RCAF History Forum

[xsbank]

My old dad joined the RCAF, learned to fly in Winnipeg just before the war, travelled to Britain and joined the RAF where he flew a Hurricane, got shot down in France, recuperated there and ended up flying in the Battle of Britain, some of it with Douglas Bader. I haven't read his memoirs for a few years so I am a bit rusty on the chronology and the squadrons but he was the only survivor of one of them. At some point he again joined the RCAF. He came back to Canada to instruct and stayed in the RCAF for a short time after the war flying DC3s, Beech 18s and before that, Ansons. He loathed the boring back-and-forth of the post-war flying and got out. If any of this is wrong it's my bad, not his.

Going to look for some photos....

[Moose47]

G'day xsbank

What is your father's name. I have some wartime operational fighter loss records here, perhaps he's in my files.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day the goal is soul

Spot on!

It is R.C.A.F. Unit Fort Churchill circa the same time-frame I was there (Dec 1959 - February 1961) Unfortunately, it's all gone now except for the airfield side of things. The Strategic Air Command alert hangar was torn down a few years ago. Still have fond memories of the wide variety of both military and civilian aircraft. Plenty of prototypes there for cold weather testing as well as U.S. Army H-21's and S.A.C. KC-97 tankers based there. Fort Churchill was one of four sites in Canada where U.S.A.F. KC-97 tankers were stationed as part of S.A.C.`s `Reflex Action`. We had the odd B-47 come in as well. Can still see those polar bears that used to roam our street in the fall and early winter.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day xsbank

The Royal Canadian Air Force used one NA-49 Harvard Mk. I and 33 NA-61 Harvard Mk. I's during the Second World War. They were on strength from 1939 to 1946.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

Here's a photo of a Short Sunderland Mk. III s/n ML825 and coded 3*D from the R.C.A.F.'s No. 423 (GR) Squadron. The squadron operated the Sunderland as part of Coastal Command's No. 15 (GR) Group at Oban, Argyll, Scotland from the 18th of May, 1942 to the 1st of November, 1942 and at Castle Archdale, Fermanagh, Northern Ireland from the 2nd of November, 1942 to the 4th of June, 1945.

The squadron converted to the Consolidated Liberator C.Mk.VI and Mk.VII in August, 1945 for operation as a long range transport unit with 'Tiger Force' in the Pacific Theatre of Operations.

*Note: GR stands for General Reconnaissance.

Cheers...Chris

[xsbank]

This thread drove me back into the books. This is long...
My father started to learn to fly in Winnipeg in 1937 with the RCAF Auxiliary (Avro Tutor). He was told that because he did not have a degree, he would not be selected to be a pilot in the regular RCAF. He borrowed some cash and got on a ship to England where he applied to the RAF as soon as he landed. It took 9 weeks, he was off to flying school where he solo'd in 5 hours and rapidly got transferred, trained to parade and do military stuff and flew Hurricanes in the war over France.

He was hit by flak and shot down, spending 6 months in a convalescent hospital in France, was repatriated and put back in a Hurricane where he fought in the Battle of Britain.

After the Battle, he was sent to Central Flying School to help train other pilots. Then, late 1941 he was sent back to Canada for the Commonwealth Air Training scheme, instructing in Hurricanes (made by Canadian Car with Packard Merlin's and Hamilton Standard props), Ansons and even a Lysander(!) from Lethbridge to Bagotville, where he helped found the fighter squadron that is still there. An interesting anecdote was he was tasked to help deliver a squadron of Kitty Hawks to Pat Bay to form a squadron there as Japan was a threat and all that was based there at the time were a/c like Stranraers.

1943, he was shipped back to England, rejoined the RAF and flew a second tour in Spitfires with Douglas Bader. That's where he met my mother, a WAAF, and as the war ended, he returned to Canada and rejoined the RCAF. I guess that was easy to do as he hopped back and forth a bit. Anyway, he drove Daks and Beech Expeditors and was largely bored. He lasted 2 years and gave up the air force and only ever flew in air shows after that. He was the sole survivor of at least one of his squadrons, all his friends that he flew with we're killed.

I have some great photos but will have to figure out how to digitize 'em.

[Moose47]

G'day xsbank

"My father started to learn to fly in Winnipeg in 1937 with the RCAF Auxiliary (Avro Tutor)."


