RCAF Station Fingal was a Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) air station located near Fingal, Ontario, Canada. It was operated and administered by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).[1]
RCAF Station Fingal | |
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![]() Fingal in the 1940s | |
Active | 25 November 1940 – 17 February 1945 |
Country | Canada ![]() ![]() |
Branch | Royal Canadian Air Force ![]() |
Role | British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Aircrew training |
Part of | No. 1 Training Command |
Schools | No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School |
Station Magazine | Fingal Observer |
Commanders | |
W/C | W. D. Van Vliet - 1940 |
Aircraft flown | |
Trainer | Avro Anson Fairey Battle Westland Lysander Bristol Bolingbroke Northrop Nomad |
Fingal hosted No. 4 Bomber and Gunnery School (No. 4 B&GS), which trained bomb aimers and air gunners. The school opened on 25 November 1940 and closed 17 February 1945. Aircraft used included the Fairey Battle, Northrop Nomad, Westland Lysander, Bristol Bolingbroke and Avro Anson. Bombing ranges were located near Melbourne, Frome, Tempo, and Dutton. A bombing range was also located on Lake Erie. A marine unit was based in Port Stanley.[2][3]
The area is now a wildlife preserve called the "Fingal Wildlife Management Area". Wildlife habitat has been restored and area has been set aside for agricultural demonstration purposes. Interpretive trails with signage have been installed.
The airfield was constructed in a typical BCATP wartime pattern, with three runways formed in a triangle. In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed at 42°41′N 81°19′W with a Var. 5 degrees W and elevation of 705 feet (215 m). Three runways were listed as follows: [4]
Runway Name | Length | Width | Surface |
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1/19 | 3,182 feet (970 m) | 150 feet (46 m) | Not Listed |
14/32 | 2,944 feet (897 m) | 150 feet (46 m) | Not Listed |
7/25 | 2,820 feet (860 m) | 150 feet (46 m) | Not Listed |
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