Airfields of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan

In 1998, the Board of Directors of CSCE approved as a National Historic Civil Engineering Project, the Design, Construction and Operation of the 88 Airfields, 88 Relief Airfields and requisite infrastructure built between 1940 and 1943 for the operation of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

To date six of these Airfields have had commemorative plaques installed.

These are:

Oshawa Airfield, Oshawa, ON – plaque installed 1999
Moncton Airfield, NB – plaque installed 2003
Dunnville Airfield, Dunnville, ON – plaque installed 2003

Mount Hope Airfield, Hamilton, ON – plaque installed 2006

Patricia Bay Airfield, Victoria, BC

Blatchford Field Airfield, Edmonton, AB + Hangar 14

Details of these airfields can be found under their individual site names.

List of Airfields of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan

LEGEND:
AOS – Air Observer School
ANS – Air Navigation School
BGS – Bombing and Gunnery School
CFS – Central Flying School
EFTS – Elementary Flying Training School
FES – Flight Engineer School
FIS – Flying Instructor School
GRS – General Reconnaissance School
IFS – Instrument Flying School
ITS – Initial Training School
NAGS – Naval Air Gunners School
OTU – Operational Training Unit
OPS – Operational Training Squadron
SFTS – Service Flying Training School
WS – Wireless School

RF – Relief Field(s)

BRITISH COLUMBIA (No. 4 Training Command)

COMOX

No. 6 OTU (from Patricia Bay as No. 32 OTU 06.1944) 1.6.44 – 31.12.45 (crews to Torpedo Bombers and Heavy Bombers)
Anson, Beaufort, Hampden, Oxford, Lysander, Swordfish

PATRICIA BAY

No. 3 OTU 1.11.42 -3.8.45 (crews to flying boats)
Stranraer, Canso, Lysander

No. 32 Operational Training Unit (to Comox as No. 6 OTU in 06.1944) 13.10.41 – 1.6.44 – aircraft – see above

No. 13 OTS (from Sea Island 11.1940) 31.10.40 – 3.10.42

RF: Cassidy (Nanaimo)

BOUNDARY BAY

No. 18 EFTS (ordered to Caron, SK, but disbanded 20.5.42) 10.4.41 – 30.4.42
Tiger Moth
RF: Langley

No. 5 OTU (to Abbotsford 09.1944) 1.4.44 – 15.844 (crews to Heavy Bombers)
Liberator, Bolingbroke, Mitchell, Kittyhawk
No.8 EFTS (from Sea Island 12.1941) 20.12.41 – 2.1.42
Tiger Moth

SEA ISLAND

No. 13 OTU (to Patricia Bay 11.1940) 1.2.40 – 31.10.40
No. 8 EFTS (to Boundary Bay 12.1941) 22.7.40 – 20.12.41
Tiger Moth

ABBOTSFORD

No. 24 EFTS – 6.9.43 – 31.7.44
Cornell
RF: Sumas
No. 5 OTU (from Boundary Bay 09.1944) 15.8.44 – 31.10.45
Liberator, Bolingbroke, Mitchell, Kittyhawk

ALBERTA (No. 4 Training Command)

EDMONTON

No. 4 ITS 8.6.41 – 30.11.44
(Blatchford) No. 16 EFTS 1.12.40 – 17.7.42
Tiger Moth, Fleet Finch

No. 2 AOS 1.7.40 – 26.7.44
Anson

PENHOLD

No. 36 SFTS 22.8.41 – 3.11.44
(Red Deer) Oxford
RF: Innisfail, Blackfaulds

BOWDEN

No. 32 EFTS (from Swift Current 07.1941) 12.7.41 – 8.9.44
Stearman, Tiger Moth, Cornell
RF: Netook

CALGARY

Number 4 Training Command Headquarters (and Regina) 1.9.41 – 31.12.44
(Currie & Municipal) No. 3 SFTS 12.9.40 – 25.9.45
Anson, Crane
RF: Shepard, Inverlake
No. 37 SFTS 20.9.41 – 10.3.44
Anson, Harvard, Oxford
No. 31 EFTS (to De Winton 10.1941) 10.5.41 – 15.10.41
Stearman, Cornell
RF: Airdrie

