RCAF Station Jericho Beach: Difference between revisions
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In 1921, Vancouver was second only to [[High River Air Station|High River]] in number of hours flown among Canadian air stations. The station operated several HS-2L flying boats and a single [[Felixstowe F.3]] on a variety of missions including forest fire patrol, forestry survey, anti-smuggling patrol, fisheries patrol, and transportation in remote areas.<ref name="Hitchens"/>{{rp|62- |
In 1921, Vancouver was second only to [[High River Air Station|High River]] in number of hours flown among Canadian air stations. The station operated several HS-2L flying boats and a single [[Felixstowe F.3]] on a variety of missions including forest fire patrol, forestry survey, anti-smuggling patrol, fisheries patrol, and transportation in remote areas. In 1922, a permanent hangar and fuel tank were built at the station. Major Clarence MacLaurin, who had helped select the site and been superintendent of the station since its establishment, was killed in an HS-2L crash on 11 September 1922.<ref name="Hitchens"/>{{rp|62-72}}<ref name="Weicht"/>{{rp|15-21}}<ref name="Griffin2009"/>{{rp|126-131}} |
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| ⚫ | Following the cancellation of part-time training for military pilots on 31 March 1922, the Air Board restructured its flying operations, merging the Flying Operations Branch into the [[Canadian Air Force (1920–1924)|Canadian Air Force]] in June. Changes to the organization of the air stations were deferred to the fall to avoid administrative issues during the flying season. On 25 November 1922 the Vancouver Air Station was renamed '''C.A.F. Unit Vancouver''' and the civilian personnel were commissioned or enlisted into the Canadian Air Force. The name changed again when the Canadian Air Force was granted the ''royal'' prefix effective 13 March 1923, becoming '''RCAF Unit Vancouver''', then '''RCAF Station Vancouver''' in early October. None of these changes, nor the official formation of the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] on 1 April 1924, substantially altered the role of the station.<ref name="Hitchens"/>{{rp|92-106}}<ref name="Weicht"/>{{rp|23-24}} |
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In 1922, a permanent hangar and fuel tank were built at the station. The station's tasks remained similar to previous years. Major Clarence MacLaurin, who had helped select the site and been superintendent of the station since its establishment, was killed in an HS-2L crash on 11 September 1922.<ref name="Hitchens"/>{{rp|70-72}}<ref name="Weicht"/>{{rp|18-21}}<ref name="Griffin2009"/>{{rp|130-131}} |
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In 1923, the majority of the station's flying was "preventive patrols" to counter smuggling and illegal fishing. With the passage of the [[Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution]], patrols were required to combat [[rum-running]] in addition to narcotics smuggling. On behalf of the [[Department of Marine and Fisheries]], an HS-2L was detached to [[Prince Rupert, British Columbia|Prince Rupert]] to spot vessels fishing illegally. The station also began conducting experimental flights to capture samples of [[white pine blister rust]] to analyze airborne transmission patterns for the [[Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada|Department of Agriculture]]. The same year the station became the RCAF's main center for [[seaplane]] conversion training for pilots trained on landplanes at [[Camp Borden]]. For 1924 the station's aircraft consisted of two HS-2Ls and a [[Vickers Viking]]. <ref name="Hitchens"/>{{rp|106-131}}<ref name="Weicht"/>{{rp|21-24}}<ref name="Griffin2009"/>{{rp|133-135}} |
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| ⚫ | Following the cancellation of part-time training for military pilots on 31 March 1922, the Air Board restructured its flying operations, merging the Flying Operations Branch into the [[Canadian Air Force (1920–1924)|Canadian Air Force]] in June. Changes to the organization of the air stations were deferred to the fall to avoid administrative issues during the flying season. On 25 November 1922 the Vancouver Air Station was renamed '''C.A.F. Unit Vancouver''' and the civilian personnel were commissioned or enlisted into the Canadian Air Force. The name changed again when the Canadian Air Force was granted the ''royal'' prefix effective 13 March 1923, becoming '''RCAF Unit Vancouver''', then '''RCAF Station Vancouver''' in early October. None of these changes, nor the official formation of the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] on 1 April 1924, substantially altered the role of the station.<ref name="Hitchens"/>{{rp|92-106}} |
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In July 1925, retroactive to 1 April, all the RCAF's civil operations stations were re-designated as numbered squadrons, with Vancouver becoming '''No. 1 (Operations) Squadron'''. <ref name="Hitchens"/>{{rp|138,160}}<ref name="Shaw"/>{{rp|41}}<ref name="Kostenuk">{{cite book |
In July 1925, retroactive to 1 April, all the RCAF's civil operations stations were re-designated as numbered squadrons, with Vancouver becoming '''No. 1 (Operations) Squadron'''. <ref name="Hitchens"/>{{rp|138,160}}<ref name="Shaw"/>{{rp|41}}<ref name="Kostenuk">{{cite book |
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Revision as of 19:15, 17 July 2023
RCAF Station Jericho Beach, originally known as the Vancouver Air Station, was one of the first Canadian air stations opened by the Canadian Air Board. Jericho Beach is located in Vancouver, British Columbia.
