Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum logo
Blackburn Shark (Canadian: 26 )

Blackburn Shark

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3208198)
Blackburn Shark Mk. III, RCAF (Serial No. 525), No. 6 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron, May 1939

The Blackburn Shark was a British carrier-borne torpedo bomber built by the Blackburn Aircraft company in England. It first flew on 24 August 1933 and went into service with the Fleet Air Arm, Royal Canadian Air Force, Portuguese Navy, and the British Air Observers' School, but was already obsolescent by 1937 and in the following year, replacement by the Fairey Swordfish began.

The Blackburn T.9 Shark was designed and built, initially as a private venture, to Air Ministry Specification S.15/33 for a torpedo-spotter-reconnaissance aircraft to be operated by the Fleet Air Arm. It had a crew of three, with the observer/wireless operator and gunner sharing the second cockpit (open on Mks I and II, enclosed on Mk III). Armament consisted of one fixed, forward-firing .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine gun, plus a .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers K machine gun or Lewis Gun mounted on a Scarff ring in the rear cockpit, with provision for a 1,500 lb (680 kg) torpedo or equivalent bombload carried externally.

The prototype was subsequently fitted with twin floats and was test-flown at Brough in April 1935 with successful sea trials taking place at the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment Felixstowe.

The RCAF purchased seven Blackburn Shark II (760 hp/570 kW Tiger VI) in 1936 for service with No 6 (TB) Squadron, later operating as No 6 (BR) Sqn on shipping patrols off the Canadian west coast. Two Blackburn Shark IIIs (800 hp/600 kW Pegasus III) were supplied to RCAF by Blackburn in 1939 as forerunners of 17 similar aircraft built by Boeing Aircraft of Canada at Vancouver, with 840 hp (630 kW) Pegasus IX and used by Nos 6 and 4 (BR) Squadrons. RCAF Blackburn Sharks, some of which operated as floatplanes, were withdrawn from service in August 1944 and five were then transferred to the RN Air Observers' School in Trinidad. Wikipedia

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Blackburn Shark

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrek Publications RCAF Blackburn Shark Serials - Kestrel Publications

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (26), Canadian Aircraft Losses (6)
last update: 2021-12-31 12:41:28

Shark 501

s/n
 501
c/n
 w/o #6596/1

Mk. II

Known Squadron Assignments: ;1

Completed in UK on 6 October 1936. With No. 6 (TB) Squadron, RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario, immediately after first flight. Squadron moved to RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, November 1938, aircraft shipped by rail. Was coded "XE*A" by early 1940. Flew this squadron's first war time mission on 11 September 1939; patrol over Strait of Georgia. Transferred to No. 4 (BR) Squadron, same station, on 1 May 1940 (also reported as 29 April 1940). Operated by No. 111 (AC) Squadron, RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC, 3 July 1940 to January 1941. Stored at No. 3 Repair Depot, returned to RCAF Station Jericho Beach onboard RCAF vessel Sekani in August 1941. To No. 7 (BR) Squadron, 16 April 1942. Coded "LT*O" in early 1942, "FG*O" by late 1942, and "O" from October 1942. To No. 3 Repair Depot for storage, 23 September 1943. Struck off charge same day. 0000-01-01
   1936-November-17 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1943-September-23 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
   1943-November-08 Scrapped scrapped 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 210

Shark 502

s/n
 502
c/n
 w/o #6596/2

Mk. II
Completed in UK on 6 October 1936. Erected by No. 1 Air Depot, Ottawa. With the Test and Development Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario. To No. 6 (TB) Squadron, January 1937. To Air Armament Training Flight, November 1938. Target towing gear installed by April 1939. To No. 1 Training Command, 1 April 1940. To Test and Development Flight, 20 May 1940. To No. 3 Repair Depot 25 June 1940, after prolonged ferry flight from Trenton. Delivered to RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC in target tug configuration on 4 December 1941. Used by No. 122 (K) Squadron, RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC, as a target tug, 10 January 1942 to 1943. To No. 3 RD for storage, 23 February 1944. 0000-01-01
   1936-October-26 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-January-26 Accident: 122 (COMPOSITE) Squadron Loc: Patricia Bay British Columbia Names: Bliss | Williams
   1944-June-05 Ownership Transferred Transferred to RN, used for training in Trinidad. 2019-08-20
   1944-June-05 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 210

