Relief Landing Field –
Chater
General Information
Base / Station: Chater
Province: Manitoba
Period(s) of Use: 1940 – 1945
Location:
Units: Primary Relief Landing Field (R1) to Brandon
Structures:
Commanding Officers:
Unit Duties / Information: This airfield was used as an auxiliary field for No. 12 Service Flying Training School at Brandon. The use of fields such as this enabled a larger number of aircraft to be in the air and training at any given time. Also located at Chater was a hangar to provide storage and a facility for the repair of aircraft and an administration building. ORB for Brandon, mentions Garages, heating facilities and Barracks. The hanger at Chater was used for storage of aircraft according to notes on the ORB for Brandon – 24 Jul 1942, 29 Jul 1942, 8 Oct 1942, 28 Dec 1942, 2 Jan 1943, 12 Jan 1943, 14 Jan 1943, 17 Jan 1943, 17 Feb 1943, 18 Feb 1943, 19 Feb 1943, 22 Mar 1943, 16 Apr 1943. Personnel strength records in the ORB for Brandon indicate staffing levels at Chater to consist of 3-7 civilians, moving from 7- to 3 as the war progressed. Mention of “few men stationed at Chatter” – ORB 26 Jan 1943.
Image from the
RCAF Pilots Manual of Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases circa 1942.
There are several inconsistencies on this page. The orientation of the aerodrome doesn’t match the actual aerodrome on google maps. The location of the aerodrome also doesn’t line up with the location on the ground and other landmarks.
Aircraft Flown: see No. 12 SFTS Brandon
Financial Impact: $471,422 (total cost of BCATP construction to 15 Mar 1942)
Station Magazine/Newspaper:
Date / Reason for closure: This airfield was closed along with that of the field at Brandon following the end of the BCATP agreement.
Facebook Photo by John Higenbottam
Site details:
Aerodrome:
Runways:
Married Quarters:
Notes about Chater from ORB No. 12 SFTS, Brandon, MB.
10 Oct 1942 – Test of new gasoline tank at Chater Relief Field was carried out, the tank being found to be satisfactory.
3 Jan 1945 – A crash alarm bell was installed in the Barrack Block at Chatter R.1.(source ORB No 12 SFTS, Brandon, MB)
18 Oct 1942 – Cpl Malcolm, cook, transferred from Chater Relief Field to the Airmen’s Mess here (No 12 SFTS Brandon)
18 May 1943 – A small tractor and plow were taken to Chater in order to prepare soil for a garden at that field.
9 Jul 1943 – F/L G.L. McMillan, appointed O.C. of Chater R.1., a maintenance crewof 9 men and necessary equipment were transferred to Chater to commence operation from R.1. in accordance with the new procedure of 9 Jul 1943 the last 4 weeks of instruction for the senior course being completed on the Relief Field. One flight of trainees was also sent for flying training to Chater.
10 Jul 1943 – The R.1. at Chater has been noticeably more active lately with additional personnel and equipment in use there.
12 Jul 1943 – The K. of C. representative visited the R.1. at Chater and supplied personnel there with sports equipment and stationary.
12 Aug 1943 – A trailer was sent to Chater for use at the R.1. field there.
31 Aug 1943 – Gas tenders were checked and also the Ambulance from R.1. Chater. This later vehicle needs painting badly, which will be done as soon as possible.
28 Sep 1943 – A new Aerodrome control trick (truck?) arrived for service at Chater.
29 Sep 1943 – The K. of C. representative visited the R.1. at Chater and supplied personnel there with games and stationary.
7 Oct 1943 – A number of library books were sent to Chater R.F. for use of the personnel stationed there.
8 Oct 1943 – The K. of C. representative visited Chater R.F. taking a supply of over 200 magazines, and showing a movie during recreation hours.
14 Oct 1943 –
Site Evolution:
- The Publication On Track…the Pilot’s Air Travel Guide (First Annual Edition – 1978) lists the Aerodrome as “Chater – Lat:49 55N – Long:99 48W – GMT-6(5) – 62SE, F-19 – Abandoned”
Current Status: abandoned airfield but all runways/taxiways still in good condition, hangar still exists in good shape
Location – Google Map
For More information – External Links
- Wikipedia
- MilitaryBruce.com – Canadian Military History by Bruce Forsyth
- Manitoba Historical Society
Other Sources: