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Cooper, Howard Gilbert (Lieutenant)

Killed in Flying Accident 1957-October-02

Birth Date: 1935-February-28 (age 22)

Born: Toronto, Ontario

Alfred Rupert & Louise Dorothy Cooper both deceased

Home: Toronto, Ontario

Service
RCN
Unit
870 Sqn- Squadron (RCN)
Base
HMCS Bonaventure
Rank
Position
Service Numbers
O 15629
crash of Banshee 126403 aircraft, lost at sea from carrier 'Bonaventure'. In June 1964 a fishing trawler snagged the wreckage, some of which was recovered and identified. Accident McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee 126403, 02 Oct 1957 (aviation-safety.net) lost at sea Sailors Memorial Pt Pleasant

Canada Source Canadian Virtual War Memorial

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Google MapToronto, Ontario

Banshee 126403

McDonnell F2H Banshee

(RCN Photo via Mike Kaehler)
McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee, RCN (Serial No. 126295), coded 112, shown here armed with two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.

Procured second-hand from the United States Navy, the McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee was the only carrier-based air defence jet fighter used by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) from 1955 to 1962. Until the CF-18 Hornet, the Banshee, also nicknamed the "Banjo", was the only Canadian military aircraft armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. The Banshee was a rugged and reliable, all-weather, fleet defence and ground attack fighter. In RCN operational service, all 39 Banshee aircraft were based in Shearwater, Nova Scotia, and flew with VF-870 and VF-871 Squadrons, until the latter was amalgamated into the former in 1959. VX10 Experimental Squadron also flew the Banshee in order to do acceptance evaluations. Squadrons were deployed aboard Canada's sole aircraft carrier of the period, Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Bonaventure. The Banshee was well liked by pilots because of its good performance on the deck and in the air, as well as its all-weather capability, 800-mile (1,287-kilometre) tactical radius, and Mach 0.8 speed capability. The aircraft also formed the basis of the RCN's premiere aerobatic team known as the "Grey Ghosts". This four-ship formation team participated in many air shows. rcaf-arc.forces

RCN aircraft were identified in squadron service by a side number, painted on the nose of the aircraft. That number indicated the squadron, and the aircraft number in that squadron. These numbers are shown as "coded" (if known); later the last three digits of the aircraft serial number were used, shown as NAVY+L3.

Banshee serials from US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos--Third Series (126257 to 130264)joebaugher.com, and updated from - Martin "“ RCN Aircraft Finish & Markings 1944-1968.

Note - Unit assignments not in date order due numerous reassignments.

Note - RCN Banshees delivered between Nov 25, 1955 and June 16, 1958.

YouTube Banshee Carrier-based air defence jet fighter

Canada Source RCAF Banshee

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

last update: 2022-03-21 14:38:52

Banshee F2H-3 126403

Retained USN serial number in Canadian service. With VF 871 coded "141". To VF 870. Crashed at sea southwest of Sable Island NS Oct 2, 1957. Tail retrieved by fishing boat 1964. Fatal Lt. H.G. Cooper.

General Aviation Safety.net



1956-05-24 Accept from other Air Force Received second hand from USN. 2022-03-17
1957-10-02 Accident Crash Crashed, killing pilot H. G. Cooper. 2019-08-20
1957-11-15 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07

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