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Info On Crewman Required

Hi Looking for any info/circumstances of death on the following person

Sgt Gordon Andrew McKenzie, RAFVR

Listed as killed 7th April 1941 on St Peter’s Church, Woolton, Liverpool War Memorial.

All Sister knows is that he took off and was never seen again.

Many thanks

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By: paulmcmillan - 8th June 2015 at 09:26

MU stand for? Also “06.40. 7 O.T.U” should that read “06.07.40”? And be 5 O.T.U? And what is FAT (2)? Sorry I don’t

Maintenance Unit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Maintenance_Command

OTU is Operational Training Unit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Royal_Air_Force_Operational_Training_Units

?.06.40. prob means unreadable date in late June

FAT(2) etc are R.A.F. Aircraft – Damage Categories

FA is “Flying Accident”

http://www.k5083.mistral.co.uk/DAM_CAT.HTM

SOC is “Struck Of Charge”

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By: Ashley hay - 6th June 2015 at 10:55

Paul,

That’s great thank you, what does MU stand for? Also “06.40. 7 O.T.U” should that read “06.07.40”? And be 5 O.T.U? And what is FAT (2)? Sorry I don’t understand some of the terminology.
For my part now as well as G A McKenzie and L2124, I should try and find out about the Brother who had the MG after G.A.Mckenzies death. He was R.N. McKenzie and I believe a test pilot for Halifax Bombers based at Speake Airport (I have been promised pictures of him in front of one of the Bombers) so will post ASAP. Being a test pilot I guess he may have not been in the RAF? I don’t have a service no of course.

On a seperate issue I may be buying another Mg I used to own some years ago. This car was owned by Squadron Leader T. L Townsend, I have his service no at my works which I will post this morning. He I believe was made a Squadron. Leader after the war. He was (so I understand) in charge of engineering, so I am not sure if he flew. I know he was at RAF Manston for a while and I am sure he was based in Norfolk/ Suffolk also. I have some photos which I will post also.

Anyway thanks for all help it’s much appreciated and fascinating.

T.L. Townsend, no 46739

[ATTACH=CONFIG]238045[/ATTACH]

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By: Ashley hay - 6th June 2015 at 07:20

L2124 History via my Hurricane acquaintance

14.9.39. 501 squadron, 31.05.40. 13 MU, 19.6.40. 19 MU, ?.06.40. 7 O.T.U., 21.08.40. 5 O.T.U. 05.12.40. FAT (2) Sgt B.C.Walmsley swung on landing of the runway at Moreton-in-the-marsh and tipped on nose. 07..04.41. FA CAT E. 07.04.41 SOC.

Paul,

That’s great thank you, what does MU stand for? Also “06.40. 7 O.T.U” should that read “06.07.40”? And be 5 O.T.U? And what is FAT (2)? Sorry I don’t understand some of the terminology.
For my part now as well as G A McKenzie and L2124, I should try and find out about the Brother who had the MG after G.A.Mckenzies death. He was R.N. McKenzie and I believe a test pilot for Halifax Bombers based at Speake Airport (I have been promised pictures of him in front of one of the Bombers) so will post ASAP. Being a test pilot I guess he may have not been in the RAF? I don’t have a service no of course.

On a seperate issue I may be buying another Mg I used to own some years ago. This car was owned by Squadron Leader T. L Townsend, I have his service no at my works which I will post this morning. He I believe was made a Squadron. Leader after the war. He was (so I understand) in charge of engineering, so I am not sure if he flew. I know he was at RAF Manston for a while and I am sure he was based in Norfolk/ Suffolk also. I have some photos which I will post also.

Anyway thanks for all help it’s much appreciated and fascinating.

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By: paulmcmillan - 5th June 2015 at 16:35

L2124 History via my Hurricane acquaintance

14.9.39. 501 squadron, 31.05.40. 13 MU, 19.6.40. 19 MU, ?.06.40. 7 O.T.U., 21.08.40. 5 O.T.U. 05.12.40. FAT (2) Sgt B.C.Walmsley swung on landing of the runway at Moreton-in-the-marsh and tipped on nose. 07..04.41. FA CAT E. 07.04.41 SOC.

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By: Ashley hay - 5th June 2015 at 15:17

This is how his death was recorded in the Operations Record Book of No.55 OTU.

http://www.rafaircraftaccidents.com/DSCF5834.JPG

Just a glance at the other entries on the page which covers a 14 period will give you an idea of the aircraft accidents of one OTU in the training scheme.

Ross

Ross,

That’s great, thank you very much. Quite incredible the amout of accidents and of course deaths. Make you feel very humble.
The information is very helpful and saves me having to press the Nephew particularly as the family have never really spoken of the incident. There will be in the future an editorial in one of the MG Car Clubs publications covering “MGs” in the war years. I have been asked to submit photos and history of my car which we was owned by G A McKenzie. Directly this has been printed I will post a copy here.
Having started at trying to find information on G A McKenzie, my search now also will focus on the history of Hurricane L2124, an added bonus for me is I was born in Kent and lived in Sussex most of my life so all the airfields were 501 squadron were stationed are around my old stomping grounds.
Any information on L2124 would be fantastic especially Battle Britan.

Many thanks,

Ashley

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By: Ross_McNeill - 5th June 2015 at 13:08

This is how his death was recorded in the Operations Record Book of No.55 OTU.

http://www.rafaircraftaccidents.com/DSCF5834.JPG

Just a glance at the other entries on the page which covers a 14 period will give you an idea of the aircraft accidents of one OTU in the training scheme.

