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Swanborough, William Adair (Sergeant)

Killed in Flying Accident 1944-May-20

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Birth Date: unkown date (age unknown)

MR. AND MRS. F. A. SWANBOROUGH, OF GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND

Service
RAF
Unit
1 OTU- Operational Training Unit
Base
Bagotville, Quebec, Canada
Rank
Sergeant
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
158772
1 OTU, Bagotville, Quebec.

Sea Hurricane BW882

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Sergeant Swanborough, William Adair (RAF)

Killed in Flying Accident
1944-May-20
cemetery unknown

Hawker Sea Hurricane

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4982739)
Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk. XIIA (Serial No. BW850), coded BV-T, No. 126 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, patrolling from its base at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 9 Aug 1942. This Hurricane has been converted to the Mk. XIIA version by Canadian Car and Foundry (CCF). This aircraft retains its eight-gun wing and the tail hook.

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

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Wkikpedia Wikipedia Hawker Hurricane variants

CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF Owned (51) Canadian Crewed (10) Canadian Manufactured (50) Canadian Museum (1)
last update: 2021-10-15 17:50:36

Sea Hurricane Mk. XIIA BW882

BVRAF RoundelH
Stored at Dartmouth, as reserve aircraft for the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit of the RAF. Served with No. 126 (F) Squadron at RCAF Station Dartmouth, NS in 1942. Coded "BV*H". Forced landing a field near Lunenburg, NS after pilot became lost evening of 30 May 1942, Category B damage. To Canada Car & Foundry at Amhearst for repairs. To CC&F at Fort William on 28 January 1943, originally scheduled for conversion to Hurricane Mk. IIB, but returned to Eastern Air Command as Mk. XIIA on 21 June 1943. To No. 1 (F) Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Bagotville, Quebec. Category A crash on 22 May 1944, Sgt. W.A. Swanborough, RAF killed. To No. 9 Repair Depot for scrapping on 26 May 1944.

1942-01-28 Taken on Strength No. 118 (F) Squadron 2019-08-20
1942-May-30 Accident: 126 Squadron Loc: Lunenburg Names: Carruthers
1944-February-13 Accident: 1 Operational Training Unit Loc: Chicoutimi Names: Christensen
1944-May-22 Accident: 1 Operational Training Unit Loc: Grande Baie Quebec Names: Swanborough
1944-06-28 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20

1 OTU (1 Operational Training Unit)

The Operational Training Unit (OTU) was the last stop for aircrew trainees. They spent 8 to 14 weeks learning to fly operational aircraft (Hawker Hurricane or Fairey Swordfish, e.g.). The instructors had experience in actual operations, and often were posted to OTUs after their operational tour.

RCAF Roundel RCAF.info - RCAF Station Bagotville QC

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