That would have been No. 112 (Army Co-operation) Squadron of the Non-Permanent Active Air Force. Avro 621 Tutor - s/n's 184, 224 and 326

"He was hit by flak and shot down, spending 6 months in a convalescent hospital in France, was repatriated and put back in a Hurricane where he fought in the Battle of Britain."

Can you tell me his name?

"After the Battle, he was sent to Central Flying School to help train other pilots."

The Royal Air Force Central Flying School was located at R.A.F. Station Upavon, Wiltshire.

"Then, late 1941 he was sent back to Canada for the Commonwealth Air Training scheme, instructing in Hurricanes (made by Canadian Car with Packard Merlin's and Hamilton Standard props), Ansons and even a Lysander(!)"

The Hurricanes were built by Canadian Car & Foundry of Fort William, Ontario. The sole Hurricane training unit was No. 1 (F) Operational Training Unit at Bagotville, Quebec which had been previously known as Saguenay.

"from Lethbridge to Bagotville, where he helped found the fighter squadron that is still there."

No. 133 `Falcon` (F) Squadron formed at Lethbridge, Alberta on the 3rd of June, 1942 with Hawker Hurricane Mk. Mk. XII`s. The squadron got their Kittyhawk Mk. I`s while at Sea Island in March 1944.

"An interesting anecdote was he was tasked to help deliver a squadron of Kitty Hawks to Pat Bay to form a squadron there as Japan was a threat and all that was based there at the time were a/c like Stranraers."

No. 132 (F) Squadron equipped with Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk. I`s, moved from R.C.A.F. Station Rockcliffe, Ontario to R.C.A.F. Station Sea Island, B.C. arriving on the 4th of June, 1942. The squadron moved to R.C.A.F. Station Patricia Bay, B.C. on the 18th of July, 1942. The squadron moved around but remained in B. C. until disbandment on the 30th of September, 1944 at Sea Island.

Cheers...Chris

[fleet16b]

After the Battle, he was sent to Central Flying School to help train other pilots. Then, late 1941 he was sent back to Canada for the Commonwealth Air Training scheme, .

Sorry for being a stickler but as the son of a former BCATP Instructor, it drives me nuts when people get the name wrong.
Its British Commonwealth Air Training Plan

[xsbank]

Seems I am the son of the same. My father wrote a book about his exploits and I was paraphrasing because he never mentioned the name. If you want real accuracy, memoirs are probably suspect. Apparently he flew Kitty Hawks to Pat Bay but according to his book he was back in the UK when the aircraft were supposed to have arrived there. Apparently there was only a training school in Bagotville but I have photos of him leading formations in Hurricanes in Lethbridge. Doesn't really matter, he had some great experiences.
We had some aviation enthusiast who came to my mother's house to talk about him as he was in the Battle of Britain and the SOB stole my dad's logbook so I can't verify dates.

[Moose47]

G'day xsbank

This is my list of Canadian pilots who flew in the Battle of Britain I put together a few years ago.

Can you tell me your father's name and I will put something together on the aircraft he was shot down in.

Cheers...Chris

Canadians Who Flew During the Battle of Britain

Pilot Officer C. L. R. Arthur
Winnipeg, Manitoba
No. 141 (F) Squadron
Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I


Flight Lieutenant R. A. Burton
Kamloops, British Columbia
No. 249 ‘Gold Coast’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer E. W. B. Beardmore
Montreal, Quebec
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer R. W. G. Beley
Rossland, British Columbia
No. 151 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer P. H. Beake
Quebec City, Quebec
No. 64 (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Pilot Officer J. Benzie
Winnipeg, Manitoba
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flight Lieutenant H. P. ‘Cowboy’ Blatchford
Edmonton, Alberta
No. 17 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
No. 257 ‘ Burma’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer C. R. Bon Seingneur
Gull Lake, Saskatchewan
No. 257 ‘Burma’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer J. G. Boyle
Cassleman, Ontario
No. 41 (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Flying Officer C. E. Briese
Rosetown, Saskatchewan
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer E. de P. Brown
Coranado, California
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
* Brown was an American serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He eventually transferred to the United States Army Air Force.