SHEPARD

No. 2 WS 22.8.40 – 14.4.45
Fleet Fort, Harvard

DE WINTON

No. 31 EFTS (from Calgary 10.1941) 16.10,41 – 25.8.44
Stearman, Cornell
RF: Gladys

HIGH RIVER

No. 6 EFTS (from Lethbridge 6.1941) 1.7.41 – 30.11.44
Tiger Moth, Cornell

VULCAN

No. 19 SFTS 3.5.43 – 14.4.45
Anson
No. 2 FIS (to Pearce 05.1943) 3.8.42 – 2.5.43
Crane, Anson, Cornell, Fawn, Finch, Harvard, Oxford, Tiger Moth
RF: Champion, Ensign, Frank Lake

CLARESHOLM

No. 15 SFTS 26.5.41 – 15.5.45
Anson, Crane
RF: Woodhouse

FORT MACLEOD

No. 7 SFTS 27.6.40 – 17.11.44
Anson
RF: Granum, Stand Off
PEARCE No. 36 EFTS 17.3.42 – 14.8.42
Stearman, Tiger Moth
No. 3 AOS (from Regina 09.1942) 12.9.42 – 6.6.43
Anson
No. 2 FIS (from Vulcan 05.1943) 1.5.43 – 20.1.45 (Lake MacGregor used as bombing range)

LETHBRIDGE

No. 5 EFTS (to High River 06.1941) 1.7.40 – 30.6.41
Tiger Moth, Cornell
No. 8 BGS 13.10.41 – 15.12.44

MEDICINE HAT

No. 34 SFTS 14.3.41 – 17.11.44
Harvard, Oxford
RF: Holsom, Whitla

SASKATCHEWAN (No. 4 Training Command)

SWIFT CURRENT

No. 39 SFTS 28.11.41 – 24.3.44
Oxford
No. #2 EFTS (to Bowden 7.1941) 2.6.41 – 26.11.41
Stearman, Tiger Moth, Cornell
RF: St. Aldwyn, Wymark

CARON

No. 33 EFTS 2.12.41 – 13.1.44 (Opened by RAF but taken over by Aero Club of BC after close of No. 18 EFTS at Boundary Bay)
Tiger Moth, Cornell
RF: Boharm

MOOSE JAW

No. 32 SFTS 1.1.41 – 17.10,44
Oxford
RF: Buttress

ASSINIBOIA

No. 34 EFTS 2.2.42 – 31.1.44
Then becoming
No. 25 EFTS 1.2.44 – 28.7.44
Tiger Moth, Cornell
RF: Lethburn

MOSSBANK

No. 2 BGS 17.10.40 – 15.12.44 (bombing range at Old Wives Lake)
Anson, Battle, Lysander, Bolingbroke

REGINA

No. 4 Training Command Headquarters (and Calgary)
No. ITS 1.6.40 – 30.11.44
No. 15 EFTS 11.11.40 – 11.8.44
Tiger Moth, Cornell
No. 3 AOS (to Pearce 9 1942) 16.9.40 – 26.9.42
Anson
RF: Brora

WEYBURN

No. 41 SFTS 1.1.42 – 22.1.44 – then becoming
No. 8 SFTS (from Moncton 1.44) 23.1.44 – 30.6.44
Anson, Harvard
RF: Halbrite, Ralph

ESTEVAN

N0. 38 SFTS 7.4.42 – 11.2.44
Anson
RF: Chandler, Outram
No. 8 ANS (Advance party 1.2.44 but school never opened)

SASKATCHEWAN (No. 2 Training Command)

PRINCE ALBERT

No. 6 EFTS 3.7.40 – 15.11.44 (Emma Lake for Winter Operations)
Tiger Moth, Cornell
RF: Emma Lake
No. 6 AOS 11.3.41 – 12.9.42
Anson
RF: Hagen

