I have passed this park many times, but it took me a while to actually go down with the camera on a recent sunny day and take some photos. It is on the site of the former RCAF Base Summerside.
This base was constructed during the Second World War, between 1940-1941and became a training school for pilots and later, for navigators.
The base was renamed in 1968 and called Canadian Forces Base Summerside. The Voodoo CF-101 was an all-weather interceptor aircraft, which was based in Atlantic Canada between 1962 and 1984.
In 1968, CFB Summerside became the base of 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron, with responsibility for the east coast of Canada.
The 880 Maritime Reconnaissance Squadron and the 420 Air Reserve Squadron moved to Summerside in 1981. The Canadair Argus CP-107 was a reconnaissance anti-submarine bomber, which operated from 1957 to 1981.
The Grumann CP-121 Tracker was another anti-submarine aircraft which was based at Summerside. In the history of this base, many other aircraft operated from here, including Lancasters.
The flag of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The memorial to the bravery of the Search and Rescue Squadron.
It is an interesting park, which is beautifully maintained, and a fitting tribute to all who have served.
What a cool place. They must have covered amazing distances. I'm guessing that it has a very valuable strategic site to have survived from the dark days of WWII, through the Cold War to today.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting seeing those planes and reading about their history. I think that you are right about the strategic location of this base. Marie x
DeleteThat looks like a fascinating day out. x
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting place to visit and seems to attract a lot of visitors, even out of season. Marie x
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