Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum & RCAF WWII Memorial

Lighting the Night: A New Artifact and Its Role in the Commonwealth Air Training Plan

Another interesting post by summer student, Rory. This is Rory’s second summer working for the CATPM, he is a Music & Political Science student at Brandon University.

Note on Methodology: This blog post examines a recently acquired General Electric Beacon by analyzing attached identifying information related to the artifact and utilizing digital tools, such as Google Lens, recently introduced to me by the CATPM archivist. These sources enabled me to infer the artifact’s origin and historical context through consultation with relevant online histories and archival databases to the best of my ability.

In the early decades of flight leading up to the Second World War, navigating the skies was a daunting task, let alone in the dark of night. Before modern tools like advanced radio operation and GPS, pilots relied on physical chains of lights to find their way. A recently acquired artifact in the CATPM hangar, a General Electric Beacon (No. 1124, Model No. 2AR7A), reflects the legacy of Canadian wartime industry. The Canadian General Electric Company was both a major player in military and civilian life during WWII, manufacturing millions of appliances in Canadian homes and vital infrastructure for the war effort. (York University)

Rotating beacons developed by the General Electric Company, often featuring durable construction and powerful lamps, were spaced along routes, and some could be seen up to 40 miles away (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum). Based on an official guide by General Electric for all of their appliances, I believe that this unit was manufactured in August 1944, which makes it a part of General Electric’s storied wartime production history. (“GE Appliance – How to Determine the Age or Manufacture Date”)

Airmen from the RAF flying school returning from a night training flight. (North Bay Museum)

The Beacon, which is (currently) placed in the south
corner of the CATPM hangar.

Identifying Information of the General Electric Beacon.

The origin of beacons for aviation began in the 1920s and 30s, building upon the new development and installation of traffic lights across the United States with the goal of assisting pilots with visual navigation. (Onondaga Historical Association) Additionally, large concrete arrows were often built on the ground around beacons in the chain, transforming aviation from a strictly daytime activity to permitting flight during the dark. As a specialized “aerodrome beacon,” this artifact was used to identify the location of an airfield, although beacons exist for other purposes today, such as checkpoints for Bluetooth inventory with high-value equipment (ELA Innovation). The significance of the aerodrome beacon lies in its capacity to provide crucial visual confirmation for pilots returning during poorer visibility, directly enhancing flight safety by reducing the risk of disorientation or accident during night or inclement weather. By using a variety of patterns and colours, beacons indicate the exact location of airfields while also communicating important information about the airfield itself (Transport Canada). During the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, these beacons represented a technological advancement that enabled more rigorous and flexible flight training schedules, allowing pilots in Canada to operate safely regardless of daylight or weather conditions. Although airport beacons became less central as new forms of navigation technology emerged, their continued use reflects their enduring importance in providing navigational support and the development of aviation infrastructure.

Additionally, while this Beacon represents General Electric’s contribution to lighting and appliances, it is an even larger part of their much larger history of aviation innovation during the war. A subsidiary of General Electric, GE Aerospace traces its roots to more than 100 years ago, beginning with innovations for aviation such as the turbo supercharger in the 1910s. (General Electric) In the United States, in 1941, GE built the I-A engine, the first American turbojet, and by the same year that this beacon was made, another engine (the J33) was used to power the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star. Today, GE is still a major player in the aviation industry, including manufacturing the engines for Boeing 737s.

As radio navigation and GPS have become the standard, aerodrome beacons have gradually become less used than in wartime. However, some beacons are still used today, such as in mountainous regions of the United States and Canada. (Military History Wiki) Ultimately, these surviving artifacts of the Commonwealth Air Training Plan are a reminder of the vital innovation and infrastructure that allowed the members of the plan to train on such complicated aircraft at such a young age and supported them through flying at all hours of the day, and the Museum is thrilled to welcome this artifact to our hangar.

From the Cockpit with Love: The Romantic History of WWII Sweetheart Jewelry

This post is by one of our summer workers. Whitney M. Hodgins is a Master of Arts Student at Athabasca University.

Picture this: your loved one is going to war. You are left with an overwhelming sense of uncertainty. Will they come back or will they be injured or killed in action? Naturally, you do not want that person to be put in harm’s way fighting against the Axis. Yet, you let them go knowing that while you are on the homefront, you are being as patriotic as your loved one on the battlefront. Months go by, your only contact is letters back and forth when they are in a position to write to you. You may even send care packages or help others do the same for their loved ones. Then one day you visit the post office and there is a small package addressed to you! Inside is a letter, as well as a small heart shaped necklace (Canadian War Museum, 2023). Your loved one writes explaining that after shooting down an Axis plane in a dogfight, they salvaged a piece of the cockpit window to fashion a heart-shaped necklace just for you. A truly romantic gesture. As you place it around your neck, you feel a sense of pride—knowing not only that they are safe, but that they are fighting with honour for Canada and the Allied forces.

