Rcaf air gunner books

If interested youll be bidding on his wireless air gunner s log book with entries in canada from 25 mar. The rcaf traces its history to the canadian air force, which was formed in 1920. The following log book records the operational career of canadian walter mckinnon rcaf. C47 browse items ibcc digital archive university of lincoln. The canadian air force was granted royal sanction in 1924 by king george v to form the royal canadian air force. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. It was designed and produced by canadian aircraft manufacturer canadair. The canadair ct114 tutor company model cl41 was the royal canadian air force rcaf, and later canadian forces, standard jet trainer between the early 1960s and 2000. The adventures of a young canadian rcaf officer from halifax, nova scotia, serving as an air gunner on lancaster bombers during the final two years of wwii. He was stationed at rcaf caron, rcaf weyburn, raf chipping norton, raf. The 21 year old gunner can claim an unparalleled record in the air force. Most records were originally encoded with aircraft serial numbers in the format ab 123. Numbers 651 to 663 squadrons of the raf were air observation post units working closely with army units in artillery spotting and liaison.

Ww2 british canadian raf rcaf type 312 azimuth circle. On january 1960, the prototype performed its maiden flight. The story is about the life and death of rcaf air observer joseph m. Pathfinder, a biography of world war ii experiences of flying. P23483 flying log book to sergeant robert e peel, an airgunner with 405 rcaf squadron. Rcaf, first edition abebooks abebooks shop for books. A leftfolded magazine containing 12 pages including front and rear covers. An airgunner of 264 squadron wearing a gq parasuit, or rhino suit august 1940.

Pilot officer air gunner mcleod was buried in the american military cemetery at fosse, belgium, exhumed, and reburied in the war cemetery at leopoldsburg, limburg, belgium. Check out our resources for adapting to these times. Bcatp remains as one of the single largest aviation training programs in history and was responsible for training nearly half the pilots, navigators, bomb aimers, air gunners, wireless operators and flight engineers who served with the royal air force raf, royal navy fleet air arm faa, royal australian air force raaf, royal canadian air force rcaf and royal new zealand air force rnzaf during the war. Wwii royal canadian air force rcaf air gunner s ag wing threecolour embroidery on black wool, heavily padded, giving it a threedimensional look, 52 mm x 115 mm, reinforced backer, quality stitching, unissued, near mint. Waist gunners with ammo feed german gunner from the crew of a heinkel he 177 bomber. An illustrated history of world war ii aircraft turrets and. The royal canadian air force rcaf is a part of national defence and the canadian armed forces. He met all qualifications for aircrew duties either as a pilot, observer or wireless operator air gunner. The royal canadian air force rcaf is part of national defense and the canadian armed forces. List of pages relating to 19391945 aircrew remembered site. Raf kia wireless operator air gunner log book, 408. Air gunner class at jarvis no 1, bombing and gunnery station. Canadas royal canadian air force rcaf aviation history is shaped by the brave and the selfless.

Ww2 raf rcaf strange aerial gunner wing hand sewn encased lucite w clutches. My fathers rear gunner, bob routledge, attended no 4 ags at morpeth between 20th june 1943 and 31st july 1943. It was designed and produced by canadian aircraft manufacturer canadair development commenced as a private venture by the company. The aircrews of raf bomber command during world war ii operated a fleet of bomber aircraft. Our dad, an rcaf navigator from western canada trained at boundary bay and. He was said to have been ecstatic to be training as aircrew but found the pace devastatingly slow. William holmes royal canadian air force pilots flying log book. In june 1943 he was posted to 1659 conversion unit, topcliffe, yorkshire before. The first pages deal exclusively with walters early training, from gunnery training with no. They are the official reports which pilots or air gunners filed after they had encountered enemy aircraft on operational flights. Fsgt peter engbrecht and fsgt gordon gillanders formed what was undoubtedly the most successful gunnery team in the royal canadian air force during world war ii.

Pathfinder, a biography of world war ii experiences of. Sgt is top turret gunner on a b24 of the 8th air force in england. Dad applied for enlistment in the rcaf on november 28, 1940. Royal canadian air force rcaf air gunner wing crest boutique. William shaws navigators, air bombers and air gunners flying log book. The wwii experiences of rcaf airgunner fo russell f. From his enlistment to discharge this biography covers his training and details of the many operations which made up more than two full tours. Ww2 canadian british rcaf raf avro anson cut wooden. Fsgt peter engbrecht and fsgt gordon gillanders formed what was undoubtedly the most successful gunnery team in the royal canadian air force during.