Flight Lieutenant M. H. Brown
Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
No. 1 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer Mk. K. Brown
Kincardine, Ontario
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer J. S. Bryson
Westmount, Quebec
No. 92 ‘East India’ (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Pilot Officer N. N. Campbell
St. Thomas, Ontario
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer J. C. Carriere
Quebec City, Quebec
No. 219 ‘Mysore’ (F) Squadron
Bristol Blenheim Mk. IF


Pilot Officer G. C. T. Carthew
Mountain Park, Alberta
No. 253 ‘Hyderabad (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
No. 85 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
No. 145 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Sub-Lieutenant (A) J. C. Carpenter (RN) Fleet Air Arm
Toronto, Ontario
No. 229 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
No. 46 ‘Uganda’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer J. G. Cave
Calgary, Alberta
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer E. F. J. Charles
Lashburn, Saskatchewan
No. 54 (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Pilot Officer J. A. Chevrier
Westmount, Quebec
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flight Lieutenant G. P. Christie
Westmount, Quebec
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
No. 66 (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Flying Officer B. E. Christmas
St. Hilaire, Quebec
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer A. C. Cochrane
Vernon, British Columbia
No. 257 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer G. H. Corbett
Victoria, British Columbia
No. 66 (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Flight Lieutenant V. B. Corbett
Westmount, Quebec
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer L. E. Cryderman
Toronto, Ontario
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer J. P. J. Desloges
Ottawa, Ontario
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer R. H. Dibnah
Winnipeg, Manitoba
No. 1 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer H. D. Edwards
Winnipeg, Manitoba
No. 92 ‘East India’ (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Flying Officer R. L. Edwards
Cobourg, Ontario
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer G. J. Elliott
Winnipeg, Manitoba
No. 607 “County of Durham’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer N. D. Edmond
Calgary, Alberta
No. 615 ‘County of Surrey’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer W. M. L. Fiske
Montreal, Quebec
No. 601 ‘County of London’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Squadron Leader A. W. Fletcher
Cardston & Lethbridge, Alberta
No. 235 (F) Squadron
Bristol Blenheim Mk. IF/ Bristol Blenheim Mk. IVF


Flying Officer R. C. Fumerton
Fort Coulonge, Quebec
No. 32 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Squadron Leader L. M. Gaunce
Lethbridge, Alberta
No. 615 ‘County of Surrey’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
No. 46 ‘Uganda’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Squadron Leader J. A. G. Gordon
Red Deer, Alberta
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer R. D. Grassick
London, Ontario
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer J. P. B. Greenwood
Stratford, Ontario
No. 253 ‘Hyderabad’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flight Lieutenant H. R. Hamilton
Oak Point, New Brunswick
No. 85 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer T. P. Harnett
Moncton, New Brunswick
No. 219 ‘Mysore’ (F) Squadron
Bristol Blenheim Mk. IF & Bristol Beaufighter Mk. IF


Pilot Officer J. S. Hart
Sackville, New Brunswick
No. 54 (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I
No. 602 ‘City of Glasgow (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Pilot Officer N. Hart
Dugald, Manitoba
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer D. A. Hewitt
Saint John, New Brunswick
No. 501 ‘County of Gloucester’ (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Flying Officer F. W. Hillock
Toronto, Ontario
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer J. T. Johnston
Brandon, Manitoba
No. 151 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flight Lieutenant J. A. Kent
Winnipeg, Manitoba
No. 303 ‘Kosciusco’ Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Flying Officer J. W. Kerwin
Toronto, Ontario
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer J. E. P. Laricheliere
Montreal, Quebec
No. 213 ‘Ceylon’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer J. B. Latta
Vancouver, British Columbia
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer K. A. Lawrence
Halifax, Nova Scotia/Ottawa, Ontario
No. 234 ‘Madras Presidency’ (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I
No. 603 ‘City of Edinburgh’ (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Flying Officer R. G. Lewis
Vancouver, British Columbia
No. 1 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer T. B. Little
Montreal, Quebec
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer P. W. Lochnan
Ottawa, Ontario
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Squadron Leader R. I. G. MacDougall
Toronto, Ontario
No. 17 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flight Lieutenant G. R. McGregor
Montreal, Quebec
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer W. L. McKnight
Edmonton, Alberta
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Squadron Leader E. A. McNab
Rosthern, Saskatchewan
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer W. B. M. Millar
Penticton, British, Columbia
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer J. A. Milne
Corklin, Saskatchewan
No. 605 ‘County of Warwick’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer H. T. Mitchell
Port Hope, Ontario
No. 87 ‘United Provinces’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer H. de. M. Molson
Montreal, Quebec
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer W. H. Nelson DFC & Bar
Mount Royal, Quebec
No. 74 ‘Trinidad’ (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Flying Officer A. D. Nesbitt
Westmount, Quebec
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer R. W. Norris
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flight Lieutenant P. G. S. O’Brian
Toronto, Ontario
No. 152 ‘Hyderabad’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
No. 247 ‘China-British’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer A. K. Ogilvie
Ottawa, Ontario
No. 609 ‘West Riding’ (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Flying Officer O. J. Peterson
Halifax, Nova Scotia
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer J. D. Pattison
Toronto, Ontario
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer P. B. Pitcher
Montreal, Quebec
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer G. R. Pushman
Ottawa, Ontario
No. 23 (F) Squadron
Bristol Blenheim Mk. IF


