Woodside, Long Island, USA
32 Operational Training Unit (Patricia Bay, BC) Anson I aircraft R 3431 flew into the sea north-east of Salt Spring Island, British Columbia while searching for another Anson N 9560 of the same unit
Sergeant AM Bellotti (RCAF)(USA), Sergeant SJ Conlon (RCAF), Sergeant NA Bastick (RAF), Sergeant KJ Bowler (RAF) and Sergeant RA Maun (RAF) were all missing, believed killed. (https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase)
Bellotti, Alphonse Michael (Sergeant)
Killed in Flying Accident 1942-December-17
Birth Date: 1921-April-21
Born: New York New York USA
Parents:
Spouse:
Home: Woodside, Long Island, USA
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RCAF
Unit
32 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Base
RCAF Stn. Patricia Bay, British Columbia
Rank
Sergeant
Position
Wireless Air Gunner
Service Numbers
R/132610
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Finadagrave.com
Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)Crew or Other Personnel
Anson R3431
Accident Card - Avro Anson Mk. I serial:R3431
This accident involved 1 aircraft on 1942-December-17. Anson I s/n R3431.
This accident involved 5 people. Bastick NA, Bellotte A, Bowler KJ, Conlon SJ, Maun RA
This accident had 5 fatalities. Sergeant Alphonse Michael Bellotti RCAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:R/132610 Anson R3431, Sergeant Sidney James Conlon RCAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:R/115318 Anson R3431, Sergeant Norman Arthur Albert Bastick RAFVR Killed in Flying Accident service no:1389174 Anson R3431, Sergeant Kenneth John Bowler RAFVR Killed in Flying Accident service no:1315079 Anson R3431, Sergeant Robert Alfred Maun RAFVR Killed in Flying Accident service no:1336919 Anson R3431
Unit Desciption
32 OTU (32 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.
Avro Anson
More information on the RCAF Station at Patricia Bay, British Columbia can be found at:
RCAF.info - Patricia Bay, British Columbia
BC Aviation Museum Video On History Of Pat Bay
Project 44 BCATP
YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy