RCAF Station Aylmer
Encyclopedia
RCAF Station Aylmer was a Royal Canadian Air Force
training base that was established on July 3, 1941 just north-east of Aylmer
, Ontario
, Canada
. It was one of many built across Canada under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
during World War II
.
The first school at Aylmer was No. 14 Service Flying Training School (SFTS). Pilot trainees flew North American Harvards in the advanced training role and for a brief time (1941-42) used the North American Yale
as an intermediate trainer. No. 14 SFTS moved to Kingston
in August 1944.
Other schools located at Aylmer include the WD
Service Police School (1942), No. 1 Flight Engineers' School (July 1, 1944 - March 31, 1945), the RCAF Technical and Engineering School (later redesignated No. 1 Technical Training School or TTS) (April 1945 - May 1955), an Academic Training School (ATS) (May 1949 - Oct. 1950), a composite training school (No. 2 KTS), No. 11 Examination Unit (Sept. 1951 - Nov. 1952), the Aeronautical Engineering School (June 1952 - Nov. 1953), the RCAF GCA (Ground Control Approach) School (1953 - 1957), the RCAF Fire-Fighting School (1951 - 1961), and the Support Services School (1960).
No. 2 Manning Depot and No. 1 Personnel Selection Unit (PSU) were located at Aylmer from 1949 - 1950.
The station closed in 1961 and the Ontario Police College
eventually took over the facilities.
All that remains from the RCAF days are 2 hangars, one re-sided in metal and the other bricked over, the rapidly crumbling airfield and the taxi area, which is now used as part of the police vehicle driver training track.
At the entrance the Ontario Police College property sits a memorial to the former RCAF station.
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
training base that was established on July 3, 1941 just north-east of Aylmer
Aylmer, Ontario
Aylmer is a town in Elgin County in southern Ontario, Canada, just north of Lake Erie, on Catfish Creek. It is 20 km south of Highway 401...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It was one of many built across Canada under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan , known in some countries as the Empire Air Training Scheme , was a massive, joint military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, during the Second World War...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The first school at Aylmer was No. 14 Service Flying Training School (SFTS). Pilot trainees flew North American Harvards in the advanced training role and for a brief time (1941-42) used the North American Yale
North American BT-9
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Davis, Larry. T-6 Texan in Action . Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 1989. ISBN 0-89747-224-1....
as an intermediate trainer. No. 14 SFTS moved to Kingston
RCAF Station Kingston
RCAF Station Kingston was a Second World War air training station built in 1940 at Collins Bay near Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The station was originally built by the Royal Canadian Air Force for use by the Royal Air Force . Like other RAF schools in Canada, it was subject to RCAF administrative...
in August 1944.
Other schools located at Aylmer include the WD
Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division
The Royal Canadian Air Force Women's Division was an element of the Royal Canadian Air Force which was active during the Second World War....
Service Police School (1942), No. 1 Flight Engineers' School (July 1, 1944 - March 31, 1945), the RCAF Technical and Engineering School (later redesignated No. 1 Technical Training School or TTS) (April 1945 - May 1955), an Academic Training School (ATS) (May 1949 - Oct. 1950), a composite training school (No. 2 KTS), No. 11 Examination Unit (Sept. 1951 - Nov. 1952), the Aeronautical Engineering School (June 1952 - Nov. 1953), the RCAF GCA (Ground Control Approach) School (1953 - 1957), the RCAF Fire-Fighting School (1951 - 1961), and the Support Services School (1960).
No. 2 Manning Depot and No. 1 Personnel Selection Unit (PSU) were located at Aylmer from 1949 - 1950.
The station closed in 1961 and the Ontario Police College
Ontario Police College
The Ontario Police College is located in Malahide Township, just east of Aylmer, in Elgin County in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.-Programs:...
eventually took over the facilities.
All that remains from the RCAF days are 2 hangars, one re-sided in metal and the other bricked over, the rapidly crumbling airfield and the taxi area, which is now used as part of the police vehicle driver training track.
At the entrance the Ontario Police College property sits a memorial to the former RCAF station.