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Stevens, Ralph Arnold (Leading Aircraftman)

Killed in Flying Accident 1942-March-10

Male Head

Birth Date: 1921 (age 21)

Son of Arnold and Dorothy Daisy Stevens, of Marston Green, Warwickshire, England.

Service
RAFVR
Unit
36 SFTS- Service Flying Training School (RAF)
Base
Penhold, 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
Service Numbers
1197657
Died of injuried sustained in the mid air collision of Oxford - AR972 and Oxford - AS674. "657470 Sgt. Gulliver, S. in Oxford AS674 and 1197657 Leading Aircraftman Stevens, R.A. in Oxford A.R.972 both carrying out solo landing practice at Innisfail at approx. 1500 hours when they collided on approach. The aircraft piloted by Sgt. Gulliver struck the tail of the aircraft piloted by Leading Aircraftman Stevens causing it to rear up, flick over and hit the ground nose first. Sgt. Gulliver swing port and opened his throttles and made a crash landing on the aerodrome ahead. He was unhurt and immediately ran to the other aircraft where he put out a small fire which had started and then began to cut Leading Aircraftman Stevens free. Leading Aircraftman was badly injured suffering from fractured scull and brain laceration and died at 22.30 hours."

Canada Primary Source School Daily Diary Entry "“ 1942-03-10

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Find-A-Grave.com Finadagrave.com

Burial
Google MapRed Deer Cemetery
Lot 1 Block F

Oxford AR972

Male Head

Leading Aircraftman Stevens, Ralph Arnold (RAFVR)

Killed in Flying Accident
1942-March-10
Red Deer Cemetery, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

Airspeed Oxford

(Bob Brown Photo)(Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page)
Airspeed A.S. 10 Oxford Mk. II, RCAF (Serial No. AS277), 25, in flight over Saskatchewan, 1942.

The Airspeed AS.10 Oxford was a twin-engine monoplane aircraft developed and manufactured by Airspeed. It saw widespread use for training British Commonwealth aircrews in navigation, radio-operating, bombing and gunnery roles throughout the Second World War.

The Oxford was developed by Airspeed during the 1930s in response to a requirement for a capable trainer aircraft that conformed with Specification T.23/36, which had been issued by the British Air Ministry. Its basic design is derived from the company's earlier AS.6 Envoy, a commercial passenger aircraft. Performing its maiden flight on 19 June 1937, it was quickly put into production as part of a rapid expansion of the Royal Air Force (RAF) in anticipation of a large-scale conflict.

As a consequence of the outbreak of war, many thousands of Oxfords were ordered by Britain and its allies, including Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, Poland, and the United States. Following the end of the conflict, the Oxford continued to achieve export sales for some time, equipping the newly formed air forces of Egypt, India, Israel, and Yugoslavia. It was considered to be a capable trainer aircraft throughout the conflict, as well as being used a general-purpose type. A large number of Oxfords have been preserved on static display. Wikipedia

YouTube Oxford Trainer

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Oxford Trainer

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

last update: 2021-09-27 15:31:03

Oxford Mk. I AR972

Taken on strength at No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School at Fort William, Ontario. To No. 4 Training Command on 25 September 1941, for use by No. 36 Service Flying Training School at Penhold, Alberta. Category A crash at 15:00 on 10 March 1942. Collided with Oxford AS674 at 30 foot altitude, while landing at practice field at Innisfall, Alberta. Both aircraft received a red warning light but apparently ignored it. Final report said sun position may have made it difficult for both aircraft to see the light. Student pilot Leading Aircraftman R.A. Stevens, RAF killed in this aircraft, no injuries in other aircraft. Had 277:40 logged time when struck off

1941-08-29 Taken on Strength No. 2 Training Command 2019-08-20
1942-11-28 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20

36 SFTS (36 Service Flying Training School)

Graduates of the EFTS "learn-to-fly" program went on a Service Flying Training School (SFTS) for 16 weeks. For the first 8 weeks the trainee was part of an intermediate training squadron; for the next 6 weeks an advanced training squadron and for the final 2 weeks training was conducted at a Bombing & Gunnery School. The Service schools were military establishments run by the RCAF or the RAF.

There were two different types of Service Flying Training Schools. Trainees in the fighter pilot stream went to an SFTS like No. 14 Aylmer, where they trained in the North American Harvard or North American Yale. Trainees in the bomber, coastal or transport pilot stream went to an SFTS like No. 5 Brantford where they learned multi-engine technique in an Airspeed Oxford, Avro Anson or Cessna Crane.

Airspeed Oxford Crash SFTS36

For Information on RCAF Station Penhold see here

RAF Roundel RCAF.Info - RCAF Station Penhold AB

RAF Roundel RCAF.Info - Relief Landing Field Innisfail AB

RAF Roundel RCAF.Info - Relief Landing Field Blackfalds AB

General Harvard Historical Aviation Society

General Midland Aircraft Recovery Group - Men Of 36 SFTS

Museum Bomber Command Museum Of Canada - 36 SFTS

Museum Vintage Wings Of Canada - SFTS Penhold

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