Marlow, Alan Robert
Killed in Flying Accident 1943-05-23
Birth Date: 1922
Born:
Son of James A. Marlow and Winifred A. Marlow, of Kettering, Northamptonshire, England.
Home:
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: Unknown
Service
RAFVR
Unit
32 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Base
RCAF Srn, Patricia Bay, British Columbia
Rank
Sergeant
Position
Sergeant
Service Numbers
1577871
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)This incident involved multiple aircraft:
- Hampden Mk. I Serial: AN142
All the above aircraft in the above list are referenced in this report.
Hampden AN142
Handley Page Hampden
Handley Page Hampden (Serial No. P5428), of No. 32 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Patricia Bay, British Columbia, in the torpedo-bomber training role between May 1942 and February 1944.
Handley Page developed a modern stressed-skin mid-wing monoplane, powered by Bristol Pegasus radial air cooled engines, with its first flight in 1936. It had the most advanced wings available at the time, giving it a remarkably low landing speed of 73 mph for an aircraft of its size, with a top speed of 265 mph. The Hampden had a short, narrow but tall main fuselage with a very slender tail unit. This configuration led to the nicknames "Flying Panhandle" and "Flying Suitcase". At the end of the war, no complete or partial Hampden aircraft were retained for museum display.
The Hampden served in the early stages of the war, bearing the brunt of the early bombing war over Europe, taking part in the first night raid on Berlin and in the first 1000-bomber raid on Cologne.In Canada, Hampdens were built by six companies that formed Associated Aircraft. There were three in Ontario and three in Quebec, hence they were identified as the Ontario Group and Quebec Group. They supplied all the the components to the two assembly plants. The Ontario Group's assembly plant was at the Malton Airport, while the Quebec group's assembly plant was at the St. Hubert Airport. Canadian Museum of Flight and Harold A Skaarup web page
Handley Page Hampden in Flight
Wikipedia Hampden Bomber 
Harold A Skaarup Web Page 
Hampden - Kestrel Publications
32 OTU (32 Operational Training Unit)
The Operational Training Unit (OTU) was the last stop for aircrew trainees. They spent 8 to 14 weeks learning to fly operational aircraft (Hawker Hurricane or Fairey Swordfish, e.g.). The instructors had experience in actual operations, and often were posted to OTUs after their operational tour.
More information on the RCAF Station at Patricia Bay, British Columbia can be found at:
Project 44 BCATP
BC Aviation Museum Video On History Of Pat Bay Hampden AN142
Hampden Mk. I AN142
With No. 32 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC. Swung during single engine landing at Patricia Bay on 23 May 1943, caught fire and burned out. 3 RAAF and one RAF crew killed.1942-02-06 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1943-May-23 Accident: 32 Operational Training Unit Loc: Aerodrome Names: Bishop | Davis | Hughes | Marlow
1943-09-16 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20