RCAF.info

Independent, Royal Canadian Air Force History website with a focus on the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

RCAF Women's Division Ambulance crew at No 3 Service
Flying Training School, Calgary, Alberta (National Defence Image) #bcatp #rcaf_history #rcafwd

[RCAF Foundation | Fondation de l'ARC @rcaf_foundation]

This #MappingMonday we are visiting Spitfire Lake in Northwest Territories, which is located 154 kilometres north of Uranium City, Saskatchewan. It is named after the iconic Second World War fighter plane used by @RCAF_ARC.

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

Dibblee Construction company grading the land for the Carp Relief Landing Field near Ottawa in 1943. (Photos courtesy of the Huntley Historical Society and Peter Hill) #bcatp #rcaf_history

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

This poster showcases the 1942 Hockey team fielded by the RCAF in Stanley, Nova Scotia. Stanley was the home of Number 17 Elementary Flying Training School (photo courtesy of David Pollard) #rcaf_history #bcatp

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

Way back in December of 2022 I put in a request for the service files of a number of Rnzaf war dead. Look what arrived in the mail today. Shout out to the kind folks at the New Zealand Defence Force Personnel Archives for sending me this massive batch of records.

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

I had an opportunity to check out the storage hangar for the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada a couple weeks ago and saw this relic up in the mezzanine. Fleet Fort 3579 shot up and waiting for some eventual love. #bcatp #rcaf_history

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

Course 85, No. 10 Service Flying Training School, Dauphin, Manitoba, 27 October 1942, Wings Banquet Menu. (Source G. Christian Larsen) #bcatp #rcaf_history

[RCAF Foundation | Fondation de l'ARC @rcaf_foundation]

In 1929, the airport began with the Cape Breton Flying Club. The Department of @NationalDefence acquired and upgraded the airfield in 1938 as part of its preparations for war.

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

RCAF Station Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Home of No. 34 (Royal Air Force) Elementary Flying Training School. Here are some photos of the Barracks and Dining Hall. (1942) Photos courtesy of John Griffin and 1 Canadian Air Division. #bcatp #rcaf_history

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

Former, No 7 Initial Training School, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
(Circa 1960) (QC 1618-11 courtesy of Saskatoon Public Library)

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

Additional buildings were constructed near the Saskatoon Normal School to house and support the trainees at No 7 Initial Training School, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Here are some photos of the Barracks and Dining Hall. (1942) Photos courtesy of John Griffin. #bcatp #rcaf_history

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

During the second world war, the Saskatoon Normal School and Bedford Road Collegiate were home to an Royal Canadian Air Force training school. These photos are courtesy of the John Griffin Library at 1 Canadian Air Division, Winnipeg, MB. #rcaf_history #bcatp

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

The aftermath of 4 June 1944, Hangar Fire, RCAF Station Gander, Newfoundland. Fire destroyed 4 B-24 Liberators. #rcaf_history (Source: These photo are from a donated photo album in the 1 Canadian Air Division Historical Collection, Winnipeg, Manitoba.)

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

4 June 1944, Hangar Fire, RCAF Station Gander, Newfoundland. Fire destroyed 4 B-24 Liberators. #rcaf_history (Source: These photo are from a donated photo album in the 1 Canadian Air Division Historical Collection, Winnipeg, Manitoba.)

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

Course photo #BCATP #RCAF_History unknown location, unknown date. From the 1 Canadian Air Division History and Heritage archives

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

Course photo #BCATP #RCAF_History unknown location, unknown date. From the 1 Canadian Air Division History and Heritage archives

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

The @CATPMuseum quotes these numbers on their website about the scope of the #BCATP:
• Some 8,300 buildings were erected, of which 701 were hangars or of hangar-type construction; fuel storage totaling more than 26 million gallons installed
#RCAF_History
https://t.co/I7KKMwnm7C

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

Another great site is the archives of the Bomber Command Museum of Canada... They have great #BCATP content especially with regard to Alberta. #RCAF_history
https://t.co/KqsIN3ee3Y

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

For those who are researching the #BCATP the @CATPMuseum has been transcribing various School Daily Dairies. They can be accessed in their google drive (linked below) or on https://t.co/VPcb7wgaQd https://t.co/patJnKkAX6

[RCAF.info @RCAFinfo]

We now have 41 issues of "Fingal Observer" the Station Magazine of No 4 Bombing & Gunnery School, Fingal, Ontario. The issues come from 1941-5. #BCATP #RCAF_History https://t.co/tn8pQd8d3K special thanks to the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum for providing some issues