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Hart, Melville Mason Jr (Leading Aircraftman)

Killed in Flying Accident 1941-September-16

Male Head

Birth Date: 1922 (age 19)

Home: Toronto, Ontario

Service
RCAF
Unit
12 EFTS- Elementary Flying Training School
Base
Goderich, Ontario, 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
Pilot
Service Numbers
R/102679
LAC Hart was killed when Fleet Finch aircraft 4695 crashed during take-off from the airport at Kitchener- Waterloo, Ontario.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Canada Primary Source Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Home
Google MapToronto, Ontario
Burial
Google MapSt James's Cemetery
Block Q St Thomas Road Lot 11 South

Finch 4695

Fleet Finch

Fleet Finch Mk. IICanadian Warplane Heritage Museum

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

last update: 2021-09-07 16:39:39

Finch Finch II 4695

Category A damage on 16 September 1941 while with No. 12 Elementary Flying Training School at Goderich, Ontario. Also with No. 13 Elementary Flying Training School at St. Eugene, Quebec, dates not known.

1940-11-20 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-July-06 Accident: 12 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Goderich Names: Warriner
1941-September-16 Accident: 12 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Kitchener-Waterloo Airport Names: Hart | Parr
1941-11-05 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

12 EFTS (12 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.

NO5 Class NO12 EFTS

Information on RCAF Station Goderich can be found here

RCAF Roundel RCAF.info - RCAF Station Goderich Ontario

Information on RCAF Station Goderich Relief Field can be found here

RCAF Roundel RCAF.info - Relief Landing Field Goderich South Ontario

Notable students from 12 ETFS

Flight Lieutenant Hornell, David Ernest VC and Flight Officer and Dambuster Joe McCarthy

General Huron County Historical Society

Museum 12 EFTS Course Photos

General 12 EFTS History - Blog

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