Ross, Alexander Robert (Pilot Officer)

In early 1942, an agreement was signed between the Canadian Government and Fairchild Aircraft, which licenced Fleet Aircraft of Fort Erie, Ontario to construct the PT-26 Cornell in Canada. The first 800 Cornells used by the RCAF were supplied from Fairchild, until production commenced at Fort Erie in November 1942. By the end of the war in 1945, 2,853 Cornells had been built by Fleet - 1,565 for the RCAF and 1,288 for the RAF.

PT-26 Cornells were flown at many of the Elementary Flying Training Schools (EFTS) of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, where they replaced the Fleet Finch and the de Havilland Tiger Moth biplane trainers. After the Second World War, many Cornells were sold to the civilian market, but some were retained by the RCAF, where they were finally retired in 1948. CWPHM

Cornell Trainer

Wikipedia Cornell Trainer

Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Aircraft Images

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Cornell FH723

Cornell Mk. I FH723

Ex USAAF PT-26, serial number 42-14371. To RCAF in Canada, retained RAF serial number. With No. 1 Flying Instructor School at RCAF Station Trenton when it crashed on 21 March 1944, near Ameliasberg, Ontario (Prince Edward County, 5 miles west of Mountain View aerodrome). One wing detached in flight after spar failure, aircraft destroyed by post crash fire. Came down in a farm field on Wilson Road. Pilot Officer W.G. Craig and Pilot Officer A.R. Ross, RAAF both killed.

1942-09-30 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-March-02 Accident: 1 Flying Instructor School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Duncan | Reeder | Watson
1944-March-21 Accident: 1 Flying Instructor School Loc: Mountain View Names: Craig | Ross
1944-05-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07