Mansfield, Gerald John

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While the Sea Hurricane never served in the Royal Canadian Navy, it was, ironically, operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force.  In late 1941, the RCAF found itself without any frontline fighters, having sent its earlier Hawker Hurricanes off to the UK along with 1 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, and was having a hard time procuring additional fighters to meet its needs.

For reasons that are still slightly unclear, the RCAF received 50 Sea Hurricanes in 1942.  It is assumed that these aircraft, built in Thunder Bay, Ontario by Canadian Car and Foundry, were to be used as part of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) Merchant Ship Fighting Unit (MSFU) based in Canada, but were diverted to the RCAF.  These Sea Hurricanes were basically a Hurricane Mk. I with a tail-hook, catapult spools, a short blunt de Havilland spinner, and an eight gun wing.  Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Wikipedia Hawker Hurricane variants

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Sea Hurricane BW847

Sea Hurricane Mk. XIIA BW847

Stored at Dartmouth, as reserve aircraft for the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit of the RAF. Back to Canada Car & Foundry at Fort William on 21 June 1943, for conversion to Mk. XIIA. Returned to Eastern Air Command on 16 July 1943. To No. 1 (F) Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Bagotville, Quebec. Destroyed in a mid-air with Hurricane 5467 at Lake St. Germain, Quebec on 30 August 1943, killing Pilot Officer Pilot Officer I. C. B. Kenyon, RAF. This aircraft crashed on the shore of the lake. Investigation found the two aircraft were ingaged in an unauthorized low altitude dog fight at the time of the collision.

1941-12-18 Taken on Strength No. 118 (F) Squadron 2019-08-20
1943-August-30 Accident: 1 Operational Training Unit Loc: Lake St Germain Names: Kenyon | Mansfield
1944-02-26 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20

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Hurricane 5467

Hurricane Mk. XII 5467

Accepted by Eastern Air Command for use at No. 1 (F) Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Bagotville, Quebec. With No. 130 (F) Squadron at Bagotville, coded "AE*G" on 26 September 1942, when it collided mid-air with Hurricane 5466 during line-astern flying, landed safely with Cat "C" damage. Still with 130 (F) Sqn, the a/c suffered Cat "B" damage on 4 Nov 1942 when it ground-looped after landing; no pilot injuries. Another ground loop due to brake failure on 7 May 43 causing Cat "C" damage but this time while assigned to 1 OTU. Destroyed in a mid-air with Hurricane BW847 over Lake St. Germain, Quebec on 30 August 1943, killing Pilot Officer G. L. Mansfield, RAF. This aircraft sank in the lake. Mansfield's body was found floating in the lake about one week after the crash. Investigation found the two aircraft were engaged in an unauthorized low altitude dog fight at the time of the collision. Assigned to No. 9 Repair Depot on 21 September 1943 for write off. Engine recovered from bed on the lake in 1998.

1942-09-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-September-26 Accident: 130 Squadron Loc: Aerodrome Names: Bertrand | Blair
1942-November-04 Accident: 130 Squadron Loc: Bagotville Quebec Names: Bohemier
1943-May-07 Accident: 1 Operational Training Unit Loc: Aerodrome Names: Smith
1943-August-30 Accident: 1 Operational Training Unit Loc: Lake St Germain Names: Kenyon | Mansfield
1944-03-21 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20