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When Hollywood Ruled The Skies - Volumes 1 through 4 by Bruce Oriss


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:31 am 
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This is a request by a member for any photos I could find of RCAF B-24's, I found a nice one IMHO. I also found a few articles that perhaps tell a small story of the sacrafices of our Canadian friends and allies up north. There never seems to be enough recognition and praise for some of these other groups (meaning No. 10 Sq.) that had so much to do with victory during WWII. They can and never will be forgotten.

"This is a true story of RCAF Flight Lt. Frank Fisher and one of his WWII’s exploits before his death in a mountain crash in the B-24 he was flying.
He was with the RCAF’s North Atlantic Sq. in the autumn of 1943. A usual flight would be a 12 hour recon of a section of the North Atlantic to hunt for German U-boats. On the morning of Sept. 19/1943 they were on duty when 1st Officer Peter Dale spotted a U-boat on the surface. They were flying at 3,000 feet about 450 miles southwest of Iceland when contact was made. They dropped down to 500 feet but was still too high to attack but the U-boat was able to get a shot at the plane with it’s deck guns. The B-24 circled around and attacked from astern at about 50 feet above the sea and some large waves. But with some bad luck the bomb bay doors would not open automatically so they had to hustle to get them open manually just before they passed over the sub. The sub dived just as the bomber came around again but this time they were able to drop some depth charges just ahead of the sub. Circling the attack site about 15 minutes later they saw an oil slick and a huge bubble erupted from the sea as the sub imploded under water. One month later on Oct. 19 they were flying from their base at Gander, Newfoundland to Mont Joli in the Laurentian mountains north of Montreal, Canada with a larger than usual crew and passengers, 24 in all, when they were forced to redirect to Montreal because bad weather had closed the small airfield at Mt. Joli. One of these little old mountains named Black Mountain was higher than most of the others and in the bad weather they flew right into the peak. It was only about a year after the war had ended before the wreckage remains were found on June 20/1946 and only three bodies were able to be identified. There is now a memorial monument with a small grave site with crosses for all who perished that day near the crash site at St. Donat, Quebec, Canada."