So what exactly is sweetheart jewelry? Sweetheart jewelry has one predominant purpose; it was to symbolize both the connection of the wearer and the separation they had to their loved ones fighting overseas (Canadian War Museum, 2023; National Museum of American History, 2014). These tokens of affection were primarily given to women who were deemed to be a wife or sweetheart to that service member, and those women did not need to be women from Canada (CBC, 2025). Jewelry did not restrict itself to simply necklaces, a loved one could also receive brooches, lapel pins, and other sorts of sweetheart art (National Museum of American History, 2014). These pieces of jewelry were popular not just in WWII but also were very popular in WWI (National Museum of American History, 2014). These pieces of jewelry were so popular that they also caught the attention of the federal government in WWI (Government of Canada, 2026).

*WWII Sweetheart Jewelry located in the Chapel of the museum.*

The government of Canada had decided that they would implement an Excise Act Tax on luxury goods, specifically for jewelry made out of precious metals (Government of Canada, 2026). Tin was considered one of the metals needed for the war effort and in response to cheap jewelry and its popular demand in war times, the government restricted metal use in fine jewelry by implementing taxation rates on these items (Canadian War Museum, 2023). The jewelry that the servicemen created was not made of these precious metals, but instead was made out of Plexiglas. Plexiglas, was a clear, solid plastic sheet, created by the Rohm and Haas Company, that had risen in popularity during the 1930’s for both the Allies and Axis (Science History Institute Museum & Library, 2026). By doing so, a service member not only sent their love a piece of jewelry, but they also avoided paying the luxury tax while crafting their love in the chaos (Canadian War Museum, 2023). Additionally it was patriotic as the plexiglas that these were made out of could come from planes that were shot down by a recipient’s loved one in battle, demonstrating the courage the service member possesses (National Museum of American History, 2014). This may be an artifact filled with a complex and political history, but at the same time one cannot lose track of the fact that a service-member altruistically wanted to say proudly, “from the cockpit with love”.

Armed Forces Day 2026: June 7th

There is lots going on on Armed Forces Day at the CATPM! Read all about it below!

COMMONWEALTH AIR TRAINING PLAN MUSEUM TO HOST ARMED FORCES DAY CELEBRATION FEATURING HISTORIC AIRCRAFT, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, HERITAGE FLIGHTS, AND FAMILY ACTIVITIES.

The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum will welcome veterans, serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, cadets, families, aviation enthusiasts, and visitors from across the Prairies for Armed Forces Day on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Held within the Museum’s historic 1941 Second World War training hangar at Brandon Municipal Airport, the event will combine living aviation history, military displays, family programming, heritage flights, STEM activities, and community partnerships in a day dedicated to honouring service – past and present.

Visitors can explore historic aircraft displays, meet military and community partners including representatives from CFB Shilo and 17 Wing, participate in Junior Pilots’ activities, and experience the atmosphere of a working wartime airfield brought to life. “This day is important not only here at the Museum, but across the country,” said Stephen Hayter, Executive Director of the CATPM. “Armed Forces Day gives Canadians an opportunity to recognize the service, sacrifice, and commitment of those who have worn the uniform. At the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, we stand in a place where thousands trained during the Second World War, and we are proud to continue sharing those stories with new generations.”

One of the event’s highlights will be the Museum’s Heritage Flight Experience program, with possible flying operations throughout the weekend, weather permitting. Flights aboard historic aircraft including the Harvard Mk II, Tiger Moth, Fleet Finch, and the Museum’s newest addition — the open-cockpit Boeing Stearman – will offer visitors the opportunity to experience aviation history in a truly unforgettable way. “There is something incredibly powerful about seeing these aircraft fly again,” said Jeff Bell, Chief Pilot. “These were machines built to train young aircrew during wartime, and when people step into one of these aircraft today, they are connecting directly with that history – the sound, the movement, the open sky. It becomes very real.”

The Museum will also host a large garage sale fundraiser featuring tools, workshop equipment, hardware, and materials from the John Balushak estate, with all proceeds supporting the Museum and its preservation work. “This fundraiser has become a wonderful community effort,” said Gib Bell, Head of the Junior Pilot Area. “There’s a little bit of everything, and every purchase helps support the Museum and the work being done to preserve this history for future generations.”

In addition to aviation and military displays, the Museum will host a Scale Model Builders Meet, Greet & Share event in the Canteen Building from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., inviting model builders of all skill levels to display their work, exchange techniques, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Models will also be available for purchase at the event.

The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the 2026 summer season.

For more information about Armed Forces Day, Heritage Flight Experiences, or Museum programming, please contact the Museum at 204-727-2444 or follow the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum on social media (links in the site header).

Flight Days & the CATPM’s Stearman

This post is by one of our summer workers, Rory McCallum has submitted several blog posts over the last year, this is his latest. Rory is a Music student at Brandon University.

The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum acquired a Stearman Kaydet last season (https://airmuseum.ca/2025/10/01/catpm-excited-to-welcome-historic-boeing-stearman-kaydet/), and we are thrilled to welcome it to our fleet of flying aircraft this summer. For the rest of the summer, the Stearman will be available for the CATPM’s remaining flight days, which, barring unforeseen circumstances, will occur on Armed Forces Day weekend (June 6-7) Canada Day, July 18^th, and 19^th, and more! (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gtXFLJEo5rG2IGt2NIwR10s75iJr0S7gcDqaFXynxWY/edit?tab=t.0) (note that flights are weather dependent).

