PT-17 details ?

[Alex Smart]

Hello,

PT-17 serial number 40-1876.
Reported lost 2nd September 1941, Alabama, pilot Mia.

BUT
PT-17 serial number 40-1876
Reported at Haldeman Aux Field Florida (60 AAFCPS) 14th April 1944, pilot Forest S. Thompson.

Which is correct ?

Thanks
Alex

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

For what is worth, I offer the following:

02-Sep-41
Lincoln Flying School, Lakeland, (Florida!).
PT-17 40-1786

The pilot was on a solo training sortie when he encountered bad weather. An extensive search over the swamps and open sea failed to locate this aircraft and it was lost without trace, possibly because it crashed into a swamp or lake and was submerged. The pilot is commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial.

Leading Aircraftman Robert Arthur Gordon CLEAVE - 21.

See:
Clipped Wings (Volume Two) Commonwealth Air Training Plan Pre-Operational Training Aircraft Losses 1939-42 (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa & USA)
Cummings,Colin & Bill Walker (comp. & edited by).
Yelvertoft:Nimbus Publishing,2016.
pp.398 & 467.

But ...

See also:

http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...9-1941-(Canada)

AIR81/8826, not much help!

Does Colin know something we don't?

Col.B

[RSwank]

Here is another "version" ;-)

https://www.newspapers.com/image/338015007/

[Col Bruggy]

Hello,

Anthony J Mireles, doesn't add much, and he plonks for PT-17 40-1876:

9-2-41 - Location Unknown. At 1000 a Stearman PT-17 took off from the AAF Training Detachment airfield at Lakeland, Florida, and vanished with its RAF student pilot soon after. Thunderstorms were reported about 10 miles north of the Lakeland training area. An extensive search of central Florida and the Gulf of Mexico by numerous aircraft failed to locate Flying Cadet R. A. Cleave or his airplane.

See:
Fatal Army Air Forces Aviation Accidents in the United States 1941-1945 - Volume 1: Introduction, January 1941-June 1943.
Mireles,Anthony J.
Jefferson:McFarland & Co.,2006.
p.15 (see also Vol.3. pp.1192 & 1215).

Col.

[Alex Smart]

Thank you both,
This is why I posted the question.
I could find no info on line about 40- 1786
But had thought that it could be the correct serial number.

Thanks for your combined help.
Alex