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Fraser, Joseph Louis Benoit (Leading Aircraftman)

Killed in Flying Accident 1943-March-21

Birth Date: 1922-December-03 (age 20)

Son of Florian and Clara Fraser, of Cap St. Ignace.

Home: Cap St Ignace, County Montmagny, Quebec

Service
RCAF
Unit
11 EFTS- Elementary Flying Training School
Base
Cap de la Madeleine, Quebec, Canada
Rank
Leading Aircraftman
Marshal
Air Chief MarshalA/C/M
Air MarshalA/M
Air Vice MarshalA/V/M
Air CommodoreA/C
Group CaptainG/C
Wing CommanderW/C
Squadron LeaderS/L
Flight LieutenantF/L
Flying OfficerF/O
Pilot OfficerP/O
Warrant Officer 1st ClassWO1
Warrant Officer 2nd ClassWO2
Flight SergeantFS
SergeantSGT
CorporalCPL
Senior AircraftmanSAC
Leading AircraftmanLAC
Aircraftman 1st ClassAC1
Aircraftman 2nd ClassAC2
Position
Pilot
Service Numbers
R/136925
Fleet Finch aircraft 4714 and Finch 4 4526 were both engaged in dual instructional flights on March 19, 1943 when they converged at 200 feet over the aerodrome. Both aircraft crashed on the aerodrome at Cap de la Madeleine. LAC Fraser was the pilot of aircraft 4526 and was the only casualty.

Canada Primary Source School Daily Diary Entry – 1943-03-19

Canada Primary Source School Daily Diary Entry – 1943-03-21

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Find-A-Grave.com

Canada Primary Source Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Finch Finch II 4526
  2. Finch Finch II 4714

All the aircraft in the above list are in this report.

There were no casulaties listed on Finch Finch II 4714

Fleet Finch

Fleet Finch Mk. IICanadian Warplane Heritage Museum

The Fleet Finch was the final version of a whole family of light biplane trainers, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of Buffalo, NY and intended for civilian use. Few of these aircraft were marketed under the Consolidated name, as most were sold through Fleet Aircraft Canada, under a range of model numbers. Only the RCAF gave any of these models names, calling the Model 7 the Fawn and the Model 16 the Finch. These aircraft were built from 1930 to 1941, all at Fort Erie, Ontario.

The Finch was developed to meet an RCAF requirement for a fully aerobatic, primary trainer. The RCAF ordered the first batch of aircraft in July 1939 and powered by a Kinner R5-2, 160 hp engine, they were designated the Fleet Finch Mk. I. Most of these aircraft were delivered to the RCAF Central Flying School at Trenton, Ontario by early 1940.

The RCAF placed a further order for primary trainers with Fleet in January 1940. The Fleet Finch Mk. II, powered by a Kinner B-5R, 130 hp engine, first flew from Fort Erie in March 1940. During the following year, over 400 Fleet Finch Mk. IIs were delivered to BCATP Elementary Flying Schools right across Canada.

The Fleet Finch was well liked by the RCAF as it was a rugged aircraft, was relatively easy to fly and withstood the abuse of novice pilots. Some Fleet Finches remained in service with the RCAF until 1947, but most were retired by October 1944. Their role as a primary trainer was taken over by Fairchild PT-26 Cornell. Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

YouTube Fleet Finch

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (431), RCAF 400 Squadron (3), Canadian Aircraft Losses (34), Canadian Manufactured (1)
last update: 2021-09-07 16:39:39

Finch Finch II 4526

Category C damage on 26 April 1941 while with No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School at Windsor, Ontario.
1940-08-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-April-26 Accident: 3 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: London City Airport Names: Macfarlane
1941-September-13 Accident: 3 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: London City Airport Names: Ackman | Leonard
1942-April-17 Accident: 3 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Hinchey
1942-May-21 Accident: 3 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Harle
1942-August-20 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Picard
1942-September-11 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Mcdonald
1942-October-10 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Rognan
1942-October-22 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Mcninley
1943-March-19 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Bernier | Fraser | Gourdeau | Mcmillan
1943-05-06 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20


Finch Finch II 4714

Category A damage on 19 March 1943 at Cap de la Madelaine, Quebec. Probably with No. 11 EFTS at the time.
1940-11-26 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-February-23 Accident: 12 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Goderich Ontario Names: Somers
1941-March-21 Accident: 12 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: McCullough
1941-May-12 Accident: 12 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Fitten | Macintaggart
1941-May-15 Accident: 12 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Goderich Aerodrome Names: Burden | Henry
1943-February-23 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Batiscan Names: Morache
1943-March-19 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Bernier | Fraser | Gourdeau | Mcmillan
1943-05-05 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20


11 EFTS- Elementary Flying Training School (11 Elementary Flying Training School)

An Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) gave a trainee 50 hours of basic flying instruction on a simple trainer like the De Havilland Tiger Moth, Fleet Finch, or Fairchild Cornell over 8 weeks.Elementary schools were operated by civilian flying clubs under contract to the RCAF and most of the instructors were civilians. For example, No. 12 EFTS Goderich was run by the Kitchener-Waterloo Flying Club and the County of Huron Flying Club.The next step for a pilot was the Service Flying Training School.

School operated by Quebec Airways and CP Air.

Information on RCAF Station Cap de la Madeleine can be found here

  • RCAF Roundel RCAF.info - RCAF Station Cap de la Madeleine QC

  • 1940-10-14 Primary Location Cap de la Madeleine QC Canada Abandoned no longer an airfield

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