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Aircraft History Built by Klemm Leichtflugzeugbau GmbH (Klemm Light Aircraft Company) as Kl 31 a XIV powered by a Bramo Sh 14a radial engine. Constructor Number 653. Registered in Germany as D-IRUT. This aircraft was disassembled and shipped to South Africa arriving July 1935 and registered as ZS-AFJ. Afterwards returned to Germany and re-registered as D-IRUT. Sold to Missions-Verkehrs-Arbeitsgemeinschaft (MIVA) / Missions Transport Association for use in New Guinea. This aircraft had a natural metal finish. Nicknamed "St. Paulus" in black block letters with an underline on the left side of the fuselage. The tail rudder was painted dark red with a white cross pattée. During 1937, disassembled and shipped to New Guinea and reassembled. Registered in Australia as VH-UZM. This Klemm Ki.31 operated from Alexishafen Airfield (Danip Airfield) piloted by mission pilots German Willy Schafhausen and Austrian T. S. "Stan" Johnson that flew to remote outposts to deliver messages, transport supplies or fly passengers. During January 1939, crashed or ditched off Madang and sustained damaged. Afterwards, salvaged and repaired. During 1940 was assigned to Father Glover at the Catholic Mission at Wau based at Wau Airfield. The ultimate fate of this aircraft is unknown but disappeared before the Pacific War. Possibly, destroyed January 21, 1942 during the Japanese air raid against Wau Airfield. References Ed Coates Collection - VH-UZM Klemm Kl.31 a XIV (c/n 653) Journal of the Aviation Historical Society of Australia "Aviation Operations in New Guinea" by Eric Noble November/December 1973 page 85 (photo center) Thanks to Robert Piper for additional information Contribute
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