RCAF Squadron Leader Fowler Gobeil – The Untold Story

50 m

Jul 27, 2018

Categories

Aviation

By: Sonia Mendes

Ingenium - Canada's Museums of Science and Innovation

Synopsis:

For over six years, aviation history buff and Ottawa Chapter member Jay Hunt has been fascinated with and disturbed by the story of RCAF Squadron Leader Fowler Gobeil, who was the first commanding officer of the RAF 242 ‘Canadian’ Squadron, which was later to gain fame as Douglas Bader’s international squadron. He wanted to know why Gobeil’s wartime tour was viewed as a black mark against his otherwise sterling career, when it should have been recognized as a stellar achievement. Jay has written an article, based on his research, which he hopes will help correct this injustice by revealing, for the first time, the circumstances behind what happened.

Presenter: Jay Hunt

Jay Hunt has been passionate about flying and airplanes his whole life. As a teenager he served four years in the RCAF reserve as a fighter control operator. When he learned that his vision did not meet air force standards to be a fighter pilot, he earned his private pilot’s licence. Within a few years he was heavily involved in competition aerobatics, becoming the first Canadian to compete in the World Aerobatic Championships in 1976 at Kiev, USSR. He designed and built the first all Canadian aerobatic airplane, the Super Acro Zenith. As a founding member and past president of Aerobatics Canada, he was instrumental in developing the standards for Transport Canada’s Aerobatic Instructor’s Rating. He taught aerobatics for several years at the Rockcliffe Flying Club. Since giving up flying, he continued pursuing his aviation interest by volunteering as a tour guide for the aircraft collection of Vintage Wings of Canada at Gatineau Airport, Quebec for nine years. He currently volunteers as a collection interpreter at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

Transcript

RCAF Squadron Leader Fowler Gobeil – The Untold Story

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