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Gross, Derek Malcolm (Leading Aircraftman)

Killed in Flying Accident 1942-July-29

Male Head

Birth Date: 1922-January-06 (age 20)

Son of Gilbert Gall Gross, and Constance Mary Gross, of Upminster, Essex, England.

Service
RAFVR
Unit
36 EFTS- Elementary Flying Training School (RAF)
Base
Pearce, Alberta, Canada
Rank
Leading Aircraftman
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
1387747
Died in the mid air collision of Stearman FD980 and FD990. Leading Aircraftman F.J. Brand, Leading Aircraftman D.M. Gross, and Pilot Officer A.G. Clark were all killed in this crash.

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Stearman (Kaydet) Serial: FD990
  2. Stearman (Kaydet) Serial: FD980

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

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Finadagrave.com

Burial
Google MapMountain View Cemetery
Lot 13 Block B Grave 3W

Stearman (Kaydet) FD990

Stearman (Kaydet) FD980

Stearman Kaydet PT-27 PT-17

Boeing PT-17 Stearman
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

The prototype Stearman PT-13 Kaydet two seat biplane first flew from Wichita, Kansas in October 1934. Fitted with Lycoming R-680 radial engines, the first trainers, designated PT-13s, were delivered to the US Air Corps in mid 1936 together with more aircraft in 1937 and 1938. In 1940 demand for the trainer increased rapidly and outstripped Lycoming's capacity to supply engines. This led to the Continental engined version, the PT-17.

The importance of the Stearman PT-13/PT-17 to the US war effort cannot be overemphasized. Approximately 70% of all US military pilots, who fought in WW II received their initial flight training in this sturdy aircraft. A further 10,000 RAF and Fleet Air Arm pilots used the Stearman trainer for primary training, at British Flying Training Schools throughout the United States, between 1941 and 1944.

8,430 Stearmans were built before manufacturing ended in 1944. No other biplane was ever produced in such numbers. Over 1,000 Stearman trainers remain in flying condition today.

The RCAF was supplied with 300 PT-17s in the summer of 1942, to expand its fleet of basic trainers. They served with No. 3 Flying Instructors' School, Arnprior, Ontario and four Elementary Flying Training Schools, in the Prairies. After about four months they were traded in for Fairchild Cornells, because the open cockpit was found unsuitable for winter training. Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum


YouTube Kaydet trainer

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Kaydet trainer

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrek Publications RCAF PT-27 Serials - Kestrel Publications

last update: 2024-08-01 19:48:18

Stearman (Kaydet) FD990

Equivalent to USAAF PT-17. With No. 36 Elementary Flying Training School at Pearce, Alberta. Destroyed in mid-air collision with Stearman FD980 on 29 July 1942. Total of 3 fatalities.

1942-03-19 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1942-July-29 Accident: 36 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Brand | Clark | Gross
1943-02-11 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07

Stearman (Kaydet) FD980

Stearman (Kaydet) FD980

Equivalent to USAAF PT-17. With No. 36 Elementary Flying Training School at Pearce, Alberta. Destroyed in mid-air collision with Stearman FD990 on 29 July 1942. Total of 3 fatalities.

1942-03-19 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1942-July-29 Accident: 36 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Brand | Clark | Gross
1943-02-11 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07

36 EFTS (36 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.

PearceEFTS

For more information on RCAF Station Pearce see here

RCAF Roundel RCAF.Info - RCAF Station Pearce AB

Museum Vintage Wings - Ghosts Of Southern Alberta

Museum Bomber Command Museum of Canada

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