Warbird Information Exchange

hello all

visited the wreck site of a RCN T-33 today; it is located on a well-travelled hiking trail on Mount Strachan / Black Mountain in greater Vancouver, with lots of wreckage still visible. A large group of bits seems to have been gathered together right off the trail, with more to be found in the surrounding bush. The area covered by the wreckage is fairly large, with a wing-tip tank being located about 75 yds down the hill, and more small bits even further below. I am assuming that there is much more to be found in the surrounding scrub, but then again I don't have any information regarding any post crash salvage etc.

The largest pieces visible were the aforementioned tip-tank, and what I believe are sections of the engine intake or exhaust trunks. The condition of some of the paint is incredible, and it is easy to make out stencilling etc., including the triangular "danger" symbol under the cockpit. I think one of the pieces was one of the ejection seat rails, but I am not sure.

Here is what info I could find on the internet about this crash:

from http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/pdf/ ... 20crash%22:

"VU-33/T-33, s/n 21465; the crash occurred on 23 November during a routine jet penetration into Vancouver Airport. Both pilots of the T-33, Lt Norman Ogden and Lt Donald Clarke, were killed."

from http://www.seawaves.com/newsletters/TDI ... /23nov.txt:

"1963 - RCN VU 33 Sqn T-33 #21465 crashed into Black Mountain BC. Both pilots killed"


Click on the pic below to go to my the webshots album; sorry, some of the pics are a bit blurry. As can be seen, it is frequently visited; the poppy was already there when I arrived, and in fact I have never seen any pics of the plaque without a fresh one in place.




Overall a somber and serene site.


Rest in Peace Lieutenants.


regards

greg v.

i feel that the canadian government's gesture to take the time & trouble to leave a warning sign at the crash site is both admireable & respectful!!! canada........... i salute you!!!

_________________
tom d. friedman - hey!!! those fokkers were messerschmitts!! * without ammunition, the usaf would be just another flying club!!! * better to have piece of mind than piece of tail!!

for some reason, I get the feeling that the informational plaque at the site is a privately placed item, but I could be wrong. I would think that if the gov't had arranged it it would have listed the crew's names, plus been more accurate about the service the aircraft belonged to (the various seperate branches of the Canadian military were unified in the late 60's into the Canadian Armed Forces, so the plaque should more correctly read RCN).

At any rate, it is very nice that there is a plaque in place, whomever placed it.

cheers

greg v.