Source here:
http://militaryhistoryofthe20thcentury. ... story.html

"Loss of R.C.A.F. Liberator 3701
The Aircraft
The ill-fated four-engine general reconnaissance aircraft was built by Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Limited at Forth Worth, Texas for the United States Army Air Forces as a B-24D-25-CO Liberator. It was given the U.S.A.A.F. serial number 41-24236. The aircraft was subsequently transferred through Lend-Lease and taken on strength with the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 29th of September 1943. It was given the Royal Air Force designation of Liberator G.R. Mk. V. and R.C.A.F. serial number 3701.
The Last Flight of 3701
At the time of the terrible accident, Liberator 3701 was serving with No. 10 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron based at R.C.A.F. Station Gander, Newfoundland. On the 20th of October 1943, the crew along with a load of passengers going on leave, departed Gander for R.C.A.F. Station Mont Joli, Quebec on a familiarization and transport flight. Take off from Gander was delayed as a result of poor weather at Mont Joli. They later decided to try and make it to R.C.A.F. Station Dorval, Quebec. They departed at 22:16 hours G.M.T. (Greenwich Mean Time). During the course of the flight, the crew acknowledged a signal notifying them that Mont Joli was closed down due to poor meteorological conditions. They did not transmit a position report. At 02:00 hours G.M.T. the crew reported over Mont Joli. They were not heard from again. The aircraft struck Black Mountain at the 2,500-foot level and crashed killing all onboard.
The Casualties
J9147 Flight Lieutenant Joseph Alfred Raymond Poirier
He was the son of J. Aime and Ann M. Poirier, of Kenora, Ontario. Flight Lieutenant Poirier was the pilot of the Liberator. He was only 21 years old and peacefully rests in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
J5821 Flight Lieutenant Robert Frank Fisher
He was the son of Steele and Agnes E. Fisher, from Armstrong, British Columbia. Flight Lieutenant Fisher was the 2nd pilot of the Liberator. He was only 22 years old when killed and peacefully rests in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
J21297 Flying Officer Steven Andrew Sanderson A.F.M.
He was the son of George and Helen Sanderson, and husband to Marie Sanderson, all of London, Ontario.
Flying Officer Sanderson, a pilot serving with No. 10 (BR) Squadron, was a holder of the Air Force Medal.
He received the medal for his exceptional devotion to duty and superior flying skills while a flying instructor with No. 14 Service Flying Training School at Aylmer, Ontario. On the 17th of October 1941, he successfully force-landed his burning Harvard after ensuring that the student was able to safely bail out. He was only 24 years old when killed and peacefully rests in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
J7987 Flying Officer Jay Syver Johntson MiD
He was the son of John Eugene and Florence Johnston, from Sarnia, Ontario. Flying Officer Johnston was a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner (W.A.G.) with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. He was Mention in Despatches (MiD) for his part during an attack against a German U-Boat while with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. Flying Officer Johnston was only 21 years old when killed and peacefully rests in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R129211 Warrant Officer 2nd Class Joseph Alexander Barabonoff
He was the son of Alexander and Polly Barabonoff, of White Beech, Saskatchewan. W.O.2 was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (W.A.G.) with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. He was only 20 years old when killed and now peacefully rests in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R72936 Warrant Officer 1st Class Franklin Elwood Jenkins
He was the son of Milton Everett and Elizabeth M. Jenkins, of Hill View, Prince Edward Island.
W.O.1 Jenkins was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (W.A.G.) with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. He was only 23 years old when killed and peacefully rests in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
J39103 Pilot Officer James Lamont MiD
He was the son of John and Mary Lamont from Abbotsford, British Columbia. Pilot Officer Lamont was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (W.A.G.) with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. He was Mention in Despatches for his actions during an attack against a German U-Boat on the 8th of June 1944 while serving with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. Pilot Officer Lamont was only 23 when killed and peacefully rests in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R67673 Warrant Officer 1st Class Jacob Silverstein MiD
He was the son of Samuel and Dana Silverstein from Windsor, Ontario. W.O.1 Silverstein was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner (W.A.G.) with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. He was Mention in Despatches for his actions during an attack against a German U-Boat on the 8th of June 1944 while serving with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. W.O.1 Silverstein was only 25 years old when killed and now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R72926 Sergeant Eric Morgan Finn
He was the son of Arthur James and Hilda Finn from Toronto, Ontario. Sergeant Finn was an Air Gunner with No. 10 (B) Squadron. He was only 22 years old when killed and
now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R7516 Sergeant William Gordon MacNaughton
He was the son of William and Goldie May MacNaughton from Vallee Junction, Beauce County, Quebec. Sergeant MacNaughton was a Navigator with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. He was 28 years of age when killed and now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R4074 Flight Sergeant Raymond Frank Ware
He was the son of Deighton and Marie Louise Ware, of Vancouver, British Columbia. Flight Sergeant Ware was an Air Gunner with No. 10 (BR) Squadron. He was 25 years old when killed and now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R74645 Sergeant Franklin Hicks Elliott
He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Theron Edwin Elliott, of Eugene, Oregon and husband to Isobel Elliott, of Slocan City, British Columbia. Sergeant Elliott was serving with No. 10 (B) Squadron at the time of his death. He was 36 years old at the time of his death and now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R51027 Sergeant Stanley Albert Wood
He was the son of Albert and Elizabeth Wood, of Palgrave, Ontario. The 38 year-old Sergeant Wood was an aero engine mechanic with No. 10 (BR) Squadron at the time of his untimely demise. He rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R84899 Corporal Harold David [b]Beattie
He was the son of William A. and Jessie Beattie, of Nash Creek. New Brunswick. Corporal Beattie was serving with No. 10 (BR) Squadron when killed in the flying accident
He was 25 years old when he died in the flying accident and rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R64066 Corporal Alec Clarence Johnston
He was the son of John and Hazel Jane Johnston, of Islington, Ontario and husband to Edithe M. Johnston, from Toronto. Ontario. Corporal Johnston was an aero engine mechanic with No. 10 (BR) Squadron at the time of his death as a result of the flying accident. He was only 22 years old and now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R78656 Corporal Harold Kenneth Hambly
He was the son of Howard N. and Jenny Hambly from Woodstock. Ontario. Corporal Hambly was a 24-year-old aero engine mechanic with No. 10 (BR) Squadron at the time of his death. He now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R99167 Corporal Ronald Douglas Marr
He was the son of George Oliver and Mary Florence Marr from Ketepec, New Brunswick. Corporal Marr was an armourer with No. 10 (BR) Squadron at the time of his loss. The 22 year-old now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R207868 Leading Aircraftman Guy Ridgewood PattersonHe was the son of George and Catherine Patterson, of St. Bruno and husband to Jean Bertha Patterson, of Cornwall, Ontario. L.A.C. Patterson was a motor transport operator (driver) at R.C.A.F. Station Gander, Newfoundland when he died in the flying accident. The 27 year-old now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R177329 Leading Aircraftman Albert James Radcliffe
He was the son of John and Ethel Florence Radcliffe from Rivers, Manitoba. L.A.C. Radcliffe was only 21 years old when killed in the flying accident. He now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R150207 Leading Aircraftman Edwin William Read
He was the son of Clifford B. and Ethel Mary Read from Rochester, New York, U.S.A. L.A.C. Read was only 22 years old when killed in the flying accident. He now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery.
R173349 Leading Aircraftman Charles Laurie Dynes
He was the son of Edgar Vernon and Gladys E. Dynes from Oakville, Ontario. L.A.C. Dynes was an aero engine mechanic with No. 10 (BR) Squadron at R.C.A.F. Station Gander, Newfoundland. He was only 21 years old when killed in the accident. He now rests peacefully in Collective Grave Lot GE. 34 of the St. Donat Roman Catholic Cemetery."

