Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum logo

Swanson, William Rufus (Flying Officer)

Killed in Flying Accident 1940-September-10

Birth Date: 1915 (age 25)

Son of Robert Clarence and Helen Swanson, of Long Beach; husband of Beatrice Arlene Swanson, of Long Beach. Myrtle

Husband of Beatrice Arlene Swanson, of Long Beach. Myrtle

Home: Long Beach, California, USA

Service
RCAF
Unit
CFS- Central Flying School
Base
RCAF Trenton
Rank
Flying Officer
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
C/2409
Central Flying School, Trenton, Ontario. Fleet Finch aircraft 1015 did not recover from an inverted spin and crashed five miles south of Belleville, Ontario. Flying Officer F.L. Sims was also killed. Flying Officer Pilot Swanson is buried in the Park Cemetery at Inglewood, California, U.S.A.

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

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

Home
Google MapLong Beach, California, USA
Burial
Google MapPark Cemetery
Myrtle Plot Lot 109

Finch 1015

Fleet Finch

Fleet Finch Mk. IICanadian Warplane Heritage Museum

The Fleet Finch was the final version of a whole family of light biplane trainers, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of Buffalo, NY and intended for civilian use. Few of these aircraft were marketed under the Consolidated name, as most were sold through Fleet Aircraft Canada, under a range of model numbers. Only the RCAF gave any of these models names, calling the Model 7 the Fawn and the Model 16 the Finch. These aircraft were built from 1930 to 1941, all at Fort Erie, Ontario.

The Finch was developed to meet an RCAF requirement for a fully aerobatic, primary trainer. The RCAF ordered the first batch of aircraft in July 1939 and powered by a Kinner R5-2, 160 hp engine, they were designated the Fleet Finch Mk. I. Most of these aircraft were delivered to the RCAF Central Flying School at Trenton, Ontario by early 1940.

The RCAF placed a further order for primary trainers with Fleet in January 1940. The Fleet Finch Mk. II, powered by a Kinner B-5R, 130 hp engine, first flew from Fort Erie in March 1940. During the following year, over 400 Fleet Finch Mk. IIs were delivered to BCATP Elementary Flying Schools right across Canada.

The Fleet Finch was well liked by the RCAF as it was a rugged aircraft, was relatively easy to fly and withstood the abuse of novice pilots. Some Fleet Finches remained in service with the RCAF until 1947, but most were retired by October 1944. Their role as a primary trainer was taken over by Fairchild PT-26 Cornell. Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

YouTube Fleet Finch

last update: 2021-09-07 16:39:39

Finch Finch I 1015

With Central Flying School when it crashed 5 miles south of Belleville at 14:30 on 10 September 1940, from an inteverted spin. Flying Officer W.R. Swanson and Flying Officer F.L. Sims killed. Also reported (by Wilson) as classified as Instructional Airframe on 3 December 1942. Had 252:55 logged time when struck off.

1940-02-02 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1940-September-10 Accident: CENTRAL FLYING SCHOOL TRENTON Loc: Belleville Ontario Names: Sims | Swanson
1941-03-17 Struck off Strength Struck off, scraped at Trenton 2019-08-20

© Canadian Warplane Heritage 2024

To search on any page:
PC — Ctrl-F
Mac — ⌘-F
Mobile — or …