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Steenson, William Joseph (Warrant Officer 2nd Class)

Killed in Flying Accident 1944-April-14

Birth Date: 1920-August-24 (age 23)

Son of William and Maggie Steenson, of Morden.

Home: Morden, Manitoba

Service
RCAF
Unit
7 BGS- Bombing & Gunnery School
Base
Paulson, Manitoba, Canada
Rank
Warrant Officer 2nd Class
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/106347
Bolingbroke aircraft 10071 had the starboard engine fail on take-off from the aerodrome at Paulson. The aircraft reached an altitude of 25 feet, made a violent yaw to starboard of 45 degrees, the starboard wing dropped, the aircraft stalled and crashed. Sgt D.A. Black was also killed.

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Find-A-Grave.com

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

Burial
Google Map Darlingford Cemetery, Canada
Lot 2 Block 7 Sec 8

Crew on Bolingbroke Mk. IVT 10071

Bristol Bolingbroke

(Umeyou Photo)
Fairchild Bolingbroke Mk. IV, RCAF (Serial No. 9118), coded BK-V, No. 115 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, Patricia Bay, British Columbia, 1942.

The Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroke was a maritime patrol aircraft and trainer used by the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Built by Fairchild-Canada, it was a license-built version of the Bristol Blenheim Mk IV bomber.

In 1935, the British Air Ministry issued Specification G.24/35 to procure a coastal reconnaissance/light bomber to replace the Avro Anson. Bristol proposed the Type 149, based on its Blenheim Mk I, with Bristol Aquila engines to give greater range. While the Air Ministry rejected this proposal, a Blenheim Mk I, retaining its Mercury VIII engines, was converted as a Type 149 (Blenheim Mk III) for the general reconnaissance role.The nose was lengthened to provide more room for the bombardier, with the upper left surface of the nose being scooped out to maintain pilot visibility during takeoff and landing.

The longer range also fulfilled a Canadian requirement for a maritime patrol aircraft. Consequently, Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada) of Quebec started production of the Blenheim Mk IV as the Bolingbroke (the originally intended name for the Blenheim IV). This type was nicknamed the "Bolly". After a small run of aircraft constructed to British specifications, as the Bolingbroke Mk I, Fairchild switched production to the Bolingbroke Mk IV with Canadian and American instruments and equipment. These versions also included anti-icing boots and a dinghy. One of the early Mk IV variants was the Bolingbroke Mk IVW which was powered by two 825 hp (615 kW) Pratt & Whitney SB4G Twin Wasp Junior engines. Incapable of maintaining altitude on one engine, the normal bomb load was reduced to 500 pounds on these aircraft to compensate for the low engine power. The most-produced variant was the Bolingbroke Mk IVT trainer, of which 457 were completed. A total of 626 Bolingbrokes were produced. Wikipedia

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Bolingbroke Bomber

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

YouTube Bolingbroke Bomber WWII

Kestrek Publications Bolingbroke - Kestrel Publications

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (626), RCAF 400 Squadron (3), Canadian Aircraft Losses (43)
last update: 2021-12-29 16:53:49

Bolingbroke Mk. IVT 10071

Delivered new to stored reserve with No. 2 TC. Issued on 17 Feb 1943. Completely destroyed in Cat "A" crash on 15 Apr 1944, while with No. 7 B&GS in Paulson, MB. An engine cut out immediately after take-off, the aircraft yawed, stalled, struck the ground and was destroyed by fire. WO2 W. Steenson and LAC D. Black were both killed; LAC (RNZAF) W. Wagener was injured. Wreckage to No. 8 RD for write off on 18 Apr 1944.
1943-01-20 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1944-April-14 Accident: 7 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Black | Steenson | Wagener
1944-05-14 Struck off Strength Struck off after crash, reduced to produce 2019-08-20

7 BGS- Bombing & Gunnery School (7 Bomb and Gunnery School)

The Bombing and Gunnery School (B&GS) offered instruction in the techniques of bomb aiming and aerial machine gunnery to Air Observers, Bomb Aimers, and Wireless Air Gunners. These schools required large areas to accommodate their bombing and gunnery ranges, and were often located near water. The Avro Anson, Fairey Battle, Bristol Bolingbroke, and Westland Lysander were the standard aircraft used at B&GS schools.

  • RCAF Roundel RCAF.Info - RCAF Station Paulson Manitoba

  • General BCATP History - 7 BGS

  • Museum Manitoba Historical Society - Paulson Airport

  • General Staff Pilots 7 BGS Paulson MB

    • 1941-06-01 Primary Location Paulsen MB Canada Returned to agriculture. Still visible on satellite imagery.

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