James Robinson

Accident Card - de Havilland Moth, Menasco II serial:4833

This accident involved 1 aircraft on 1941-November-10. Menasco Moth s/n 4833.

This accident involved 2 people. Gravell KM, Robinson J

This accident had 3 fatalities. Leading Aircraftman Karl Mander Gravell RCAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:R/97644 Moth, Menasco 4833, Flying Officer James Robinson RCAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:C/3201 Moth, Menasco 4833, Frances Gertrude Walsh Survived service no: Moth, Menasco 4833

Tiger Moth serial: 4833

Source: Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (serial # RCAF 8922), credit Rick Radell

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 de Havilland Tiger Moth

Unvetted Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page

YouTube YouTube de Havilland DH.82A Tiger Moth

Aircraft Images

Tiger Moth 4833

Tiger Moth II 4833

With No. 2 Wireless School at Calgary, Alberta at time of crash. Crashed in the school yard of Big Springs School (in the Simmonds Valley near Calgary, Alberta). Radio operator pupil, Leading Aircraftman Karl Mander Gravell, extracted himself from the wreckage, but re-entered the burning wreck to try to save the pilot. Both subsequently died of burns. Leading Aircraftman Gravell, was awarded the George Cross for his self sacrificing actions in trying to save Flying Officer Robinson and Mrs. F. Walsh, a teacher from the school, was awarded the George Medal for her heroic acts.

1941-03-11 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1941-November-10 Accident: 2 Wireless School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Gravell | Robinson
1942-08-18 Struck off Strength Struck off after crashing and burning on 10 November 1941. See comments. 2019-08-20

Unit Desciption

2 WS (2 Wireless School)

Trainees in the "Wireless Air Gunner" (WAG) stream spent 24 weeks at a Wireless Schoo learning the theory and application of wireless communications. This included signalling with lights and flags as well as radio. Their "WAG" training was completed with four weeks at a Bombing & Gunnery School.