RCAF Group Build

The RCAF Group Build Birthday Party.

PREAMBLE;   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.

RULES ARE:

• 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),
• C) itshould be aimed at finding Canadian Squadrons,
• D) squadrons that Canadians served in are acceptable
• but must be noted.
• aircraft flown by notable Cdn Pilots in, say, RAF Squadrons are acceptable
• f) it should include both offensive and defensive operations ie fighter and bomber squadrons,including night bombing offensives
• g)you shouldpost some information on when your squadron went operational, awards, novel operations, notable pilots, etc (that's pretty well all noted at http://www.rcaf.com/).
• h) sign in begins on the RCAF Birthday - 1 April
• I)Deadline is 1 October 2008 (It'll take me that long to design a good badge!)
• J) build runs for two years
• K) Scale is 1/48 or 1/72 any mfg
• h) Aftermarket goodies are restricted to what your pocketbook allows but are not encouraged overall
• l) bomber & escort combinations are encouraged
• J) post your choice of plane its history and Poppie will keep track of everyone and issue a badge
• NOTE: I'm still working on the badge

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, SQNs (night fighters) & 404 fighter bomber
• Boston's - 418 SQNs (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
• Beau fighter (Night Fighters) 404, 406, 409, 419 SQN's
• P-40 Tomahawk - 400, 403, 414, 414, 430 SQN;s
• Mosquito (Night Fighter) - 406, 408, 409, 410, 418, SQN's
• Hawker Hurricane - 242, 401, 402, 417, 438, 439,440 SQN's
• Typhoon - 438, 439, 440 SQN's
• P-51 Mustang - 400, 414, 430, 331, 442 SQN's
• 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 SQN's. Planes like Gladiators, Wildcat, Tempests Corsairs are all on the list.

Post your intent on the forum and I'll  pull everything together together from there.

*Sorry about the double post - I blew it!