Operation: Training

Date: 24th November 1943 (Wednesday)

Unit: No. 2 Service Flying Training School (ATS)

Type: Harvard II

Serial: NZ975

Code: -

Base: RNZAF Woodbourne

Location: Clifford Bay

Pilot: LAC. Robert Ngaire McLintock NZ/431086 RNZAF Age 19. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Aircraft history:

Previously AJ862. From British Purchasing Mission contracts. Shipped to New Zealand on 'Hauraki' in December 1941 and assembled at Hobsonville. On charge 05th January 1942. To No.2 SFTS Woodbourne. On the 12th April 1943 at Woodbourne landed undercarriage up - repaired.

Above courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand.

During air to ground camera gun practice at Lake Grassmere flew his first attack too low and flat.

Followed this with a second run which was correctly executed. However on his third run came in too low again and banked 15° to port to correct drift in the cross wind and struck the ground target at 10:00 hrs. Half of the port wing broke away causing the Harvard to roll over and crashed in the sea.

Above courtesy New Zealand Aviation Forum

The pilot's body was recovered a few days later and taken to Christchurch for burial.

Burial and personal details:

LAC. Robert Ngaire McLintock. Christchurch Cemetery (Bromley). Grave 10. 1F. Born on the 04th May 1924 in Balclutha, South Otago. Educated at Christchurch Boys High School. With 31 squadron Air Training Corp. Enlisted at Omaka on the 02nd January 1943 as aircraft hand. New Plymouth on the 19th March 1943. In station sick quarters 14-26 April. Initial Trying Wing on the 28th April 1943, re-mustered the following day as a pilot under training on the 24th June 1943. No0. 2 Elementary Flying Training School 26th June 1943. No. 2 Service Flying Training School 27th August 1943. Pilot badge awarded on the 01st November 1943. 83 solo flying hours with 58 on the Harvard.

Son of Robert McLintock (died 15th July 1930, age 36), and of Renata Vedalia McLintock (née Anderson - died 19th August 1983, age 89 - married on the11th January 1923), of Greendale, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Above courtesy Alistair McGowan

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot, thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, New Zealand Cenotaph, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, Alistair McGowan for grave photo, New Zealand Aviation Forum, Alistair McGowan for grave photograph, other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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