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| RNZAF No. 14 Squadron Former Assignments No. 23 Squadron No. 20 Squadron |
Pilot Flight Lieutenant Bruce S. Hay, 413846 (MIA / KIA) Wellington, NZ MIA January 15, 1945 Aircraft History Built by Vought. Constructors Number 5797. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1D Corsair bureau number 50550. Disassembled and loaded as cargo aboard USS Kwajalein (CVE-98). On July 19, 1944 departed the United States across the Pacific to Espiritu Santo. Wartime History Assigned to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as Corsair serial number NZ5408 with code 08. On August 5, 1944 assembled by Unit 60 on Espiritu Santo. On October 9, 1944 assigned to No. 23 Squadron. On October 26, 1944 assigned to No. 20 Squadron. During January 1945 assigned to No. 14 Squadron. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On January 15, 1945 took off from Nissan Airfield (Green Island) piloted by FtLt Bruce S. Hay as one of thirty-six Corsairs from No. 14 Squadron, No. 16 Squadron and No. 24 Squadron on a fighter sweep over Rabaul. Returning, the formation encountered bad weather. While flying at low altitude through a tropical storm, this Corsair suffered a midair collision with Corsair NZ5423 causing both to crash into the sea. Soon afterwards Corsair NZ5412 also crashed, possibly due to hitting debris from the aircraft collision. When this plane failed to return it was officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA). This aircraft was officially written off at Nissan Airfield (Green Island). Memorials Hay was officially declared dead the day of the mission. Hay was Mentioned in Despatches (MiD). He is memorialized at the Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery (Bourail War Cemetery) on the Bourail Memorial at panel 3. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1D Corsair 50568 "50550 (MSN 5797) to New Zealand as NZ5408" ADF Serials - NZ Serials Corsair NZ5408 CWGC - Bruce Stafford Hay Auckland Memorial - Online Cenotaph Bruce Stafford Hay (photo) 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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