RapidFireWeb Pilot Officer Andrew C. Mynarski, VC (DND Archives Photo, PL-38261,and IWM Photo, CHP 975) Pilot Officer Andrew C. Mynarski, VC. P/O“Andy” Mynarski, VC, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and joined the RCAF in 1941. P/O Mynarski was the mid-upper gunner of a Lancaster aircraft detailed to participate in a raid on the Cambrai railway yards … Read more
RCAF Radar, Troposcatter, and Satellite Communication Antennae (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4953587) Radar antenna used for air traffic control, Uplands, Ontario, October 1956. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4952251) Troposcatter radar up north, 1959. The radar end of it is up the pole. The ‘billboard’ type structures (look like … Read more
RCAF, RCN, Canadian Army and Canadian civil aviation history: 1 Jan 1946 – 31 Dec 1950 On 1 April 1924, the RCAF was established as a permanent component of Canada’s defence force. In 2024, the RCAF celebrated 100 years of service to Canada. Many aviation enthusiasts have contributed to this compilation of key events in … Read more
RCAF, RCN, Canadian Army and Canadian civil aviation history: 1 Jan 1951 – 1 Apr 2024 On 1 April 1924, the RCAF was established as a permanent component of Canada’s defence force. In 2024, the RCAF will be celebrating 100 years of service to Canada. Many aviation enthusiasts have contributed to this compilation of key events … Read more
RCAF Recruiting Posters (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3000622) RCAF recruiting poster. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 2999983) RCAF Recruiting Poster. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3000621) RCAF Recruiting Poster. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3584750) RCAF Recruiting Poster/Photo. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3585226) … Read more
RCAF Reserve Auxiliary Aircraft Control and Warning Units 1949-1961 (Wtshymanski Photo) Static display of an AN/FPS 508 radar antenna used on the Pine Tree Line across Canada during the last 1950’s through to 1988. The antenna rotated at 5 revolutions per minute and could detect aircraft up to 200 miles away and at altitudes of … Read more
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) existed from 1924 to 1968, later designated Canadian Forces Air Command under the Canadian Forces, and then renamed to its original historic name of Royal Canadian Air Force in 2011. These are the squadrons that have served with Canada’s air force since 1924. RCAF Squadron Codes Home defence was … Read more
RCAF Squadron Leader Ian Somerville (Mrs Sheri Somerville Street family Photo) Squadron Leader Ian Somerville. S/L Ian “Curly” Somerville served with the Royal Aircraft Establishment‘s Foreign Aircraft Flight at Farnborough in the UK after the war ended in 1945. He was a graduate of the Empire Test Pilots School, RAF Boscombe Down, and test flew … Read more
Squadron Leader Ian Willoughby Bazalgette, VC, DFC (Bomber Command Museum Photo) Squadron Leader Ian Willoughby Bazalgette, VC, DFC (19 October 1918 – 4August 1944) was a Canadian-British pilot in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. S/L Bazalgette was the “Master Bomber” of a Pathfinder Squadron detailed to mark an important target for … Read more
Major John Trevor Godfrey (IWM Photo, 15419) Captain John ‘Johnny’ T. Godfrey of the 4th Fighter Group, 1944. John Trevor Godfrey (March 28, 1922 – June 12, 1958) was a Canadian-born American fighter pilot and flying ace in the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force during the Second World War. Born in Montreal, … Read more