Shark 503

s/n
 503
c/n
 w/o # 6596/3

Mk. II
Erected by No. 1 Air Depot, Ottawa. First Shark to fly in Canada, on 7 November 1936 at RCAF Station Ottawa. Later tested at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario. With No. 6 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario, immediately after first flight, then Jericho Beach, BC, by January 1937, coded "XE*B". Transferred to No. 4 (BR) Squadron, same station, on 1 May 1940. Operated by No. 111 (AC) Squadron, RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC, 3 July 1940 to January 1941, coded "TM*F". To No. 3 Repair Depot for storage July 1941. To No. 7 (BR) Squadron 15 April 1942. Coded "LT*P" early 1942, "FG*P" late 1942, and "P" from October 1942. To No. 3 RD for storage, 1943. 0000-01-01
   1936-October-15 Taken on Strength 2020-09-22
1942-June-01 Accident: 7 BR Squadron Loc: Prince Rupert Names: Doolittle | Fitzpatrick | Hawkins
   1944-August-03 Struck off Strength scrapped (Walker reports struck off on 12 April1944) 2020-09-22
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 210

Shark 504

s/n
 504
c/n
 w/o # 6596/4

Mk. II
Taken on charge 11 november 1936. Tested on RCAF Type F skiis, installed at No. 1 Aircraft Depot, Ottawa, in spring of 1938. Probably only Shark ever operated on skiis. Also tested prototype of RCAF designed enclosed cockpit at this time, Blackburn designed enclosure was adopted instead. To No. 7 (GP) Squadron 17 February 1937. To No. 6 (TB) Squadron, 12 July 1938. Coded "XE-C", used at Patricia Bay. To No. 3 Repair Depot for storage, 29 April 1940. Used by No. 122 (K) Squadron, RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC, as a target tug with electric winch, 13 January 1942 to 1943, coded "AG*D". On floats at least part of this time. Back to No. 3 RD 23 February 1944. 2012-04-04
   1936-November-17 Taken on Strength 2020-09-22
   1944-August-03 Struck off Strength Scrapped. (Walker reports struck off on 13 April 1944) 2020-09-22
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 210

Shark 505

s/n
 505
c/n
 w/o # 6596/5

Mk. II
Delivered direct to RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario. To No. 6 (TB) Squadron May 1937. 6 (TB) Squadron instructor pilot and two student pilots from Air Navigation &Seaplane School not injured. 2016-03-29
   1937-May-03 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1939-March-08 Struck off Strength (or 9 March?) Struck off, after crashing, on floats, at Trenton on 7 October 1939. Pilot misjudged landing on glassy water. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 210

Shark 506

s/n
 506
c/n
 w/o # 6596/6

Mk. II
Tested in UK, in RCAF markings, before shipment to Canada. Delivered direct to RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario. With No. 6 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Treton, Ontario, 28 April 1937. Squadron moved to RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, November 1938, aircraft shipped by rail. Transferred to No. 4 (BR) Squadron, same station, on 1 May 1940. Stored at No. 3 Repair Depot from 5 August 1940. Used by No. 122 (K) Squadron, RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC, as a target tug, from 17 January 1942. Crashed on floats at Sea Island on 18 June 1942, at the end of a target towing mission for Army gunners at Sea Island. Bounced on landing in Fraser River in glassy water conditions, swung, and wound up nosing over. RCAF pilot and target operator, plus RNZAF passenger, not injured. Originally classified as Category B dmamge, but struck off without being repaired. 2016-03-29
   1937-April-27 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-June-18 Accident: 122 (COMPOSITE) Squadron Loc: Sea Island British Columbia Names: Allan | Heaslip | Powell
   1942-November-03 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 210

Shark 507

s/n
 507
c/n
 w/o # 6596/7

Mk. II
Delivered direct to RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario. With No. 6 (TB) Squadron, RCAF Station Treton, Ontario, 1937. Squadron moved to RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, November 1938, aircraft shipped by rail. 0000-01-01
   1937-May-03 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-February-16 Struck off Strength Struck off, after crashing, on floats, at Jericho Beach, while landing down wind on 10 September 1939. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 210

