RCAF Station Saskatoon
Encyclopedia
RCAF Station Saskatoon was a World War II
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
(BCATP) base operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force
(RCAF). It was located at Saskatoon
, Saskatchewan
, Canada
.
Soon after the Second World War broke out, the airfield became home to No. 4 Service Flying Training School (SFTS), one of dozens of military air training facilities created under the BCATP. This station flew Avro Anson
and Cessna Crane twin-engine trainers until 1944, when 4 SFTS was disbanded.
Postwar, the RCAF returned to the city when No. 406 (Auxiliary) Squadron was set up at the Saskatoon station, initially flying Harvard trainers, and then B-25 Mitchell light bombers. The squadron changed to light transport/utility duties with the C-45 Expeditor
and the De Havilland Otter
.
Another RCAF presence at Saskatoon was No. 1 Advanced Flying School, which used a wide array of aircraft from 1952-62. From 1959-62, the RCAF's Central Flying School was located at the station.
As a result of defence cutbacks, the flying schools and No. 406 Squadron were disbanded in early 1964. For the next 15 years, the airport was the site of the RCAF's storage site for retired aircraft that were awaiting sale of disposal. A trip to this facility in the early 1970s would have revealed parked Dakota
s, Neptune antisubmarine aircraft and T-33
trainers. This storage facility was overseen by the Canadian Forces
407 Technical Services Detachment, which contracted with Bristol Aerospace
for this work. This facility closed in 1978.
The Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport is located on the former RCAF Station Saskatoon site. Some of the former RCAF buildings remain today.
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...
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...
(BCATP) base operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force
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...
(RCAF). It was located at Saskatoon
Saskatoon
Saskatoon is a city in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344....
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, 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...
.
Soon after the Second World War broke out, the airfield became home to No. 4 Service Flying Training School (SFTS), one of dozens of military air training facilities created under the BCATP. This station flew Avro Anson
Avro Anson
The Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was...
and Cessna Crane twin-engine trainers until 1944, when 4 SFTS was disbanded.
Postwar, the RCAF returned to the city when No. 406 (Auxiliary) Squadron was set up at the Saskatoon station, initially flying Harvard trainers, and then B-25 Mitchell light bombers. The squadron changed to light transport/utility duties with the C-45 Expeditor
Beechcraft Model 18
The Beechcraft Model 18, or "Twin Beech", as it is better known, is a 6-11 seat, twin-engine, low-wing, conventional-gear aircraft that was manufactured by the Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas...
and the De Havilland Otter
De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter
The de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter is a single-engined, high-wing, propeller-driven, STOL aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada. It was conceived to be capable of performing the same roles as the earlier and highly successful Beaver, but was overall a larger aircraft.-Design and...
.
Another RCAF presence at Saskatoon was No. 1 Advanced Flying School, which used a wide array of aircraft from 1952-62. From 1959-62, the RCAF's Central Flying School was located at the station.
As a result of defence cutbacks, the flying schools and No. 406 Squadron were disbanded in early 1964. For the next 15 years, the airport was the site of the RCAF's storage site for retired aircraft that were awaiting sale of disposal. A trip to this facility in the early 1970s would have revealed parked Dakota
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
s, Neptune antisubmarine aircraft and T-33
T-33 Shooting Star
The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star is an American-built jet trainer aircraft. It was produced by Lockheed and made its first flight in 1948, piloted by Tony LeVier. The T-33 was developed from the Lockheed P-80/F-80 starting as TP-80C/TF-80C in development, then designated T-33A. It was used by the...
trainers. This storage facility was overseen by the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
407 Technical Services Detachment, which contracted with Bristol Aerospace
Bristol Aerospace
Bristol Aerospace is a Canadian aerospace firm located in Winnipeg, Manitoba and is an operating division of Magellan Aerospace.-History:Bristol Aerospace began in 1930 as the MacDonald Brothers Aircraft Company. Brothers Jim and Grant MacDonald moved to Winnipeg from Nova Scotia in 1904 to start a...
for this work. This facility closed in 1978.
The Saskatoon John G. Diefenbaker International Airport is located on the former RCAF Station Saskatoon site. Some of the former RCAF buildings remain today.