Bowhay, Samuel Leslie (Flight Lieutenant)

The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber flown by the RCAF during the Second Word War. It was designed with a shoulder-mounted, high aspect ratio Davis wing which gave the Liberator a high cruise speed, long range and the ability to carry a heavy bomb load. Early RAF Liberators were the first aircraft to cross the Atlantic Ocean as a matter of routine. In comparison with its contemporaries the B-24 was relatively difficult to fly and had poor low speed performance; it also had a lower ceiling compared with the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. Of the roughly 18,500 B-24s built in the USA during the war, 148 were flown by the RCAF on long range anti-submarine patrols, with the B-24 serving an instrumental role in closing the Mid-Atlantic gap in the Battle of the Atlantic. The RCAF also flew a few B-24s post war as transports.

Roughly half of all (RAF) Liberator crews in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theatre were Canadian by the end of the war. John Muir of Vancouver flew the longest mission of the war: 24hrs, 10mins from Ceylon to Burma and back. (Kyle Hood) Harold Skaarup web page

Liberator bomber

Wikipedia Liberator bomber

Harold A Skaarup Web Page

5 OTU (5 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.5 Operational Training Unit was established at RCAF Station Boundary Bay, British Columbia. The former station is now the Boundary Bay Airport. More information on the RCAF Station at Boundary Bay can be found at

RCAF.Info

A Detachment of 5 Operational Training Unit was established at RCAF Station Abbotsford, British Columbia. The former Station is now the Abbotsford International Airport. More information on the RCAF Station at Abbotsford can be found at

RCAF.Info

Project 44 BCATP

Project 44 BCATP

YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy

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Liberator EW210

Liberator B. Mk. VI EW210

Ex USAAF B-24J-25-CF, serial number 42-99896. With No. 5 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Stations Boundary Bay and/or Abbotsford, BC. Coded "T" while with this Unit. At Abbotsford on 4 September 1944, coded "C", when it struck an obstacle while landing. Port main gear collapsed. Reported missing on night of 9 January 1945. Located, crashed, at Point Roberts (just south of Boundary Bay) on 10 January 1945. Had suffered an explosion in the bomb bay during night bombing practice. Four crew parachuted successfully, three killed. Believed to have been practice bomb striking structure, or a leak in fuel fired heater. Use of these heaters restricted in all 5 OTU Liberators following this, a very unpopular move in the middle of winter. Ownership to No. 3 Repair Depot on 12 January 1945 for write off.

1944-05-12 Taken on Strength Western Air Command 2019-08-20
1945-January-10 Accident: 5 Operational Training Unit Loc: Boundary Bay British Columbia British Columbia Names: Barr | Bowhay | Calleway | Halcrew | Rees | Somerville | Steele
1945-02-14 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20