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Taking flight : the Royal Canadian Air Force centennial and the 75th anniversary of the first non-stop trans-Canada flight

Join us as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force. From its humble beginnings to its modern-day operations, we explore the RCAF’s rich history, highlighting key moments like the two World Wars, the groundbreaking trans-Canada flight (celebrating its 75th anniversary), the contributions of Canadian pilots during both World Wars and the role of women in aviation.

With insights from aviation expert Randall Wakelam, former member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Professor Emeritus, and author of Wings of War and Peace, a history of the Royal Canadian Air Force in the early Cold War, we delve into the challenges and triumphs that shaped the RCAF and its enduring legacy.

Prendre son envol : le centenaire de l'Aviation royale canadienne et le 75e anniversaire du premier vol transcanadien sans escale

Joignez-vous à nous pour célébrer le 100e anniversaire de l’Aviation royale canadienne. De ses humbles débuts à ses opérations modernes, nous explorons la riche histoire de l’ARC, en soulignant des moments clés comme les deux guerres mondiales, le vol transcanadien révolutionnaire (qui célèbre son 75e anniversaire), les contributions des pilotes canadiens pendant les deux guerres mondiales et le rôle des femmes dans l’aviation.

Avec les réflexions de l’expert en aviation Randall Wakelam, ancien membre de l’Aviation royale canadienne, professeur émérite et auteur de Wings of War and Peace, a history of the Royal Canadian Air Force in the early Cold War, nous nous penchons sur les défis et les triomphes qui ont façonné l’ARC et son héritage durable.

Ressources

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———. ‘Combat If Necessary, but Not Necessarily Combat / Edited by W.A. March. : D4-7/3-2011E-PDF – Government of Canada Publications – Canada.Ca’, 1 July 2002. https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.571001/publication.html.

———. ‘De-Icing Required! : The Historical Dimension of the Canadian Air Force’s Experience in the Arctic / Edited by P. Whitney Lackenbauer and W. A. March. : D4-7/4-2012E-PDF – Government of Canada Publications – Canada.Ca’, 1 July 2002. https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.575036/publication.html.

———. ‘Historical Aspects of Air Force Leadership / Edited by W.A. March. : D4-7/1-2009E-PDF – Government of Canada Publications – Canada.Ca’, 1 July 2002. https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.566463/publication.html.

Lackenbauer, P. Whitney, and Peter Kikkert, eds. The Canadian Forces and Arctic Sovereignty Debating Roles, Interests, and Requirements, 1968-1974. Revised Edition. North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network (NAADSN), 2024.

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Narration : Marcel Simoneau

Écriture et réalisation | Writing and realisation : Hugo Martin

Recherche | Research : Catherine Paulin

Écriture – Montage et son | Writing – Editing and sound: Sophie Houle-Drapeau

Collaborateur | Contributor : Randall Wakelam