Shark 514

s/n
 514
c/n
 501
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III
First Canadian built Shark. Company tests at RCAF Station Jericho Beach and Sea Island Airport, BC, summer of 1938 to summer of 1939. Reported to be of better quality and better performance than UK built Sharks. Delivered to RCAF 2 August 1939. To No. 6 (TB) Squadron on 31 August 1939. Pilot was apparently distracted by crash of Shark 515 and flew into the water while attempting a low level flat turn. 2016-03-29
   1939-July-21 First Flight First flight, on floats, from Jericho Air Station, BC by civilian pilot William J. Holland of Ginger Cootes Airways. 2019-08-20
   1939-August-02 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1940-February-16 Struck off Strength Struck off, after crash at Jericho Beach on 5 September 1939. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 515

s/n
 515
c/n
 502
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III
First Canadian built Shark delivered with late style, rounded, rudder. To No. 6 (TB) Squadron on 31 August 1939. Crashed at Jericho Beach on 5 September 1939. Struck large wave while taking off with full bomb load, became briefly airborne before diggin in a wing tip and crashing. No fatalities. Both this aircraft and Shark 514 were taking off on the Squadron's first wartime patrols. 2016-03-29
   1939-August-22 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-February-16 Struck off Strength Struck off after crash, see comments. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 516

s/n
 516
c/n
 503
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III
Rudder problems delayed delivery to RCAF. Tested by pilot from Test and Development Flight at Vancouver on 13 September 1939. To No. 6 (BR) Squadron on 15 October 1939. Crashed during fully loaded take off at Jericho Beach on 17 October 1939. Right float dug in at high speed and aircraft flipped. May have hit partially submerged flotsam. 2016-03-29
   1939-September-16 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1940-February-16 Struck off Strength Struck off after crash, see comments. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 517

s/n
 517
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III

Known Squadron Assignments: ;6

With the Test and Development Flight at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario. To No. 6 (BR) Squadron on 21 October 1939 at RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC. Bombed up and placed on standby, 10 April 1940, in order to intercept Norwegian merchant vessels if they attempted to escape Vancouver harbour, no mission flown. To Alliford Bay, Queen Charlotte Islands, with this unit in May 1940. Lost upper wing during dive bombing training at Alliford Bay, BC on 27 July 1940, 2 fatalities, first RCAF Shark fatalities. This accident lead to fleet grounding, and general inspection and repair of aircraft before returning to service. 2021-10-25
   1939-October-17 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1940-July-27 Accident: 6 Squadron Loc: Alliford Bay British Columbia Names: Halpenny | Richardson | Simpson
   1940-November-14 Struck off Strength Struck off after crash, see comments. 2019-08-20
1940-July-27 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Robert Mcgee Halpenny 2023-06-22
1940-July-27 KIA RCAF Leading Aircraftman Robert Lawson Richardson 2021-08-09
1940-July-27 KIA RCAF Flight Lieutenant Allan Simpson 2023-05-11
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 518

s/n
 518
c/n
 506
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III

Known Squadron Assignments: ;7

To No. 6 (BR) Squadron on 1 November 1939. Operated by No. 7 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Prince Rupert, BC, December 1941 to January 1942. Crashed in forest near Prince Rupert, BC on 4 January 1942. Wreckage still there in 1970s. 0000-01-01
   1939-October-24 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1942-February-04 Struck off Strength Written off after crash, see comments. 2019-08-20
1942-January-04 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Joseph Erval Eric Cormier 2024-04-20
1942-January-04 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Ralph Ervin McLeod 2023-02-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 519

s/n
 519
c/n
 507
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III
To No. 6 (BR) Squadron on 22 November 1939. After 517 crash on 27 July 1940, inspected and found to have buckled ribs on upper wing. Damaged by flying debris from construction blasting on 9 September 1941. To No. 7 (BR) Squadron December 1941. To No. 122 (K) Squadron, as target tug, on 21 August 1943. Stored at No. 3 Repair Depot from 19 March 1944. 2016-04-02
   1939-November-22 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1944-July-13 Scrapped scrapped 2019-08-20
   1944-July-13 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 520

s/n
 520
c/n
 505
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III
To No. 6 (BR) Squadron on 15 December 1939. Stored at No. 3 Repair Depot from 5 August 1941. Issued to No. 7 (BR) Squadron May 1942. Water looped and turned over while taking off on floats at Prince Rupert, BC on 2 March 1943, for an Army cooperation training mission. Investigation concluded accident resulted from combination of inexperienced crew and glassy water. 2016-04-02
   1939-December-14 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1943-March-02 Accident: 7 Squadron Loc: Tuck Inlet Prince Rupert Harbour Names: Cousins | Dorland
   1943-May-25 Struck off Strength Struck off after take off accident, see comments. 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 521

