Rolph, Alan Claud Macdon Ell

Killed in Action 1944-04-17

Male Head

Birth Date: 1920

Born:

Home: Welland, Ontario

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

RCAF

Unit

567 Sqn- Squadron

Base

Rank

Flying Officer

Position

Flying Officer

Service Numbers

J/23228

567 Squadron. Martinet aircraft MS 785 was towing a target and stalled in a tight turn at 200 feet. Flying Officer Rolph was killed when the aircraft disintegrated on impact at Langney Farm, Langney, Sussex, England.

Miles Martinet

(RAF Photos)(Source Harold A Skaarup Web Page)
Miles Martinet TT Mk. I, RAF (Serial No, HN862), ca 1943. "
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TThe Miles M.25 Martinet was a target tug aircraft of the Royal Air Force (RAF) and Fleet Air Arm (FAA) that was in service during the Second World War. It was the first British aircraft to be designed specifically for target towing.

Work on the Martinet was started in response to the RAF's shortage of obsolete frontline aircraft for target towing duties. It was intentionally designed with as much commonality as was feasible to existing production aircraft, being a derivative of Mile's prolific Master trainer. The first prototype Martinet conducted its maiden flight on 24 April 1942, with quantity production commencing immediately thereafter. A total of 1,724 Martinets were produced, of which the majority were operated either by the RAF or FAA, although a minority were also used by overseas and civilian operators.

The Martinet was also developed into a relatively secretive aircraft in response to Specification Q.10/43, which called for a radio-controlled target drone. This aircraft, designated M.50 Queen Martinet, was only produced in small numbers, and its existence was a state secret for numerous years, being only officially acknowledged during 1946. Several other derivatives of the base aircraft were also produced, including a dedicated glider tug and a trainer variant.Wikipedia

Wikipedia Wikipedia Martinet Trainer

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page