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Ryan, Gordon Fleming (Leading Aircraftman)

Killed in Flying Accident 1941-December-11

Birth Date: 1919-June-12 (age 22)

Son of William H. Ryan and Jessie M. Ryan, of Winnipeg.

Home: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Service
RCAF
Unit
2 WS- Wireless School
Base
Calgary, 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
Pilot
Service Numbers
R/56876
2 Wireless School, Calgary, Alberta. Leading Aircraftman Ryan was on a wireless training exercise and was killed when his Menasco Moth aircraft crashed. The aircraft crashed at Midnapore, Alberta during an attempted forced landing. Leading Aircraftman E.A. Lowry was injured and died the next day.

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Finadagrave.com

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

Home
Google MapWinnipeg, Manitoba
Burial
Google MapElmwood Cemetery
Lot 169 Sec 3A Grave 1

Moth, Menasco 4837

de Havilland Menasco Moth DH82-C4

(DND Archives Photo, PCN-4631)(Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page)
de Havilland DH 82C2 Menasco Moth Mk. I (Serial No. 4861),
preserved with the Canada Air and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario.

In the event that U-boat attacks caused a break in supply of British-made engines to Canada, American-built Menasco engines were installed in some Canadian-built Tiger Moths. This is the major difference between the Menasco and de Havilland Tiger Moths. Because this engine could drive a large generator, most Menasco Moths were used for radio training.

The Menasco engine was not as powerful as the Gypsy engine, resulting in a somewhat reduced performance. This loss of power made the Menasco Moth a less than ideal pilot-training airplane and contributed to the Menasco Moth being used almost exclusively for radio training.

YouTube Features Menasco engined Tiger Moth

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (136), Canadian Aircraft Losses (6), Canadian Manufactured (100), Canadian Museum(2)
last update: 2023-06-12 18:03:35

Moth, Menasco II 4837

Category A damage on 11 December 1941 while with No. 2 Wireless School at Calgary, Alberta.

1941-03-11 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-December-11 Accident: 2 Wireless School Loc: Midnapore Alberta Names: Lowry | Ryan
1942-08-18 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20

2 WS (2 Wireless School)

Trainees in the "Wireless Air Gunner" (WAG) stream spent 24 weeks at a Wireless Schoo learning the theory and application of wireless communications. This included signalling with lights and flags as well as radio. Their "WAG" training was completed with four weeks at a Bombing & Gunnery School.

RCAF Roundel RCAF.info - RCAF Station Calgary AB - 2 WS

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