Armour Heights Field facts for kids
Armour Heights Field was once an important airfield in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was used by the Royal Flying Corps, which was a British air force during World War I. This airfield was one of three in the Toronto area. Many pilots trained in Canada because there was more space available.
The airfield opened in July 1917. It closed in 1919 after the war ended. Today, the land where the airfield once stood is a neighbourhood with homes.
Contents
A Training Ground for Pilots
In 1917, the airfield was built near where Avenue Road and Highway 401 are today. Early in 1918, a special school called the School of Special Flying opened there.
Learning to Fly and Fight
At this school, young pilots learned many important skills. They learned the basics of flying an airplane. They also learned about:
- Aerial reconnaissance: This means flying to gather information about the enemy.
- Aerial combat: This is fighting other planes in the sky.
The school did not operate for very long. It closed around November 11, 1918. This was when the war officially ended with an agreement called the Armistice.
Airfield Buildings
The Armour Heights Field had six large buildings called hangars. These were used to store and repair airplanes. There was also a smaller building that held offices for the airfield staff.
After the War
After World War I, the airfield was used for a short time by a private company.
Bishop-Barker Airplanes
In 1919, a company called Bishop-Barker Airplanes Limited took over the airfield. This company was started by two famous World War I pilots. They were William "Billy" Bishop and William Barker. They were heroes of the Royal Flying Corps.
Their company offered several services:
- Charter flights: This means flying people or goods for a fee.
- Aircraft sales: They sold airplanes.
- Maintenance: They repaired airplanes.
However, this business also did not last long. It closed in 1921. Armour Heights Field, which had been one of Canada's busiest airfields, was then left empty.
Last Traces of the Airfield
For many years, you could still see parts of the airfield's old paved surface. This was on a road called Ravenhill Road. But in late 2015, this last piece of the original airfield was paved over. Now, there is no longer any visible sign of the old airfield.
What's There Now
Today, the site of the former airfield is home to the Canadian Forces College. This college teaches important courses to officers from all parts of the Canadian military.
A Historic Building Remains
There is only one building left from the days of the Royal Flying Corps. This is a stone building that now houses the Armour Heights Officers Mess. It is a beautiful old home built in 1914. It was designed by architects George and Moorhouse.
The house was built for Colonel Frederick Burton Robins. He was a real estate developer and also an important figure in the Toronto Scottish Regiment. Colonel Robins bought the land from the family of John Armour. The area is named after John Armour, who was an early settler there.
See also
- List of abandoned airports in Canada
- List of airports in the Greater Toronto Area
