shadow box
Item
Title
shadow box
Description
wooden shadow box featuring items belonging to Ralph Schenck from his days in the RCAF.The centre of the box features a black and white photo of Schenck in uniform. Other items include 2 Canada shoulder badges, RCAF pilot wing badge, 5 medals, RCAF cap badge, uniform epaulet, 2 lapel pins
Identifier
009.057.015
Format
Provenance
Schenck was a native of Ontario and fell in love with airplanes at 5 years old when a barnstormer landed an old Jenny near the town of Guelph were his father was a teacher. Schenck was 16 in 1939 when WWII began. When he was finally old enough to enlist, he failed his physical because he was underweight. After bulking up for a month, he went back and was enlisted. At age 19 he became a sergeant pilot for the RCAF and was soon sent overseas. Originally he was sent to be a bomber pilot, but because of his short stature, he was redirected to fighters. He had been forced to stuff seat cushions underneath and behind him, plus mount wooden blocks on the rudder pedals so his feet would reach them. He was soon flying single engine aircraft, towing gunnery targets through the air and was eventually moved to his choice of aircraft-Spitfires. He flew Spitifres with a photo reconnaissance squadron- his aircraft armed only with cameras.Soon he was commissioned as a pilot officer, bringing him better food and better quarters. Schenck'ssabalo final posting as an RCAF pilot attached to he RAF was in Northern Ireland, where the missions his squadron flew included general reconnaissance and anti submarine patrols. After the war, Schenck moved to the USA and became a surgeon.
Abstract
Fair
Date Created
unknown