RCAF Station Souris

RCAF Station Souris
Souris, Manitoba
Near Souris, Manitoba in Canada
RCAF Station Souris
Coordinates 49°38′N 100°12′W / 49.633°N 100.200°W / 49.633; -100.200Coordinates: 49°38′N 100°12′W / 49.633°N 100.200°W / 49.633; -100.200[1]
Site information
Operator Formerly Royal Canadian Air Force
Site history
In use 1943-1945
Airfield information
Identifiers IATA: none, ICAO: none
Elevation 1450'[1] AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
2L/20R 2700' Hard Surface[1]
2R/20L 2800' Hard Surface[1]
14L/32R 2700' Hard Surface[1]
14R/32L 2700' Hard Surface[1]
8/26 2800' Hard Surface[1]
Airfields

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

History

World War II

Souris hosted No. 17 Service Flying Training School (No. 17 SFTS). The school opened 8 March 1943 and closed 30 March 1945. Aircraft used included the Harvard and Anson. Emergency, or relief, landing fields were located at Hartney and Elgin.[2]

Aerodrome Information

In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at 49°38′N 100°12′W / 49.633°N 100.200°W / 49.633; -100.200 with a Var. 14 degrees E and elevation of 1450'. The aerodrome was listed as under construction and servicable. Five runways were listed as follows: [1]

Runway Name Length Width Surface
2/20 2800' 100' Hard surfaced
2/20 2700' 100' Hard surfaced
14/32 2700' 100' Hard surfaced
14/32 2700' 100' Hard surfaced
8/26 2800' 100' Hard surfaced

A review of Google Maps on 10 June 2018 shows that only the inner 14/32 runway remains as hard surfaced. The outer 14/32 runway and the 2 former 2/20 runways have been reclaimed for agricultural use. A review of the Souris Glenwood Industrial Air Park page shows the former 8/26 runway is still maintained as turf.

Relief landing field – Hartney

The primary Relief Landing Field (R1) for RCAF Station Souris was located approximately 19 miles south-west. The site was located approximately 1 miles south of the now unincorporated community of Hartney, Manitoba. The Relief field was laid out in the standard triangular patern. In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at 49°27′N 100°31′W / 49.450°N 100.517°W / 49.450; -100.517 with a Var. 14 degrees E and elevation of 1450'. Three runways were listed as follows [3]

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

A review of Google Maps on 10 June 2018 shows a clear outline of the aerodrome at the posted coordinates.

Relief landing field – Elgin

The secondary Relief Landing Field (R2) for RCAF Station Souris was located approximately 10 Miles south. The site was located approximately 3 miles north of the unincorporated community of Elgin, Manitoba. The Relief field was turf with a triangular runway layout. In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at 49°29′N 100°15′W / 49.483°N 100.250°W / 49.483; -100.250 with a Var. 13.5 degrees E and elevation of 1495'. Three runways were listed as follows [4]

Runway Name Length Width Surface
2/20 3300' ---' Turf
14/32 3300' ---' Turf
8/26 3600' ---' Turf

A review of Google Maps on 10 June 2018 shows no identifiable trace of the former aerodrome in the vicinity of the posted coordinates.

Present

The aerodrome is now the Souris Glenwood Industrial Air Park.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Staff writer (c. 1942). Pilots Handbook of Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases Vol. 2. Royal Canadian Air Force. p. 22.
  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.
  3. ↑ Staff writer (c. 1942). Pilots Handbook of Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases Vol. 2. Royal Canadian Air Force. p. 10.
  4. ↑ Staff writer (c. 1942). Pilots Handbook of Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases Vol. 2. Royal Canadian Air Force. p. 8.
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