Source here:
http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopi ... 54&t=84937
ALL HEROES

Royal Canadian Air Force No. 10 Squadron
http://www.canadianwings.com/Squadrons/ ... quadron-20

Image
A fine example of an RCAF B-24 Liberator

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 12:33 pm 
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Thanks for posting that Mark. :-)

The Liberator in the photo is actually Ford-built B-24L 44-50154/RAF Liberator B.VIII KN820/IAF HE773 that was flown from India to Canada in 1968 to be placed in the National Aeronautical Collection in Rockcliffe (now the Canada Aviation and Space Museum). She is currently painted as RCAF 11130.

Most Canadian Liberators in ASW service were painted in the camo over white scheme as used in RAF Coastal Command. Later in the war they went to bare metal.

:partyman:

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 5:18 pm 
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Just my 2 cents: the Canadian flag with the maple leaf was adopted in 1965. None of the RCAF a/cs during the WW II resp. in the early post-war years could carry such insignia on the fin (fin flash) as seen on the photo.
For more details check this article - one can find the serial numbers of RCAF Liberators. This one is good too.
Some nice photos here. and below:
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The last one is a Liberator V of 10.(BR) Squadron of the Eastern Air Command.
The "Indian" Liberator, as already mentioned, is in the restoration hangar of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum...or at least it was there, during my last visit in 2012.
Image

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Last edited by catch 22 on Wed Mar 28, 2018 10:40 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 5:27 pm 
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Thanks fellas, great stuff.

More shots of B-24L 44-50154/RAF Liberator B.VIII KN820/IAF HE773

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PostPosted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 6:23 pm 
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In 1975 Canada's Wings published a book -
CANADA'S WINGS 2 The Liberator and Fortress by Carl Vincent.
Hundreds of photos and stories on the R.C.A.F. Liberator.


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PostPosted: Mon Mar 31, 2014 9:38 pm 
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I remember her well coming into land at Trenton in 1968, the flight engineer on the trip from India was a good friend of my fathers. They had both worked on Liberators with 168 (HT) squadron at Rockcliffe during the war. The Mk VI-T they had served on were delivered to 168(HT) Squadron as B-24J bombers and were modified into transports. It was debateable whether they used more oil than fuel on the trip. Below is one of the 168 B24's being serviced in typical Canadian weather conditions.

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