Archive Report: Allied Forces

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2 OTU Kittyhawk P-40E NZ3020 P/O. Derek Roy Trolove

Operation: Training

Date: 11th August 1944 (Friday)

Unit: No. 2 Operational Training Unit

Type: Kittyhawk P-40E

Serial: NZ3020

Code: -

Base: RNZAF Ohakea

Location: Colyton

Pilot: P/O. Derek Roy Trolove NZ/2190 RNZAF Age 24. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

During a dogfight exercise and flying at 12,000 ft the Kittyhawk spun off a steep turn and failed to recover before hitting the ground, killing the young New Zealand pilot.

It was concluded that as the pilot failed to respond to transmissions nor apparently tried to effect recovery from the spin it is thought that he may have been knocked out when his head stuck into the cockpit canopy when he tried to execute the turn. The report emphasises the necessity to keep the Sutton Harness tight during flights.

It was revealed that only 17 days earlier he was forced to abandon Kittyhawk NZ3636 near to the base at Ohakea. The cause was a connecting rod failure resulting in the aircraft catching fire. (shown above whilst with 14 squadron RNZAF)

Above the three brothers, all lost during the war. (Courtesy Air Museum of New Zealand)

Burial details:

P/O. Derek Roy Trolove. Christchurch Cemetery (Bromley). Grave 196.7. Born on the 03rd of April 1920 in Kaikoura. Educated at Christchurch Boys High School. Attached to RNZAF from the NZ army for aircrew training. on the 18th of June 1943. Trained with No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School on the 13th of November 1943. No. 2 Service Flying Training School 15th January 1944. Pilot badge awarded on the 20th March 1944. Transferred to the RNZAF and commissioned on the 14th of May 1944. To No. 2 Operational Training Unit on the 15th of June 1944.

Left: grave courtesy 'Sunset'.

Son of Fredrick Noel (died 10th July 1939, age 51) and Laura Zelma Trolove (née Magnus). Husband of Olive Judith Trolove (née Hyde - later Moir - died on the 23rd September 1989, age 71) and father of one son, Paul who was born on the 23rd February 1944, of Christchurch, Canterbury. Married on the 19th December 1942 at Avonside, New Zealand. 283 flying hours logged with 49 on Kittyhawks.

Above courtesy Aviation Bomberguy history

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with 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, other sources as quoted below:

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