Stations of the RCAF:
Uplands
(Republished from the July/ August 1963 issue of The Roundel)
By Flight Lieutenant L.D. Wick
Contrails above Ottawa, visible reminders to the citizens of the nation’s capital that their air force is on the job, likely are formed by high-flying jets based at an airfield located only six miles from the Peace Tower — RCAF Station Uplands.
Long before the RCAF had any interest in what is now Uplands airport, the area was used for civilian flying. On 19 July 1919 a privately-owned JN-4 Jenny aircraft landed in a pasture beside what is now the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club. Thus, the era of aviation opened in Canada’s capital. The next incident of note was in the summer of 1927 when Charles A. Lindbergh landed his “Spirit of St. Louis” there during a goodwill tour that followed his solo crossing of the Atlantic earlier that year. As a result of that visit, the aerodrome was known for many years as “Lindy’s Field.”
After the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) agreement was signed at Ottawa in December 1939, Uplands was selected as the site for one of the first Service Flying Training Schools (SFTS). Although called No. 2 SFTS, it was actually the first new SFTS in the Plan; No. 1 SFTS, which had opened two weeks earlier at Camp Borden, was at the site of and a development from an old pre-war training establishment.
On 26 July 1940 the first Harvards for the school landed at Uplands and on 5 August the Governor-General, the Earl of Athlone, officially opened No. 2 SFTS. From the beginning, this school held a special place in the training plan. It was the experimental and demonstration unit for the SFTSs and those in the RCAF and allied air forces who wished to see and study the BCATP in operation, visited Station Uplands.
Because of its proximity to the capital, Uplands also became a showplace for the BCATP, attracting scores of visitors, heads of state, diplomats, officers and officials from virtually every one of the allied powers. In time the visitors’ book of No. 2 SFTS began to look like a “Who’s Who”. News media representatives, photographers, radio stars, commentators and movie celebrities were conducted around the station to see at first hand how Canada was becoming the “aerodrome of democracy”. It was at Uplands that many of the scenes of “Captains of the Clouds”, starring James Cagney, were filmed in the summer of 1941. This movie also gave selected station personnel their one and only chance to take part in a movie.
The final chapter of No. 2 SFTS’ career was ended when the last two courses received their pilots’ wings on 28 March 1945. The following day another ceremony took place to symbolize the termination of the BCATP. The Governor-General and representatives of many of the allied nations were in attendance to present wings to representatives of all seven branches of aircrew graduates assembled from schools across Canada. Represented in this combined ceremony were RCAF, RAF, RAAF, RNZAF, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Royal Netherlands Air Force, French Air Force and men who wore on their RCAF and RAF uniforms the “flashes” of Poland, Czechoslovakia, USA and many parts of the British Commonwealth.
After No. 2 SFTS closed down Station Uplands served as a non-flying unit to provide the necessary services for AFHQ Practice Flight and Construction Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering. When Maintenance Command was formed at Uplands on 1 October 1945 the station organization was no longer needed so RCAF Station Uplands was disbanded. Maintenance Command remained at Uplands until March 1947 when it moved to Air Force Headquarters. Then, for over three years, the RCAF had no connection with Uplands except for some brief activities of the AFHQ Practice Flight.
UPLANDS RE-OPENED
Towards the end of 1950, as the RCAF began to expand in keeping with Canada’s growing international commitments, Uplands was re-activated as an Air Defence Command station. New runways and buildings were constructed. For its air defence role Uplands acquired No. 416, a Mustang-equipped fighter squadron, in January 1951. By July this squadron reequipped with Sabres and two months later a second Sabre squadron, No. 439, was formed.
Uplands picked up where it had left off in 1945 in the role of welcoming royalty, heads of state and dignitaries of many nations. The first post-war visit of a ruling monarch was in April 1952 when Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands landed at the station. In the years that followed other eminent visitors arrived at Uplands, including Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Queen Mother, Prime Ministers Mendes-France, Anthony Eden, Robert Menzies, Pandit Nehru, Mohammed Ali and President Dwight Eisenhower.
In June 1952 No. 439 Sqn. was transferred from Uplands to England to help form the nucleus of the RCAF’s No. 1 Air Division. A month later No. 434 Sqn. was formed to fill the vacancy. Number 416 Sqn. left for Europe in September 1952 and No. 422 Sqn. was formed at Uplands as a replacement. In 1953 the numbers game was played again at Uplands as Nos. 434 and 422 departed for Europe; No. 445 Sqn., equipped with CF-100s, was transferred in followed by No. 428 Sqn. in June 1954. With two more shuffles No. 445 Sqn. leaving Uplands for Europe and No. 410 Sqn. leaving Europe for Uplands, the stations’ complement of interceptor squadrons was completed. In late 1961 advancing technology brought about another change in the composition of aircraft at Station Uplands. The CF-100 aircraft, which had been the mainstay of the RCAF’s Air Defence Command, became obsolete and were phased out. This resulted in No. 428 Sqn. being disbanded and No. 410 Sqn. being re-equipped with Voodoos.
