RCAF Station Edmonton
Municipal Airport
General Information
Base / Station: Edmonton (municipal airport)
Province: Alberta
Dates of Operation or Period of Information: 1940-44
Units:
- No.2 Air Observer School
- Formed – 5 August 1940
- Disbanded – 14 July 1944
- Reformed in Winnipeg, Manitoba – 15 November 1955
- Aircraft Flown:
- Anson,
- Boeing 247D,
- Lockheed 10A,
- Stinson 105,
- Menasco Moth
- No.16 Elementary Flying Training School
- Formed – 11 November 1940
- Disbanded – 17 July 1942
- operated by Edmonton Flying Club
- Aircraft Flown:
- Tiger Moth,
- Fleet Finch
Commanding Officers:
Financial Impact: formed nucleus for municipal airport
Date / Reason for Closure: 14 July 1944, reduced requirement for aircrew
Site Evolution
- Hangar Fire destroys hangar – Approximately 12 June 1947 (Source Lethbridge Herald – 12 June 1947 – Page 3)
- The Publication On Track…the Pilot’s Air Travel Guide (First Annual Edition – 1978) lists the Aerodrome as “Edmonton Muni” – See photos on this page.
- The Canada Flight Supplement – 19 July 2018 lists “Edmonton City Center (Blachford Field) AB (N53 34 W113 31)” in the Abandoned List.
Current Status: Airport decommissioned. most runway/taxiway/ramp surface remains in use, 2 or 3 hangars remain
Commemoration:
- The Canadian Society for Civil Engineering recognized this facility 2012 with the installation of a plaque. Similar plaques have been installed at:
On Track – 1978
Location – Google Map
Station Magazine
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Daily Diary – Index – No 16 Elementary Flying Training School
Daily Diary – Index – No 2 Air Observer School
1940
Fatalities
This list was compiled from the entries in the Daily diaries of No 2 Air Observer School and No. 16 Elementary Flying Training School and other sources. The list likely does not include all fatalities of personnel who died while stationed at RCAF Station Edmonton, and likely includes some errors. Currently this list contains 4 personnel.
10 June 1941
28 July 1941
29 October 1943
1944-02-06
Notable Alumni
Aircraft List
Notes
- 31 May 1942, Civilian Firefighter and Mechanic at No 16 Elementary Flying Training School, John Clyde Watt, 33years of age, set a fire in a small cupboard in a hangar. He did this because he felt his job might be in jeopardy and decided that staging a fire and putting the fire out would make him an invaluable employee ensuring his future employment. He was charged and found guilty, he was sentenced to 5 years in prison for this act. (Winnipeg Free Press – 10 July 1942 – Page 7)
Course List
No 16 Elementary Flying Training School
Course List
No 2 Air Observer School
For More information – External Links
- Wikipedia
- MilitaryBruce.com – Canadian Military History by Bruce Forsyth
- Canadian Society for Civil Engineering
- Site Plan:
- https://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/bcatp/bcatp-station-edmonton/