s/n
 521
c/n
 504
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III
To No. 6 (BR) Squadron on 5 December 1939. After 517 crash on 27 July 1940, inspected and found to have buckled ribs on upper wing. To No. 3 Repair Depot 5 August 1941. To No. 7 (BR) Squadron on 10 April 1942. Back to No. 3 RD in September 1943. 0000-01-01
   1939-December-05 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1940-March-31 Accident: 6 Squadron Loc: Vancouver British Columbia Names: Douglas
   1944-July-13 Scrapped scrapped 2019-08-20
   1944-July-13 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 522

s/n
 522
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III
Used to test adjustable front float struts. To No. 6 (BR) Squadron, 23 December 1939, coded "XE*K". To No. 3 Repair Depot for storage on 5 August 1941. Issued to No. 7 (BR) Squadron on 26 May 1942. To No. 122 (K) Squadron, as target tug, on 11 August 1943. Damaged while moored overnight at RCAF Station Comox on 12 January 1944, when struck by one of several small boats engaged in a combined operations training exercise. The exact boat was never identified, but was probably HMCS Givenchy III (a Battle class trawler). Aircraft had been diverted due to weather, and did not have mooring lights. Aircraft was ferried back to Patricia Bay without any repair work being performed. Back to No. 3 RD on 19 March 1944. 2016-04-02
   1939-December-22 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-June-09 Accident: 7 BR Squadron Loc: Prince Rupert Names: Moyles | Van Houten
   1944-June-05 Ownership Transferred Transferred to RN, used for training in Trinidad. 2019-08-20
   1944-June-05 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 523

s/n
 523
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III
To No. 6 (BR) Squadron 10 January 1940, coded "XL*L". Operated by No. 7 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Prince Rupert, BC, December 1941 to 1942. Used by No. 122 (K) Squadron, RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC, as a target tug, 7 July 1943 to 1944. Flew last RCAF Shark operation, target tug flight, on 30 January 1944. To No. 3 Repair Depot for storage on 19 March 1944. 0000-01-01
   1940-January-08 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1944-July-13 Scrapped scrapped 2019-08-20
   1944-July-13 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 524

s/n
 524
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III

Known Squadron Assignments: ;7

To No. 6 (BR) Squadron on 27 January 1940, at RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC. Bombed up and placed on standby, 10 April 1940, in order to intercept Norwegian merchant vessels if they attempted to escape Vancouver harbour, no mission flown. To Alliford Bay, Queen Charlotte Islands, with this unit in May 1940. Flew squadron's first operational patrol from Alliford Bay, on 30 May 1940. Visited RCAF Detachment Bella Bella, BC on 20 May 1940, refueled en route to Alliford Bay. Transferred to No. 7 (BR) Squadron December 1941. Crashed off Ketlakatla, BC on 20 June 1942, after striking slipstream of another Shark. 2 crew lost, only one float ever found. 2015-10-27
   1940-January-24 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-April-21 Accident: 7 BR Squadron Loc: Aerodrome Names: Fitzpatrick | Rhodes | Switzer
1942-June-20 Accident: 7 BR Squadron Loc: Digby Is Names: Baum | Phillips
   1942-July-13 Struck off Strength Struck off after accident, see comments. 2019-08-20
1942-June-20 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Hyman Baum 2023-02-08
1942-June-20 KIA RCAF Flight Sergeant Harold Edwin Phillips 2023-02-15
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 525

s/n
 525
c/n
 w/o # 8780/1

UK
III
First Mk. III for the RCAF. Assembled and tested in the UK, November 1938. Carried mix of RCAF serials at that time, 508 on rudder and 525 on wings. Tested on floats in UK in December 1938. Shipped unassembled to RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC in spring of 1939. With No. 6 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC from 22 March 1939. Temporary detachment to Ucluelet, BC September 1939 to May 1940. Crashed, on floats, at Alliford Bay, BC, landing on glassy water on 19 July 1940. 0000-01-01
   1939-March-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1940-July-19 Accident: 6 Squadron Loc: Alliford Bay British Columbia Names: Beckwith | Bullough | Doyle
   1940-October-04 Struck off Strength Struck off after crash, see comments 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 526

