RCAF Station Bowden was a Second World War

British Commonwealth Air Training Plan The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), or Empire Air Training Scheme (EATS) often referred to as simply "The Plan", was a massive, joint military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zea ...

(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

near the community of

Bowden Bowden may refer to: Places Australia * Bowden Island, one of the Family Islands in Queensland * Bowden, South Australia, northwestern suburb of Adelaide * Bowden railway station Canada * Bowden, Alberta, town in central Alberta England * Bowde ...

Alberta Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Ter ...

. It was originally opened by the

Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the United Kingdom's air and space force. It was formed towards the end of the First World War on 1 April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and ...

, as an elementary flying training school (No. 32 EFTS) on 12 July 1941. The Station had over 100 students at the time. 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. Stearman aircraft were also used. RCAF Station Bowden was closed on 8 September 1944.

Aerodrome

In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at with a Var. 24 degrees E and elevation of . 3 runways were listed as follows:

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 Bowden Institution is a medium security prison operated by Correctional Services Canada. It was built on an ''"open campus"'' model. In an adjoining minimum security annex prisoners live in ordinary houses. The facility is located on Alberta's ...

References

Buildings and structures in Alberta Military airbases in Alberta Military history of Alberta 1941 establishments in Alberta {{canada-mil-stub