RCAF Station Vulcan, also referred to as RCAF Aerodrome Vulcan, was a

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

flying training station located southwest of the town of

Vulcan Vulcan may refer to: Mythology * Vulcan (mythology), the god of fire, volcanoes, metalworking, and the forge in Roman mythology Arts, entertainment and media Film and television * Vulcan (''Star Trek''), name of a fictional race and their home p ...

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 ...

, Canada. It was one of many stations that were established in Canada under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

History

The Vulcan aerodrome hosted No. 2 Flying Instructor School (FIS), which was formally established at the station on 3 August 1942. However No. 2 FIS started training at

RCAF Station Claresholm RCAF Station Claresholm was a British Commonwealth Air Training Plan station that trained pilots for World War II service. The station was located near Claresholm, Alberta, Canada. History World War II No. 15 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) ...

on 27 April 1942 under the control of No. 15 Service Flying Training School. The aircraft used were Cornells, Cranes, Fawns,

Finches The true finches are small to medium-sized passerine birds in the family Fringillidae. Finches have stout conical bills adapted for eating seeds and nuts and often have colourful plumage. They occupy a great range of habitats where they are usua ...

, Harvards,

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Tiger Moth The de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s British biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and built by the de Havilland Aircraft Company. It was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and other operators as a primary trainer aircraft. ...

s and Ansons. On 3 May 1943, No. 2 FIS moved to the

Pearce Pearce may refer to: Places *Pearce, Australian Capital Territory, a suburb *Division of Pearce, an electoral division in Western Australia *Pearce, Arizona, United States, an unincorporated community *RAAF Base Pearce, the main Royal Australian Ai ...

aerodrome near

Fort Macleod Fort Macleod ( ) is a town in southern Alberta, Canada. It was originally named Macleod to distinguish it from the North-West Mounted Police barracks (Fort Macleod, built 1874) it had grown around. The fort was named in honour of the then Commis ...

and No. 19 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) took over the facilities, training future bomber pilots using the Anson. No. 19 SFTS ceased operation on April 14, 1945. Relief or auxiliary landing fields were located at

Ensign An ensign is the national flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality. The ensign is the largest flag, generally flown at the stern (rear) of the ship while in port. The naval ensign (also known as war ensign), used on warships, may be diffe ...

and

Champion A champion (from the late Latin ''campio'') is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition. There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional / provincial, state, national, continental and world championships, an ...

Aerodrome

In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at with a Var. 23 degrees E and elevation of . Three runways were listed as follows:

Relief landing field – Ensign

The primary Relief Landing Field (R1) for RCAF Station Vulcan was located east of the community of Ensign, Alberta. In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at with a Var. 23 degrees E and elevation of . Three runways were listed as follows:

Relief landing field – Champion

The secondary Relief Landing Field (R2) for RCAF Station Vulcan was located approximately southwest of the community of Champion, Alberta. In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at with a Var. 23 degrees E and elevation of . The aerodrome was listed as "Turf" and "All-way field" with two runways listed as follows:

Postwar

For a period of time the old station operated as the Vulcan Industrial Airport. Although the runways still exist, the aerodrome has seen many aircraft since the war. Six of the original seven hangars remain standing. The remaining hangars are used for storage and for private industrial purposes. Three of the building owners are working to restore their hangars. In 2009 new ownership began re-invigorating the airport. In 2011 it was reopened as Vulcan/Kirkcaldy Aerodrome, operated by Wheatland Industries. The aerodrome is currently being used by private aircraft and one spray plane company. This is the main operating field for the Southern Alberta Gliding Centre of the

Air Cadet Gliding Program The Air Cadet Gliding Program is a youth gliding program operated by the Canadian Forces (CF) and the Air Cadet League of Canada for the benefit of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. The program is managed by CF officers (most of whom are CIC offi ...

. File:Vulcan Aerodrome Hangars.jpg, Remaining hangars File:Vulcan Aerodrome Historical Marker.JPG, Historical marker commemorating the former RCAF Aerodrome File:Vulcan Aerodrome Runway.JPG, Ground level view of a runway at the Vulcan/Kirkcaldy Aerodrome File:Vulcan Aerodrome Pistol Range.JPG, A former pistol range located at the airfield

References