AB-IX query RCAF T-33 crash 16 July 1953

[paulmcmillan]

can anybody I'd the following from ab-ix 16.07.1953 T-33, pilot A.J.H. van der Haar near Manitoba/MacDonald

Pilot was Dutch

many thanks

Paul

[Ian M Macdonald]

These could be red herrings, but;

Harvard II 2646 from Macdonald Category 'A' accident 16th July 1953
and
33654 F/O Allan Barton MacGregor RCAF of 1 AGS killed Langruth Range (North of Macdonald) same date.

Maybe not connected with your man but may just open new avenues of enquiry.

Ian Macdonald

[Dakota]

G'day Paul

The only accident that shows up on the Daily Station Diary on that date was a Harvard Mk. IIA s/n 2646 and coded HU*J. While pulling out of a dive at the Langruth, Manitoba air-to-ground range, the aircraft stalled and crashed. The Harvard was from No. 1 Pilot Weapons School.

No. 1 Air Gunnery School (No. 1 A.G.S.) was also known as No. 1 Aerial Gunnery School. For a period of time it was referred to as the Air Gunnery and Advanced Flying School. The school was re-designated as No. 1 Pilot Weapons School on the 15th of February 1953.

The Canadair Silver Stars (T-33) had all left R.C.A.F. Station MacDonald for No. 2 Advanced Flying School at R.C.A.F. Station Portage La Prairie by the 19th of November, 1952.

Cheers...Chris

[paulmcmillan]

Ian and Chris thanks

I supposed it could have been another aircraft that happened to have crashed in vicinity however, the date may be wrong - I have asked the enquirer to check

Thanks

Paul

[Leendert]

Gentlemen,

The date 16 July 1953 is correct. A.J.H. van der Haar is mentioned with that date on a RNLAF memorial stone.
Also, his name appears in a document of the former Dutch consulate in Winnipeg, now held in the national archives at The Hague.

Regards,

Leendert

[paulmcmillan]

Ok

Prehaps the information has become corrupted.. I wonder if there is a T-33 accident or another accident in Manitoba on this date... Possibly Portage La Prairie?

I wonder if two separate incidents have been confused re location and date

[Bill Walker]

I can't find any other RCAF crash for that date. Only about 20 Canadian built T-33s had been delivered by July 1953, and only three of the earlier US built ones crashed in RCAF service (one at North Bay in April 1953, two at Chatham in early 1954). The earliest T-33N crash I have is 21014 on 9 September 1953. The crash at North Bay and 21014 appear to be the only RCAF T-Bird write offs prior to the end of 1953.

There were lots of RNAF students in Canada at the time, and many of them would have been in Manitoba. Perhaps he was with a T-33 school when he died, but his death was not related to an aircraft crash?

Also, the T-Birds continued to visit MacDonald after 2 AFS left, probably to use the many nearby ranges. I show at least two Cat A crashes at MacDonald after 1953: 21060 on 30 December 1955, and 21067 on 27 September 1956.

Also, a quick Google on the name turns up one entry in the records of the Dutch Consolate at Winnipeg, Google translates "Stukken betreffende de begrafenis van de Nederlandse militaire vlieger A.J.H. van der Haar. 1954 1 omslag" into "Pieces concerning the burial of the Dutch military aviator A.J.H. van der Haar. 1954 1 envelope". Maybe we should be looking at 1954?

[paulmcmillan]

re: Haars

"on checking my records, it indeed appears to be a Harvard which crashed. Also other records indicate dive-bombing exercise over Langruth, so it must be Harvard II 2646"


So it looks like A.J.H. van der Haar was second crewman on this aircraft with 33654 F/O Allan Barton MacGregor RCAF ? and for some reason he was not in thye records?

[Dakota]

G'day Chaps

On the 1st of June, 1954, Canadair Silver Star Mk. 3 s/n 21171 and coded MH*171 from No. 1 Pilot Weapons School at R.C.A.F. Station MacDonald rolled to starboard then started a shallow starboard turn, entered a spiral and crashed and burned 10 miles north of Gladstone, Manitoba.

Cheers...Chris

[paulmcmillan]

Chris

Thanks - Don't suppose you have a crew for this do you ?

I have at least one:

JACK LEACH who died on June 1, 1954

Gladstone, Manitoba, Canada

Military Service:
Service Number: 39990
Age: 33
Force: Air Force
Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force
Division: RCAF Station MacDonald
Citation: War Medal 1939-1945.


Another Canadian kiled on same date was due to an incident in New Brunswick

Paul