Welcome to RCAF.Info
Your dashboard for RCAF Research on the World Wide Web
This site was established in June of 2021. I am still adding information on pretty much a daily basis, though I never really know where the development is taking place. I have continued building the publications section and there are now over 2300 separate historical publications available for download. I am continuing to build out the pages for the individual stations with links to research materials and continue researching this fascinating area of Canadian History.
I am also involved with the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum and their CASPIR (Canadian Aircraft Serials, Personnel Information Resource) Project. I am always willing to answer questions dealing especially with Second World War Air Force Training (BCATP) in Canada.
I have decided against adding a contact form on the site but can be contacted via facebook. The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada Group or the RCAF.Info groups are great groups that I monitor. Also feel free to add a comment in the comment section that should be available on all pages on the site.
Thank you for joining me on this voyage of discovery.
Nathan
Looking for information about my father Felix Mcknight Flight Officer 129340. He was up for a Court Martial offence in Caron Saskatchewan, Canada on June 25, 1943. Information is on reel-21788/3388 . He was in unit 33EFTS. Can you help please and thank you
I have some further information.
Wow, I am writing a biography of my father W/O Air gunner, and I just found this treasure. He was at Jarvis, Regina, Winnipeg, then served his tour of duty (419, 405 OTU 22), and returned as instructor in Brantford and Mont-Joli. This website is amazing!
Hi Gary,
I have quite a bit of material about Jarvis if you’re interested, drop me a line. [email protected] .
Mike
Hi, very impressive site! I wanted to ask if I could have permission to use a photo: it would be the one of the back of the historic plaque for the No.4 Bombing and Gunnery School, Fingal. I’m doing an entry for the plaque at the Historic Marker Database, and neglected to take one Thanks!
Hi,
Was wondering if you (or anyone readinf this) had any further info on Halifax aircraft EQ-J. One of my relatives survived the downing of this plane.
Kind regards.
Hello I’m trying to locate information on my Grandfather Walter Plew who was a RCAF flight instructor for 2 yrs then to instructor for WASP school in Texas, then for Chance Vought then to Wisconsin central airlines pilot
I’m trying to find if and when my father Edward Badrick was here in Medicine Hat. My information is scant but says he was here as a mechanic services planes during the war. How do I find out more information?
I am trying to confirm whether or not a specific airman from the Australian forces trained during WW2 in Saskatoon. Does anyone know if this type of info is available anywhere?
Hello am trying to get any pictures that might have my dad Foster H Cooper (coop) R62148 from Fort Macleod 1940-43
I am one of the volunteer administrators at the Red River Ancestry Genealogy Centre in St. Andrews Manitoba.
I would like to share this information at our centre and was and would like to get permission to print the information and pictures from this site.
Hi
My father was at Yorkton EFTS 23 RAF and was the last course before/when the programme was shut down in August 45. I’ve looked through the log but can’t see any mention of him. I don’t want to put his name in public domain. Can I contact someone? I have a couple of great photos one with signatures.
Another version of the Holberg Station welcome pamphlet may be found at
https://www.candemuseum.org/sites/default/files/archives/Pinetreeline/photos/p21-78a.html
This version has a date
I am looking for information on my grandfather, Joseph Austin of Ranfurly, Alberta. He was one of the first people here to have an airplane, and he taught pilots to fly where he was stationed in Manitoba for WW2. He actively flew for years after the war, flying up into Northern Canada and also crop dusting near his home. I read a story about him and his brother once. Apparently they flew into an airshow in Manitoba and people thought they were the Wright brothers. The Wright brothers flew in about 15 minutes later.
Thanks for any information you can find!!
More than 8,864 Americans served in the RCAF in WW II. I have written 125 selected biographies of their exploits. The first 75 articles are in my 480 page book “American RCAF Warriors” published by Key Books in England. Volume II of this title with 50 stories is expected to released in the next few months. Cheers.
Hello Nathan, I believe you and I have corresponded before.
I am looking for information about the courses that RCAF personnel had to complete in order to graduate as an Air Gunner in World War 2? My dad trained in Macdonald MB., Trenton ON. and somewhere in SK., and received his Sergeant Stripes and A/G Badge in October, 1943.
I’m looking for any information relating to my late father’s time at 5 OTU Abbotsford. He was RAF Sgt John Smythe trained as a WO/AG and was at Abbotsford from 1 Feb 1945 till 6 March 1945 according to his log book. I believe his crew was established at Abbotsford and his skipper was FO Bennett. I would be grateful for any info on the other members of his crew.
Hi, looking for information about my father.
Curt Gordon Scott, photographer 🤔
[email protected]
Hi Nathan (and anyone who reads this!)
My name is John Gardiner, my Grandad was RAF Sgt Glyn Griffiths 991242 he flew in the Battle of France and Britain. He then trained as a flying instructor at Desford, before being transported to Halifax, Nova Scotia and getting the 5/6 day train ride to Caron Saskatchewan to train pilots. His first flight there was on 12 January 1942, I believe he was the at Caron pretty much from the start … I am currently reading In Plain Site by Joel From which describes about Caron. He then was posted to 133(F) squadron Leftbridge Alberta on June 15 1942, where he assisted in the formation of the unit and continued with instruction. On August 10 1942 Glyn was at Canada Car & Foundry Fort William Ontario testing Hurricanes coming off the production line!. Glyn was then posted to No.1 OTU Bagotville Quebec on September 20 1942 instructing again his last flight was February 6 1943 before returning to the U.K.
I am writing a book about Glyn and his RAF career, I am looking for any information about Glyn’s time in Canada, or pointing to the right place to look.
Regards John Gardiner
I just found your site and wonder if you have information about my Grandfather Robert Taylor Carr, there is a family photo of him in flying gear by Niagara Falls. I believe he became a flying instructor in Canada.
Regards, Frances Roulland
I have some things you’d want to see .
I am writing my father’s biography and his WW2 service. He talked about his training in Canada including the bases at Dafoe, Calgary and Patricia Bay. The snow and cold of those places, especially Dafoe made a big and lasting impression on him being Australian. Dad went to the U.K after training in Canada and ended up in Coastal Command on Hampdens. I am very appreciative on this website and its information. It has helped me expand my understanding of what training he did. Thank you!