RCAF Station Fort Macleod
Encyclopedia
RCAF Station Fort Macleod was a World War II
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
(BCATP) flying training station. Administrative and operational control was the responsibility of the Royal Canadian Air Force
(RCAF). The old station is located south of Fort Macleod
, Alberta
, Canada
.
No. 7 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) began operation in December 1940, flying the twin engine Anson
. The school closed in November 1944.
After the war the station remained open and hosted No. 1 Repair Equipment and Maintenance Unit (1 REMU) which was responsible for storing and repairing RCAF aircraft. The station is now Fort Macleod Airport
. Many of the old buildings used during the BCATP days can still be seen.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan , known in some countries as the Empire Air Training Scheme , was a massive, joint military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, during the Second World War...
(BCATP) flying training station. Administrative and operational control was the responsibility of the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
(RCAF). The old station is located south of Fort Macleod
Fort Macleod, Alberta
Fort Macleod is a town in the southwest corner of the province of Alberta, Canada. It was founded as a North-West Mounted Police barracks, and is named in honour of the North-West Mounted Police Colonel James Macleod. The town's current mayor is Shawn Patience.- History and heritage preservation...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
No. 7 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) began operation in December 1940, flying the twin engine Anson
Avro Anson
The Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was...
. The school closed in November 1944.
After the war the station remained open and hosted No. 1 Repair Equipment and Maintenance Unit (1 REMU) which was responsible for storing and repairing RCAF aircraft. The station is now Fort Macleod Airport
Fort Macleod Airport
Fort Macleod Airport, , is located southwest of Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada.-History:Fort Macleod Airport was originally RCAF Station Fort Macleod, a British Commonwealth Air Training Plan facility located near the west end of Fort MacLeod. It was the location of No. 7 Service Flying Training...
. Many of the old buildings used during the BCATP days can still be seen.