Colvin, David Alexander
Killed in Flying Accident 1943-07-08
Birth Date: 1923-May-20
Born:
William James Colvin & Hetty Colvin
Home: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (parents)
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: Unknown
Service
RCAF
Unit
5 BGS- Bombing & Gunnery School
Base
RCAF Stn. Dafoe, Saskatchewan
Rank
Pilot Officer
Position
Pilot Officer
Service Numbers
J/26051
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (parents)Bolingbroke Mk IV-T 10072. was engaged in a routine gunnery exercise.
Pilot Officer D A Colvin made a tight turn and struck the target drogue tow line. The aircraft went into a spin and crashed three miles north-east of the aerodrome at Dafoe.Dafoe was the only crewman that I found in the record. He may have been alone of the aircraft.
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
www.findagrave.comThis incident involved multiple aircraft:
- Bolingbroke Mk. IVT Serial: 10072
All the above aircraft in the above list are referenced in this report.
Bolingbroke 10072
Bristol Bolingbroke
Fairchild Bolingbroke Mk. IV, RCAF (Serial No. 9118), coded BK-V, No. 115 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, Patricia Bay, British Columbia, 1942.
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 Bolingbroke Bomber 
Harold A Skaarup Web Page 
Bolingbroke Bomber WWII
Bolingbroke - Kestrel Publications
5 BGS (5 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.
RCAF.info - RCAF Station Dafoe SK
Saskatchewan Virtual War Memorial - 5 BGS History
Vintage Wings Ghosts Of Saskatchewan
Bolingbroke 10072
Bolingbroke Mk. IVT 10072
Delivered new to stored reserve with No. 2 Training Command. Issued on 1 March 1943. With No. 5 Bombing & gunnery School at Dafoe, Saskatchewan when it crashed. Completely destroyed in Category A crash on 8 July 1943, while with No. 5 Bombing & Gunnery School at Dafoe, Saskatchewan, crashed out of control. P.O. D.A. Colvin and Leading Aircraftman J.G. Harries killed. To No. 8 Repair Depot on 7 August 1943 for write off.1943-01-21 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1943-July-08 Accident: 5 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Colvin | Dorrell | Harries
1943-10-11 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20