Blenkiron, Joseph Lambert

Killed in Flying Accident 1944-04-12

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Birth Date: 1919

Born:

Home:

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

Unit

32 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)

Base

RCAF Stn. Patricia Bay, British Columbia

Rank

Civilian

Position

Civilian

Service Numbers

First Burial
Google MapCremated, Ashes Scattered
ExpeditorFrom CaliforniaBeechcraft ( HB124) aircraft, which had taken flight from its Patricia Bay RCAF base, in British Columbia, on an operational exercise, crashed at Whidbey Island, Washington, USA. Whidbey Island is home to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.The accident claimed the lives of three Canadian airmen and one civilian crew member.

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Expeditor Mk. 3T Serial: HB124

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

Expeditor HB124

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Civilian Blenkiron, Joseph Lambert ()

Killed in Flying Accident
1944-April-12
cemetery unknown

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Leading Aircraftman Hemphill, Samuel (RCAF)

Killed in Flying Accident
1944-April-12
Beechmount Cemetery, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Flight Lieutenant Ruocco, Victor Silvio (RCAF)
Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
1944-April-12
Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Pilot Officer Walls, George (RCAF)
Wireless Air Gunner
Killed in Flying Accident
1944-April-12
Banff Cemetery, Banff, Alberta, Canada

Beechcraft Expeditor

(RCAF Photo) (Source Harold A Skaarup web page)
Beechcraft CT-128 Expeditor Mk. 3TM (Serial No. A-734), (Serial No. CA-134), RCAF (Serial No. 1534), coded AO-N, Air Transport Command.
Beechcraft-C-45-Expeditor-Mk--3TM--Serial-No--1534---AO-N--2-.jpg image not found

The Beechcraft Model 18 (or "Twin Beech", as it is also known) is a 6- to 11-seat, twin-engined, low-wing, tailwheel light aircraft manufactured by the Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas. Continuously produced from 1937 to November 1969 (over 32 years, a world record at the time), over 9,000 were built, making it one of the world's most widely used light aircraft. Sold worldwide as a civilian executive, utility, cargo aircraft, and passenger airliner on tailwheels, nosewheels, skis, or floats, it was also used as a military aircraft.

During and after World War II, over 4,500 Beech 18s were used in military service – as light transport, light bomber (for China), aircrew trainer (for bombing, navigation, and gunnery), photo-reconnaissance, and "mother ship" for target drones – including Royal Canadian Airforce (RCAF), United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) C-45 Expeditor, AT-7 Navigator, and AT-11 Kansan; and United States Navy (USN) UC-45J Navigator, SNB-1 Kansan, and others. In World War II, over 90% of USAAF bombardiers and navigators and pilots trained in these aircraft.

In the early postwar era, the Beech 18 was the pre-eminent "business aircraft" and "feeder airliner". Besides carrying passengers, its civilian uses have included aerial spraying, sterile insect release, fish stocking, dry-ice cloud seeding, aerial firefighting, air-mail delivery, ambulance service, numerous movie productions, skydiving, freight, weapon- and drug-smuggling, engine testbed, skywriting, banner towing, and stunt aircraft.Wikipedia




YouTube Expeditor

Wikipedia Wikipedia Expeditor

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

32 OTU (32 Operational Training Unit)

The Operational Training Unit (OTU) was the last stop for aircrew trainees. They spent 8 to 14 weeks learning to fly operational aircraft (Hawker Hurricane or Fairey Swordfish, e.g.). The instructors had experience in actual operations, and often were posted to OTUs after their operational tour.

More information on the RCAF Station at Patricia Bay, British Columbia can be found at:

Museum BC Aviation Museum Video On History Of Pat Bay

Project 44 BCATP

General Project 44 BCATP

YouTube YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy

Expeditor HB124

Expeditor Mk. 3T HB124

Used by No. 32 Operational Training Unit, RCAF Stations Patricia Bay or Comox, BC. Crashed inverted into trees near NAS Whitby Island, Washington while attempting to land in bad weather on 12 April 1944. All 4 occupants killed, including one civilian.

1944-01-06 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-April-12 Accident: 32 Operational Training Unit Loc: Whitby Island Usa Names: Blenkiron | Hemphill | Ruocco | Walls
1944-10-16 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07