‘Buck’ on his AJS500, possibly RAF Digby on 11th September, 1941.
Group Captain Robert Wendell “Buck” McNair, DSO, DFC & Two Bars (15th May 1919 – 15th January 1971) was a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) flying ace of the Second World War, with 16 or 16.5 victories and five probables.
Early life
NcNair was born on 15th May 1919 in Springfield, Nova Scotia, the son of railroad engineer Kenneth Frank McNair (1891–1973) and Hilda May (née Grimm; 1898–1983). The family moved to North Battleford, Saskatchewan, during the Great Depression. McNair graduated from high school in North Battleford in 1937 and went to work as a ground wireless (radio) operator for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Natural Resources.
Second World War
Following the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, McNair enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in June 1940 and attended training schools No. 1 ITS in Toronto, No. 7 EFTS in Windsor and No. 31 SFTS in Kingston. He graduated as a pilot on 24th March 1941 and was posted to No. 411 Squadron RCAF at RAF Digby in Lincolnshire, England, in June 1941.
McNair’s first encounter with the enemy came on 27th September 1941, while escorting Bristol Blenheim bombers in a Spitfire on a raid against the railroad yards in Amiens and a power plant near Mazingarble. He managed to get behind and damage a Messerschmitt Bf 109, but was attacked by another 109 before he could finish the job and had to break off. His first victory came on 13th October over Boulogne; he downed one 109 and damaged another, though he himself was shot down and had to parachute into the English Channel.
Buck McNair
With Malta undergoing heavy Axis aerial attacks and in danger of invasion, the Allies sent reinforcements numerous times between 1940 and 1942. On 2nd March 1942, McNair piloted one of 17 Spitfires launched from the British aircraft carrier HMS Eagle to the beleaguered island. As a member of No. 249 Squadron RAF, he was frequently engaged in combat in the skies above Malta. He shot down a 109 on 19th March, a Junkers Ju 88 on 26th March, a 109 on 20th April and a Ju 88 on 22nd April, making him an ace. He increased his tally by three 109s, on 22nd May, 25th May, and 10th June, before being recalled to England for a leave. He was promoted first to flying officer, then to flight lieutenant sometime during this period.
Rejoining No. 411 Squadron, McNair participated in the disastrous Dieppe Raid. On 19th August, he was credited with a probable kill of a Focke-Wulf Fw 190 and with damaging another. He was then sent home to Canada for six months rest and war bond drives.
Declining command of a training school, McNair was assigned briefly to lead No. 416 Squadron RCAF, before being given command of No. 421 Squadron RCAF. On 28th July 1943, his Spitfire had engine trouble off knocke and burst into flames on the way home from a mission. He managed to parachute into the water and was saved by Walrus burned about the face. Admitted into hospital for treatment. His eyesight was permanently damaged, so he had to get closer to the enemy than before to compensate. He kept his handicap to himself, leading others to believe that he was being excessively reckless. Nonetheless, that year he brought down four Fw 190s (20th June 24th June 6 September and 3rd October) and an equal number of Bf 109s (6th July 10 July 31st August and 3rd September), bringing his final tally to 16 or 16.5 confirmed kills.
Buck McNair
In 1944, McNair was promoted to wing commander of 126 Wing, RAF Second Tactical Air Force at RAF Biggin Hill, which meant he no longer flew combat missions. After six months, he was reassigned from operational to administrative duties.
Post-war
McNair remained in the RCAF after the war. Upon graduating from the Empire Flying Training School, he was posted to RAF Fakenham, Norfolk, to fly Gloster Meteor and de Havilland Vampire jet fighters. He later served as Air Advisor and Attaché of the Military Mission at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan.
For his contributions in the Korean War “as Royal Canadian Air Force Liaison Officer to the Far East Air Forces from 27th June 1951 to 27th July 1953,” the United States government offered to award McNair a Bronze Star Medal, but it was against RCAF policy.
McNair was aboard a Canadair North Star which crashed at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on 30th December 1953. He made sure that all passengers and crew were safely evacuated before leaving himself, despite being soaked in gasoline. For this, he was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct. He suffered spinal injuries and was treated for a year.
McNair was promoted to group captain in 1956 and posted to No. 4 Fighter Wing in CFB Baden-Soellingen. In 1964, he was made Deputy-Commander of NORAD’s Duluth sector. He later joined the Canadian Joint Staff office at the High Commission in London.
McNair died of leukemia and was buried in Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey, England.
McNair’s grave in the Canadian Section of Brookwood Military Cemetery
Family life
McNair met Watford-born stenographer Barbara Gwendoline Still (1925–2006) on a blind date in London in 1942; they married in 1944 and had two sons: Bruce and Lawrence Keith NcNair (1949–1998). On her death, she was buried beside her husband in Brookwood Cemetery.
Honours
McNair was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 22nd May 1942, 27th July 1943 and 22nd October 1943.
In April 1944, Acting Wing Commander McNair was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
The French government awarded him the Croix de Guerre with Palm and made him a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour, both in September 1947.
As noted in the previous section, he received the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct in August 1954.
In 1990, he was inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.
Citations
Distinguished Flying Cross
Pilot Officer Robert Wendell MCNAIR (Can/J.4745), Royal Canadian Air Force, No. 249 Squadron.
This officer is a skilful and courageous pilot. He invariably presses home his attacks with the greatest determination irrespective of the odds. He has destroyed at least 5 and damaged 7 enemy aircraft; 4 of these he damaged in 1 combat.
Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross
Acting Squadron Leader Robert Wendell MCNAIR (Can/J.4745), Royal Canadian Air Force, No. 421 (R.C.A.F) Squadron.
This officer is a skilful and determined fighter, whose record of achievement and personal example are worthy of high praise. Squadron Leader McNair has destroyed 10 hostile aircraft (5 of them whilst serving in the Middle East) and damaged a number of others.
Second bar to Distinguished Flying Cross
Squadron Leader Robert Wendell MCNAIR (Can/J.4745), Royal Canadian Air Force, No. 421 (R.C.A.F) Squadron.
Squadron Leader McNair is a tenacious and confident fighter, whose outstanding ability has proved an inspiration to the squadron he commands. He has completed a large number of sorties and has destroyed 15 and damaged many other enemy aircraft. His keenness has been outstanding.
Spitfire Mk. Vb GN-H, flown by Robert “Buck” McNair (RCAF), No. 249 (Gold Coast) Sqn., RAF, Malta, March 1942
Hobbymaster Spitfire Mk. Vb GN-H, fown by Robert “Buck” McNair (RCAF), No. 249 (Gold Coast) Sqn., RAF, Malta, March 1942.
Check out Hobbymaster 1/48th scale Spitfire Mk. Vb GN-H, fown by Robert “Buck” McNair (RCAF), No. 249 (Gold Coast) Sqn., RAF, Malta, March 1942, which is now available to pre-order from Flying Tigers. Please click on the image/link below to go straight to the model page to order yours now.
Hobbymaster New Models now in stock at Flying Tigers.
The following Hobbymaster models have just arrived at Flying Tigers today.
If you want any of these models be quick to order yours now as stocks are very limited.
If you have already pre-ordered your model(s) they will be sent to you over the next few days.
Flying Tigers will also consolidate your orders to save on postage costs across all brands !
Please click on the images / links below to go to the model of your choice, or CLICK HERE to see them all in the New Models in stock section.
Hobbymaster updated photo gallery.
Check out the latest HM photos below. Please click on the images or links to go straight to the model page to order your model now.
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Thank you for reading this week’s Newsletter.
Richard.
Flying Tigers.
