WW II Pilot Training Site

[ANTIQUARIAN]

I've wanted to detect this site for a number of years now and today was the day! For two hours, I slowly hunted a relatively small area in front of and to the side of the first building you see pictured. I was obviously hoping for more finds related to WWII, but I think this is a good start! The first item I found was the 'silver' bracelet, which I got pretty excited about when I first saw it in the hole. That was until I picked it up and realized it was made of aluminum! My next find was the 'military key fob', which I'll tumble and will post before and after pics. My last 'keeper' of the day was the very cool 'steam roller'! This is the Lesney Road Roller which was produced in 1948 . . . it always amazes me how well made Lesney toys were!

Site History

The Oshawa Airport came in to being during World War II via the 'British Commonwealth Air Training Plan'. A massive, joint military aircrew-training program was created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, during the Second World War British Commonwealth Air Training Plan to train pilots, navigators, gunners, bomb aimers, flight engineer, aircrew, ground crew and support staff. Over the next five years, approximately 131,553 allied airmen from many nations were trained in Canada during the Second World War for service overseas. A lack of modern airport facilities in the Oshawa area for training these recruits changed in 1940. Bulldozers demolish the existing farm buildings, leveled hills, and a farmer's field. Several new structures were standing even before March 1941, when the federal government finalized the expropriation of the land for an airport.

Engineers rapidly planned the airport and constructed hangars, runways, numerous barracks, roadways, and the infrastructure required to open the airport and No. 20 Elementary Flying Training School. The first plane arrived in June 1941. Twelve months later, the opening ceremony was officiated by the Duke of Kent. During the war period, about 2500 student pilots completed the basic flying training course at Oshawa. Every six weeks, two classes graduated sixty students each. Large H-shaped barracks were built over several years to accommodate the enlisted and other personnel. In 1947, the Town of Oshawa took over the management of the airport. Of the original buildings that survive on site, notably No. 11 Building, the canteen, and Nos. 1 and 2 hangars.

Canadians are peace-loving people and think of Canada as a peaceful nation without a significant military culture. While this is true, let it not be said that this country sits on the sidelines, for we are not mere observers. Canadian troops were heralded through the histories of the First and Second World wars for their bravery and the depth of their engagement in battle. During the Second World War Canada built over 300 airfields and 65 training schools in less than one year, and provided the instructors and ground crews to keep thousands of planes in the air.
Thanks very much for looking,

Dave

 

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[Joe1944]

Very nice, Military stuff is awesome, hope you find some nice items! I found a Circa 1964 Lesney Ferrari F1 in my backyard, a few days back, although it looked like it was in a wreck, broken steering wheel, missing tire, but still in nice shape!

 

[pepperj]

Great looking roller, that would make the day right there.

 

[mangum]

That steam roller is awesome! Neat find!

 

[silversurfer1111]

wow cool toy

 

[CASPER-2]

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

Like the WW II Air Force history and kool finds Dave , there were a few AAF training bases here in SJ

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Very nice, Military stuff is awesome, hope you find some nice items! I found a Circa 1964 Lesney Ferrari F1 in my backyard, a few days back, although it looked like it was in a wreck, broken steering wheel, missing tire, but still in nice shape!

Thanks very much for your post Joe!
Sometimes we find the best stuff in our own backyards. When I started detecting a few years ago the first place I hit was my backyard and made one of the best finds I've ever had! My 10 year old daughter has already told me that she wants the 10K ruby / diamond ring for her 16th birthday! Here are some pics of what I found!

Best of luck to you Joe,
Dave

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Great looking roller, that would make the day right there.

Thanks J!
I was in Ktown and Ottawa earlier this week for a couple of nights, I even hunted the 'fairgrounds' in Landsdowne, but with no luck!

Dave

That steam roller is awesome! Neat find!

Thanks for your post mangum!

wow cool toy

Thanks silversurfer,
I'm still amazed at the condition it's in after being in the ground for 60+ years!

View attachment 842865

Thank you sir!

Like the WW II Air Force history and kool finds Dave , there were a few AAF training bases here in SJ

Luckily we have a few WW I & WW II flight training facilities here in Ontario as well, most are open to the public unless they're still being used of course!

Dave

 

[Wildcat1750]

Excellent finds and I loved reading about the history of the site!

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Excellent finds and I loved reading about the history of the site!

Thanks Wildcat, I try to give as much background history as I can with all my posts.
I think the additional photo's give added perspective and help make the finds 'come to life'.

Dave

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Here are a couple of updated pics of the Lesney 1948 Road Roller & the Canadian Military Key Fob after a little more restoration!

 

[Pigstick]

That's some really cool stuff Anti! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Argentium]

The Lesney is hands down the "day maker " in my opinion - that's just a classy find all the way !

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

That's some really cool stuff Anti! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the kind words Pigstick!
Dave

The Lesney is hands down the "day maker " in my opinion - that's just a classy find all the way !

Thanks very much Argentium!
I completely agree, Lesney made some of the best quality toys while they were in business!
Dave

 

[pepperj]

Thanks J!
I was in Ktown and Ottawa earlier this week for a couple of nights, I even hunted the 'fairgrounds' in Landsdowne, but with no luck!

Dave

Finding anything or nothing at the local fairgrounds seems to be the norm around this end of the province, as many got grants to redo the grounds so it took out the detecting aspect.

 

[wheatfinder13]

Great relics

 

[birdman]

I can see that little roller sitting nicely on a display shelf.

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

That site looks awesome, I just know there has to be a ton of other goodies in the ground around there. Great finds, I hope you can get back there soon.
ZDD

 

[HISPAN]

Awesome finds and History ...congrats !