blame squarely on Brister. He wrote, “…the D-42…was damaged beyond repair and the cause was due to the instructor, who did not recognize the danger in time and failed to intervene.” Hendrikse also noted that the accident was unique and had never before happened with the MLD on that type of aircraft.

I have Nico Geldhof's book on the Dornier Wal, which is where I got the date of February 24, 1942 for it's last (recorded) flight. This is why I'm somewhat confused about D-42. Hendrikse says she was damaged beyond repair in September 1941, but Nico's book clearly states different and provides a reliable source.

Is it possible that the Wal was indeed heavily damaged, but later repaired? Do you or any other folks have any additional on the accident itself or the damage to D-42?

Regards...
Tom Womack
San Antonio, Texas
USA