Historical Aircraft

406 Squadron

 

No. 406 “City of Saskatoon” Squadron (Auxiliary)

Badge: A lynx salient affronte
Motto: We kill by night
Authority: King George VI, December 1942

The lynx, an animal possessing keen sight at night, typifies the unit’s operational role as a night fighter squadron.

Formed at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on 1 April 1947, the squadron flew Mitchell aircraft in a light bomber role until March 1958 when it was reassigned to a light transport and emergency rescue role and re-equipped with Expeditor and Otter aircraft. A reduction of the Auxiliary Force resulted in the squadron being disbanded on 1 April 1964.

Brief Chronology: Formed as No. 406 (TacB) Sqn (Aux), Saskatoon, Sask. 1 Apr 47. Redesignated No. 406 (LB) Sqn (Aux) 1 Apr 49. Titled No. 406 “City of Saskatoon” (LB) Sqn (Aux) 3 Sep 52. Redesignated No. 406 “City of Saska­toon” Sqn (Aux) 1 Apr 58. Disbanded 1 Apr 64.

Title: “City of Saskatoon”

Nickname: “Lynx”

Commanders

  • W/C J. Baillie 1 Jul 47 – 31 Dec 51 ret.
  • W/C A.A. Meyers 1 Jan 52 – 31 Dec 54 ret. (Brendan Myers Miller informs us his grandfather’s name was spelt “Myers.” We list both here, in the event the spelling evolved over time, which has been known to happen now and then)
  • W/C R.J. Henry, DFC, CD 1 Jan 55 – 16 Jul 56 ret.
  • W/C W.B. Maloney, CD 17 Jul 56 – 31 Dec 59 ret.
  • W/C J.P. Coggins 1 Jan 60 – 31 Mar 62 ret.
  • W/C T. Jasieniuk, CD 1 Apr 62 – 1 Apr 64.

Higher Formations and Squadron Location

North West Air Command,

Tactical Air Command (1 Aug 51),

Training Command (1 Oct 58),

Air Transport Command (1 Apr 61):

No. 23 Wing (Auxiliary) (1 Jan 55),

  • Saskatoon, Sask. 1 Apr 47 – 1 Apr 64.

Representative Aircraft (Unit Code 1947-51 AH, 1951-58 XK & QP)

North American Harvard Mk.II (May 47 – Oct 51)

  • 2723   3021   3177   3240

North American Mitchell Mk.III (Jun 48 – Jun 58)

  • FW251   HD331   HD334   KL144

Canadair Silver Star Mk.3 (Sep 56 – Jun 58)

  • 21151   21159

Beechcraft Expeditor Mk.3 (Feb 58 – Oct 63)

  • HB139   HB207   2320

de Havilland Otter (Feb 61 – Mar 64)