RCAF Station Virden explained

RCAF Station Virden
Nearest Town:Virden, Manitoba
Country:Canada
Coordinates:49.8833°N 155°W
Pushpin Map:Canada Manitoba
Operator:Formerly Royal Canadian Air Force
Used:1941-4
Occupants:No. 19 Elementary Flying Training School (1941-1944)
Footnotes:

Airfields

Iata:none
Icao:none
Elevation:1446'
R1-Number:All direction
R1-Length:3600' diameter
R1-Surface:turf

RCAF Station Virden was a Second World War, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) station. It was a British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) flying training station located north of Virden, Manitoba, Canada. It is now the site of Virden/R.J. (Bob) Andrew Field Regional Aerodrome.

In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at 49.8833°N -155°W with a Var. 14 degrees 30' E and elevation of 1446'. The runway is listed as a 3600' diameter, turf, all way field.[1]

The station hosted No. 19 Elementary Flying Training School (19 EFTS). Flight instructors were civilian and were members of the Brandon-Virden Flying Club and the Moose Jaw Flying Club. Aircraft used include the de Havilland Tiger Moth and Fairchild Cornell. A relief (emergency) landing field was located near Lenore. No. 19 EFTS opened on May 16, 1941, and closed on December 15, 1944.[2]

References

  1. Book: Staff writer. Pilots Handbook of Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases Vol. 2. Royal Canadian Air Force . 25. c. 1942.
  2. 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.

External links