RCAF Station Neepawa
Near Neepawa, Manitoba in Canada
RCAF Station Neepawa is located in Manitoba
RCAF Station Neepawa
RCAF Station Neepawa
Coordinates50°14′N 099°30′W / 50.233°N 99.500°W / 50.233; -99.500[1]
Site history
In use1942-44
Garrison information
OccupantsNo. 35 E.F.T.S.(1942-4); No. 26 E.F.T.S.(1944)
Airfield information
Elevation1,275 ft (389 m) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
15/33 2,600 ft (790 m) Hard Surface
9/27 2,550 ft (780 m) Hard Surface
3/21 2,600 ft (790 m) Hard Surface
Airfields

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

The station is now operating as the Neepawa Airport.

History

RCAF Station Neepawa was originally opened by the Royal Air Force on 30 March 1942 near the community of Neepawa, Manitoba, constructed as a component of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.[2] That year, on the 24th of August, it was taken over by the Moncton Flying Club.

RCAF Station Neepawa was originally home to No. 35 Elementary Flying Training School (No. 35 E.F.T.S.).

Tens of thousands of eager BCATP trainees from across the globe spent time in and around small towns throughout Canada, often experiencing severe winter weather for the first time. Their lives in Manitoba, on and off base, are dramatized in the 1993 film For the Moment, starring New Zealand actor Russell Crowe.[3][4]

On 30 January 1944, No. 35 E.F.T.S. was re-designated No. 26 E.F.T.S. RCAF Station Neepawa was thereafter closed on 25 August 1944.

Facility

Aerodrome

In c. 1942, the aerodrome was listed at 50°14′N 99°30′W / 50.233°N 99.500°W / 50.233; -99.500 with a variation 12.5 degrees east and elevation of 1,275 ft (389 m). Three runways were listed as follows:[1]

Runway Name Length Width Surface
15/33 2,600 ft (790 m) 150 ft (46 m) Hard surfaced
9/27 2,550 ft (780 m) 150 ft (46 m) Hard surfaced
3/21 2,600 ft (790 m) 150 ft (46 m) Hard surfaced

Relief landing field – Eden

The primary Relief Landing Field (R1) for RCAF Station Neepawa was located 1 mi (1.6 km) east of the unincorporated community of Eden, Manitoba. The relief field consisted of an aircraft hangar, a small landing strip and a maintenance shop. The location of the field was 50°22′23″N 99°26′19″W / 50.37300°N 99.43850°W / 50.37300; -99.43850.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Staff writer (c. 1942). Pilots Handbook of Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases Vol. 2. Royal Canadian Air Force. p. 13.
  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.
  3. ↑ "Un temps pour aimer (1993) [For the Moment (original title)]". IMDB.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Russell Crowe". IMDB.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  5. ↑ Drysdale, Allan; Goldsborough, Gordon. "EFTS No. 26 Relief Field / Eden Airport". Retrieved 1 Feb 2019.



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