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Old 10-11-16, 11:36 PM
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zorgon zorgon is offline
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Default Cold Lake Weapons Practice Unit (WPU) patch

RCAF station Cold Lake Alberta was established in the mid 1950’s. Its existence was in part due to a surrounding large (approx. 4,500 sq. miles) restricted area around Primrose Lake designated for a testing, bombing and gunnery range. Over the years it has been variously associated with a plethora of divisions, operational units and their associated acronyms including Primrose Lake Air Weapons Range (PLAWR), Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (CLAWR), Weapons Practice Unit (WPU), Central Experimental and Proving Establishment (CETE) and Air Armament Evaluation Detachment (AAED).
The first image below could be a unique patch from the WPU. It’s a simple design and may have been initially ordered to be mounted in a frame, possibly by the Unit itself. It was probably made in the mid to late 50’s, perhaps by Crest Craft but there are no maker’s marks on the reverse. It is a giant among patches measuring over 11” high and 8” wide.
The 2nd image shows other Primrose/Cold Lake patches from the late 50’s (and possibly into the early 60’s) and the relative size to the WPU patch. The two 3 AW(F) OTU - All Weather Fighter Operational Training Unit) patches are associated with squadrons and aircraft, mainly CF-100’s, testing rockets at Primrose in the 50’s although the orange & black Crest Craft version was possibly first found in North Bay before they moved to Cold Lake. It’s worthwhile to note that a company from the Philippines is making knock-offs of the ADC Weapons Practice Unit patch so buyer beware. Compare the subtle differences to this original.
Corrections additions, and other memories all welcome.
As a side note, my father, John Logus, was detachment commander of the Primrose range in the early 70’s.

Happy collecting,
Wayne Logus
Attached Images
File Type: jpg WPU Cold Lake, circa 1956-59.jpg (43.4 KB, 29 views)
File Type: jpg other 50's Cold Lake related patches.jpg (75.4 KB, 43 views)
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Old 11-11-16, 11:49 PM
RCAF_Mike RCAF_Mike is offline
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Wayne..... Awesome stuff!!
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MIKE
Collecting RCAF Wings Uniforms Badges and Insignia
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  #3  
Old 13-11-16, 05:36 PM
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zorgon zorgon is offline
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Thanks Mike. I'll show a few more 3 AWF OTU from that era, all made by Crest Craft I think. The CEPE/AETE might date from the early 60's, I'm not sure on that one so if anybody knows...
Attached Images
File Type: jpg RCAF 3OTU Repair.jpg (71.3 KB, 17 views)
File Type: jpg RCAF 3-OTU, Cold Lake C-FLT. 1955 Instrument & Conversion.jpg (79.7 KB, 18 views)
File Type: jpg Cold Lake 3AW OTU CF-100.jpg (76.8 KB, 19 views)
File Type: jpg AAED-CEPE Cold Lake.jpg (84.1 KB, 20 views)
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