July 14, 2025
On July 25–27, 2025, Hannu Halminen will return to Winnipeg to display his North American P-51 Mustang IV at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada. The P-51 played an important role in the history of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), with strong Manitoba connections to the Mustang.
The P-51 Mustang I entered service with the RCAF in Great Britain in 1942 and was employed by three “Army Cooperation” squadrons: 400 Squadron, 414 Squadron and 430 Squadron. These squadrons flew tactical air reconnaissance missions in support of army operations.
When 430 Squadron stood up in January 1943, the commanding officer was Ernest Moncrieff. He held that responsibility until July 1943.
Group Captain Ernest Hutchison Glen Moncrieff, OBE, AFC: Mustang Commander
Group Captain Ernest (Ernie) Hutchison Glen Moncrieff, OBE, AFC, was born in Winnipeg in 1909, and his life revolved around aviation. In 1933, he began working as a bush pilot and joined No. 12 RCAF Army Cooperation Squadron.
No. 12 Squadron was established at Richardson Field in Winnipeg in 1932. It was renamed No. 112 Army Cooperation Squadron in 1937. Today, it is known as 402 “City of Winnipeg” Squadron.
Moncrieff served with 112 Squadron until it was sent overseas to Great Britain in June 1940. He remained in Canada to first command a recruiting centre and later serve as an instructor and commanding officer at service flying training schools.
In 1942, Moncrieff was promoted to wing commander, awarded the Air Force Cross for the high standard reached by all those under his command, and posted to RCAF Overseas Headquarters in London, England.
In February 1944, newly promoted Group Captain Moncrieff returned to flying operations as the officer commanding No. 39 (Army Cooperation) Wing, comprising 400, 414 and 430 Squadrons flying the Mustang I. He commanded the wing until February 1945. During this time, the wing moved from England to France after D-Day, and then to Belgium and the Netherlands in support of the Allied armies advancing into Germany. Moncrieff was twice mentioned in despatches.
Ernie Moncrieff was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for “his keenness and administrative ability, his sound judgement and excellent leadership.” He was also awarded the Order of Orange-Nassau with Swords by the Netherlands and the Croix de Guerre by France for his service in the liberation of those countries.
Having retired from the RCAF in November 1945, Moncrieff joined Trans-Canada Air Lines as a director in 1947. In 1949, he joined Standard Aero Engine Limited and served as president of the company for 25 years. In civilian life, Ernie was active in corporate and volunteer directorships. He had a great love of the outdoors and was a long-time member of the St. Charles Country Club.
Ernest Hutchison Glen Moncrieff, OBE, AFC, died in March 2000.
No. 402 (Fighter Bomber) Squadron (Auxiliary): The Mustang Era
Having served admirably with 400, 414 and 430 Squadrons during the Second World War, the P-51 Mustang returned to service with the RCAF during the early years of the Cold War.
Starting in 1947, the RCAF acquired 130 surplus Mustang IV aircraft from the United States for use by regular and auxiliary squadrons. The Mustang IV was a much-improved version of the Mustang I that was flown by Canadian pilots during the Second World War. The P-51s were retired from RCAF service in 1961.
No. 402 (Fighter Bomber) Squadron (Auxiliary) received 12 Mustangs in November 1950. These aircraft replaced the British-built de Havilland Vampire III aircraft that had been flown since 1949, for which parts were hard to come by. The squadron operated the Mustang in air defence, bomber escort, ground attack and army cooperation roles until June 1956. The Mustang was replaced in 402 Squadron service by the Beechcraft Expeditor.
The Mustang was the last fighter aircraft flown by 402 Squadron, and the last propeller-driven fighter operated by the RCAF.
To reflect its changing roles, the squadron was renamed No. 402 “City of Winnipeg” (Fighter Bomber) Squadron (Auxiliary) on November 10, 1953, and, on January 25, 1957, No. 402 “City of Winnipeg” (Transport) Squadron (Auxiliary).
To prepare for the arrival of the Mustang, 402 Squadron air and ground crew participated in conversion training at the Canadian Joint Air Training Centre (CJATC) in Rivers, Manitoba. Squadron aircrew also learned how to control simulated air attacks on Canadian Army formations.
A 402 Squadron pilot flew the Mustang for the first time on December 29, 1950; by the end of January 1951, 19 pilots had been checked out on the aircraft. During the five-and-a-half years that 402 Squadron operated the Mustang, its pilots flew in a variety of exercises in Canada and the United States, and during annual summer camps. These activities were designed to build proficiency with the aircraft and demonstrate operational capability. They also boosted morale among squadron personnel.
