Dunlop, Durrant Vern

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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

8 BGS (8 Bomb and Gunnery School)

The Bombing and Gunnery School (B&GS) offered instruction in the techniques of bomb aiming and aerial machine gunnery to Air Observers, Bomb Aimers, and Wireless Air Gunners. These schools required large areas to accommodate their bombing and gunnery ranges, and were often located near water. The Avro Anson, Fairey Battle, Bristol Bolingbroke, and Westland Lysander were the standard aircraft used at B&GS schools.

Established in 1940 at the present site of Lethbridge Airport CYQL.

More information on the RCAF Station at Lethbridge AB can be found at

RCAF.Info - RCAF Station Lethbridge

Bomber Command Museum Of Canada

Vintage Wings - Ghosts Of Alberta

Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum - 8 BGS

Project 44 BCATP

Project 44 BCATP

YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy

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Bolingbroke 10181

Bolingbroke Mk. IVT 10181

Delivered to stored reserve at Calgary, AB. Issued from storage on 12 Jun 1943 to No. 8 B&GS in Lethbridge, AB. Cat "A" crash on 18 Dec 1943, when given a red light at 500 ft on approach, the pilot opened the throttles harshly; one engine did not respond, and the a/c stalled and spun into the ground. The crew, Pilot Officer W. Parks and Leading Aircraftman trainees T. Carroll, T Cook, and D. Dunlop were all killed.

1943-04-30 Taken on Strength No. 4 Training Command 2019-08-20
1943-July-22 Accident: 8 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Burns | Pearse | Richardson | Simpson
1943-September-04 Accident: 8 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Cutbank Montana Names: Karsgaard | Purvis | Sellar
1943-December-18 Accident: 8 Bomb & Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Carroll | Cook | Dunlop | Parks
1944-03-11 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20