Yellow Wings to Victory

The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP)

The documentary film 'Yellow Wings to Victory' covers one of the lesser-known but pivotal contributions Canada made to the Allied effort during World War II. 

The documentary film, 'Yellow Wings to Victory', covers one of the lesser-known but pivotal contributions Canada made to the Allied effort during World War II. The Program, known as the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), was initiated with foresight into future requirements of the coming air war in Europe and the country, and the effort was carried out by those involved with a sense of national urgency.  

The Structured Program to Train Pilots and Aircrew provided qualified airmen to the rapidly expanding Allied Air Forces at a critical time.  It proved to be crucial to the outcome of the conflict. 

The term' Yellow Wings' of the film's title refers to the easily distinguishable yellow paint colour used to designate aircraft flown by new pilots and the other small planes used to train all the other crew required to fly on military missions. During the war years of 1939 to 1944, there were several hundred training flights over the Canadian landscape each day. Aircraft painted yellow filled the sky. 

The 'To Victory' part of the title speaks to the success of the Canadian effort and its direct contribution in supporting the Allied victory in the Battles for the Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, and Europe. 

Thousands of recruits from across the Commonwealth arrived in Canada to study and be trained as pilots and aircrew for Allied Air Forces. 

The Pilots and Aircrew who graduated from the BCATP played a crucial role in flying missions that first helped turn the tide of the war and then directly led to the Allies' Victory in Europe.