NORTH BATTLEFORD

N0. 35 SFTS 24.7.41 – 25.2.44 – then becoming
No. 13 SFTS (from St. Hubert 2.44) 25.2.44 – 30.3.45
Oxford
RF: Brada, Hamlin

SASKATOON

No. 7 ITS 14.11.41 – 30.6.44
No. 4 SFTS 1.10.40 – 14.6.45
Anson, Crane
RF: Osler, Vanscoy

DAVIDSON

No. 23 EFTS (to Yorkton 1.45) 22.10.42 – 1.1.45 only EFTS operated by RCAF
Cornell

DAFOE

No. 5 BGS 26.5.41 – 17.2.45
Anson, Battle, Lysander, Bolingbroke

YORKTON

No. 23 EFTS (from Davidson 1.45) 1.1.45 – 15.9.45
Cornell
No. 11 SFTS 1.3.41 – 1.12.44
Crane, Harvard, Anson
RF: Rhein, Sturdee

MANITOBA (No. 2 Training Command)

DAUPHIN

No. 10 SFTS 15.2.41 – 14.4.45
Crane, Harvard
RF: Valley River, North Junction

PAULSON

No. 7 BGS 23.6.41 – 31.8.45
Anson, Lysander, Battle, Bolingbroke

VIRDEN

No. 19 EFTS 16.5.41 – 30.11.44
Tiger Moth, Cornell
RF: Hartney, Lenore

RIVERS

No. 1 CNS (from Trenton 5.42) 1.5.42 – 31.8.45
Anson

NEEPAWA

No. 35 EFTS 14.3.42 – 31.1.44 then becoming
No. 26 EFTS 1.2.44 – 25.8.45
Tiger Moth
RF: Eden

SOURIS

No. 17 SFTS 8.3.43 – 30.5.45
Anson, Harvard
RF: Elgin, Hartney

BRANDON

No. 12 SFTS 1.4.41 – 31.5.45
Crane, Anson
RF: Douglas, Chater

CARBERRY

No. 33 SFTS 9.12.40 – 2.12.44
Anson, Crane
RF: Petrel, Oberon

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE

No. 14 EFTS 1.12.40 – 30.6.42 (from Winnipeg 11.40)
Tiger Moth, Fleet Finch
RF: Newton
No. 7 AOS 28.4.41 – 31.3.45
Anson
No. 3 ANS 1.4.45 – 31.8.45

MACDONALD

No. 3 BGS 1.2.41 – 17.2.45
Anson, Battle, Lysander, Bolingbroke

GIMLI

No. 18 SFTS 6.9.43 – 31.8.45
Anson
RF: Netley

WINNIPEG

No. 2 Training Command Headquarters 15.4.40 – 31.11.44
No. 5 AOS 6.1.41 – 30.4.45 (bombing range at Ridgely)
Anson
No. 3 WS 17.2.41 – 20.1.45
Finch, Fort, Norseman, Yale, Tiger Moth
No. 14 EFTS 17.10.40 – 30.11.40 (to Portage La Prairie 12.400

FORT WILLIAM

No. 2 EFTS 27.3.40 – 31.5.44
Tiger Moth
RF: Bishop’s Field, Mental Hospital Field

ONTARIO (No. 1 Training Command)

WINDSOR

No. 7 EFTS 2.7.40 – 31.10.44
Tiger Moth, Cornell
RF: Maidstone

FINGAL

No. 4 BGS 25.11.40 – 17.2.45 (Bombing Range at Duston and Melbourne)
Anson, Battle, Nomad, Lysander, Bolingbroke

AYLMER

No. 14 SFTS (to Kingston 8.44) 1.7.41 – 14.8.44
Anson, Harvard, Yale
RF: St. Thomas, Tillsonburg
No. 1 FES (from Arnprior 7.44) 1.7 44 – 31.3.45
Various aircraft

LONDON (CRUMLIN)

No. 3 EFTS 17.6.40 – 30.6.42
Finch
RF: Lambeth, Strathburn
No. 4 AOS 1.12.40 – 31.12.44
Anson

