Cummings, James Clyde (Flying Officer)

The Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroke was a maritime patrol aircraft and trainer used by the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Built by Fairchild-Canada, it was a license-built version of the Bristol Blenheim Mk IV bomber.

In 1935, the British Air Ministry issued Specification G.24/35 to procure a coastal reconnaissance/light bomber to replace the Avro Anson. Bristol proposed the Type 149, based on its Blenheim Mk I, with Bristol Aquila engines to give greater range. While the Air Ministry rejected this proposal, a Blenheim Mk I, retaining its Mercury VIII engines, was converted as a Type 149 (Blenheim Mk III) for the general reconnaissance role.The nose was lengthened to provide more room for the bombardier, with the upper left surface of the nose being scooped out to maintain pilot visibility during takeoff and landing.

The longer range also fulfilled a Canadian requirement for a maritime patrol aircraft. Consequently, Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada) of Quebec started production of the Blenheim Mk IV as the Bolingbroke (the originally intended name for the Blenheim IV). This type was nicknamed the "Bolly". After a small run of aircraft constructed to British specifications, as the Bolingbroke Mk I, Fairchild switched production to the Bolingbroke Mk IV with Canadian and American instruments and equipment. These versions also included anti-icing boots and a dinghy. One of the early Mk IV variants was the Bolingbroke Mk IVW which was powered by two 825 hp (615 kW) Pratt & Whitney SB4G Twin Wasp Junior engines. Incapable of maintaining altitude on one engine, the normal bomb load was reduced to 500 pounds on these aircraft to compensate for the low engine power. The most-produced variant was the Bolingbroke Mk IVT trainer, of which 457 were completed. A total of 626 Bolingbrokes were produced. Wikipedia

Wikipedia Bolingbroke Bomber

Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Bolingbroke Bomber WWII

Bolingbroke - Kestrel Publications

Aircraft Images

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Bolingbroke 10094

Bolingbroke Mk. IVT 10094

Taken on strength at No. 4 RD, Scoudouc, NB. Converted to target tug while there. Issued to No. 3 TC on 20 Oct 1943, for use at No. 10 B&GS at Mount Pleasant, PEI. Cat "A" crash on 9 Nov 1944; the a/cs dinghy and cover became detached after a violent manoeuvre, and the a/c then dived into the ground. The solo pilot, Flying Officer J. Cummings, was killed. The wreckage was disposed of on site. Ownership to No. 4 RD for write off on 16 Nov 1944. Had one Mercury XX Star and one Mercury XX engine when struck off.

1943-03-09 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1944-November-09 Accident: 10 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Cummings
1945-01-09 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20