Pilot Officer H. W. Reilley
London, Ontario
No. 64 (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I
No. 66 (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Flight Lieutenant E. M. Reyno
Halifax, Nova Scotia
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer B. D. Russell
Toronto, Ontario
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer K. M. Sclanders
St. John’s, Newfoundland
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer J. W. Seddon
Vancouver, British Columbia
No. 610 ‘County of London’ (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Flight Lieutenant G. L. Sinclair
Bagot, Manitoba
No. 310 ‘Czechoslovak’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer A. W. Smith
Summerland, British Columbia
No. 141 (F) Squadron
Boulton Paul Defiant Mk. I


Flying Officer R. R. Smith
London, Ontario
No. 73 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer R. Smither
London, Ontario
No. 253 ‘Hyderabad’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer H. A. Sprague
Hamilton, Ontario
No. 3 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer W. P. Sprenger
Montreal, Quebec
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer N. K. Stansfield
Edmonton, Alberta/Vancouver, British Columbia
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I
No. 229 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer H. N. Tamblyn
Watrous & Yorkton, Saskatchewan/ Calgary, Alberta
No. 141 (F) Squadron
Bristol Blenheim Mk. IF & Boulton Paul Defiant
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer C. W. Trevena
Regina, Saskatchewan
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer A. A. G. Trueman
Toronto, Ontario
No. 253 ‘Hyderbad’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flight Lieutenant P. S. Turner
Toronto, Ontario
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer Urwin-Mann
Victoria, British Columbia
No. 238 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer J. A. Walker
Gleichen, Alberta
No. 111 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer J. R. Walker
Onoway, Alberta
No. 41 (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Pilot Officer C.A.B. Wallace
Vancouver, British Columbia
No. 3 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer J. J. Walsh
Bassano, Alberta
No. 615 ‘County of Surrey’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Sergeant R. A. Ward
Vancouver, British Columbia
No. 66 (F) Squadron
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. I


Pilot Officer W. A. Waterton
Edmonton, Alberta
No. 242 ‘Canadian’ (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer F. S. Watson
Winnipeg, Manitoba
No. 3 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Pilot Officer R. R. Wilson
Moncton, New Brunswick
No. 111 (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I


Flying Officer A. Yuille
Montreal, Quebec
No. 1 (RCAF) (F) Squadron
Hawker Hurricane Mk. I

[Moose47]

G'day

This is part of a major newspaper feature I wrote on Canadians in the Battle of Britain.

Cheers...Chris

Prairie Airman
Ernest Archibald McNab was born on the 7th of March 1906 in Rosthern, Saskatchewan.
He was the son of provincial Lieutenant-Governor A. P. McNab. Ernie graduated from Nutana Collegiate in 1922. From there he entered the hallowed halls of the University of Saskatchewan.

His love of flying inspired him to join the recently formed Royal Canadian Air Force. He enlisted as a Provisional Pilot Officer on the 3rd of June 1926. After going through his flying training program, young Ernie received his coveted pilot’s wings at R.C.A.F. Station Camp Borden, Ontario on the 17th of August 1928. He was promoted to the rank of Flying Officer on the 1st of February 1929. Flying Officer McNab’s flying skills were such that he was selected to fly with Canada’s first aerobatic team ‘The Siskins’. The team was equipped with the Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA. Flying Officer McNab flew with the team from 1929 until they were disbanded after a tragic mid-air collision on the 27th of June 1932. He and his teammates thrilled Canadians from coast-to-coast during their existence. They even upstaged a U.S. Air Corps aerobatic team lead by the legendary Charles Lindbergh during the Cleveland Air Races in 1931.

