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| RNZAF No. 14 Squadron Former Assignment No. 20 Squadron |
Pilot Squadron Leader John C. Blundell, 39898 C.O. 14 Sqn (MIA / KIA) New Plymouth MIA June 30, 1944 at 9:25am Aircraft History Built by Vought. Constructors Number 4890. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1A Corsair bureau number 56467. Disassembled and loaded aboard USS Kadashan Bay (CVE-76) as cargo. On March 6, 1944 departed the United States as part of defense aid to New Zealand. Wartime History Assigned to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as Corsair serial number NZ5207. On March 23, 1944 assembled by Unit 60 on Espiritu Santo. On May 1, 1944 assigned to No. 20 Squadron on Guadalcanal. During June 1944 assigned to No. 14 Squadron. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On June 30, 1944 took off from Torokina Airfield on Bougainville piloted by Squadron Leader John C. Blundell on a patrol along the coast of East New Britain from Cape Gazelle to Cape Archway. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). It was thought to be shot down by anti-aircraft fire a few miles north of Adler Bay near Sum Sum, killing the pilot. Officially, this aircraft was written off on Bougainville. Memorials Blundell was officially declared dead the day of the mission and was mentioned in dispatches. He is memorialized at the Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery at the Bourail Memorial on panel 3. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1A Corsair 56467 "56467 (MSN 4890) to New Zealand as NZ5207" ADF Serials / NZ Serials NZ5207 CWGC - Casualty Detail - John Crayley Blundell Air-To-Air (2003) page 348 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated July 6, 2024 |
 F4U  MIA 1 Missing |
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