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4 unusual facts about British Commonwealth Air Training Plan


Ballarat Airport

In 1940 the site was resumed by theCommonwealth of Australia and a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airfield known as Empire Air Training Scheme No 1 Wireless Air Gunners School was established (EATS 1 WAGS) at the Ballarat Showgrounds on 22 April 1940.

Fleet Fawn

After years of reliable service, many were available for use in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan during the Second World War while others remained as station "hacks."

Fleet Finch

Over several years beginning in 1939, a total of 447 Finches were built, nearly all (431) of them for use as elementary trainers in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) during the Second World War.

Fleet Fort

Although it served with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, the Fort was redundant and was used to train wireless (radio) operators and had a relatively short operational career.


Goderich Airport

During World War II, Goderich Airport hosted No. 12 Elementary Flying School for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, providing initial pilot training for aircrews using the Fleet Finch.

Jack Slipper

He served as an electrician with a nightfighter squadron at West Malling, and was then posted to the Rhodesian Air Training Group in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe) in 1943.

RCAF Station Assiniboia

RCAF Station Assiniboia was a Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) flying training station located near Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, Canada.

RCAF Station Mossbank

RCAF Station Mossbank was home to No. 2 Bombing and Gunnery School, a Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan training facility located near Mossbank, Saskatchewan, Canada.


see also

Mount Pleasant Airport

RCAF Station Mount Pleasant, a Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) station located at Mount Pleasant, Prince Edward Island, Canada