Duff, Louis MacAdam

Killed in Flying Accident 1940-11-25

Male Head

Birth Date: 1917

Born:

Charles A. Duff and Lena MacAdam Duff, of Montreal

Home: Montreal, Quebec

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

RCAF

Unit

3 EFTS- Elementary Flying Training School

Base

RCAF Stn. London, Ontario

Rank

Leading Aircraftman

Position

Leading Aircraftman

Service Numbers

R/56372

Home
Google MapMontreal, Quebec
First Burial
Google MapMount Royal Cemetery, Montreal, Quebec
3 Elementary Flying Training School, London, Ontario. Fleet Finch aircraft 4528 and Fleet Finch aircraft 4499 were in a mid-air collision one quarter mile southwest of the aerodrome at London. Both students were engaged in a solo training flight and both were killed. Leading Aircraftman J.E. Higginbotham was the pilot of 4528 and Leading Aircraftman Duff was the pilot of 4499.

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Finch Finch II Serial: 4528
  2. Finch Finch II Serial: 4499

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

Finch 4499

Male Head

Leading Aircraftman Duff, Louis MacAdam (RCAF)
Pilot
Killed in Flying Accident
1940-November-25
Mount Royal Cemetery, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Fleet Finch

Fleet Finch Mk. II Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
Fleet_Finch_274.jpg image not found

The Fleet Finch was the final version of a whole family of light biplane trainers, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of Buffalo, NY and intended for civilian use. Few of these aircraft were marketed under the Consolidated name, as most were sold through Fleet Aircraft Canada, under a range of model numbers. Only the RCAF gave any of these models names, calling the Model 7 the Fawn and the Model 16 the Finch. These aircraft were built from 1930 to 1941, all at Fort Erie, Ontario.

The Finch was developed to meet an RCAF requirement for a fully aerobatic, primary trainer. The RCAF ordered the first batch of aircraft in July 1939 and powered by a Kinner R5-2, 160 hp engine, they were designated the Fleet Finch Mk. I. Most of these aircraft were delivered to the RCAF Central Flying School at Trenton, Ontario by early 1940.

The RCAF placed a further order for primary trainers with Fleet in January 1940. The Fleet Finch Mk. II, powered by a Kinner B-5R, 130 hp engine, first flew from Fort Erie in March 1940. During the following year, over 400 Fleet Finch Mk. IIs were delivered to BCATP Elementary Flying Schools right across Canada.

The Fleet Finch was well liked by the RCAF as it was a rugged aircraft, was relatively easy to fly and withstood the abuse of novice pilots. Some Fleet Finches remained in service with the RCAF until 1947, but most were retired by October 1944. Their role as a primary trainer was taken over by Fairchild PT-26 Cornell.Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

YouTube Fleet Finch

3 EFTS (3 Elementary Flying Training School)

An Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) gave a trainee 50 hours of basic flying instruction on a simple trainer like the De Havilland Tiger Moth, Fleet Finch, or Fairchild Cornell over 8 weeks.Elementary schools were operated by civilian flying clubs under contract to the RCAF and most of the instructors were civilians. For example, No. 12 EFTS Goderich was run by the Kitchener-Waterloo Flying Club and the County of Huron Flying Club.The next step for a pilot was the Service Flying Training School.

The School was established at London, Ontario. The former school is now the London, Ontario International Airport.

More information on the RCAF Station at London can be found at

Canada Primary Source RCAF.Info - RCAF Station London ON

General 3 EFTS History

Project 44 BCATP

General Project 44 BCATP

YouTube YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy

Finch 4528

Finch Finch II 4528

Category A damage on 25 November 1940 while with No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School at Windsor, Ontario.

1940-08-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1940-November-25 Accident: 3 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: London Airport Names: Higginbotham
1941-01-25 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

Finch 4499

Finch Finch II 4499

Category A damage on 25 November 1940 while with No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School at London, Ontario.

1940-06-29 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1940-November-25 Accident: 3 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: London Airport Names: Duff
1941-01-25 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
1942-September-19 Accident: 17 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Stanley Airport Names: Pole