Raf air gunner log book, 405 squadron in flying log books. Raf bomber command aircrew of world war ii wikipedia. From his enlistment to discharge this biography covers his training and details of the many operations which made up more than. The original trades in 1940 were air observer, air gunner, and wireless air gunner. Please wash your hands and practise social distancing. In 1968, the rcaf was amalgamated with the royal canadian navy and the canadian army, as part of the unification of the canadian forces. Sergeant walter mckinnon rcaf air gunner a wonderful post war colour photograph of walter back in canada. Hubley dfc, cd these are stories of the world war ii experiences of flying officer russell frederick hubley, now lieutenant colonel russell hubley, dfc, cd, retired, my father. John harrisons navigators, air gunners and air bombers flying log book. Sixty trips in a war where only one in four aircrews survived even one tour. Make offer large, rare usaaf rcaf ferry command, air transport command patch wwii issue wwii royal canadian air force rcaf military great coat sergeant j. A member of the canadian warplane heritage museum, he has attended many of the worlds major air shows and toured aviation museums in england. It defends and protects canadian and north american airspace in partnership with the united states.

C028882 rcaf uniform group lot wireless air gunner glen hancock. Development commenced as a private venture by the company. Wwii royal canadian air force rcaf air gunners ag wing. John junior doc cumbers was a midupper air gunner on halifax bombers in 424 squadron, royal canadian air force r. Camp borden and fingal, where he received his air gunner s wing. These records are royal air force combat reports written during the second world war. The rcaf also contributes to international peace and security. My fathers rear gunner, bob routledge, attended no 4 ags at. Earl rheaume commonwealth air training plan museum. Royal air force combat reports 19391945 the national.

He then farmed for three years in the turtle mountain area south of lake whitewater, manitoba. Royal air force combat reports 19391945 the national archives. These accounts are the real life wwii experiences of rcaf flying officer russell hubley. Although written by fo hubleys son, the tale is told in the first. Gunner reveals not just the turrets of such famous aircraft as the lancaster and the b17. Ww2 rcaf lancaster bomber gunner flying log book nr.

I am indebted to john mackinnon for allowing me to reproduce the log book pages and the photograph of his father. You may find what you are looking for in raf operations record books and. The air bomber and navigator b bomb aimer trades were introduced in the summer of 1942. From take off to landing, at times for as long as ten hours, the air gunner was constantly rotating the turret, scanning the surrounding blackness, quarter by quarter, for the gray shadow that could instantly become an attacking enemy night fighter. Air gunner the role was to defend the bomber using the aircrafts machine guns. Log book grouping to pilot officer jack bray, a wireless operator airgunner with 408 squadron. Aug 17, 2016 canadas royal canadian air force rcaf aviation history is shaped by the brave and the selfless. Royal canadian air force rcaf image gallery the memory.

One day he grew frustrated with what he referred to as, the stupid target, and decided to hit the buckle. The rcaf has a tradition of producing fearless individuals who use their skills to raise the standards of flight, b oth in combat and during peace time my name is bruce bez beswick. The wwii experiences of rcaf air gunner fo russell f. Three additional squadrons were canadian, and approved on the rcaf list in the late summer of 1944. Vintage military letter,royal canadian air force, rcaf,1957,nottingham, uk mess. They are the official reports which pilots or air gunners filed after they had. The reports cover action seen by the squadrons, wings and groups serving with. Lost rob philips memorial archive dutch2taf losses.

The article features the handley page hampden serial p5330 coded ptj and the april 1942 raid on rostock, germany, in which 420 snowy owl sqn took part. Jul 6, 2019 raf air gunner log book, 405 squadron in flying log books. Pablo to phillips royal canadian air force association. The biography covers the period from enlistment until discharge following the end of the war. Although written by fo hubleys son, the tale is told in the first person present tense. Discover the latest buzzworthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and. Flying log book to sergeant robert e peel, an airgunner with 405 rcaf squadron. By 1942 commonwealth aircraft, their missions, and their crews had changed, and so did the trades. Bcatp remains as one of the single largest aviation training programs in history and was responsible for training nearly half the pilots, navigators, bomb aimers, air gunners, wireless operators and flight engineers who served with the royal air force raf, royal navy fleet air arm faa, royal australian air force raaf, royal canadian air force rcaf and royal new zealand air force rnzaf during. A fter spending two long, frustrating years fulfilling assignments such as waiting on officers tables as a batman and assisting armourers, engbrecht remustered as an air gunner in 1943.

Only rcaf officers of ranks below air commodore will be shown here. P eter engbrecht left the rcaf in june, 1945 with the rank of pilot officer. Raf kia wireless operator air gunner log book, 408 squadron. He enlisted in june 1941, receiving his training at no. The squadron operated as part of bomber commands main force from 24 june 1941 until the end of the war. British raf wireless operatorair gunner bill enoch kirkness of horsforth. The royal canadian air force played a vital role in the second world war, providing thousands of air personnel, ground crew, and aircraft to all theatres. The rcaf has a tradition of producing fearless individuals who use their skills to raise the standards of flight, b oth in combat and during peace time. Son with one sister of thomas edward anderson 18941972, and dorothy gertrude alice wright 18931975. Mckie to middlemiss royal canadian air force association. Up for your consideration is an interesting grouping to pilot officer oliver george watson rcaf.