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The Canadian Air and Space Museum

Fri Feb 20, 2009 2:21 pm

Formerly known as the Toronto Aersopace Museum, the Canadian Air and Space Museum was formally launched today.

From the press release:

"Today, the New Canadian Air and Space Museum (formerly the Toronto Aerospace Museum) unveiled a $2 million capital campaign and shared its plans for an exciting revitalization and expansion project that will showcase Canadian aerospace leadership and innovation, create a new home for the only full-scale replica of the legendary Avro Arrow, as well as establish new galleries and classrooms for experiential learning."

The new website is casmuseum.org

Fri Feb 20, 2009 2:54 pm

I was there for the launch ceremony today, the proposed plans look exciting. Im particularly looking forward to the Avro Canada Gallery with the Arrow and a CF-100 together. Perhaps if we can coax one of the Avrocars back from the States in the future as well?

Fri Feb 20, 2009 3:12 pm

We have a Avro Canada VZ-9AV Avrocar in the gallery where I volunteer at the NMUSAF.

In fact, I was there this morning ... It is quite interesting and sure draws quite a bit of interest along with many photos.

As a side note, I get a kick out the little ones who quickly thing it is a space ship when first seeing it ....

Since both of you who posted are from Canada, I saw my first hockey game in the 40's (Rangers) ... not masks and no zamboni's either ... and later was a Devil season ticket holder for 18 years (1982-200) before moving to Ohio .... the best game there is ... Eh?

Fri Feb 20, 2009 3:21 pm

You're absolutely right there!

Hockey is great!

Anyways, back to the topic. That's great news about the museum. I can't wait to see how things go.

Cheers,

David

Fri Feb 20, 2009 3:45 pm

Seen this release the other day. Harrison Ford....how exciting. BTW, isn't there another Avro Arrow full scale replica in Wetaskiwin?

TORONTO AVIATION MUSEUM KICKS OFF CELEBRATION OF FLIGHT ON FRIDAY WITH HARRISON FORD

CNW Group Portfolio E-Mail

TORONTO - On Friday, February 20th, the new Canadian Air &
Space Museum, in conjunction with Air Canada and the Ontario Aerospace
Council, will celebrate the launch of the year-long Canadian Centennial of
Powered Flight, by bringing together some of Canada's top aerospace
superstars, a special proclamation from the City of Toronto, a presentation of a Centennial of Flight Commemorative Coin by the Royal Canadian Mint and a message from famed Beaver pilot and Hollywood icon, Harrison Ford.

As home of the only full-size replica of the legendary Avro Arrow, the
new Canadian Air & Space Museum will reveal its ambitious revitalization and expansion plans that will proudly and experientially showcase Canada's rich aviation and space history.

WHO: Canadian aerospace legends, test pilots, industry
representatives and Hollywood icon Harrison Ford.

WHO ELSE:
- Ontario Lieutenant-Governor David Onley
- Toronto City Councilor, Maria Augimeri, will make a timely
proclamation.
- Rod Jones, Executive Director of the Ontario Aerospace
Council (OAC)

WHAT:
- A celebration of the past and encouragement for the future
of Canadian aerospace achievements, including creating a
home for the world's only full-size Avro Arrow replica.
- The launch of the new Canadian Air & Space Museum.
- Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of "Black Friday" (the
day of the Avro Arrow cancellation), by highlighting the
aerospace innovations directly linked to the Arrow.

WHAT ELSE:

A string of aircraft departing from Downsview Park to fly around the CN Tower.

WHEN: Friday, February 20, 2009, 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Canadian Air & Space Museum, 65 Carl Hall Road, Parc
Downsview Park, Toronto, ON., M3K 2E1

Photo Opportunity: Planes, Pilots and Stars. A newly-launched museum.

About the Canadian Air & Space Museum

Once the home of de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd, the Canadian Air
and Space Museum (formerly the Toronto Aerospace Museum) is located in the oldest-surviving aircraft factory building in Canada, and is one of Canada's oldest and best-preserved aerospace heritage buildings. It is also the birthplace of the leading Canadian space technology company, best known as SPAR. The new Canadian Air & Space Museum is dedicated to telling the distinctly Canadian stories of aviation, space history and innovation.

Now in its 10th year, the volunteer-driven organization features the only
full-size replica of the magnificent Avro Arrow. Find out more about us at
www.CASMuseum.com.

Fri Feb 20, 2009 5:08 pm

Cool!

Interesting choice of date for the announcement. Hopefully Mr Harper has not stood up in the House of Commons today and announced that CASM's fullscale Arrow and Iroquois replicas have been cancelled... :roll:

The Arrow at Wetaskiwin (Reynolds-Alberta Museum), to the best of my knowledge, was about 85% scale. Begun singlehandedly by an Albertan as a tribute to the Arrow project, it was completed and used in the CBC TV drama "The Arrow" in the late 90s. I well remember actress Sara Botsford (playing an Elsie MacGill-esque woman engineer) running her hand along the underside of the lower forward fuselage while walking along the factory line in the TV film...which would imply that Ms Botsford must have been about seven feet tall, were the Arrow fullscale! The October 1957 rollout of the Arrow was reenacted for the film, also using the Alberta replica; among the "extras" on site for that scene was film historian and former Avro employee Elwy Yost, who was moved almost to tears by the timewarp moment...whether or not the Arrow was fullscale. (Even an 85% scale Arrow is a huge item. The real Arrow was ten feet longer than the Lancaster!)

I look forward to visiting the museum in its new guise.

Cheers

S.
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