Ghosts Of The Prairies: The Tale Of The BCATP in Saskatchewan

          In a future video I intend on telling the tale of one particular aircraft type in the province of Saskatchewan, the Avro Anson. Many flew in the skies of Canada at one point, yet few remain. Most people will think that these relics of past conflicts are located only in museums, and yet they hide in plain sight. Recently, a gentlemen by the name of Lester Hinzman discovered the wreck of one airframe and with the help of a fellow Canadian Aviation Historical Society member I managed to get in contact with Mr. Hinzman. Not only did he agree to let me come film his Anson for the episode I have planned, but I agreed to help him locate a second Anson in his area that I’m aware of. There are many articles out there on his discovery of his Anson, but upon reaching out to him I learned that he has no plans to restore the aircraft; the price tag is just too big. Instead it will be used as a learning tool to bring attention to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, and rightfully so- many people today are unaware of the involvement the province had with the BCATP. With this article I hope to bring to light some of the ghosts among us.

          Before my Gido passed away in 2011, he told me fantastic stories of the BCATP field in Yorkton. He was too young to enlist in the Canadian military during WWII, but remembered some things vividly. As he worked on the fields around Yorkton Saskatchewan, RCAF pilots would often get a kick out of buzzing them like angry barn swallows. I remember sitting with him on his porch as he told me these stories, smiling ear to ear and giggling like he was young again. I suppose this article is dedicated to his memory. It’s because of him my interest in the BCATP was sparked.

          Along Highway 705 just south of Halbrite Saskatchewan lies the remnants of a relief airfield that once served as a satellite for the training school in Weyburn. Unlike the Weyburn airfield, there wasn’t much use for the Halbrite relief airfield after the training school was shut down in 1944. When I first was made aware of its existence the hangar, although derelict and dilapidated, still stood tall. I believe around 2010 during a storm the hangar collapsed and farm equipment that was being stored inside the hangar was lost. The remains are still there today, as is a shelter or bunker of some sort that was part of the airfield layout, but everything else has disappeared with time. It is now marked with signs warning of trespassing, so I advise against going in without asking permission. However, just north of the airfield there was another ghost of the BCATP, another Avro Anson. Unfortunately I have received word that it was recently scrapped- a sad end for a faithful aircraft.

          The Weyburn airfield has had much better luck however. I believe it was only in operation from 1941 to 1944, however many structures still remain. The most prominent of them today is a supply depot that is still standing and is now a house. I toured it back in 2016 to receive more information about the airfield, and the owner has kept a meticulous record of its history- most of what I write here is that exact information. Another interesting structure that still stands is a massive concrete wall that can be found on most former RCAF airfields. Contrary to what some people say, it was not used for crashing out of control planes into! It was used for range practice with small arms, such as rifles and pistols. Being on the other side of those barriers would often be loud for obvious reasons, however it was safe enough to do so if you wished. Other structures that still stand are a couple hangars that are now used for storage and of course the tarmac itself which is now used by crop dusters and recreational aircraft. 

          Not everyone wants to go out in the bush and find an aircraft or the remains of a hangar however. Not to worry, there are many places that are easily accessible without getting dirty or having to ask permission to go! The BCATP Museum in Brandon Manitoba is only a four hour drive from Regina and in my opinion it is one of the best aviation museums in North America. Not only is it located on the grounds of a former RCAF station, but in the museum itself there is a comprehensive collection of records, aircraft, uniforms, and other equipment such as tools, ground vehicles, and even aircraft weaponry. Don’t fancy a long drive? Well no problem- the Western Development Museum in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan has a smaller, but just as exciting collection of BCATP aircraft and equipment, as well as other interesting exhibits on the Snowbirds, the Saskatchewan Air Ambulance, and CFB Moose Jaw. Both museums I can highly recommend to any aviation enthusiast, as well as the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum in Saskatoon Saskatchewan which have both a Harvard and Tigermoth in their collection. 

          This is just a short list of BCATP aircraft and fields that still exist today, there are many more out there that I haven’t covered, otherwise this article would be a book. In the future I’m sure I’ll be writing more articles on the subject, since many fellow members of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society are keen on the subject like I am. Perhaps when all is done with locating the second Avro Anson I’ll do a write-up on it as well as the video I have planned.