Page 32 - Sept 2018

The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan of World War II was the largest infrastructure program Canada
had ever seen, surpassing the construction of the transcontinental railway. The training establishments
changed the social and economic conditions in many communities forever. The influx of 1,500 or more
trainees and staff suddenly added to communities across Canada, and after the war ended many of the
B.C.A.T.P. buildings became community halls, hockey rinks, housing, and business structures. Not surprising,
with young men & women from all parts of Canada coming together during training, it was probably one of
the greatest unifying forces in our history.

That history is preserved at the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum in Brandon, Manitoba and on
th
August 9 we were able to see, touch and watch that history fly again! People attended from Brandon and
surrounding communities and included many of the CATP Museum volunteers who were on hand to assist in
making the event a huge success.

The CATPM Air Display Event held on August 9th at the Brandon Municipal Airport ( CYBR) featured the air
museum’s own WWII flying aircraft, including the Canadian and British Tiger Moths, our Harvard, our Cornell
and Stinson. These aircraft were piloted by our team of volunteer commercial pilots from the CATP Flying
Committee.
We were also very excited to have a number of private aircraft participate including two Stearman,

an additional Harvard and a T-28 Trojan!