RCAF Pilot info

[BrianB]

Canadian WIXers,
I am looking for info on a relative (American from Warren Ohio) who enlisted in the RCAF in the late 1930's and flew for Canada until the US entry into the war. He went on to become a B-24 pilot, but was killed in 1944 when his A/C experienced 2 run-away props on a night training flight near Casper Wyoming. He and the copilot stayed up front until the crew made it out, but the a/c impacted before they could make it to the bomb bay and they were crushed by the top turret. The accident report stated that the crash was survivable had they stayed in their seats..... bad luck!

My family has all of his records from his US service, buit no info on his RCAF time.... what he flew, unit, etc.. Is there an equivalent to Maxwell AFB in Canada thay will have his records? His name was Charles E. Welcker RCAF ID R145044

[paulmcmillan]

Try posting here:

http://www.rafcommands.com/cgi-bin/dcfo ... =DCConfID1

There are some RCAF experts there

Paul

[mrhenniger]

Hi Brian,

I live in Ottawa, but have never done this kind of research myself. Perhaps the Canada Aviation Museum would be a good place to ask, but their library and research staff are currently relocating within their facility. I would also think the National Archieves could help, and they have a website where you can make a web request for information.

Also www.rcaf.com would be a good place to ask. They have a forum as well.

Mike

[BrianB]

Also www.rcaf.com would be a good place to ask. They have a forum as well.

Mike

Mike,
I sent 2 email requests to this website several months ago but did not get a reply.

[mrhenniger]

Mike,
I sent 2 email requests to this website several months ago but did not get a reply.

They don't get the traffic WIX does. Keep checking in here.

Mike

[haroldmulder]

If you check out this link http://www.forces.gc.ca/dhh/engraph/home_e.asp
they give you the method to locate informtion on your relative.
HH Mulder

[BrianB]

If any WIXERS are in the Casper area, the site of the crash according to the AAF Accident report was "on the Bar-2 Ranch just Southwest of the Cole Creek Oil Field 15 miles to the the east of Casper AAF Base". I spoke to a local historian who told me that the area is still relatively desolate. She also contacted an old rancher who recalled the crash and was told that most of the a/c was cut up and hauled away, but some heavy items were buried at the site. I have not been able to make a trip there as of yet, but I plan on doing so some day.