Choloy, France

1961 – 2 (F) Wing – Assorted Sources


Details:

27 January 1961

F/O AR Schellongovsky - Pilot
F/O MJ Zimmer - Navigator

Comments:

Horseman Charlie One (CF-100 #18356) crashed shortly after take-off three miles from the end of the runway at approximately 1753Z. Yellowjack had no radio or radar contact. Both aircrew fatalities – reason for crash not known.

Extract from 1 Air Division Historical Report:

27 Jan 61

A CF-100 AW interceptor from 423 (Eagle) Squadron, crashed at 7 o'clock tonight, shortly after taking off on a routine training exercise. Both members of the crew were killed. They were F/O AR Schellongovsky, 24, pilot, from Chilliwack BC, and F/O MJ Zimmer, 26, navigator, from Cudworth, Sask.

Pinetree Line web site comment:

I was on duty, working the evening shift, at 2 (F) Wing Base Operations at the time of this accident. The aircraft in question was a CF-100. Both the pilot and the navigator were killed in this crash and they were buried at the RCAF Cemetery at Choloy (near Toul, France). The aircrew consisted of pilot, F/O AR Schellongovsky - age 24, and the navigator F/O MJ Zimmer - age 26. The apparent cause of the crash was a result of take-off procedure when the pilot made a right turn out on departure and unknowingly inverted the aircraft.



Click on the description text to view the photograph.
  1. Grave marker for F/O AR Schellongovsky and F/O MJ Zimmer - April 1975.
    Courtesy of Ren L'Ecuyer.

  2. Funeral for F/O AR Schellongovsky and F/O MJ Zimmer at Choloy - 30 January 1961.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada - C149918.

  3. Funeral for F/O AR Schellongovsky and F/O MJ Zimmer at Choloy - 30 January 1961.
    Courtesy National Archives of Canada - C149919.

  4. F/O AR Schellongovsky in Decimomannu, Sardinia - September 1959.
    Courtesy of Larry Milberry.

  5. F/O MJ Zimmer in Decimomannu, Sardinia - September 1959.
    Courtesy of Larry Milberry.



[F/O MJ Zimmer Grave Marker]

[F/O MJ Zimmer Grave Marker]

Grave marker photos courtesy of Malcolm Cromarty - February 2001