RCAF Station Mount Pleasant
Encyclopedia
RCAF Station Mount Pleasant was a Royal Canadian Air Force
(RCAF) station in Mount Pleasant
, Prince Edward Island
, Canada
. Two of its runways remain in use by members of the Experimental Aircraft Association
.http://www.militarybruce.com/history/base-history_14.html
The aerodrome opened during World War II
in 1940 under the auspices of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
(BCATP); it was intended to serve as a relief landing field for No. 9 Service Flying Training School, which was located at nearby RCAF Station Summerside
.
In September 1943, RCAF Station Mount Pleasant evolved from a relief field to a full training facility when it began hosting No. 10 Bombing and Gunnery School (B&GS). Aircraft used for this training include the Avro Anson
, Fairey Battle
, Bristol Bolingbroke
and Westland Lysander
. No. 10 B&GS ceased operation in June 1945.
The airfield was used as a storage depot for a short time before being decommissioned by the RCAF in 1947.
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) station in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant, Prince Edward Island
Mount Pleasant is a Canadian rural community located in Prince County, Prince Edward Island.The name "Mount Pleasant" was selected at a public meeting on November 1, 1862 and was formally recognized in Place Names of Prince Edward Island in 1925....
, Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island is a Canadian province consisting of an island of the same name, as well as other islands. The maritime province is the smallest in the nation in both land area and population...
, 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...
. Two of its runways remain in use by members of the Experimental Aircraft Association
Experimental Aircraft Association
The Experimental Aircraft Association is an international organization of aviation enthusiasts based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Since its inception it has grown internationally with over 160,000 members and about 1,000 chapters worldwide....
.http://www.militarybruce.com/history/base-history_14.html
The aerodrome opened during World War II
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...
in 1940 under the auspices of the 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); it was intended to serve as a relief landing field for No. 9 Service Flying Training School, which was located at nearby RCAF Station Summerside
CFB Summerside
Canadian Forces Base Summerside was an air force base located in St. Eleanors, Prince Edward Island, Canada, now part of the city of Summerside.-RCAF Station Summerside:...
.
In September 1943, RCAF Station Mount Pleasant evolved from a relief field to a full training facility when it began hosting No. 10 Bombing and Gunnery School (B&GS). Aircraft used for this training include the Avro 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...
, Fairey Battle
Fairey Battle
The Fairey Battle was a British single-engine light bomber built by the Fairey Aviation Company in the late 1930s for the Royal Air Force. The Battle was powered by the same Rolls-Royce Merlin piston engine that gave contemporary British fighters high performance; however, the Battle was weighed...
, Bristol Bolingbroke
Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroke
The Bristol Fairchild Bolingbroke was a maritime patrol aircraft used by the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Built by Fairchild-Canada, it was a variant of the Bristol Blenheim Mk IV bomber.-Design and development:...
and Westland Lysander
Westland Lysander
The Westland Lysander was a British army co-operation and liaison aircraft produced by Westland Aircraft used immediately before and during the Second World War...
. No. 10 B&GS ceased operation in June 1945.
The airfield was used as a storage depot for a short time before being decommissioned by the RCAF in 1947.