s/n
 526
c/n
 w/o # 8780/2

UK
III
Last Shark built by Blackburn. At RCAF Station Ottawa on 14 or 16 March 1939. Erected by No. 1 Air Depot. To Test and Development Flight, 2 June 1939. Tested first Canadian Shark target towing installation, with wind driven winch. To No. 10 (BR) Squadron at Halifax on 7 September 1939, as a target tug. Loaned, with crew, to No. 118 (B) Squadron, RCAF Station Saint John, NB, briefly in 1939 and again in 1940. Struck tender boat while taxiing on floats, 22 August 1940. Stored at No. 3 Repair Depot from 7 November 1940. To No. 6 (BR) Squadron on 11 August 1941. To No. 7 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Prince Rupert, from December 1941, coded "FG*N". Overturned on landing on glassy water after an ASW patrol, at Prince Rupert BC at 10:30 on 3 September 1942. Aircraft seriously daamged only minor injuries to one of three crew members. 2016-04-02
   1939-March-14 Taken on Strength Arrived in Canada same day 2019-08-20
1940-August-22 Accident: TARGET TOWING FLIGHT Loc: Dartmouth Nova Scotia Names: Harrington
1942-February-28 Accident: 7 BR Squadron Loc: Prince Rupert Harbour Names: Dorland | Hankinson | Hawkins
1942-September-13 Accident: 7 Squadron Loc: Prince Rupert Harbour Names: Coulter | Doolittle | Fitzpatrick
   1942-December-04 Struck off Strength Struck off after crash, see comments 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 545

s/n
 545
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III
With No. 6 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, from 6 March 1940. Transferred to No. 4 (BR) Squadron, same station, on 1 May 1940. Served with No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Stations Jericho Beach and Ucluelet, BC, from 1940 to 1941. Operated on floats, coded "FY*C". Operated by No. 7 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Prince Rupert, BC, December 1941 to 1943. With No. 122 Squadron when it crashed at Patricia Bay at 15:00 on 8 June 1943. Aircraft was on a target towing training flight, when starboard wing started to fold in flight shortly after take off. Pilot returned to Patricia Bay and landed in the bay, but wing was extensively damaged by then. No injuries to the thre occupants. Investigation showed that one wing locking pin had been improperly installed when the aircraft wings were last unfolded. Investigation recommended better discipline in ground handling parties, and changes to painted markings on the lock pins. To No. 3 Repair Depot for storage on 19 March 1944. 2016-04-04
   1940-February-14 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-April-04 Accident: 7 BR Squadron Loc: Prince Rupert Harbour Names: Mckenna | Taylor
1943-June-08 Accident: 122 (COMPOSITE) Squadron Loc: Aerodrome Names: Jackson | Kimmerly | Knutsonnm
   1944-July-03 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
   1944-July-13 Scrapped scrapped 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 546

s/n
 546
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III
With No. 6 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Jericho Beach, BC, from 6 March 1940. Transferred to No. 4 (BR) Squadron, same station, on 1 May 1940. Served with No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Stations Jericho Beach and Ucluelet, BC, from 1940 to 1941. Operated on floats, coded "FY*D". Operated by No. 7 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Prince Rupert, BC, December 1941 to 1943, coded "FG*H". To No. 3 Repair Depot for storage in September 1943. 0000-01-01
   1940-February-20 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-September-16 Accident: 4 Squadron Loc: Ucluelet Names: Gray | Lynch | Wilcock
   1944-June-05 Ownership Transferred Transferred to RN, used for training in Trinidad. 2019-08-20
   1944-June-05 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 547

s/n
 547
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III

Known Squadron Assignments: ;7

To Western Air Command, for storage, on 1 April 1940. To No. 4 (BR) Squadron on 1 May 1940. To No. 7 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Prince Rupert, BC, in December 1941. Visited RCAF Alliford Bay on 3 February 1942, delivering staff officer for a one day visit. Coded "J" at time of loss. Crashed while landing on floats after a signals calibration flight, at Prince Rupert, BC at 16:25 on 27 January 1943. Starboard float was damaged in a hard landing, and depth charges dislodged. Aircraft torn to pieces when depth charges exploded. All three occupants injured. One fatality reported, apparently one occupant died some time after the crash. 2016-04-04
   1940-March-05 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1943-January-27 Accident: 7 BR Squadron Loc: Prince Rupert Harbour Names: Hogg | Kenny | Taylor
   1943-February-02 Struck off Strength Struck off after crash, see comments. 2019-08-20
1943-January-28 KIA RCAF Flying Officer Allan Hogg 2023-02-08
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 548