On the 12th anniversary of the formation (formed on the 1st of April, 1924) of the R.C.A.F., Flying Officer McNab was promoted to Flight Lieutenant. Between the 23rd of April 1937 to the 26th of April 1937, Flight Lieutenant McNab served in the United Kingdom where he got to experience Royal Air Force fighter techniques and operations.

Another promotion followed three years to the day in 1939 when McNab became a Squadron Leader. On the 1st of May 1939 he was posted to the Hurricane Detachment at R.C.A.F. Station Sea Island (Vancouver), British Columbia. On the 1st of November 1939, assumed command of the Hawker Hurricane Mk. I - equipped No. 1 (F) Squadron at R.C.A.F. Station St. Hubert, Quebec. The squadron had been mobilized when war was declared against Germany. Two days later, seven Hurricanes left for R.C.A.F. Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia to take up their wartime duties. While at Dartmouth, the squadron carried out air defence duties, convoy patrols, reconnaissance and naval co-operation practice.

Ernie McNab Goes to War
Prior to going overseas, No. 1 (F) Squadron absorbed personnel from the recently disbanded No. 115 (F) Squadron (Auxiliary) which had been based at Montreal, Quebec. No. 1 (F) Squadron was shipped overseas, leaving Halifax on the 9th of June 1940 and arriving on the 19th of the same month. The squadron was sent to R.A.F. Station Middle Wallop, Hampshire as part of R.A.F. Fighter Command’s No. 11 Group. They arrived there on the 21st of June 1940. As things heated up, they were transferred to R.A.F. Croydon, Surrey on the 4th of July, 1940. On the 15th of August, S/L McNab shot down a Luftwaffe Dornier 215 over Westgate-on-Sea, Kent. At the time he was attached to the Royal Air Force’s No. 111 (F) Squadron for some operational experience. Ernie would prove to be a quick learner.

Next it was off to R.A.F. Station Northolt, Middlesex effective the 17th of August, 1940.
A promotion to the rank of Wing Commander took place on the 7th of October, 1940. The final move while the squadron was ramrodded by McNab, came on the 11th of October 1940 when the Canadians were transferred to Prestwick, Ayr, Scotland. Wing Commander Ernest Archibald McNab was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on the 22nd of October, 1940.

[* McNAB, S/L Ernest Archibald (C134) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No. 1 (C) Sq.
Award effective 22 October 1940 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 867/40 dated 15 November 1940. “Squadron Leader McNab has led his squadron with great success. At least twenty-three enemy aircraft have been destroyed by the squadron. This officer has destroyed four of these.”

Wing Commander Ernest Archibald McNab DFC relinquished command of Canada’s only overseas fighter unit at that time to Squadron Leader Gordon Roy McGregor on the 1st of November, 1940. He left the squadron with an impressive combat record.

15th of August 1940 - one Dornier Do-215 destroyed
26th of August 1940 - one Dornier Do-215 destroyed
7th of September 1940 - one Messerschmitt Bf-109 probably destroyed
9th of September 1940 - one Messerschmitt Bf-109 damaged
11th of September 1940 - ½ Heinkel He-111 and one Messerschmitt Bf-110 damaged
15th of September 1940 - One Heinkel He-111 destroyed and one damaged
27th of September 1940 – One Messerschmitt Bf-110 destroyed and one Junkers Ju-88 destroyed

Canada Calling
Wing Commander McNab was transferred to the R.C.A.F. Overseas Headquarters in London, England. He did not ride a desk for too long. Wing Commander McNab was sent home to Canada where he was to assume command of No. 118 (F) Squadron at R.C.A.F. Station Rockcliffe, Ontario. He took over the reigns of the squadron on the 5th of April 1941 from Flight Lieutenant E. W. Beardmore. The squadron was equipped with the Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk. I.

On the 16th of July 1941, No. 118 (F) Squadron moved to an area that McNab was very familiar with, R.C.A.F. Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. It was short-lived reunion, for McNab was transferred out as of the 22nd of July, 1941. From that point until September 1942, McNab served at No. 4 Service Flying Training School, R.C.A.F. Station Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Western Air Command Headquarters in Victoria British Columbia and briefly with Ferry Command. On the 1st of June 1942, McNab received a well-deserved promotion to the rank of Group Captain.

Overseas Again
In September 1942, R.A.F. Station Digby, Lincolnshire was renamed R.C.A.F. Station Digby to reflect the special nature of the Canadian units based there. Group Captain Ernie McNab assumed command of the fighter station on the 20th of September 1942. He served in that function with distinction until the 18th of April, 1945. More awards were to follow.

* McNAB, G/C Ernest Archibald, DFC (C134) - Officer, Order of the British Empire - Western Air Command Headquarters - Award effective 13 June 1946 as per Canada Gazette of that date and AFRO 660/46 dated 5 July 1946.

“This officer proceeded overseas as the Commanding Officer of Canada's first fighter squadron in 1940. He commanded and led his squadron in the air during the Battle of Britain and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of his gallantry. His efforts during this period did much to enhance the prestige of Canadians in England. After returning to Canada for a short period he again proceeded overseas where he commanded the Station and fighter sector at Digby. The operations which he directed and controlled whilst sector commander were instrumental in advancing the Allied cause to a very marked degree. His fine personal example, cheerful disposition and calm judgement were at all times an inspiration to those under him. On his return to Canada he was posted as Senior Air Staff Officer to Western Air Command where he has continued to discharge his responsibilities with the same high purpose which characterized his efforts overseas.”

Post War Exploits

Group Captain McNab remained in the post-war Royal Canadian Air Force:

Western Air Command Headquarters
Victoria, British Columbia
18th of May 1945 to the 28th of February 1947

* McNAB, G/C Ernest Archibald (C134) - War Cross, 1939 (Czechoslovakia) - Northwest Air Command Headquarters (Edmonton) - Canada Gazette dated 24 January 1948, AFRO 81/48 dated 6 February 1948.

Northwest Air Command Headquarters
Edmonton, Alberta
1st of March 1947 to the 20th of August 1948

Canadian Joint Staff Washington
Washington D.C.
21st of August 1948 to the 23rd of January 1949

Air Force Headquarters
Ottawa, Ontario
24th of January 1949 to the 22nd of August 1954

No. 12 Air Defence Group H.Q. (Later re-designated as No. 5 Air Division)
R.C.A.F. Station Comox, British Columbia
24th of August 1954 to October 1957

Retirement
After a long and distinguished air force career filled with countless adventures and accomplishments, Group Captain Ernest Archibald McNab officially retired from air force life on the 23rd of October, 1957. The 10th of January, 1977 was a sad day for Canada as the death of Ernie McNab was announced. The nation mourned the passing of a true hero who left small town Saskatchewan to become and integral part in the history of this country’s air force.

[Moose47]

G`day

Here is a nice aerial shot of a Westland Lysander in the distinctive yellow and black stripes indicating its role as a target tower. The aircraft was built Westland Aircraft Limited at Yeovil, Somerset as a Lysander Mk. IIIA. It was a United Kingdom contribution to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and given the R.A.F. serial number V9358. After shipping it to Canada, this Lysander was assembled by Fleet Aircraft Limited at Crumlin Airport Ontario, better known today as London International Airport It was taken on strength with the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 27th of January, 1942 and re-serialed as 1557. The aircraft was later stored in reserve with No. 1 Training Command. Lysander 1557 was converted to target tower configuration on the 24th of October, 1942 and re-designated as a Lysander T.T. Mk. III. It was transferred to Western Air Command`s No. 3 Operational Training Unit at R.C.A.F. Station Patricia Bay, British Columbia on the 8th of April, 1943. Lysander 1557 was taken off stength with the R.C.A.F. on the 21st of July, 1946.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

Today we have a Beechcraft Expeditor Mk. 3N s/n 1467 from No. 2 Air Observer School at R.C.A.F. Station Winnipeg, Manitoba. On the 13th of December, 1957, this aircraft made single-engine, wheels-up landing after the gear falied to lower while doing practice single-engine landings. The aircraft was later repaired. It served with the R.C.A.F. from the 23rd of November, 1951 to the 26th of May, 1967. Incidentally, No. 2 A.O.S. was re-designted as the Air Navigation School on the 3rd of April, 1961.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

Here is another Bug Smasher prang. It involves a Beechcraft Expeditor Mk. 3N s/n 1438 from No. 2 Air Navigation School at R.C.A.F. Station WInnipeg, Manitoba.