During the “Mustang years,” 402 Squadron was commanded by four experienced pilots. Wing Commander W.B. Breckon, DFC (February 28, 1950 to November 7, 1951) and Squadron Leader D.W. Rathwell, DFC (November 8, 1951 to October 7, 1953) were Second World War veterans. Wing Commander J.M. Reid, CD (October 8, 1953 to May 14, 1956) and Wing Commander D.M. Gray (May 15, 1956 to July 17, 1960) had previously flown Vampires with the squadron.
Flying military aircraft in peacetime is not without its dangers. Over the course of five-and-a-half years, four 402 Squadron pilots were killed while flying the Mustang.
402 Squadron Casualties: 1951–1956
Flying Officer Reginald James Dew
Born January 5, 1920, in Linwood, Ontario. Enlisted in the RCAF on June 21, 1941, in London, Ontario. After the Second World War, moved to Winnipeg and joined No. 402 (Fighter Bomber) Squadron (Auxiliary). Died of injuries sustained when Mustang IV 9222 suffered engine failure after takeoff and crashed at Stephenson Field, Winnipeg, on May 10, 1951. Aged 31. Survived by his parents, Oliver and Mary Dew of Flint, Michigan; brothers Orville, Ivan and Austin; and sisters Marian and Helen.
Flight Lieutenant Delmar Linwood Osborne
Born December 8, 1922, in Dauphin, Manitoba, son of Richard Franklin and Pearl May (née Huicke) Osborne. Enlisted in Winnipeg on June 24, 1940. Rejoined the RCAF postwar and was assigned to No. 402 (Fighter Bomber) Squadron (Auxiliary). Perished May 6, 1954, when Mustang IV 9234 crashed during the final leg of a cross-country flight. Aged 32. Survived by his wife, Joyce Louise (née Rusconi); children Rodney and Karen; and brother Ern.
Flying Officer John Alexander MacLennan
Born December 4, 1931, in Winnipeg. Enlisted February 20, 1952, in Hamilton, Ontario. Assigned to No. 402 (Fighter Bomber) Squadron (Auxiliary). Died February 20, 1954, when Mustang IV 9299 crashed near Teulon, Manitoba. Aged 22. Survived by parents John and Isabella MacLennan of Hamilton; brother Robert; and sisters Pearl and Irene.
Flying Officer Donald John Urquhart
Born November 7, 1924, in Salmon Arm, B.C. Enlisted March 26, 1943, in Vancouver. Continued in the RCAF postwar and was assigned to No. 402 (Fighter Bomber) Squadron (Auxiliary). Died July 10, 1952, when Mustang 9558 crashed during dive-bombing practice at Teslin Lake, Yukon. The squadron was on summer camp at Watson Lake. Aged 27. Survived by parents John Kenneth and Elva Mamie (née Hutton); brother Kenneth; and sisters Marjorie, Anna, Clara and Edna.
The return of Hannu Halminen’s P-51 Mustang IV to Winnipeg is more than a special aircraft visit—it’s a living tribute to the remarkable legacy of the Mustang in Canadian service. From its early deployment with RCAF squadrons overseas, through the leadership of figures like Group Captain Ernest Moncrieff, to its Cold War service with No. 402 “City of Winnipeg” Squadron, the Mustang’s story is deeply woven into both national and local aviation history. This legacy is further honoured by remembering those who trained, served, and sacrificed while flying this iconic aircraft. Together, these stories reflect the Mustang’s enduring role as a symbol of courage, innovation and connection in Canadian military aviation.
This rare P-51 Mustang is flying in for a special visit July 25–28!
Arrival and departure times may vary—check royalaviationmuseum.com/events for updates and details.
Text by Lt Col (ret) Robert Nash for the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada.
With contributions by Gord Crossley Heritage Officer, 17 Wing Winnipeg
Sources
- 402 Squadron: https://www.canada.ca/en/air-force/corporate/squadrons/402-squadron.html
- Canadian Aircraft Serials Personnel Information Resource: https://caspir.warplane.com/personnel/unit-search/p/600005014/
- Canadian Virtual War Memorial: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial
- Canadian Warplanes 3: North American P-51 Mustang Mk. I, II and IV: https://www.silverhawkauthor.com/post/canadian-warplanes-3-north-american-p-51-mustang-mk-i-ii-and-iv
- RCAF Association: https://www.rcafassociation.ca/
- Pat McNorgan, ed. 402 “City of Winnipeg” Squadron History: On Guard for 75 Years. Winnipeg, Canada: The 402 Squadron Association.
- Randy Wakelam, William March, Peter Rayls Eds. On The Wings of War and Peace: The RCAF during the Early Cold War. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press, 2023.
- 17 Wing Historical Section files
- 402 Squadron Historical Section files
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