RCAF vehicles at BCATP station, Picton, ON, CDN
 

Read "For the record" at the Vintage Wings Canada website for a fascinating read about one of the young airmen serving at BCATP station for No. 31 Bombing and Gunnery School, Aircraftman Second Class (AC2) Arthur Norris. Arthur Norris was assigned to Picton as a driver with the RAF in 1941- 42.

http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNe...he-Record.aspx

I have copied some of the photos here for reference, all are from the Arthur Norris Collection.

The Ford Woodie pictured here is most likely a Car, Station Wagon, Ford C11AS - or rather, the left-hand drive variant for domestic use.

RCAF Woodies
 

Hanno.

Back in the 1980’s, in the St. Andrews area just North of Winnipeg, the Sigfusson family used to live. Their claim to fame was the construction of Winter Roads each year in Northern Manitoba.

In their workshop beside the family home, they had a wartime, military Dodge (a 3/4-ton I think) with the steel military front but an all wood ‘Carryall’ style body. The front doors had “R.C.A.F.” stenciled on them still visible but the Station “Y-Number” under it was too faded to read clearly.

The family was winding up business at the time and I asked if the truck was for sale. It was not, but they did confirm it was purchased from Crown Assets sometime postwar and was still all original. About 10 years later it showed up for sale just northEast of Winnipeg near Lockport and then disappeared. Around 2005 one of our club members mentioned a friend of his had purchased an old Dodge that looked to have RCAF history. The description matched this vehicle but we heard nothing further about it.

Not sure if it qualifies as a true Woodie, which I think were Civilian models only, but thought I would mention it.

David

Interesting Read
 

Hi Hanno

Thanks for sharing the link http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNe...he-Record.aspx

This is quite and interesting read with many good photos. Glad the recollections of service during the Second World War are be set down and documented with photos.

That the base has apparently survived with many of its buildings still in visual good shape is something. Wonder if it has ever been used as a movie/TV site?

Cheers Phil

Interesting Read
 

Certainly was a great read and collection of period and now photos. Just goes to show some places change very little, even with the passing of time.

'41 Ford Woodie
 

Certainly is a '41 Ford Station Wagon. although difficult to determine colour although from the second 'refilling' shot it appears to be in gloss. Being a left hand drive would not have the designation C11AS as this was specific for the limited number made under military contract and RH drive. Have seen several photos of the LH model in service, usually in the middle east, which I have assumed were of US production. Was my understanding Windsor mainly produced models for the commonwealth export market but willing to stand corrected.

Thanks for the ID. I reckon it is gloss paint, as it was a vehicle built for domestic use (i.e. in Canada).

For domestic use LHD was specified as at home Canada drove on the right. Ford and GM Canada built both LHD for domestic and RHD for export. The latter was the largest part of production, especially during WW2.

I've spent many hours at the BCATP station at Picton. It is a snapshot in time and, other than weather, is almost as it was in 1945. Not anymore, but when I was there in the 1980's it still had DC-3's and DC-4's on the tarmac.

Climate Change, eh? It's getting worse! :doh: