RCAF Station Jericho Beach

Coordinates: 49°16′18″N 123°11′59″W / 49.271613°N 123.199739°W / 49.271613; -123.199739
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

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
.

Fairey III being tested at Jericho Beach in 1930.

History

The Vancouver Air Station was one of five stations established by 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

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. [3]: 41 [6]: 14  The majority of flying time that year was dedicated to fisheries patrol, with 3 HS-2Ls detached to Casey Cove near Prince Rupert for much of the summer and a single aircraft to Bamfield for the same purpose in the fall. In 1926 fisheries patrol operations were curtailed by budget cuts.[2]: 145–153, 168–169 [4]: 24–25 [5]: 137–139 

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. Nos 4 and 5 squadrons, for training and service respectively, were authorized to form at Vancouver but were never organized in practice. The station instead retained a small staff to provide seaplane training. [2]: 183–184 [4]: 25 

By 1928 the last HS-2L flying boats had been replaced by

Consolidated Courier, and the Canadian Vickers Vista. [4]
: 25–28 

In May 1932 No. 11 (MP) Detachment was formed at Bamfield to assist the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in combatting rum-running, and in 1933 No. 1 General Purpose Detachment was assigned to Vancouver on photographic survey duties.[2]: 283  [3]: 150 

In the spring of 1934 RCAF Station Vancouver and its two detachments (Nos. 1 and 11) were re-organized into No. 4 (Flying Boat) Squadron, which had been authorized to form at Vancouver effective 17 February 1933.[6]: 24  No. 4 Squadron began training in Royal Air Force coastal reconnaissance tactics using the Vickers Vancouvers in addition to the civil duties inherited from its detachments.[2]: 264, 295 

Effective 1 April 1937, a station headquarters for RCAF Station Vancouver was again authorized, with No. 4 Squadron and No. 3 Repair Depot (authorized to form at Jericho Beach on the same date) as subordinate units.[2]: 331–333 

Supermarine Stranraer at Jericho Beach circa 1942.

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.[citation needed] 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

  1. ^ Program Summaries (2000): "Jericho Beach and the West Coast Flying Boat Stations." Vancouver Historical Society. Retrieved on: 2009-07-19.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 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.
  3. ^ .
  4. ^ .
  5. ^ a b c d 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.
  6. ^ .
  7. ^ 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

External links

49°16′18″N 123°11′59″W / 49.271613°N 123.199739°W / 49.271613; -123.199739