Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum logo

Bradford, E T (Pilot Officer)

Killed in Flying Accident 1941-November-27

Male Head

Birth Date: unkown date (age unknown)

Service
RAF
Unit
118 Sqn- Squadron (RAF)
Occido Redeoque I kill and return
Base
RAF Ibsley
Rank
Pilot Officer
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
Service Numbers

Sea Hurricane BW840

Hawker Sea Hurricane

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4982739)
Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk. XIIA (Serial No. BW850), coded BV-T, No. 126 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, patrolling from its base at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 9 Aug 1942. This Hurricane has been converted to the Mk. XIIA version by Canadian Car and Foundry (CCF). This aircraft retains its eight-gun wing and the tail hook.

While the Sea Hurricane never served in the Royal Canadian Navy, it was, ironically, operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force.  In late 1941, the RCAF found itself without any frontline fighters, having sent its earlier Hawker Hurricanes off to the UK along with 1 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, and was having a hard time procuring additional fighters to meet its needs.

For reasons that are still slightly unclear, the RCAF received 50 Sea Hurricanes in 1942.  It is assumed that these aircraft, built in Thunder Bay, Ontario by Canadian Car and Foundry, were to be used as part of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) Merchant Ship Fighting Unit (MSFU) based in Canada, but were diverted to the RCAF.  These Sea Hurricanes were basically a Hurricane Mk. I with a tail-hook, catapult spools, a short blunt de Havilland spinner, and an eight gun wing.   Harold A Skaarup Web Page

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Hawker Hurricane variants

last update: 2021-10-15 17:50:36

Sea Hurricane BW840

Lost on 27 November 1941, after becoming lost en route from Saint John, NB to Dartmouth. RAF pilot Pilot Officer E. Bradford never found, presumed to have bailed out over the Atlantic after running out of fuel. RCAF records of this crash appear to be confused with that of BW838 . My version of events is based on the book "The Hurricats" by R. Barker. Taken on strength by No. 118 (F) Squadron on 9 December 1941, for book keeping purposes.

1941-November-27 Accident: MISC FerryING Loc: Atlantic Ocean Names: Bradford
1941-12-09 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1942-03-17 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

© Canadian Warplane Heritage 2024

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