Picton Air Base.
During World War II, the United Kingdom was under siege and required training facilities outside the British Isles for the thousands of pilots needed for defense. Because of geographical similarities to Great Britain, sparsely populated Prince Edward County was considered an ideal location for an RAF Bombing and Gunnery School. In the summer of 1940, an aerodrome was rapidly constructed and in November 1940 the RCAF moved in and began small arms training at the facility. In April 1941, the RAF took over the base as No. 31 Bombing and Gunnery School and used it to train many of the aviators needed to help defend Britain as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
Following the end of the war, the Canadian Army maintained a training facility at the old aerodrome. It was renamed Camp Picton in 1960 when it became a fully operational Army base. In 1966, it was renamed Canadian Forces Base Picton, but this was short-lived – in 1969 the base was closed down and sold as part of the consolidation and downsizing of the Canadian military. Portions of the base have been divided up and have served many functions, including conversion of one of the newer barracks sections into a hospital (now defunct) and much of the old base housing is currently occupied as rental homes. The airfield is now known as Picton Airport.
The original aerodrome facilities were built using different construction methods than most bases built by the Canadian military. The rapid construction meant that the hangars and other buildings were not designed for longevity, although most still remain standing today. The former Camp Picton now serves many diverse functions but the unique appearance of the base makes it a significant, if obscure, historical landmark.
Description from Wikipedia.
6 Comments
Very cool – well, if you ever get to the US be sure to visit our counterpart in Tonopah, Nevada!
The "hospital" was actually an institution for people who were mentally disabled. It was built in the late sixties and had nothing to do with the military.
Well, it had SOMETHING to do with the military in that..the land and buildings used by the institution were sold to it BY the military. Like the big white building which is still standing today. That same style of building can be seen on so many other current military bases. The institution itself had nothing to do with the military though.
My father was a Brit stationed here during WW2 from 1943-45 and told me of the kindness shown to him by the locals. We have old photos of him helping with the boiling of maple syrup. One day I hope to visit this country.
Hugh Lapham
My late father Flight Lieutenant Ernest Lapham was stationed at Picton from mid 1941 to 1943 as a RAF armament instructor with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan at the RAF No.31 Bombing & Gunnery School. He was seconded from RAF Auxiliary City of Glasgow Squadron (602). My late mother joined him in 1941 where she stayed with the Cook family who owned the cinema in Picton
My grand fauther was training at picton base back in 1954 when he was 21 years old …my grand fauthers brother was in army before he died