s/n
 548
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III

Known Squadron Assignments: ;7

To Western Air Command, for storage, on 1 April 1940. To No. 4 (BR) Squadron on 1 May 1940. Served with No. 4 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Stations Jericho Beach and Ucluelet, BC, from 1940 to 1942. Operated on floats, coded "FY*F". To No. 7 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Prince Rupert, BC, in December 1941. Destroyed at Prince Rupert after depth charge accidently released by maintenance crew, and detonated beneath moored aircraft on 21 September 1943. 2 fatalities. 0000-01-01
   1940-March-19 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-January-05 Accident: 7 BR Squadron Loc: Prince Rupert Harbour Names: Dewes | MacDonald | Parker
1943-September-21 Accident: 7 Squadron Loc: Seal Cove British Columbia Names: Dorge | Fraser | Tite | Wight
   1943-October-09 Struck off Strength Struck off after maintenance accident, see comments. 2019-08-20
1943-September-21 KIA RCAF Leading Aircraftman Louis Oscar Dorge 2023-06-28
1943-September-21 KIA RCAF Aircraftman 1st Class Joseph Alexander Fraser 2023-05-12
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 549

s/n
 549
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III
To Western Air Command, for storage, on 1 April 1940. To No. 4 (BR) Squadron on 15 June 1940. To No. 7 (BR) Squadron, RCAF Station Prince Rupert, BC, December 1941. Damaged while landing in Prince Rupert harbour on 5 February 1942. Pilot landed too flat at end of anti-submarine patrol, briefly nosed up before pilot recovered with throttle and taxied to mooring. Tail entered the water, and a considerable amount of water entered the fuselage. Damage to tail plane and one wing tip. Flew this squadron's last Shark mission on 24 September 1943. Used by No. 122 (K) Squadron, RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC, as a target tug, 1943 to 1944. To No. 3 Repair Depot, for storage, on 19 March 1944. 2016-04-09
   1940-March-19 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-January-04 Accident: 7 BR Squadron Loc: Finlayson Landing & Big Bay Names: Collins | Cormier | Hankinson | McLeod | Roberts | Stewrt
1942-February-05 Accident: 7 Squadron Loc: Prince Rupert Harbour Names: Gault | Hankison | Penn
   1944-May-31 Ownership Transferred Transferred to RN, used for training on HMS Puncher and later in Trinidad. (Also reported as 5 June 1944, by Wilson.) 2019-08-20
   1944-June-05 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

Shark 550

s/n
 550
Boeing Canada
Vancouver
III
Last Canadian built Shark. To Western Air Command, for storage, on 19 May 1940. To No. 6 (BR) Squadron on 11 October 1940, at Alliford Bay, Queen Charlotte Islands. To 7 (BR) Squadron at Prince Rupert, BC, December 1941 or January 1942. Attacked submarine on 27 October 1942, no observed results. May have been only offensive action by an RCAF Shark. Received minor damage on 19 January 1943, at Prince Rupert. Pilot attempted to start engine on the water for a maintenance check flight, engine caught fire and aircraft drifted into Canadian Cold Storage dock after fire was extinguished. Investigation faulted pilot for warming engine on ramp before entering the water, and faulted lack of adequate boat and crew to tend the aircraft. Visited RCAF Station Alliford Bay of familiarization flight on 2 February 1943. To No. 122 (K) Squadron, as target tug, on 11 August 1943. To No. 3 Repair Depot, for storage, 19 March 1944. 2016-04-09
   1940-April-04 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1943-January-19 Accident: 7 Squadron Loc: Prince Rupert Harbour Names: Fleishman | Moyles | Vanhouten
1943-April-29 Accident: 7 Squadron Loc: 53:28n 129:31w Names: Fairholm | Livingstone | Van Houten
   1944-June-05 Ownership Transferred Transferred to RN, used for training in Trinidad. 2019-08-20
   1944-June-05 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005:Smith, Castle): 1968 211

© Canadian Warplane Heritage 2024

To search on any page:
PC — Ctrl-F
Mac — ⌘-F
Mobile — or …