The BCATP and the RCAF

This year marks the Centennial of the RCAF, which officially came into being on April 1, 1924. The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum is planning several events to honour this milestone.

While the RCAF was formed in 1924 and has its roots as the Canadian Air Force even earlier, the Second World War is when the RCAF really hit its stride. Entering the war, the RCAF was a small force with a strength of only 4,061 personnel and 270 aircraft. After the war, the RCAF grew to become the fourth largest in the world, with more than 215,000 personnel in uniform, including about 17,000 members of the Women’s Division. The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), signed into being on December 17, 1939, played a major role in that growth. With the massive construction of over 200 training facilities, production of aircraft, and influx of personnel eager to stop Hitler and fascism. More than 7000 hangars, barracks, drill halls, and other buildings were constructed. Over 130,000 aircrew were trained in the BCATP, including personnel from across the Commonwealth and beyond. Of these almost 73,000 were Canadian.

The RCAF operated 86 squadrons during the war, including 47 overseas. They flew bomber, fighter, reconnaissance missions around the world. Over 17,000 died in the war, all of whom have their names etched onto our WWII RCAF Memorial Wall. Not all those who trained in the BCATP served overseas, many become instructors, ground crew and other support to keep the BCATP running. Training was not without dangers as well, over 800 lost their lives while training.

The importance of the BCATP to the war effort was not lost on the leaders of other countries, Franklin Roosevelt called Canada the “aerodrome of democracy” and Sir Winston Churchill said it was Canada’s greatest contribution to allied success.

Many books have been written about the BCATP (click here – some books are listed at the bottom of the page), and its importance in the development of Canada as a nation and role in the growth of the RCAF can not be understated.

References

Grand ReOpening: April 1

We have been working hard to prepare for our re-opening on April 1, 2024!

In honour of the RCAF’s 100th anniversary, the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum is hosting a free open house on Monday, April 1st from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Come join us for an afternoon as we re-open for the season.  Visitors will be invited to travel back to the 1940s while touring a WWII vintage hangar, aircraft, vehicles and hundreds of artifacts from that era, as well as the RCAF WWII Memorial wall that honours all of the RCAF that lost their lives during WWII.

Coffee and dainties from Chez Angela will be served.

For the past few weeks and up until the big day, we will be repositioning aircraft and vehicles, sprucing up displays, adding and updating others, and renewing some signage, as well as general clean up to get ready for this re-opening. Mark your calendar and be sure to drop in for a visit, we are looking forward to welcoming you and celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force, which officially came into being on April 1, 1924. The BCATP played a significant role in the history of the RCAF. We have some great RCAF 100 merchandise available in the gift shop too.

“The Den” donates vintage windows to the Museum

In summer, a historic hangar that was part of #10 Service Flying Training School (10 SFTS) in Dauphin, Manitoba collapsed. Rather than simply knocking the structure down and disposing of the materials, Troy Angus from “The Den” based in Pierson was contracted to dismantle the building. The Den is a business that supplies “barnwood that is sourced from rural resources. This process has begun and the materials will be repurposed rather than dumped in a landfill. The Den is rescuing some original windows form the hangar and is donating them to the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum – housed in a similar structure. The windows will be put to good use by the museum and we are grateful for this donation! You can read more about this project in the following article from the Dauphin Herald. 

A New Year Message

The following is a message to all of our supporters and volunteers as we enter 2024, from Museum President, John McNarry.

A New Calendar year is ahead of us. The past year was interesting and challenging.

We have a lot more challenges to meet as we move forward with the Museum.

It will be a busy and interesting year.

I want to personally thank you all for your support and dedication to the CATPM. 

I hope you find the year to be rewarding as we continue in our efforts to preserve the story of the BCATP as well as the memory of those who sacrificed so much that we can enjoy living as we do. Happy New Year to all.

Thank you for supporting the CATPM.

John McNarry.