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.

RCAF Station Virden
Near Virden, Manitoba in Canada
RCAF Station Virden is located in Manitoba
RCAF Station Virden
RCAF Station Virden
Coordinates49°53′N 100°55′W / 49.883°N 100.917°W / 49.883; -100.917[1]
Site information
OperatorFormerly Royal Canadian Air Force
Site history
In use1941-4
Garrison information
OccupantsNo. 19 Elementary Flying Training School (1941-1944)
Airfield information
IdentifiersIATA: none, ICAO: none
Elevation1446'[1] AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
All direction 3600' diameter turf
Airfields

In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at 49°53′N 100°55′W / 49.883°N 100.917°W / 49.883; -100.917 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

edit
  1. ^ a b c Staff writer (c. 1942). Pilots Handbook of Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases Vol. 2. Royal Canadian Air Force. p. 25.
  2. ^ Hatch, F. J. (1983). The Aerodrome of Democracy: Canada and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, 1939-1945. Ottawa: Directorate of History, Department of National Defence. ISBN 0660114437.
edit