The accident took place on the 17th of Ocotber, 1951. The pilot was a bit harsh on the application of brakes and then did not release them in time causing thie aircraft to tip onto its nose. The aircraft was subsequently repaired.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

Here is a somewhat faded colour shot of a student observer checking his map onboard an R.C.A.F. Avro Anson Mk. I. Another Anson Mk. I flies on its port side with the gear down. The R.C.A.F. used 1,527 Anson Mk. I`s at a large number of British Commonwealth Air Training Plan establishments throughout the Second World War

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G`day

A grainy colour shot of Harvard Mk. II`s from No.14 Service Flying Training School at Aylmer, Ontario.
This B.C.A.T.P. school was opened up on the 3rd of July, 1941. It remained there until being moved to Kingston, Ontario on the 15rh of August, 1944. The school was closed on the 7th of September, 1945. Many of Canada`s famous fighter pilots got their wings at Aylmer.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

A B.C.A.T.P. student air gunner gets briefed on the .303 calibre Vickers 'K' machine gun from an instructor in the rear of a Fairey Battle Mk. I. The student is holding a 300-round drum which he is dxpected to change while in the air during aerial target practice. The targets were primarly towed by Fairey Battles, Bristol Bolingbrokes and Westland Lysanders. There were 11 Bombing & Gunnery Schools in Canada during the Second World War.

Cheers...Chris

[Old Dog Flying]

The Fairy Battle MkI...McUgly to say the least and they were a front-line fighter in 1939. Although powered by a RR Merlin e ngine, it was no match for the Bf-109 and the Battle was quickly withdrawn to a training roll.

This is a 1:48 scale model from the Classic Airframes kit.

Barney

[Moose47]

G'day

Sorry for the poor quality of the photo. It is a Fleet Finch Mk. II s/n 4510. The aicraft was taken on strength with the R.C.A.F. on the 18th of July, 1940. It served with No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School at London, Ontario followed by No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School at Cap de le Madeleine, P.Q. The aircraft was struck off strength with the R.C.A.F. and givem the Canadian civil registration CF-SUX. Somewhere along the line it carried the American civil aircraft registration N1327V.

The aircraft was restored by members of the Air Reserve (411 Squadron) at Downsview, Ontario and now forms part of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Rockcliffe, Ontario.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

Here's a couple of wartime Royal Canadian Air Force recruiting posters.

Cheers...Chris

[fleet16b]

G'day

Sorry for the poor quality of the photo. It is a Fleet Finch Mk. II s/n 4510. The aicraft was taken on strength with the R.C.A.F. on the 18th of July, 1940. It served with No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School at London, Ontario followed by No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School at Cap de le Madeleine, P.Q. The aircraft was struck off strength with the R.C.A.F. and givem the Canadian civil registration CF-SUX. Somewhere along the line it carried the American civil aircraft registration N1327V.

The aircraft was restored by members of the Air Reserve (411 Squadron) at Downsview, Ontario and now forms part of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Rockcliffe, Ontario.

Cheers...Chris

Nice one Chris
The pilot is William C Powell
Where did you find this photo ?

[Moose47]

G`day

This is a Lockheed T-33A-1-LO, U.S.A.F. s/n 51-4675 on loan to the Royal Canadian Air Force. It was one of 20 American T-33A's used and designated as the Silver Star Mk. 1 in Canadian service. This particular aircraft was taken on strength with the R.C.A.F. on the 31st of May, 1951 and struck off strength on the 3rd of February, 1955.

The aircraft served with No. 1 (F) Operational Training Unit at R.C.A.F. Station Chatham, New Brunswick. It was destroyed in a Category 'A' crash on the 7th of January, 1954, The pilot became lost in bad WX. Having served there in the 70's during the Voodoo days, I can attest to the terrible weather you can get around the Miramachi region. The Allison J-33-A-35 turbojet engine flamed out due to fuel exhaustion and the pilot force-landed 11 miles west of the Station. Authorization was given next day to write the aircraft off and reduce it to spares and produce.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day
Here are three Cessna Crane Mk. I's from No. 12 Service Flying Training School at Brandon, Manitoba. No. 12 Service Flying Training School, part of No. 2 Training Command, was formed on the 16th of May 1941 and disbanded on the 30th of March 1945. The aircraft was known as the T-50 (later AT-19) Bobcat in U.S. Military service. Crane s/n's 7734 and 7736 were sold to a Mrs. A. J. Leeward of Montreal, Quebec through War Assets on the 20th of June, 1946.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

Here is a Noorduyn poster from the Second World War.

Cheers...Chris

[Moose47]

G'day

The Britannia was not built in Canada but two designs evolved from it. The Canadair CL-28 (R.C.A.F. CP-107) Argus and the Canadair CL-44D (R.C.A.F CC-106) Yukon.

Cheers...Chris