With its open cockpit and (current) bright orange colour, our Stearman is a very recognizable training aircraft. First flown in 1934 in its Boeing hometown of Wichita, Kansas, the aircraft was originally utilized as a trainer for the US Army, featuring accommodation for a student and instructor. With fabric-covered wings and a welded-steel fuselage, it was powered by a single radial engine and was ideal for initial flight training.

Weighing around 2700 pounds and with a top speed of nearly 200 km/h, more than 8,400 of the aircraft were constructed during the war period, with around 300 seeing action after transfer from the US for use in the British Commonwealth Training Plan. Amazingly, more than 50% of US pilots had their initial flight in a Stearman, as did 10,000 RAF and Fleet Air Arm pilots in British Flying Training Schools in the United States from 1941 to 1944.

photo of a Boeing Stearman — The CATP Museum’s Stearman Kaydet.

A member of the Women’s Branch of the United States Naval Reserve and pilot on a Stearman during training. (U.S. National Archives)

This arrival of Stearman to the RCAF in 1942 was an expansion of the BCATP’s fleet of basic trainers, serving at No. 3 Flying Instructors School in Arnprior, ON, as well as four Elementary Flying Training Schools on the prairies. However, the Stearman was found not to be a match for the biting prairie winters due to its open cockpit, and four months later, it was replaced by another one of the CATPM’s aircraft, the Fairchild Cornell.

Finally, it is important to acknowledge how exciting the arrival of a flying aircraft is to the museum. Visitors this summer will not only be able to observe the static aircraft but also see the biplane take off, bringing history to life in a unique way. Joining an ever-expanding collection of flightworthy aircraft, including the Tiger Moth, Fleet Finch, Harvard, Stinson, and possibly more to come. Each aircraft provided a different training role in the Commonwealth Air Training Plan, telling a story of the more than 130,000 allied members of the Commonwealth who trained in Canada during the Second World War. We hope that this summer you may be able to take a ride in one of our aircraft or attend one of our flight days. Additionally, the Stearman will be flying on Armed Forces Day, which is coming up soon on June 7^th!

Lighting the Way Home: The Humble Flare Pot

This post, her first of many (I hope) is by one of our summer workers. Whitney M. Hodgins is a Master of Arts Student at Athabasca University.

This black round object caught my eye in the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum, it was inside the workshop, sitting humbly on a display case. At first I was perplexed about what it could be. At first I thought it reminded me of the Bob-ombs from Super Mario Bros. But instead I found out it was much more than that. Sitting humbly on the shelf were flare pots.

Flare Pot, located in the workshop section of the museum.

What are flare pots you may be asking? Flare pots were used in WWII during night training or missions for pilots flying aircraft (Canadian War Museum, 2001). They would sit on the runways about 200 feet apart on both sides and they would be filled with gasoline or oil (Canadian War Museum, 2001). These pots had the important job of assisting pilots to see the runway in order to safely land their aircraft at night (Canadian War Museum, 2001). They required a lot of care and attention from service-members on the ground; if they went out, someone would have to go out and relight them (CBC, 2015).

Flare pots may sound nifty at first, however, upon further research, there were some minor issues with the flare pots with their design discovered. Flare pots were increasingly vulnerable to wind blowing them out from either crosswinds of the prairies or the aircraft themselves during take-off (Canadian War Museum, 2001). One solution that was discovered to mitigate this was that only one lane of lights would be lit (Canadian War Museum, 2001). This may sound like a reasonable solution, but the problem for pilots was determining which side the tarmac would be on for one string of lights on the ground (Canadian War Museum, 2001)! If you missed the tarmac, you may end up going into the infield, which probably made for an even bumpier ride. Another issue with the flare pots is that they were difficult to see as pilots could only make them out from about one and a half kilometers away (Alison, 1964). This means that it left a pilot very little time to make any necessary corrections for landing at night time. If anything, the flare pots create a narrative that allows us to view just how profound the risks of being a pilot were back in WWII, regardless if you were “in action”, training or transportation.

One thing is for certain, even though the flare pot sitting in our collection is one of the many representations to symbolize the remnants of WWII, these little pots also have been shown that in times of crisis can still symbolize heroism during peace time as well. One news report from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) noted that the small community of Pangnirtung, Nunavut, experienced a power outage in 2015. At the time of this incident, pilots were trying to conduct a medevac for a patient seeking medical care (CBC, 2015). The airport, in response, had to send out someone to place and light the flare pots so that pilots could see the runway (CBC, 2015). Regardless of whether you think flare pots are an artifact of the long forgotten past or a contemporary hero in times of crisis, they are one of those interesting yet essential items for airfield operations that still continue to have a resounding impact even to this day in peaceful times, lighting the way home for pilots in Canada.