History
The Vancouver Air Station was one of five stations established by the Canadian Air Board's Flying Operations Branch located during its first summer of operations in 1920. Its location at Jericho Beach was on government-owned land which had been declared a naval reserve in 1859, but had been logged and used as a golf course since 1889.[1] The establishment of the station was authorized on 14 February 1920 and construction began in June of that year. The first Curtiss HS-2L aircraft, shipped from the Dartmouth Air Station by rail, was assembled and test flown on 24 September 1920. Various survey, patrol, and transportation flights were flown on behalf of other government departments that fall. [2]: 33–35 [3]: 10–13 [4]: 10–15 [5]: 122–123
In 1921, Vancouver was second only to High River in number of hours flown among Canadian air stations. The station operated several HS-2L flying boats and a single Felixstowe F.3 on a variety of missions including forest fire patrol, forestry survey, anti-smuggling patrol, fisheries patrol, and transportation in remote areas. In 1922, a permanent hangar and fuel tank were built at the station. Major Clarence MacLaurin, who had helped select the site and been superintendent of the station since its establishment, was killed in an HS-2L crash on 11 September 1922.[2]: 62–72 [4]: 15–21 [5]: 126–131
Following the cancellation of part-time training for military pilots on 31 March 1922, the Air Board restructured its flying operations, merging the Flying Operations Branch into the Canadian Air Force in June. Changes to the organization of the air stations were deferred to the fall to avoid administrative issues during the flying season. On 25 November 1922 the Vancouver Air Station was renamed C.A.F. Unit Vancouver and the civilian personnel were commissioned or enlisted into the Canadian Air Force. The name changed again when the Canadian Air Force was granted the royal prefix effective 13 March 1923, becoming RCAF Unit Vancouver, then RCAF Station Vancouver in early October. None of these changes, nor the official formation of the Royal Canadian Air Force on 1 April 1924, substantially altered the role of the station.[2]: 92–106 [4]: 23–24
In 1923, the majority of the station's flying was "preventive patrols" to counter smuggling and illegal fishing. With the passage of the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, patrols were required to combat rum-running in addition to narcotics smuggling. On behalf of the Department of Marine and Fisheries, an HS-2L was detached to Prince Rupert to spot vessels fishing illegally. The station also began conducting experimental flights to capture samples of white pine blister rust to analyze airborne transmission patterns for the Department of Agriculture. The same year the station became the RCAF's main center for seaplane conversion training for pilots trained on landplanes at Camp Borden. For 1924 the station's aircraft consisted of two HS-2Ls and a Vickers Viking. [2]: 106–131 [4]: 21–24 [5]: 133–135
In July 1925, retroactive to 1 April, all the RCAF's civil operations stations were re-designated as numbered squadrons, with Vancouver becoming No. 1 (Operations) Squadron. [2]: 138, 160 [3]: 41 [6]: 14
On 1 July 1927 the RCAF's civil operations were transferred to the new Directorate of Civil Government Air Operations (CGAO). The reorganization left Camp Borden and Vancouver as the only military air stations in Canada and No. 1 (Operations) Squadron again became RCAF Station Vancouver
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) took over Jericho Beach in 1924,[1] and the station was renamed "RCAF Station Jericho Beach." No. 4 and No. 6 Bomber Reconnaissance Squadrons, and No. 1 Signal Squadron began operating from the station. In 1930, the RCAF used Jericho Beach as their centre for seaplane and flying boat training. By 1940, the seaplane squadrons had moved to RCAF Station Sea Island, and No. 3 Operational Training Unit (OTU) began operations, training aircrew on flying boats. No. 3 Repair Depot was also established in 1940, and along with No. 3 OTU, would remain until 1945.
In 1942 the army's Pacific Command Headquarters moved to Jericho Beach, and in 1947, the army took control of the station. There remained, however, a small RCAF presence. Over the years, the station hosted many other army and Canadian Forces units. Most of the base facilities were transferred to the City of Vancouver in 1969, and the area renamed "Jericho Park."[7]
Jericho Beach detachment was closed in 1996. Most of the base's buildings, including the old flying boat hangars, have been taken down. The few that remain and are being used for non-military purposes.
See also
References
Citations
- ^ a b Program Summaries (2000): "Jericho Beach and the West Coast Flying Boat Stations." Vancouver Historical Society. Retrieved on: 2009-07-19.
- ^ a b c d e Hitchens, Wing Commander F.H. (August 1972). Air Board, Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force. Canadian War Museum Paper No. 2. Ottawa: Canadian War Museum.
- ^ a b Shaw, S. Bernard (2001). Photographing Canada from Flying Canoes. Burnstown: General Store Publishing House. ISBN 1-894263-42-1.
- ^ a b c d Weicht, Christopher (February 1997). Jericho Beach and the West Coast Flying Boat Stations. Victoria: MCW Enterprises. ISBN 978-1-4251-7688-4.
- ^ a b c Griffin, John A.; Stachiw, Anthony L. (2009). Early Canadian Military Aircraft Acquisitions, Dispostions, Colour Schemes & Markings Volume 1 Aircraft taken on strength through 1920. Kitchener: Aviaeology.
- ^ Kostenuk, Samuel; Griffin, John (1977). RCAF Squadron Histories and Aircraft 1924-1968. Historical Publication 14. Ottawa: Canadian War Museum, National Museum of Man, National Museums of Canada. ISBN 0-88866-577-6.
- ^ Jericho Beach Flying Boat Station Archived 2011-07-06 at the Wayback Machine. Royal Canadian Legion, BC/Yukon Command. Retrieved on: 2009-07-17.
Bibliography
- Milberry, L., ed. (1984). Sixty Years—The RCAF and CF Air Command 1924–1984. Toronto: Canav Books. ISBN 0-9690703-4-9.
- Weicht, C. (1997). Jericho Beach and the West Coast Flying Boat Stations. MCW Enterprises. ISBN 978-1-4251-7688-4