RCAF Station Bowden

RCAF Station Bowden
Near Bowden, Alberta in Canada
RCAF Station Bowden
Coordinates 51°59′N 114°01′W / 51.983°N 114.017°W / 51.983; -114.017Coordinates: 51°59′N 114°01′W / 51.983°N 114.017°W / 51.983; -114.017[1]
Site information
Owner Dept of National Defence (Canada)
Site history
In use 1941-4
Garrison information
Occupants No. 32 E.F.T.S.(1941-4);
Airfield information
Elevation 3,100 feet (945 m)[1] AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
15/33 3,050 feet (930 m) Hard Surface[1]
9/27 3,050 feet (930 m) Hard Surface[1]
3/21 3,050 feet (930 m) Hard Surface[1]
Airfields

RCAF Station Bowden was a Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) station located near Bowden, Alberta, Canada. It was operated and administered by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

History

World War II

RCAF Station Bowden was originally opened by the Royal Air Force on 12 July 1941 near the community of Bowden, Alberta. On the 20 July 1942 it was taken over by the Edmonton Flying Club. RCAF Station Bowden was home to No. 32 Elementary Flying Training School (No. 32 E.F.T.S.). RCAF Station Bowden was closed on 8 September 1944.

The Station was constructed as a component of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan[2]

Aerodrome

In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at 51°59′N 114°01′W / 51.983°N 114.017°W / 51.983; -114.017 with a Var. 24 degrees E and elevation of 3,100 feet (945 m). 3 runways were listed as follows:

Runway Name Length Width Surface
7/25 3,050 feet (930 m) 150 feet (46 m) Hard surfaced
12/30 3,050 feet (930 m) 150 feet (46 m) Hard surfaced
1/19 3,050 feet (930 m) 150 feet (46 m) Hard surfaced

[1]

Relief landing field – Netook

The primary Relief Landing Field (R1) for RCAF Station Bowden was located approximately half way between Bowden and Olds, Alberta. The relief field is now being operated as Olds (Netook) Airport.

Present Day

The aerodrome is now completely removed and the site is now the location of the Bowden Institution

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Staff writer (c. 1942). Pilots Handbook of Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases Vol. 2. Royal Canadian Air Force. p. 82.
  2. ↑ Hatch, F. J. (1983). The Aerodrome of Democracy: Canada and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, 1939-1945. Ottawa: Directorate of History, Department of National Defence. ISBN 0660114437.


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