Langley BC Canadian Museum of Flight

[Michel Lemieux]

Langley BC Canadian Museum of Flight
https://www.bcam.net/

https://ibb.co/album/Y4vmGM

Following my visit in December.

Loved the place....alone right after the snow storm at 10AM sharp at opening.

Being around Vancouver the snow storm of the day before....I was alone the whole morning except when a BA pilot showed up. An enthusiast / fanatic like us all!!!!!!.....

The museum is cramped....but it has a LOT to offer.

The wooden scale WW1 models are just amazing......

The Hampden needs to come in a one point..... Considering what they started with and the fact that they were able to reattach the wing......says a lot about dedication.

I has severe corrosion issues in certain location.

Cheers and enjoy!



Hope you enjoy!!!

Last edited by Michel Lemieux on Mon Dec 26, 2022 8:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[JohnB]

Considering its rarity (one of two worldwide), condition and past history, I'm shocked the Hampden is still outdoors.
If Wiki is correct, the wing came off in 2009 due to snow, and structural repairs were made with wood.

I appreciate the challenges of a small museum, and I don't say this to be critical, but if Wiki is even partially accurate, it really should be undercover, even if it means loaning it to another organization or storing it for the winter.

[Michel Lemieux]

but if Wiki is even partially accurate, it really should be undercover, even if it means loaning it to another organization or storing it for the winter.

Agreed John.....if it was not a 6 hours flight from home I would get implicasted...

Remember they started with this!!! Underwater in the pacific a long time ago.....

[LysanderUK]

It's amazing what they managed to do with that pile of Hampden, I have heard people criticise it regards the fibreglass engines etc, but hell when you look at what they started with it really is quite something.

Looks a great museum, that cutaway Lysander makes a great exhibit. Some really nice models too.

[Blackbirdfan]

They have a few rare birds. The Hampton, the Lysander, and they have pieces of a Supermarine Stranraer. I remember visiting the museum when it was out in Whiterock as a kid. I'm bummed I didn't see it when i was up there in 2011 either. I do remember seeing the Lysander at Expo 86. That was super cool.

Will

[JohnB]

The Lysander is an big, odd beast. A lot of airplane to do its job.
When I visited Shuttleworth theirs was out front and did an engine run. Very impressive!

I have read that after the war Bush pilots in Canada and Alaska used all kinds of types to earn a living. I think Don Sheldon started off with an L-2...not much performance or payload.

So, I have always wondered why at least a few Lysanders didn't find work up there as bush ships. (Wiki says a few were used as AG ships).
They were certainly cheap, granted their operating cost would be more than the 65 Continental in a Aeronca, Cub or Taylorcraft, but given their size, and STOL capabilities, you would think they would have been fairly useful....and found SOME use.

[Warbird Kid]

So, I have always wondered why at least a few Lysanders didn't find work up there as bush ships. (Wiki says a few were used as AG ships).
They were certainly cheap, granted their operating cost would be more than the 65 Continental in a Aeronca, Cub or Taylorcraft, but given their size, and STOL capabilities, you would think they would have been fairly useful....and found SOME use.

I always thought someone should have come along and re-engined them with R-1830s or something similar with more power that was plentiful / less expensive to operate.