Buttsworth, John Leighton

Killed in Flight Line Accident 1945-02-16

Male Head

Birth Date: 1921

Born:

Son of Amos Henry and Amy Florence Buttsworth, of Wilberforce, New South Wales, Australia.

Home:

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

RAAF

Unit

10 BGS- Bombing & Gunnery School

Base

RCAF Stn. Mount Pleasant, PEI

Rank

Leading Aircraftman

Position

Leading Aircraftman

Service Numbers

439948
Prev: AUS/439948

LAC J.L. Buttsworth RAAF accidentally walked into propeller boarding a Bolingbroke aircraft and was killed (R.J. Annis, CONTACT Vol. 31, No. 2, May 2014, CATP Museum, Brandon, Man.). Paul Squires

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Bolingbroke Mk. IVT Serial: 10124

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

Bristol Bolingbroke

(Umeyou Photo)
Fairchild Bolingbroke Mk. IV, RCAF (Serial No. 9118), coded BK-V, No. 115 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, Patricia Bay, British Columbia, 1942.
Fairchild-Bolingbroke-Mk--IV--RCAF--Serial-No--9030---No--115-Squadron--Patricia-Bay--BC--1942--2-.jpg image not found

The Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroke was a maritime patrol aircraft and trainer used by the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Built by Fairchild-Canada, it was a license-built version of the Bristol Blenheim Mk IV bomber.

In 1935, the British Air Ministry issued Specification G.24/35 to procure a coastal reconnaissance/light bomber to replace the Avro Anson. Bristol proposed the Type 149, based on its Blenheim Mk I, with Bristol Aquila engines to give greater range. While the Air Ministry rejected this proposal, a Blenheim Mk I, retaining its Mercury VIII engines, was converted as a Type 149 (Blenheim Mk III) for the general reconnaissance role.The nose was lengthened to provide more room for the bombardier, with the upper left surface of the nose being scooped out to maintain pilot visibility during takeoff and landing.

The longer range also fulfilled a Canadian requirement for a maritime patrol aircraft. Consequently, Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada) of Quebec started production of the Blenheim Mk IV as the Bolingbroke (the originally intended name for the Blenheim IV). This type was nicknamed the "Bolly". After a small run of aircraft constructed to British specifications, as the Bolingbroke Mk I, Fairchild switched production to the Bolingbroke Mk IV with Canadian and American instruments and equipment. These versions also included anti-icing boots and a dinghy. One of the early Mk IV variants was the Bolingbroke Mk IVW which was powered by two 825 hp (615 kW) Pratt & Whitney SB4G Twin Wasp Junior engines. Incapable of maintaining altitude on one engine, the normal bomb load was reduced to 500 pounds on these aircraft to compensate for the low engine power. The most-produced variant was the Bolingbroke Mk IVT trainer, of which 457 were completed. A total of 626 Bolingbrokes were produced.Wikipedia

Wikipedia Wikipedia Bolingbroke Bomber

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

YouTube Bolingbroke Bomber WWII

Kestrel Publications Bolingbroke - Kestrel Publications

10 BGS (10 Bomb and Gunnery School)

The Bombing and Gunnery School (B&GS) offered instruction in the techniques of bomb aiming and aerial machine gunnery to Air Observers, Bomb Aimers, and Wireless Air Gunners. These schools required large areas to accommodate their bombing and gunnery ranges, and were often located near water. The Avro Anson, Fairey Battle, Bristol Bolingbroke, and Westland Lysander were the standard aircraft used at B&GS schools.

Canada Primary Source RCAF.info - RCAF Station Mount Pleasant PEI

No 10 BGS History University Of PEI

General University Of PEI - 10 BGS History

Project 44 BCATP

General Project 44 BCATP

YouTube YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy


Bolingbroke 10124

Bolingbroke Mk. IVT 10124

Delivered to stored reserve with No. 1 Training Command. To No. 6 Repair Depot at RCAF Station Trenton, Ontario for conversion to target tug, 2 June to 12 August 1944. To No. 3 Training Command when completed. To No. 1 Air Command on 15 January 1945. To stored reserve shortly after. Pending disposal from 4 January 1946. Had 198:25 airframe time when struck off.

1943-03-09 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1945-February-16 Accident: 10 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Buttsworth | Lovell | Worth
1946-07-09 Struck off Strength Struck off, to War Assets Corporation for disposal 2019-08-20