CENTRALIA

No. 9 SFTS 9from Summerside 7.42) 6.7.42 -30.6.45
Anson, Harvard
RF: Grand Bend, St. Joseph

GODERICH

No. 12 EFTS 14.10.40 – 30.6.44
Finch
RF: Goderich South

PORT ALBERT

N0. 31 ANS 20.10.40 – 17.2.45
Anson

CAMP BORDEN

No. 1 SFTS 1.2.40 – 31.3.46
Harvard, Yale
RF: Edenvale, Alliston

JARVIS

No. 1 BGS 1.8.40 – 17.2.45
Anson, Battle, Lysander, Bolingbroke
RF: Duferin

HAGERSVILLE

No. 16 SFTS 8.8.41 – 21.9.45
Anson, Harvard
RF: Cayuga

DUNNVILLE

No. 6 SFTS 30.10.40 – 30.11.44
Yale, Harvard, Anson
RF: Welland

ST CATHARINES

No. 9 EFTS 30.9.40 – 14.1.44
Tiger Moth

MOUNT HOPE

No. 10 EFTS (to Pendleton 8.42) 1.10.40 – 28.8.42
(HAMILTON) Tiger Moth, Finch
RF: Elfrida
No. 33 ANS 29.5.41 – 6.10.44
Anson
No. 1 WS (from Montreal 9.44) 14.9.44 – 31.10.45
Norseman, Tiger Moth, Stinson 105

BRANTFORD

No. 5 SFTS 28.10.40 – 17.11.44
Anson
RF: Burtch

GUELPH

No. 4 WS 7.7.41 – 31.12.44
Tiger Moth, Norseman

MALTON

No. 1 AOS 28.4.40 – 30.4.45
(L.B. Pearson, Intl) Anson
No. 1 EFS 1.6.40 – 3.7.42
Tiger Moth, Finch

TORONTO

No. 1 Training Command Headquarters 15.9.38 – 31.12.44
No. 1ITS 1.4.40 – 31.12.44
No. 6 ITS 10.10.41 – 31.5.44

OSHAWA

No. 20 EFTS 1.6.41 – 30.4.44
Tiger Moth, Fleet (instrument trainer)
RF: Whitby

TRENTON

CFS 20.1.40
Anson, Battle, Bolingbroke, Fawn, Cornell, Crane, Finch, Harvard, Hudson, Hurricane, Oxford, Ventura, Lockheed 10, Northrop NXN2
No. 1 FIS 3.8.42 – 31.1.45
Fawn, Finch, Tiger Moth, Harvard, Cornell, Crane, Anson
No. 1 ANS (to Rivers 5.42) 31.8.40 – 8.11.40
Anson
RF: Potter’s Field, Mohawk

BELLEVILLE

No. 5 ITS 3.8.41 – 15.6.44

MOHAWK

No. 1 IFS 1.4.43 – 31.8.45
(Tyendinaga) Oxford, Cornell
RF: Sandhurst

PICTON

No. 31 BGS 3.4.41 – 17.11.44
Anson, Lysander, Battle, Bolingbroke

MOUNTAIN VIEW

No. 6 BGS 23.6.41 – 03.45
Anson, Battle, Lysander, Harvard, Nomad, Bolingbroke

KINGSTON

No. 31 SFTS 10.9.40 – 14.8.44, training for Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm pilots, then became
No. 14 SFTS 14.8.44 – 7.9.45
Anson, Harvard, Yale, Battle, Hellcat
RF: Gananoque, Sandhurst

ONTARIO (No.3 Training Command)

ARNPRIOR

No. 3 FIS 3.8.42 – 29.1.44
Anson, Cornell, Finch, Crane, Fawn, Harvard, Stearman, Tiger Moth
No. 1 FES (to Aylmer 7.44) 17.2.44 – 14.7.44
Various aircraft
RF: Pontiac

OTTAWA

No. 2 SFTS 26.5.40 – 14.4.45
(UPLANDS) Harvard, Yale
RF: Rockcliffe, Edwards, Carp

