Unearthed photos reveal fighter pilot history at Docs Town

The Airmen's Billet has new wings as it has some new displays being set up.

The Airmen's Billet in Kinetic Park is a part of Docs Town. Like many of the historic structures there, it has a history that is being honoured with a new set of historical photos on display inside.

The photos are of the facility when it was being used for its original purpose; an aviation school for fighter pilots in World War II.

A shot of the same room, separated by decades. (photo by Hayden Michaels)

Beryl Robinson, the program director for Docs Town, is excited about the photos as they shed some light on the building that hosts so many of their displays and functions.

"We had wanted to pay tribute to the men whose building that we are using," said Robinson.  "We are pleased to have several photographs from the time period as part of a new display."

The photos are blown-up recreations of photos that the museum has on file and offer a view into a time period that is quickly becoming distant in the past. 

The photos show that the building was more than a school, but was also a bunkhouse where trainees would sleep and live, as well as a place for them to learn how to fly fighter planes. Particularly, there was a focus on training Canadian allies at the flight school.

"Overseas servicemen could come and learn flying to go back and fight in the war," established Robinson.

While the photos offer a glimpse into that particular era, they also house a variety of displays in the Airmen's Billet aside from the photos. Inside you can find horse-drawn sleighs, old switchboards, and a SaskTel Pioneers display on old telephones that pre-date cellular and handheld devices. 

"We also have a new fabric arts exhibit in the building," reminded Robinson. 

The fabric arts display showcases a few select quilts and pieces made in the southwest, and range from relatively new, all the way back to the 1940s. Made in a school by children, a few pieces were entered into the fair, with one winning first place in its category.

Quilt for viewing only. (photo by Hayden Michaels)

There is also a collection of tools and working kitchen appliances from way back when almost everything was produced on the farm. The entire collection was donated by the Melhoff family. Things like butter churns, ice saws and hooks, washboards and old torches. There is even a selection of old shoe workpieces that appear to have been used to either make shoes or maintain the more expensive items an individual or family may have owned.

Various tools and implements on display in the Melhoff collection. (photo by Hayden Michaels)

These displays are all open every Sunday, but will be completely finished being set up on August 14, 2022.