RCAF Station Brandon

RCAF Station Brandon
Near Brandon, Manitoba in Canada
RCAF Station Brandon
Coordinates 49°55′N 099°57′W / 49.917°N 99.950°W / 49.917; -99.950Coordinates: 49°55′N 099°57′W / 49.917°N 99.950°W / 49.917; -99.950[1]
Site history
In use 1942-44
Airfield information
Elevation 1322'[1] AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
8/26 2700' Hard Surface[1]
8/26 2700' Hard Surface[1]
2/20 2720' Hard Surface[1]
2/20 2720' Hard Surface[1]
14/32 2700' Hard Surface[1]
14/32 2700' Hard Surface[1]
Airfields

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

History

World War II

The facility was originally built by the Department of National Defense in 1941, for use as a Royal Canadian Air Force flight training school under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Pilots were trained at the airport on Cessna Crane and Avro Anson, among other aircraft, for Second World War flying service. In 1945, the school was closed in conjunction with the end of the Second World War. Portions of the former RCAF station are now classified as a National Historic Site of Canada. The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum is a popular tourist attraction located at the former station that commemorates the BCATP and the former station.[2]

Aerodrome information

In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at 49°55′N 99°57′W / 49.917°N 99.950°W / 49.917; -99.950 with a Var. 13 degrees E and elevation of 1322'. Six runways were listed as follows: [1]

Runway Name Length Width Surface
8/26 2700' 100' Hard surfaced
8/26 2700' 100' Hard surfaced
2/20 2720' 100' Hard surfaced
2/20 2720' 100' Hard surfaced
14/32 2700' 100' Hard surfaced
14/32 2700' 100' Hard surfaced

Relief landing field – Chatter

A relief landing field for RCAF Station Brandon was located approximately 6 miles east. The site was located 5 miles northeast of the town of Chater, Manitoba. The relief field was constructed in the typical triangular pattern. In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at 49°55′N 99°48′W / 49.917°N 99.800°W / 49.917; -99.800 with a Var. 13 degrees E and elevation of 1333'. Three runways were listed as follows [3]

Runway Name Length Width Surface
8/26 2700' 150' Hard surfaced
2/20 2700' 150' Hard surfaced
14/32 2700' 150' Hard surfaced

A review of Google Maps on 7 June 2018 shows a very visible airfield at the listed coordinates. But runway orientation is flipped top to bottom with the drawing in the book from c.1942.

Relief landing field – Douglas

The second relief landing field for RCAF Station Brandon was located approximately 14 Miles east. The site was located north east of the town of Douglas, Manitoba. The Relief field was listed as Turf all way. In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at 49°55′N 99°39′W / 49.917°N 99.650°W / 49.917; -99.650 with a Var. 12.5 degrees E and elevation of 1262'. [4] A review of Google Maps on 7 June 2018 shows no visibility of an airfield near the posted coordinates.

Present day

The airport is now operating as the Brandon Municipal Airport

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Staff writer (c. 1942). Pilots Handbook of Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases Vol. 2. Royal Canadian Air Force. p. 1.
  2. ↑ Airport History Retrieved 11 June 2018
  3. ↑ Staff writer (c. 1942). Pilots Handbook of Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases Vol. 2. Royal Canadian Air Force. p. 3.
  4. ↑ Staff writer (c. 1942). Pilots Handbook of Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases Vol. 2. Royal Canadian Air Force. p. 6.
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