Berwyn, Illinois, USA
LAC Najemnik was on a solo flight in Fleet Finch aircraft 4651 when he jumped out of the aircraft, cause obscure.
Najemnik, Otto Frank (Leading Aircraftman)
Killed in Flying Accident 1941-September-21
Birth Date: 1918
Born:
Parents: Son of Otto and Anna Najemnik, of Berwyn.
Spouse:
Home: Berwyn, Illinois, USA
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: unkown date
Service
RCAF
Unit
11 EFTS- Elementary Flying Training School
Base
Cap de la Madeleine, Quebec, Canada
Rank
Leading Aircraftman
Position
Pilot
Service Numbers
R/98267
School Daily Diary Entry - 1941-09-21
Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Commonwealth War Graves CommissionFinch serial: 4651
Fleet Finch Mk. II
Canadian 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 FinchAircraft Images
Finch 4651
Finch Finch II 4651
Category A damage on 21 September 1941 while with No. 11 Elementary Flying Training School at Cap de Madeleine, Quebec.1940-10-23 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-September-21 Accident: 11 Elementary Flying Training School Loc: St Egenevieve De Batiscan Names: Najemnick
1941-10-08 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
Unit Desciption
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 QC