PENDLETON

No. 10 EFS (from Mount Hope 8.42) 28.8.42 – 15.9.45
Tiger Moth, Finch
RF: Lemoges

ST. EUGENE

No. 3 EFTS 28.10.40 – 19.6.45 (Elementary training for Fleet Air arm pilots)
Finch
RF: Hawksbury

QUÉBEC (No. 3 Training Command)

DORVAL

No. 3 Training Command Headquarters 18.3.40 – 30.11.44
No. 1 WS (to Mount Hope 9.44) 16.2.40 – 14.9.44
Norseman, Tiger Moth, Stinson

ST. JOHN

No. 9 AOS 7.7.41 – 30.4.45
Anson

ST. HUBERT

No. 13 SFTS (to North Battleford 2.44) 1.9.41 – 25.2.44
Anson, Harvard
RF: Farnham

WINDSOR MILLS

No. 4 EFTS 17.6.40 – 25.8.44
Tiger Moth, Finch
RF: Bishipton

VICTORIAVILLE

No. 3 ITS 1.3.41 – 10.11.44

CAP DE LA

No. 11 EFTS 7.10.40 – 11.2.44

MADELAINE

Finch, Cornell
RF: Lac à la Tortue, Shawinigan Falls, Rivière Cache, St. Maurice

ANCIENNE LORETTE

No. 22 EFTS 28.9.41 – 3.7.42
(QUEBEC CITY) Finch
No. 8 AOS 29.9.41 – 30.4.45 (bombing range at St Henri de Lévis0
Anson

SAGUENAY

No. 1 OTU 24.6.42 – 31.1 45
(BAGOTVILLE) Harvard, Lysander, Hurricane, Bolingbroke
RF: St Honore

MONT JOLI

No.9 BGS 15.12.41 – 14.4.45
Anson, Battle, Lysander, Bolingbroke, Hurricane, Norseman

NEW BRUNSWICK (No. 3 Training Command)

CHATHAM

No. 21 EFTS 1.7.41 – 14.8.42
Finch
RF: South Nelson
No. 10 AOS 1.8.41 – 31.3.45
Anson

MONCTON

No. 8 SFTS (to Weyburn 01.44) 10.11.40 – 22.1.44
Anson, Harvard
RF: Salisbury

PENNFIELD RIDGE

No. 34 OTU 1.6.42 – 19.5.44
Bolingbroke, Anson, Hudson, Ventura
No. 2 ANS 22.6.41 – 30.4.42
Anson

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND (No. 3 Training Command)

SUMMERSIDE

No. 9 SFTs (to Centralia 7.42) 1.1.41 – 6.7.42
Anson, Harvard
No. 1 GRS 6.7.42 – 31.1.45
Anson
RF: Wellington

MOUNT PLEASANT

No. 10 BGS 26.6.43 – 6.6.45
Anson, Battle, Hurricane, Lysander, Norseman, Bolingbroke

CHARLOTTETOWN

No. 31 GRS 29.12.40 – 21.2.44
Anson
No.2 ANS (closed in Pennfield Ridge 4.42, moved to Charlottetown 2.44) 21.2.44 – 7.7.45
Anson
No 32 ANS 18.7.41 – 11.9.42
Anson

NOVA SCOTIA (No. 3 Training Command)

DEBERT

No. 31 OTU 23.5.41 – 1.7.44, crews to Atlantic Ferry Command, then became:
No. 7 OTU 1.7.44 = 20.7.45
Hudson, Bolingbroke
RF: Maitland

STANLEY

No. 17 EFTS 17.3.41 – 31.12.43
Tiger Moth, Finch

GREENWOOD

No. 36 OTU 10.3.42 – 30.6.44 (crews to Coastal Command), then became:
No. 8 OTU 1.7.44 – 31.7.45
Bolingbroke, Hudson, Harvard, Mosquito, Oxford
RF: Waterville

YARMOUTH

No. 1 NAGS 1.1.43 – 30.3.45
Swordfish, Seamew, Anson, Lysander, Walrus, Hurricane