How to Organize a Group Build?

 How do I go about organizing an RCAF Group Build?

I've been having a really rewarding, fun time in these forums and I'd like to do something to contribute back some of my extra time and help out a bit in return for all the help I've been getting.

The RCAF was formed, the first time, on 1 April, 1918, so its our birthday in a few days!  The formation and history of the RCAF during WWI and the inter-war years is a farce - it started with 2 officers, 1 mechanic and $5000 to buy 1 airplane!. 

At the begining of WWII, in 1939, the RCAF had 230 aircraft, half of these were allocated for training purposes.  The 'offensive' wing consisted of 19 Hurricane Mk I and 10 Fairey Battle Light Bombers.  From this humble begining in 1939, the RCAF grew to be the fourth largest allied air force. Canadian Squadrons flew just about every type of aircraft, in most of the theatres of conflict of the war.  Thats a pretty major accomplishment.  It's estimated that at the war's end, over 14% of Canadians (including Newfoundlanders) were in uniform.

I'd like to say that a) the Build starts 1 April 2008 and runs for 2 years b) any and all types of aircraft, theatres of operation, are included (because of the wide scope of aircraft involved), b) is should aim to find Canadian Squadrons, not just squadrons that Canadians served in, but aircraft of noteable Cdn Pilots in, say, RAF Squadrons are acceptable - (we were slotted into vacancies all over the place), c) it should include both offensive and defensive operations ie fighter and bomber squadrons, including night bombing offensives  d) you  should post some information on when your squadron went operational, awards, novel operations, noteable pilots, etc (that's pretty well all noted at http://www.rcaf.com/). 

There is a complete list of planes that Canadians saw service in with RAF and RCAF SQN's at http://www.rcaf.com/aircraft/

Here's a quick break down.

BOMBERS

•  Lancaster's - 12 Squadrons
• Bristol Beaufort's  - 404, 415 SQN's
• Bristol Blenheim - 404, 406, 407,415, 419 SQN's
• Bolingbrokes - 8, 111 118 SQN's (in Aleutians)
• Mosquito's  406, 409,  410, 418, (night fighters) & 404 fighter bomber
• Boston's - 418 SQN (Night Intruder)
• Fairey Barracuda - 825, 826 SQN's
• Halifax Bombers  (14 SQN's)
• Hampden Torpedo Bombers - 408,  420, SQN's
• Wellington Bombers *11 RCAF SQN's saw service (on loan) with RAF 1941-44 plus 407 & 415 SQN's in Coastal Command

FIGHTERS

• Boulton Paul Defiants - 409,  410 SQN's
• Beaufighter (Night Fighters) 404, 406, 409, 419 SQN's
• P-40 Tomohawk - 400, 403, 414, 414, 430
• Mosquito (Night Fighter) - 406, 408, 409, 410, 418,
• Hawker Hurricane - 242, 401, 402, 417, 438, 439,440
• Typhoon - 438, 439, 440
• P-51 Mustang - 400, 414, 430, 331, 442
• Spitfire - 15 SQN's total served in Spits up to 1945 including N Africa & Italy

Canucks flew all kinds of combat craft during the war while posted to RAF Sqns. Planes like Gladiators, Wildcat, Tempests Corsairs are all on the list.

 Please get back to me on how I go about organizing an RCAF Group Build as a birthday present for the Canadian Air Force 1 April.