RCAF Detachment Grand Bend
{{Infobox military installation
| name = RCAF Grand Bend
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| nearest_town = Grand Bend, Ontario
| country = Canada
| image = RCAF Grand Bend Aerial 2018.jpg
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| caption = The airfield site in 2018
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| coordinates = {{coord|43|17|N|81|43|W |region:CA_type:airport |display=title}}
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| pushpin_map = Canada Ontario
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| operator = Formerly Royal Canadian Air Force
| controlledby = No. 1 Training Command
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| fate = Sold, automotive racetrack and private airport
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| garrison = R1, No. 9 Service Flying Training School (1942)
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Airfields
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| ICAO = none
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| LID = CPL4
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| elevation = {{Convert|650|ft|abbr=on}}
| r1-number =01/19
| r1-length ={{Convert|2600|ft|abbr=on}}
| r1-surface =Hard Surface
| r2-number =07/25
| r2-length ={{Convert|2600|ft|abbr=on}}
| r2-surface =Hard Surface
| r3-number =13/31
| r3-length ={{Convert|3100|ft|abbr=on}}
| r3-surface =Hard Surface
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RCAF Detachment Grand Bend, located near Grand Bend, Ontario, was built in 1942 as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. It was the primary relief aerodrome ("R1") for student pilots training with No. 9 Service Flying Training School at RCAF Station Centralia. Grand Bend was home to No. 1 Flying Control School from 1951 to 1957. The station was used by Centralia until 1961 when it began use with Canadian Army. It was given back to the RCAF in 1962 and was used by RCAF Station Centralia until the aerodrome closed in 1963. Subsequent owners of the property were Eagleson Construction, John Twynsta Holdings Ltd, POG Ltd (Pickling Onion Growers)and the Grand Bend Motorplex.
File:Grand Bend 1942 Hangar.JPG|The RCAF hangar seen from the taxiway, control tower on top
File:RCAF Grand Bend Hangar North.jpg|The RCAF hangar seen from the north
File:Grand Bend Runway 07.JPG|Runway 07, with race track surface on left side
File:RCAF Grand Bend Private Aircraft.jpg|Private aircraft area near runway 07
File:RCAF Grand Bend Main Entrance.jpg|The RCAF main entrance
Aerodrome information
In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed as RCAF Aerodrome - Grand Bend, Ontario at {{coord|43|17|N|81|43|W|region:CA-ON}} with a variation of 5 degrees west and elevation of {{Convert|650|ft|abbr=on}}. The aerodrome was listed with three runways as follows:{{cite book |author=Staff writer|title= Pilots Handbook of Aerodromes and Seaplane Bases Vol. 1|url= |location= |publisher= Royal Canadian Air Force |page= 117|date= c. 1942}}
| class="wikitable" |
| Runway Name
! Length ! Width ! Surface |
|---|
| 9/25
| {{Convert|2600|ft|abbr=on}} | {{Convert|150|ft|abbr=on}} | Hard Surfaced |
| 1/19
| {{Convert|2600|ft|abbr=on}} | {{Convert|150|ft|abbr=on}} | Hard Surfaced |
| 13/31
| {{Convert|3100|ft|abbr=on}} | {{Convert|150|ft|abbr=on}} | Hard Surfaced |
The Grand Bend Motorplex uses the original runway 13/31 as a drag racing track. Runway 01/19 is now an access to the dragstrip and also the Grand Bend Speedway oval and Grand Bend Motocross dirt bike tracks. The remaining runway 07/25 of the airfield is shared by the Grand Bend Raceway, the Grand Bend Sport Parachuting Center and some local private aircraft. The only RCAF building that remains is the hangar, with the control tower perched on top. The property was subsequently owned by Bell Aerospace, Exeter plastics and P.O.G. The aerodrome is now operated as the Grand Bend Airport.
References
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External links
- [http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/history-heritage/british-commonwealth-air-training-plan/training-establishments.page#ON Royal Canadian Air Force website]
- [http://www.militarybruce.com Bruce Forsyth's Canadian Military History Page]
- [http://www.skydivegrandbend.com/ Grand Bend Sport Parachuting Center]
- [http://www.grandbendmotorplex.com/ Grand Bend Motorplex]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Grand Bend}}
Category:Military airbases in Ontario
Category:Airports of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
Category:Defunct airports in Ontario