Cap St Ignace, County Montmagny, Quebec
Fleet Finch aircraft 4714 and Finch 4 4526 were both engaged in dual instructional flights on March 19, 1943 when they converged at 200 feet over the aerodrome. Both aircraft crashed on the aerodrome at Cap de la Madeleine. Leading Aircraftman Fraser was the pilot of aircraft 4526 and was the only casualty.
Fraser, Joseph Louis Benoit (Leading Aircraftman)
Killed in Flying Accident 1943-03-19
Birth Date: 1922-December-03
Born:
Son of Florian and Clara Fraser, of Cap St. Ignace.
Home: Cap St Ignace, County Montmagny, Quebec
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: Unknown
Service
RCAF
Unit
11 EFTS- Elementary Flying Training School
Base
Cap de la Madeleine, Quebec, Canada
Rank
Leading Aircraftman
Position
Leading Aircraftman
Service Numbers
R/136925
School Daily Diary Entry - 1943-03-19
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
www.findagrave.comThis incident involved multiple aircraft:
- Finch Finch II Serial: 4526
- Finch Finch II Serial: 4714
All the above aircraft in the above list are referenced in this report.
Fleet Finch
Fleet Finch Mk. IICanadian Warplane Heritage Museum
The Fleet Finch was the final version of a whole family of light biplane trainers, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of Buffalo, NY and intended for civilian use. Few of these aircraft were marketed under the Consolidated name, as most were sold through Fleet Aircraft Canada, under a range of model numbers. Only the RCAF gave any of these models names, calling the Model 7 the Fawn and the Model 16 the Finch. These aircraft were built from 1930 to 1941, all at Fort Erie, Ontario.
The Finch was developed to meet an RCAF requirement for a fully aerobatic, primary trainer. The RCAF ordered the first batch of aircraft in July 1939 and powered by a Kinner R5-2, 160 hp engine, they were designated the Fleet Finch Mk. I. Most of these aircraft were delivered to the RCAF Central Flying School at Trenton, Ontario by early 1940.
The RCAF placed a further order for primary trainers with Fleet in January 1940. The Fleet Finch Mk. II, powered by a Kinner B-5R, 130 hp engine, first flew from Fort Erie in March 1940. During the following year, over 400 Fleet Finch Mk. IIs were delivered to BCATP Elementary Flying Schools right across Canada.
The Fleet Finch was well liked by the RCAF as it was a rugged aircraft, was relatively easy to fly and withstood the abuse of novice pilots. Some Fleet Finches remained in service with the RCAF until 1947, but most were retired by October 1944. Their role as a primary trainer was taken over by Fairchild PT-26 Cornell.Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
Harold Skaarup Web Page
Fleet FinchFinch 4526
Finch Finch II 4526
Category C damage on 26 April 1941 while with No. 7 Elementary Flying Training School at Windsor, Ontario.1940-08-01 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-April-26 Accident: 3 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: London City Airport Names: Macfarlane
1941-September-13 Accident: 3 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: London City Airport Names: Ackman | Leonard
1942-April-17 Accident: 3 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Hinchey
1942-May-21 Accident: 3 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Harle
1942-August-20 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Picard
1942-September-11 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Mcdonald
1942-October-10 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Rognan
1942-October-22 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Mcninley
1943-March-19 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Bernier | Fraser | Gourdeau | Mcmillan
1943-05-06 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Finch 4714
Finch Finch II 4714
Category A damage on 19 March 1943 at Cap de la Madelaine, Quebec. Probably with No. 11 EFTS at the time.1940-11-26 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-February-23 Accident: 12 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Goderich Ontario Names: Somers
1941-March-21 Accident: 12 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: McCullough
1941-May-12 Accident: 12 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Fitten | Macintaggart
1941-May-15 Accident: 12 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Goderich Aerodrome Names: Burden | Henry
1943-February-23 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Batiscan Names: Morache
1943-March-19 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Bernier | Fraser | Gourdeau | Mcmillan
1943-05-05 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Read More ....
11 EFTS (11 Elementary Flying Training School)
An Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) gave a trainee 50 hours of basic flying instruction on a simple trainer like the De Havilland Tiger Moth, Fleet Finch, or Fairchild Cornell over 8 weeks.Elementary schools were operated by civilian flying clubs under contract to the RCAF and most of the instructors were civilians. For example, No. 12 EFTS Goderich was run by the Kitchener-Waterloo Flying Club and the County of Huron Flying Club.The next step for a pilot was the Service Flying Training School.
An overhead shot of the facilities of No. 11 Elementary Flying School at Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec
School operated by Quebec Airways and CP Air.
Information on RCAF Station Cap de la Madeleine can be found here
Project 44 BCATP
RCAF.info - RCAF Station Cap de la Madeleine QCRead More ....