UPLANDS TODAY
RCAF Station Uplands, commanded by G/C W. L. Gillespie, is now the home of five flying organizations from two different commands and from AFHQ. Air Defence Command is represented by No. 410 (Cougar) Sqn., under the command of W/C K. W. Macdonald. Originally a World War II night fighter unit, re-activated in 1948 as the RCAF’s first jet fighter squadron, No. 410 today flies Voodoos and is one of five NORAD-assigned RCAF interceptor units.
Number 410 Sqn. has also been a pioneer in noise abatement programs for jet fighters in Canada. Although other RCAF interceptor squadrons are faced with noise problems, nowhere is the problem so acute as at Station Uplands because of its proximity to the city of Ottawa. This difficulty has been largely overcome by limiting maintenance run-ups to certain areas of the airfield and to certain hours, by installation of special noise suppressor equipment for ground-testing engines, and by the observance of special departure procedures.
Air Transport Command has two “lodger units” at Uplands — No. 412 Sqn. and a detachment of No. 408 Sqn. The latter flies specially-equipped T-33 aircraft on high altitude photographic assignments, augmenting the work of its Rockcliffe-based Lancaster-equipped parent formation.
Number 412 Sqn., commanded by W/C J. W. Borden, DFC, is known for its globe-circling missions carrying royalty, parliamentary leaders, top-ranking military officers and government officials. Because of the type of passenger carried, No. 412 Sqn. works on a rigid timetable. “Ramp-time” is a key-word to the aircrew of this squadron as there are often guards of honour and dignitaries on the ramp waiting to greet the aircraft’s passengers.
In addition to operating special flights, No. 412 has carried parachute troops to Norman Wells, entertainers to the Arctic, UNEF soldiers to the Middle East, freight to remote areas and patients from isolated settlements. The squadron operates a variety of aircraft, including the aging Comet (No. 412 Sqn. became the first agency in the world to provide jet trans-Atlantic service in 1953.) The acquisition of Cosmopolitan aircraft, now the mainstay of its domestic operations, brought about a new standard in passenger comfort and high-speed freight capability, while the giant Yukon today neatly fills the transoceanic role.
Some idea of the amount of air transport which flows through Station Uplands can be gathered by examining the workload of No. 3 Air Movements Unit. This AMU handles approximately 412,000 pounds of freight and baggage plus about 2200 service and government passengers per month.
Uplands’ largest single unit, albeit a “lodger” reporting directly to AFHQ, is the Central Experimental and Proving Establishment (CEPE), whose commanding officer, G/C H. A. Morrison, DSO, DFC, AFC, is being succeeded this summer by G/C A. U. Houle, DFC. The first feature which would arrest a CEPE visitor’s attention is the wide-assortment of aircraft parked on the ramp beside the CEPE hangar. Unlike other flying organizations in the RCAF, CEPE by the very nature of its work has as many different types of aircraft as it can handle at any one time.
CEPE handles numerous projects each year which range in magnitude and complexity from the evaluation and acceptance of new aircraft to investigating the lubricating oil in watches and clocks. To carry out its flight testing program CEPE operates aircraft ranging from the T-33 to the Yukon, and has several detachments throughout Canada.*
Still on the operational side there is AFHQ Jet Training Flight which was formed in October 1956 to provide jet proficiency flying facilities for aircrew in the Ottawa district. This flight also provides aircraft so the pilots of No. 410 Sqn. can maintain their instrument proficiency. To carry out its tasks the flight has a fleet of 13 T-33s.
Uplands also provides house-keeping facilities for two army units: No. 208 RCEME workshop which is responsible for the operational fitness of the electrical and mechanical equipment of the regular and militia units in Ottawa; and an RCASC Detail Issue Depot which supplies food to the local military, RCMP and civil defence organizations.
Station Uplands has approximately 3700 servicemen and dependents on the station. Some 2500 personnel live in Elizabeth Park, the married quarters area, and in the self-help housing project, a unique scheme started in 1961 to provide more low cost housing for aircraftmen and junior NCOs when more PMQs could not be obtained. Arrangements were made to obtain a low-interest loan for construction of 300 units which would be rented to airmen for about $90 per month including all utilities and taxes. This project derives its name because, unlike standard PMQs, the tenants help with minor maintenance and some of the aspects of development such as the landscaping. The response to this project was so encouraging that another 245 units have subsequently been built.
Uplands personnel are proud of their recreational facilities — most of which have been provided at their own expense. These include an 18-hole golf course complete with pro shop and clubhouse. Other summer sports facilities include swimming, boating, softball, soccer, football and archery. And, for diversion during the winter months, there is an excellent curling club, hockey arena and a well-equipped recreation hall for indoor sports such as badminton, basketball, bowling and squash. For those who like to tinker with their cars or who are interested in hobbies, the auto club and hobby shops provide excellent opportunities for wood-working, leathercraft and ceramics.
RCAF Station Uplands is an important link for the air force in both air defence and air transport operations. In addition to having a dual operational role, Uplands holds an unique position among stations of the RCAF. Because of its assigned task of welcoming eminent visitors to Canada and also because of its nearness to Canada’s capital, Uplands is proud of its unofficial title, “Showplace of the RCAF”.
* A feature length article on CEPE was published in Roundel, May 1963.
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