Booker, Harold William

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The Airspeed AS.10 Oxford was a twin-engine monoplane aircraft developed and manufactured by Airspeed. It saw widespread use for training British Commonwealth aircrews in navigation, radio-operating, bombing and gunnery roles throughout the Second World War.

The Oxford was developed by Airspeed during the 1930s in response to a requirement for a capable trainer aircraft that conformed with Specification T.23/36, which had been issued by the British Air Ministry. Its basic design is derived from the company's earlier AS.6 Envoy, a commercial passenger aircraft. Performing its maiden flight on 19 June 1937, it was quickly put into production as part of a rapid expansion of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in anticipation of a large-scale conflict.

As a consequence of the outbreak of war, many thousands of Oxfords were ordered by Britain and its allies, including Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, Poland, and the United States. Following the end of the conflict, the Oxford continued to achieve export sales for some time, equipping the newly formed air forces of Egypt, India, Israel, and Yugoslavia. It was considered to be a capable trainer aircraft throughout the conflict, as well as being used a general-purpose type. A large number of Oxfords have been preserved on static display.Wikipedia

Oxford Trainer

Wikipedia Oxford Trainer

Harold A Skaarup Web Page

39 SFTS (39 Service Flying Training School)

Graduates of the EFTS "learn-to-fly" program went on a Service Flying Training School (SFTS) for 16 weeks. For the first 8 weeks the trainee was part of an intermediate training squadron; for the next 6 weeks an advanced training squadron and for the final 2 weeks training was conducted at a Bombing & Gunnery School. The Service schools were military establishments run by the RCAF or the RAF.

There were two different types of Service Flying Training Schools. Trainees in the fighter pilot stream went to an SFTS like No. 14 Aylmer, where they trained in the North American Harvard or North American Yale. Trainees in the bomber, coastal or transport pilot stream went to an SFTS like No. 5 Brantford where they learned multi-engine technique in an Airspeed Oxford, Avro Anson or Cessna Crane.

For More Information on RCAF Station Swift Current see here

RCAF.Info - RCAF Station Swift Current SK

RCAF.Info - Relief Landing Field St Aldwyn SK

RCAF.Info - Relief Landing Field Wymark SK

Saskatchewan Virtual War Memorial - Swift Current Base History

Vintage Wings - Ghosts Of Saskatchewan

YouTube - Abandoned Saskatchewan

Project 44 BCATP

Project 44 BCATP

YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy

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Oxford X6963

Oxford Mk. I X6963

Taken on strength at No. 1 Aircraft Embarkation Detachment at Dartmouth, NS. To No. 4 Training Command on 11 May 1942. With No. 39 Service Flying Training School at Swift Current, Saskatchewan when it suffered a Category A crash. Request to scrap dated 7 February 1944. Scrapped at No. 39 SFTS.

1942-03-04 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1943-October-18 Accident: 39 Service Flying Training School Loc: Walbeck Saskatchewan Names: Booker | Sterry | Tough
1944-03-03 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20

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Oxford BM769

Oxford Mk. II BM769

1942-03-24 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1942-September-28 Accident: Conversion Training Squadron Loc: Aerodrome Names: Buhler | Deslaurier | Laffey | Murray
1943-October-18 Accident: 39 Service Flying Training School Loc: Walbeck Saskatchewan Names: Booker | Sterry | Tough
1944-10-10 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07