Canadian Virtual War Memorial
Library and Archives Canada Service Files (may not exist)
Toronto, OntarioBristol Bolingbroke
Fairchild Bolingbroke Mk. IV, RCAF (Serial No. 9118), coded BK-V, No. 115 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, Patricia Bay, British Columbia, 1942.
The Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroke was a maritime patrol aircraft and trainer used by the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Built by Fairchild-Canada, it was a license-built version of the Bristol Blenheim Mk IV bomber.
In 1935, the British Air Ministry issued Specification G.24/35 to procure a coastal reconnaissance/light bomber to replace the Avro Anson. Bristol proposed the Type 149, based on its Blenheim Mk I, with Bristol Aquila engines to give greater range. While the Air Ministry rejected this proposal, a Blenheim Mk I, retaining its Mercury VIII engines, was converted as a Type 149 (Blenheim Mk III) for the general reconnaissance role.The nose was lengthened to provide more room for the bombardier, with the upper left surface of the nose being scooped out to maintain pilot visibility during takeoff and landing.
The longer range also fulfilled a Canadian requirement for a maritime patrol aircraft. Consequently, Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada) of Quebec started production of the Blenheim Mk IV as the Bolingbroke (the originally intended name for the Blenheim IV). This type was nicknamed the "Bolly". After a small run of aircraft constructed to British specifications, as the Bolingbroke Mk I, Fairchild switched production to the Bolingbroke Mk IV with Canadian and American instruments and equipment. These versions also included anti-icing boots and a dinghy. One of the early Mk IV variants was the Bolingbroke Mk IVW which was powered by two 825 hp (615 kW) Pratt & Whitney SB4G Twin Wasp Junior engines. Incapable of maintaining altitude on one engine, the normal bomb load was reduced to 500 pounds on these aircraft to compensate for the low engine power. The most-produced variant was the Bolingbroke Mk IVT trainer, of which 457 were completed. A total of 626 Bolingbrokes were produced. Wikipedia
Wikipedia Bolingbroke Bomber
Harold A Skaarup Web Page
Bolingbroke Bomber WWII
Bolingbroke - Kestrel Publications
CASPIR Aircraft Groups:
RCAF On Strength (626), RCAF 400 Squadron (3), Canadian Aircraft Losses (43)Bolingbroke Mk. IV 9139
Assigned to No. 1 Training Command for use at No. 6 Bombing & Gunnery School at RCAF Station Mountain View, Ontario, on loan from Home War Establishment. To No. 3 Training Command at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario on mid 1942. Back to No. 1 Training Command on 8 October 1942, delivered there on 15 November 1942. To Eastern Air Command on 7 December 1942. Crashed 7 January 1943, while operated by No. 124 (Ferry) Squadron. An engine cut out after let-down, believed to have over-cooled, and the a/c crashed while attempting force-landing. The pilot, WO2 D. Biden was injured and LAC C. Work was killed. To No. 4 Repair Depot at Scoudouc, NB for scrapping on 16 January 1943.
1942-02-05 Taken on Strength No. 1 Training Command 2019-08-20
1943-January-07 Accident: 124 Ferry Squadron Loc: Moncton Names: Biden | Work
1943-04-01 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20
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