Phillips, George Hector Reid
Survived 1942-10-01
Service
RCAF
Unit
45 Group (RAF)
Base
Natal, Brazil
Rank
Squadron Leader
Position
Flight Lieutenant
Service Numbers
Home

George HR Phillips had joined the 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) in the First World War and later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. After the war he became a bush pilot for the Ontario Provincial Air Service (OPAS). He won the McKee Trophy in 1931 for his contributions to Canadian aviation
Over-age at 47 he applied and was accepted into the RCAF in 1940 and assigned to training duties but two years later volunteered and was accepted into RAF Ferry Command where he served for the rest of the Second World War. After the war he became the Superintendent of Algonquin Park until retiring in 1959
George Hector Reid Phillips was inducted as a Member of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 1974 at a ceremony held in Edmonton, Alberta
The Firebirds, How bush flying won it's wings by Bruce West pages 75-81,141,154,173-5,177,198-201,223,238-9 in%201915%20at%20Timmins%2C%20Ontario., George Hector Reid Phillips - Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame
Hudson Mk. VI FK499
Aircraft Ferrying 1942-October-01 to 1942-October-01
(Ferry) Ferry Command (RAF) Natal, Brazil
RAF Ferry Command Hudson aircraft FK 499 having originally departed from West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, made its way south, making several stops along the way before reaching Natal, Brazil. From here the crew flew out over the Atlantic Ocean. During the flight, fuel pump problems arose, which were repaired upon reaching Ascension Island. The crew then elected to continue their flight to Africa rather than wait until the next morning. Nightfall hampered their navigation and after a severe electrical storm knocked out the radio, they made a forced landing at Cotonou, Dahomey, West Africa, an area then under the control of the Vichy French Government. The crew survived the landing but George Phillips, William Campbell and Gordon Seward become interned prisoners until after the Allied landings in North Africa. They were returned to West Palm Beach Florida, USA 1943-01-20 and continued to work for Ferry Command. The impounded Hudson FK 499 was also saved, repaired and went on to serve with the RAF
Ocean Bridge, The History of RAF Ferry Command by Carl A Christie pages 166-8Hudson FK499
Lockheed Hudson A-28 A-29 AT-18

Source National Air Force Museum of Canada.
The Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force (RAF) shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter. The Hudson served throughout the war, mainly with Coastal Command, but also in transport and training roles, as well as delivering agents into occupied France. They were also used extensively with the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) anti-submarine squadrons.National Air Force Museum of Canada.