Swanborough, William Adair

Killed in Flying Accident 1944-05-20

Male Head

Birth Date: unkown date

Born:

MR. AND MRS. F. A. SWANBOROUGH, OF GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND

Home:

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

RAF

Unit

1 OTU- Operational Training Unit

Base

Bagotville, Quebec, Canada

Rank

Sergeant

Position

Sergeant

Service Numbers

158772

1 OTU, Bagotville, Quebec.

Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)

Sea Hurricane BW882

Male Head

Sergeant Swanborough, William Adair (RAF)

Killed in Flying Accident
1944-May-20
cemetery unknown

Hawker Sea Hurricane

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4982739)
Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk. XIIA (Serial No. BW850), coded BV-T, No. 126 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, patrolling from its base at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, 9 Aug 1942. This Hurricane has been converted to the Mk. XIIA version by Canadian Car and Foundry (CCF). This aircraft retains its eight-gun wing and the tail hook.
60f9983cb349435ca5985742_Hawker-Hurricane--RCAF-No--126-Sqn--BV-code---9-Aug-1942--MIKAN-No--4982739.jpg image not found

While the Sea Hurricane never served in the Royal Canadian Navy, it was, ironically, operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force.  In late 1941, the RCAF found itself without any frontline fighters, having sent its earlier Hawker Hurricanes off to the UK along with 1 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, and was having a hard time procuring additional fighters to meet its needs.

For reasons that are still slightly unclear, the RCAF received 50 Sea Hurricanes in 1942.  It is assumed that these aircraft, built in Thunder Bay, Ontario by Canadian Car and Foundry, were to be used as part of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) Merchant Ship Fighting Unit (MSFU) based in Canada, but were diverted to the RCAF.  These Sea Hurricanes were basically a Hurricane Mk. I with a tail-hook, catapult spools, a short blunt de Havilland spinner, and an eight gun wing.  Harold A Skaarup Web Page

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Wikipedia Wikipedia Hawker Hurricane variants

1 OTU (1 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.

Canada Primary Source RCAF.info - RCAF Station Bagotville QC

Project 44 BCATP

General Project 44 BCATP

YouTube YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy