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Aviation History
1953
1953 - 0690.PDF
R.C.A.F. North Stars loading and refuelling at Resolute Bay, in the North West Territory. THE QUEEN'S AIR FORCES ... THE COMMONWEALTH IN this year of 1^53, the countries of the British Common wealth of Nations possess more and larger air arms than ever before during peace-time. The purpose of the review that follows is to outline the origins, histories and current activities of these Air Forces, special attention being given to the r6.es which they are playing today in the strengthening of the defence forces of the free world. Roy a! Canadian Air Force DURING the First World War some 22,000 Canadians served in the R.F.C. and the R.N.A.S.; many decorations were won, and 1,563 men gave their lives. The first two squadrons of the Canadian Air Force, however, were not formed until just after the Armistice, and they were disbanded again in England in 1920. In that same year the C.A.F. was re-formed in Canada, and a training programme was put in hand. In 1923 the prefix "Royal" was granted, by which time there were about 45 omcers and 195 airmen on strength. At the out break of the Second World War there were 298 officers and 2,750 airmen in the Regular force, with about one-third that number in the Auxiliary units. Of 270 aircraft, only a few—Oxfords, Hurricanes, and Battles—were up-to-date. During the war, very large numbers of Canadians served both with their own Air Force and in squadrons of the R.A.F. Peak expansion of the R.C.A.F. was reached at the end of 1943, by which time there were 215,200 personnel and 78 squadrons. Canada also played a dominating pan in the Empire Air Training Scheme. Between April 1940 and March 1945, no fewer than ^IJSSS aircrew, including 49,808 pilots, were trained on 231 sites by a total of over 104,000 instructional staff. The scheme was a triumph of organization, and played a decisive part in the pro vision of Allied aircrew. At the end of the war in Europe, the majority of R.C.A.F. squadrons were disbanded and personnel serving in R.A.F. units were withdrawn, but at the same time, plans were made to contribute eight heavy bomber squadrons to "Tiger force" for participation in the Japanese campaign. Hostilities ended, how ever, before the operations could be put into effect. More than 17,000 men of the R.C.A.F. had lost their lives during the struggle. By the end of 1945 the total strength of the Service had been reduced from 181,235 to 58,047 : further reductions took place more gradually, and in 1946 the post-war plan for the force was announced. There were to be 16,100 regulars, together with auxiliary and reserve personnel totalling some 14,500. The deterioration in the international situation during the past few years, however, has created the need for a much larger peace-time Air Force, and regular strength now stands at more tiian 37,000. Chief of the Air Staff is Air Marshal C. R. Slemon, C.B., C.B.E. The main emphasis in the re-equipment of the R.C.A.F. today is being placed on the formation of new fighter squadrons, 41 of which are planned for the regular and reserve forces. The aircraft to equip these units are the F-86 Sabre and the CF-100, both of which are being built in Canada, the former by Canadair, Ltd., and the latter by its designers, A. V. Roe (Canada) Ltd. The latter firm are also building the Orenda engines which power the CF-100. A chain of radar stations is being built up at the same time as the fighter force. R.C.A.F. fighter squadrons are making a notable contribution to NATO defence. A wing of three, Nos. 410, 441 and 439, is stationed at North LufFenham; a second wing, comprising Nos. 421, 430 and 416 Squadrons, is in being at Gros Tenquin, in France j and a third, consisting of Nos. 413,427 and 434 Squadrons, has recently arrived at Zweibriicken, in Germany. A fourth wing is scheduled to be based at Solingen, Germany, in the near future. No bomber force is projected at the present time, but there are maritime squadrons—equipped with Lancasters—and transport squadrons. Most of these latter operate Dakotas and Packets within the Dominion, but one of them, No. 426, has been flying North Stars on an airlift to Korea since July 1950, during which time over 400 round trips have been made, and 10,000 personnel and more than five million pounds of freight have been carried. The squadron also operates transatlantic services. Parties of servicing personnel are stationed along the route to Korea, which normally runs from Dorval via Tacoma in Washing ton, Alaska, Shemya in the Aleutians, and Tokyo to Korea. An alternative tropical return route passes through Wake, Iwo Jima, Hawaii and San Francisco. Pilot training is at present carried out solely on Canadian-built Harvards, but the T-33 (two-seat Shooting Star) jet trainer will also be used. After receiving their wings, pilots graduate to squadrons via A.F.S. and O.T.U.—and, if applicable, a gunnery (Left) An unusually revealing view of a CF-100: Points of particular interest include the radar nose, the armament pack, the intake on the port wing-tip, and the fairings between nacelles and outer wings. (Right) R.C.A.F. Sabres in tight formation near North Luffenham. "Flight" photograph
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