Warbird Information Exchange

Today is the 104th Anniversary of Flight in Canada!!!

People are asking about our future so for an update with the information on hand:
Phase One
Inside the building:
Currently all of our displays and display cases are being revised and going into new locations for our major floor change that will be happening this spring…a massive under taking. This has been in progress since last year and part of the process in trying to adapt to the new circumstances that are approaching. The floor change is a huge deal as all the aircraft have to come out of the building, and then go back in with a new layout that will include a new location for our classroom area. All aircraft currently suspended overhead will have to also come down.

At the time of the floor change we will be losing a number of aircraft including the DC-3 that will be flying back to Buffalo Airways (the Ice Pilots). We may also lose the Dehavilland Vampire and R-22 helicopter also on display courtesy of Joe McBryan of Buffalo Airways. We have already lost the 1928 Cirrus Moth (one of the actual original aircraft of the Edmonton Flying Club) on loan due to uncertainties going forward.

Our B-25 will be added to the display floor at the time of the floor change.

While the new layout will be more open as well as easier for photography and viewing it will also restrict even more what can be on interior display.

Outside the building
- The CF-104 Starfighter will arrive March 26 by the latest shipping update and once restored be added to our jet fighter collection on the East side.
- We will be losing a Beech 18 on the North ramp area that will fly out and has been on loan, displayed by our 737.
- We are also working on to loan one of our (2) T-33’s (we have one 1950’s version and one that is representing the 1980s version) to another museum to gain room
- We need to add temporary facilities to protect and house our Bell Jet Ranger, Robson R-22 (if it stays) and Bell 47 helicopter in outdoor display areas.

We may also have to move a number of aircraft to an offsite location in an effort to gain space for display and operations.
- The Spirit of Edmonton is going to have to fly out
- Our Ercoupe will need to fly out when completed this spring/summer
- Our Piper Super Cub will need to fly out when completed this spring/summer
- Plus a number of aircraft and major artifacts awaiting restoration.

Some of these moves may be temporary dependent on determining how the Museum fits in with the proposed development and if additional space may be made available.

The end result will be clearer and easier to view/tour, but contain fewer displays and aircraft on interior display. Unlike an art gallery or typical broad based museum each aircraft or display removed removes a piece of the Edmonton and Alberta story and a piece of the history.

At this time we have no confirmations on how we fit in to the new development or commitment to additional space so we are making short/mid term plans based on the space we currently occupy.

Phase Two
Restructured acquisition list:
The Museum’s acquisition list has had to be radically cut and re focused.
We are now looking at only acquiring an additional 14 aircraft in total for our site.

Interior display:
1) Curtis Model D headless pusher constructed for internal hanging display
2) Curtis Canuck constructed for internal floor display
3) Dehavilland Cirrus Moth constructed for internal floor display
4) AVRO Avian constructed for internal floor display
5) Hawker Hurricane or representation for internal floor display
6) Bell P-39 or representation for internal floor display
7) Vampire TG 372 acquired from National Museum, restored for internal floor display

When completed this will require moving the Beech 18 currently on inside display, with public access to the interior, to a closed external display on the North ramp.

Exterior display:
1) Curtis Canuck look a like for external display, replacing Bomarc missile on mount
2) Bristol Freighter, arrival 2013, to be restored for external display mounted above West yard
3) DC-3 to be acquired and restored for external display
4) Vampire to be acquired and restored for external display (currently on loan)
5) Canadair Sabre (any Mark) to be acquired and restored for external display
6) CF-5 to be acquired and restored for external display
7) CF-18 to be acquired and restored for external display
This will create a minimalist collection covering the City of Edmonton specifically and Canada’s only complete display of Squadron service RCAF jet fighters.

Additionally we are having to look at mounting our 737 above the front parking lot over the Memorial walk way.

At the end of the acquisition process there will be a total of 20 aircraft/major sections/ artifacts/training aircraft assets that will have to be removed from the current site.

These aircraft and artifacts tell the broader history of Greater Edmonton and Northern Alberta or stories that we have had to choose not to present at this time due to space restriction issues.

Total collection on our current site will have dropped from 61 (3rd largest in Canada) with the arrival of the Starfighter to 49 (approximately 4th or 5th largest in Canada) on completion of the changes to the collection.

Again note: At this time we have no confirmations on how we fit in to the new development or commitment to additional space so we are making short/mid term plans based on the space we currently occupy.

Phase Three and Phase Four should be place by our March 17th AGM if the ongoing planning meetings go well.

Thomas Hinderks
Executive Director
Alberta Aviation Museum

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Alberta Aviation Museum
Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society

Wow, lots of stuff going on there. Thanks for the extensive update.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Tom,
Didn't you guys have a PV-1 under restoration? What will happen to it? Does it need a a new home too?
All the best on a really big project
Dave
PV-2 Attu Warrior

Hi Dave

We are not restoring the PV-1, one of our partner organizations in the building is.

The Ventura Memorial Flight Association is the team restoring the PV-1 and they will be accommodated in any changes that come up and we will insure they have space to continue.

But as the aircraft (is not) the Alberta Aviation Museum's we don't presume to tell them how it will be displayed etc.

But we have committed to making sure they have space to continue the project.

Tom

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Alberta Aviation Museum
Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society

Tom, Great to hear....still trying to work out a way to get up and visit. Would love to see your facility
Dave Hansen
PV-2 Attu Warrior

Can you contact me offline at eahs.execdirector@shawbiz.ca

That opportunity may be coming up

Would also like to hear from others with heavy warbirds that are able to transit to Edmonton, Alberta for June 27-28-29-30th...no not looking for freebies we understand these aircraft are not cheap to operate.

Runway here is 5800' total, 4790' between thresholds concrete, altitude 2165' ASL.

Tom

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Alberta Aviation Museum
Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society