Ross

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By: Mayhem Marshy - 5th June 2015 at 11:40

what a fascinating thread, and so personal…

found this regarding the Hurricane, sorry if it’s already appeared elsewhere:

http://www.bbm.org.uk/Sylvester.htm

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By: Ross_McNeill - 5th June 2015 at 11:31

Accident in training – almost 50% of RAF Casualties were non operational.

The fatal incident was subject to a Court of Inquiry. The findings of the court on probable cause and other factors are noted on the F1180.

Form 1180 – Copyright RAF Museum

Accident on 5th Dec 1940

http://www.rafaircraftaccidents.com/F1180/1940/December_1940/5_12_1940/01501700.JPG

http://www.rafaircraftaccidents.com/F1180/1940/December_1940/5_12_1940/01501701.JPG

Accident on 7th April 1941

http://www.rafaircraftaccidents.com/F1180/1941/April_1941/7_4_1941/02400667.JPG

http://www.rafaircraftaccidents.com/F1180/1941/April_1941/7_4_1941/02400668.JPG

The AM Form 78 resides at RAF Museum Hendon – this is the Aircraft Movement Card and lists all units and dates that the airframe was issued to during its life.

You can apply to MoD for a copy of the service record of any RAF personnel that has been deceased for over 25 years. This will give all posting, trade test. promotions, reclassifications etc.

With details of where the aircraft was issued you can then view the unit Operations Record Book at The National Archives, Kew. This is the war diary for the unit and usually records operational flights giving pilot, duration and task.

Ross

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By: Ashley hay - 5th June 2015 at 10:54

Killed when his Hurricane crashed into the sea while tasked with an oxygen climb to 25,000 ft.

Form 1180 has it as N2124.

Ross

Would this be an accident in training, in conflict? Any ideas why this would happen.
Is there a copy of form 1180?
Any other information that is available.
The plane clearly had an amazing history prior. I can’t find out who was flying the plane in the Battle of Britain, any ideas?

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By: Ashley hay - 4th June 2015 at 15:36

Killed when his Hurricane crashed into the sea while tasked with an oxygen climb to 25,000 ft.

Form 1180 has it as N2124.

Ross

Hi Ross, can I ask where you got the information from and do you know where he crashed?
Many thanks

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By: paulmcmillan - 4th June 2015 at 13:00

Please excuse my ignorance but what do the letters/ numbers mean?

SD is 501 Sqn Code – All aircraft in this sqn would carry this
H is the individual Code for that Plane. This would be on one plane at time and only re-used in Sqn plane written off on transferred out

Allows Identification in Sky

Low letters A B C D etc generally mean A Flight

High Letters N P Q generally mean B Flight

but this only works for two flights

Some letters like I and O generally not used (as could be 1 or 0)

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By: paulmcmillan - 4th June 2015 at 12:55

05-12-1940 Hurricane L2124 of 55OTU nosed over on landing at Morton- In- Marsh,

Pilot Sgt Brian Cochrane Walmsley #968165
Killed as WO 22/07/1943

Aircraft was repaired after this minor incident

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By: Ashley hay - 4th June 2015 at 12:05

Hurricane L2124. SD-H
Please excuse my ignorance but what do the letters/ numbers mean?[ATTACH=CONFIG]238014[/ATTACH]

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By: Ashley hay - 4th June 2015 at 11:41

Second photo is the brother R N McKenzie, the car went to him after Gordon’s death

[ATTACH=CONFIG]238012[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]238012[/ATTACH]

The car as is now undergoing restoration

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By: Ashley hay - 4th June 2015 at 11:32

Second photo is the brother R N McKenzie, the car went to him after Gordon’s death

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By: Ashley hay - 4th June 2015 at 11:31

[ATTACH=CONFIG]238010[/ATTACH]

I hope this has worked, this should be photo of Gordon McKenzie, I don’t know where the photo was taken

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By: Ashley hay - 4th June 2015 at 11:12

I will forward a picture of Gordon McKenzie in the MG also his brother R N McKenzie who was a test pilot of Roots built Halifax Bombers at Liverpool Airport. Also a phot of the car as is currently. Also there is a photo of Hurricane Mk 1. L2124, SD-H with 501 Squadron September 1939 at Tangmere, again I will forward this.
On www.aviationarcaeology.or.uk it states on 05-12-1940 Hurricane L2124 of 55OTU nosed over on landing at Morton- In- Marsh,
I am waiting on the Nephew of Gordon McKenzie to come back to me re info, so will pass on ASAP.

Regards,

Ashley

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By: paulmcmillan - 3rd June 2015 at 19:00

Hurricane acquaintance of mine confirms L2124 Cat E on 7.4.41 but he could not find Accident card for this. So maybe a typo

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By: Whitley_Project - 3rd June 2015 at 18:53

Hi, I have just bought a 1932 MG car owned by Gordon McKenzie and it is the same man. I am currently trying to find out information from his nephew. The family have not talked about the incident, the only I go I have is that his death was no where near Liverpool!

Any chance of a pic of the car Ashley?

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By: Ross_McNeill - 3rd June 2015 at 15:56

Killed when his Hurricane crashed into the sea while tasked with an oxygen climb to 25,000 ft.

Form 1180 has it as N2124.

Ross

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