For decades, many a keen member of “the aviation circle” has dropped in to the former British Commonwealth Air Training Plan aerodrome north of Gananoque, Ontario. The place had been built in the early 1940s as a relief, or, secondary field to serve No.31 service Flying Training School at Kingston (see “RCAF Station Kingston” on wiki). “Back in the day” No.31 SFTS was doing advance training mainly for RAF student pilots on the Battle, initially, then, on the Harvard, once they were available.
A relief field served several roles. Instructors could take students there from the busy Kingston circuit to practice “touch-and-goes” and other procedures; advanced solo students could do the same. If a runway incident closed a runway at Kingston, Gananoque would save the day, the same if local weather conditions closed Kingston, while Gananoque still was open. Such fields were bare bones. They had the standard BCATP runway layout, but usually just one small hangar, a few other basic buildings and a skeleton staff.
After the war most relief fields soon disappeared. Local farmers often bought the buildings and equipment (even some airplanes, if any were lying about), then the place normally reverted to agricultural use. It’s a bit of a miracle that Gananoque survived, certainly passed 1960. I don’t know how this happened, but a few such aerodromes did have temporary RCAF use postwar. Carman, Manitoba, for example, was used for aircraft storage into the 1960s. Does anyone know what purpose Gananoque served from 1945 into the 1960s?
One thing we do know is that – subsequently — the place was taken over for skydiving in 1971 when the Gananoque Sport Parachuting Centre opened. The company website is sparse about history, but does mention that in 2020 the founding family remains in charge. My last visit was in 2015, but Richard Mallory Allnutt visited in 2018, so has some more current info. His follow-up article is published on the web in “Warbird Digest”. ere it is: http://warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-
news/the-ghost-of-gananoque-a-flying-boat-in-a-barn.html This is really tops — well research and smoothly written. Richard polished up his story with some good solid photography, so be sure to have a close read. You’ll love it! I like his reference to the old Hitchcock “North by Northwest” – the dusty road leading to the field would remind any film buff of that great classic flick.
Over the decades, owner Dave Dorosh has visited Gananoque most years from Alberta to inspect and clean up his beloved Canso. He made the trek as recently as this fall — 2020. Here are a few Gananoque photos from my August 23, 2015. Hope you enjoy them and the general story … Larry
Gananoque Photo Tour































AN-225 … World’s Most Amazing Airplane!
AN-225 Hotline … Check out this world-class, one-of-a-kind, astounding airplane visiting YYZ Toronto 30 May 2020 . A couple of weeks ago the “225” was at Montreal Mirabel via Anchorage. Notice how antonov.kiev.ua and canavbooks.com are equally shameless in their self-promotional efforts! But … at least CANAV has flown a couple of AN-124 global trips, so all you poor little critics who don’t know the joys of a real Antonov adventure kindly bow your heads respectfully!
The great Gus Corujo also covered the AN-225 at YYZ this day. Few are able to capture such an event better than Gus. You really need to have a look: http://gusair.com/htdocs/Aviation/2020/20Antonov-225-CYYZ/20antonov-225-cyyz.html
Conair — A Great Canadian Company’s History in Fire Bombing & Aerial Application. Stearman to Q400 in 5 minutes: https://vimeo.com/421329061?ref=em-share
A Little Remembered but Dramatic Episode of “Canada at War”. How Canadian Paratroops Helped Save Denmark in May 1945. See ehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWcRl7Q7pGs
A Tradition of Excellence: Canada’s Airshow Team Heritage CANAV’s pleased to re-introduce you to Dan Dampsey’s ace of a book. Here at CANAV HQ, I have my autographed copy on a shelf with what I call “the finest aviation books in the world”. This truly is the most magnificently-produced Canadian aviation book, a treasure deserving a place of honour in your library. “TradEx” will give you decades of fabulous reading. Full coverage from 1919 into the 2010s of such great teams as Bishop-Barker, the Siskins, Golden Hawks, Golden Centennaires and Snowbirds. Everything from the Fokker D.VII to the Harvard, CF-100, Banshee, Sabre, T-33, Tutor, CF-104, CF-18, Kiowa – even such surprises as the Argus & Sea King in “demo” mode! Fascinating civil types also pop up. Some 2000 photos + 42 original paintings by the great Peter Mossman. You’ll revel in every page. Treat yourself & show your support for someone who put it on the line for Canada’s aviation heritage! 766pp, 4 kg, hc, 9.5×12 in., app’x, biblio, index. Your signed copy: all-in just $130.00 Order directly from Dan at afteams@gmail.com
Reblogged this on British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and commented:
Intermission – The Mysterious Canso – Larry is preserving the past…
Larry
The Skyvan looked familiar so I checked my photos. I photographed a Skyvan in the same colours but the registration was N193WW (Win Win Aviation) and was used by the Canadian army sky jumping team in 2017 when I photographed it at Greenwood Airshow on August 26, 2017.
I enjoy your periodic updates.
George (Halifax)
Hi Larry
Perry Robinson here. Hope all is well.
I am writing to invite you to a FaceBook site called Austin Airways/ Air Ontario. There are some amazing pictures and stories shared there…and your book is a topic of conversation as well…with people expressing wishes that any of us who might know you invite you to join. The fact that you are the only person who ever wrote a book about Austins…of such fine quality…is something many feel would make you a valued member of the forum. I am in the process of trying to put some more of Dad’s pics on. Please consider joining, Larry. You would be welcomed.
Kindest and friendliest regards
Perry
A fascinating insight into this little time capsule. It looks a great place to ‘drop’ into. Thanks for Bringing it to our attention.
I would love to see Canso 11093!! My Father was F/O Hughie Earl Hughes. He was the WAG on this beautiful aircraft when stationed in Reykjavik Iceland in WWII. My Dad flew with 162 Squadron out of Reykjavik Iceland. I’d love to see this aircraft one day. Crew was:F/O Roy Garrard, Sgt Bob Gordon, F/O Norm Chubb, F/ O Hughie Earl Hughes, F/O G Swift, F/O Cec Fenn, F/O Bob Neal, F/O Bill Gibson.