Jean, Gerald Joseph (Private)

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 9031

Bolingbroke Mk. IV 9031

First used by No. 8 (BR) Squadron at RCAF Station Sydney, NS. Still with 8 Squadron when it transferred to Western Air Command, stationed at RCAF Station Sea Island, BC on 12 January 1942. To Canadian Pacific Airlines at Vancouver, 25 September 1942 to 20 January 1943. to Western Air Command when completed. Assigned to 147 (BR) Sqn. On 8 Jan 1944, this a/c collided with #9121 during formation flying practice, and crashed into the sea. The crew, Warrant Officer Class 2 J. Horton (pilot), Warrant Officer Class 2 W. Toner, Warrant Officer H. Hyde, and Pte G. Jean (an Army passenger) were all killed. # 9121 was damaged but landed safely; Warrant Officer Class 2 J. Frey and Warrant Officer Class 2 J. Miller were uninjured Lost at sea on 8 January 1944. Assigned to No. 3 Repair Depot on 1 April 1944 for write off.
{{link,canadaprimary,https://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_reel_c5933/1239,RCAF - Accident Investigation File}}

1941-08-28 Taken on Strength Eastern Air Command 2019-08-20
1943-October-23 Accident: 147 Squadron Loc: Rcaf Stnorth Tofino British Columbia Names: Anderson | Macnabb | Robb | Robb
1944-January-08 Accident: 147 Squadron Loc: Aerodrome Names: Frey | Hyde | Jean | Miller | Norton | Toner
1944-04-01 Struck off Strength Written off by No. 3 Repair Depot at Vancouver 2019-08-20

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Bolingbroke 9121

Bolingbroke Mk. IV 9121

Delivered to storage at RCAF Station Yarmouth, NS. By 3 February 1942 on the books of No. 4 Repair Depot at Scoudouc, NB. Issued from storage on 26 May 1942, to No. 119 (BR) Squadron at RCAF Station Sydney, NS. To Western Air Command on 20 June 1942, for use by No. 147 (BR) Squadron, which formed at Sea Island in July 1942. To Canadian Pacific Airlines for repairs following a Category B crash, 22 January to 21 August 1944. To storage with Western Air Command when completed. Issued from storage on 28 February 1945. Category C damage at Port Hardy, BC on 30 May 1945. Pending disposal from 20 August 1945. By 1 May 1946 on the books of No. 10 Repair Depot, stored at Patricia Bay, where it was noted with 631:20 total time.

1941-12-30 Taken on Strength Eastern Air Command 2019-08-20
1942-October-13 Accident: 147 Squadron Loc: Sea Island Names: Harradance | Jones | Wilson
1944-January-08 Accident: 147 Squadron Loc: Aerodrome Names: Frey | Hyde | Jean | Miller | Norton | Toner
1945-May-30 Accident: 122 (COMPOSITE) Squadron Loc: Aerodrome Names: Barkhouse | Tatton
1946-09-06 Struck off Strength Struck off, to War Assets Corporation for disposal 2019-08-20