RCAF Station Bowden explained

RCAF Station Bowden
Nearest Town:Bowden, Alberta
Country:Canada
Coordinates:51.9833°N -115°W
Pushpin Map:Canada Alberta
Ownership:Dept of National Defence (Canada)
Used:1941-4
Occupants:No. 32 E.F.T.S.(1941-4);
Footnotes:Airfields
Elevation:3100feet
R1-Number:15/33
R1-Length:3050feet
R1-Surface:Hard Surface
R2-Number:9/27
R2-Length:3050feet
R2-Surface:Hard Surface
R3-Number:3/21
R3-Length:3050feet
R3-Surface:Hard Surface

RCAF Station Bowden was a Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) station located near Bowden, Alberta, Canada. It was operated and administered by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

History

World War II

RCAF Station Bowden was constructed as a component of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan[1] near the community of Bowden, Alberta. It was originally opened by the Royal Air Force, as an elementary flying training school (No. 32 EFTS) on 12 July 1941. The Station had over 100 students at the time.[2] On 20 July 1942 it was taken over by the Edmonton Flying Club. Eventually, it had over 240 students and over 150 aircraft on strength. The aircraft used were initially Tiger Moths and later Cornells.[3] Stearman aircraft were also used.[4] RCAF Station Bowden was closed on 8 September 1944.

Aerodrome

In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at 51.9833°N -115°W with a Var. 24 degrees E and elevation of 3100feet. 3 runways were listed as follows:

Runway NameLengthWidthSurface
7/253050feet150feetHard surfaced
12/303050feet150feetHard surfaced
1/193050feet150feetHard surfaced
[5]

Relief landing field – Netook

The primary Relief Landing Field (R1) for RCAF Station Bowden was located approximately halfway between Bowden and Olds, Alberta. The relief field is now being operated as Olds (Netook) Airport.

Present Day

The aerodrome is now completely removed and the site is now the location of the Bowden Institution

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hatch . F. J. . The Aerodrome of Democracy: Canada and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, 1939-1945 . Directorate of History, Department of National Defence . 1983 . Ottawa . 0660114437.
  2. "#32 Elementary Flying Training School": http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/bcatpbowden.html
  3. Web site: BCATP Station Bowden . www.bombercommandmuseum.ca . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110826112301/http://www.bombercommandmuseum.ca/bcatpbowden.html . 2011-08-26.
  4. Web site: BCATP ORGANIZATION AND FACILITIES ~ HOW DID IT WORK? Comox Air Force Museum . comoxairforcemuseum.ca . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20181101015400/https://comoxairforcemuseum.ca/bcatp-organization-and-facilities-how-did-it-work/ . 2018-11-01.
  5. Book: Staff writer. Pilots Handbook of Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases Vol. 2. Royal Canadian Air Force . 82. c. 1942.