Johnstone, George Peters

Killed in Action 1939-11-18

Birth Date: 1910-November-08

Born:

Son of Dr. David Scott Johnstone and Anna I. Johnstone, of Regina.

Home: Regina, Saskatchewan

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

RCAF

Unit

112 Sqn- Squadron

Base

Rank

Flying Officer

Position

Flying Officer

Service Numbers

C/0824

110 City of Toronto Squadron. Flying Officer Johnstone was killed when Tiger Moth aircraft 279 was in a flying accident at Ottawa, Ontario.

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Moth, Tiger Serial: 279
  2. Moth, Tiger Serial: 252

All the above aircraft in the above list are referenced in this report.

de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth

Source: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (serial # RCAF 8922), credit Rick Radell
CCI20160514_0006.jpg image not found

The de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s British biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and built by the de Havilland Aircraft Company. It was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and many other operators as a primary trainer aircraft. In addition to the type's principal use for ab-initio training, the Second World War saw RAF Tiger Moths operating in other capacities, including maritime surveillance and defensive anti-invasion preparations; some aircraft were even outfitted to function as armed light bombers.

The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until it was succeeded and replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk during the early 1950s. Many of the military surplus aircraft subsequently entered into civil operation. Many nations have used the Tiger Moth in both military and civil applications, and it remains in widespread use as a recreational aircraft in several countries. It is still occasionally used as a primary training aircraft, particularly for those pilots wanting to gain experience before moving on to other tailwheel aircraft.

Overseas manufacturing of the type commenced in 1937, the first such overseas builder being de Havilland Canada at its facility in Downsview, Ontario. In addition to an initial batch of 25 Tiger Moths that were built for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), the Canadian firm began building fuselages which were exported to the UK for completion. Canadian-built Tiger Moths featured modifications to better suit the local climate, along with a reinforced tail wheel, hand-operated brakes (built by Bendix Corporation), shorter undercarriage radius rods and the legs of the main landing gear legs being raked forwards as a safeguard against tipping forwards during braking. In addition the cockpit had a large sliding canopy fitted along with exhaust-based heating; various alternative undercarriage arrangements were also offered. By the end of Canadian production, de Havilland Canada had manufactured a total of 1,548 of all versions.Wikipedia

Wikipedia Wikipedia de Havilland Tiger Moth

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

YouTube YouTube de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth


Moth, Tiger 279

Moth, Tiger 279

Operated by No. 119 (B) Squadron (Auxiliary), at Hamilton, Ontario, 1937 to 1939. Ferried to Rockcliffe when the squadron was called up for active service, late 1939. With No. 110 (AC) Squadron at Rockcliffe when it collided with another aircraft on 20 November 1939.

1938-04-12 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1939-November-18 Accident: 112 (AC) Squadron Loc: Aerodrome Names: Johnstone | Morrison

Moth, Tiger 252

Moth, Tiger 252

Operated by No. 119 (B) Squadron (Auxiliary), at Hamilton, Ontario, 1937 to 1939. Ferried to Rockcliffe when the squadron was called up for active service, late 1939. With No. 110 (AC) Squadron at Rockcliffe when it collided with Tiger Moth 279 on 20 November 1939. Flying Officer J.D. Morrison bailed out successfully.

1938-02-24 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1939-November-18 Accident: 112 (AC) Squadron Loc: Aerodrome Names: Johnstone | Morrison