Alberta Aviation Museum, What next?

Tom

Not wishing to divert the thread into a new direction from your original posting, I have sent a PM on a related topic.

In understand where your coming from with the Avian -on a bigger scale a Junkers JL-6 replica constructed in a similar fashion to the two F.13 replicas in Germany would fill a massive gap in coverage of NWT avaition.

You are so right about the Junkers, we would love to but with the available room
it just won’t fit.

But it is very very high on our radar once we figure out how to continue to grow.

Tom

In understand where your coming from with the Avian -on a bigger scale a Junkers JL-6 replica constructed in a similar fashion to the two F.13 replicas in Germany would fill a massive gap in coverage of NWT avaition.

Thanks for the vox populi.

Cold Lake being (hmmm) “next door” I’d say a CF-18 might be appropriate but could end up being seen as just “…another 18” by the general public (which would be pretty sad but possible). I’d vote instead for the DC-3. It was – and still is – a very important bird up North. It would be a fitting tribute.

Wow

Haven’t heard the term vox populi in a very very long time. Thank you.

We are a very interactive museum and like to take input from our members and the public whenever appropriate.

Appreciate the input.

Tom

Tom -I understand where your coming from with the Avian -it just seems a shame when there is one at Fort Edmonton Park already to duplicate that!

Thanks David

I actually agree with you to a large extent but there are 2 problems.

1) Our mandate is quite tight being Edmonton’s aviation history, as such we present the history much like chapters in a book.

Right now with the Avian not in the collection it’s like a book missing a chapter and it leaves a gap in the history that we are mandated to present.
(Imagine that an aviation museum sticking to it’s mandate lol)

2) The representation at Fort Edmonton Park is not open for over 1/2 the year and even when open not always available for view.

Our facility is open 362 days a year so it is important as part of our mission to make our history available to both Edmontonians and visitors year round.

Because of the impending closure of our airport we have actually had to tighten our mandate as it used to be Edmonton and Northern Alberta as primary. But the limitations being imposed because of the airport issue has (for the moment) required us to tighten our mandate a little more.

Sticking to the mandate sometimes breaks my heart as we have had to turn down and refer aircraft to other museums that I would dearly have loved to have, but didn’t fit the mandate.

Long term (5-10 years) we will be making changes to operations that will allow us to broaden our mandate back to Edmonton, Northern Alberta, Alberta and Canada. But for now we will stick with the Edmonton mandate and do our best to present that history better than anyone else.

Thanks Again

Tom

Tom -I understand where your coming from with the Avian -it just seems a shame when there is one at Fort Edmonton Park already to duplicate that!

Gooney Bird Vote

Thanks for the vox populi.

Cold Lake being (hmmm) “next door” I’d say a CF-18 might be appropriate but could end up being seen as just “…another 18” by the general public (which would be pretty sad but possible). I’d vote instead for the DC-3. It was – and still is – a very important bird up North. It would be a fitting tribute.

Ok – well instead of the Avian on the list -I would substitute a Fleet Finch as an original machine is probably the same cost as building an accurate replica. It also has an association with Edmonton.

As for external -a DC-3 is always going to win that one!

Appreciate the input again David

The Fleet Finch was on our longer acquisition list, but with the airport closing and room restrictions we had to drop it….for now.

The Avian has a huge historic provenance here and is considered a must have.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/January+1929+Daring+mercy+flight+brings+vaccine+Fort+Vermilion/7762927/story.html

http://www.wopmay.com/adventures/mercyflight.htm

Thanks again

Tom

Ok – well instead of the Avian on the list -I would substitute a Fleet Finch as an original machine is probably the same cost as building an accurate replica. It also has an association with Edmonton.

As for external -a DC-3 is always going to win that one!

I will take a guess on the Freighter being the Pidgeon Lake example. As of the list -I would choose a different route and not dupliate something that is already being done ! Therefore ex RCAF C-119!

Appreciate the input David

But we have have to stick within our mandate, which is why we have an acquisition list.

the other problem is that after the arrival of the Bristol Freighter we just won’t have the physical capacity to house a C-119.

You are right though, as of now there are no C-119s on display in Canada and it is a huge void….just one our museum can’t fix.

Thanks Tom

Just out of interest – what is the origin of your Bristol Freighter? Sadly we no longer have any in the UK but it’s good to hear several are well looked after in Canada (as well of course as those elsewhere such as New Zealand).

Tim

Thanks for the response.

I’m sorry but we have been asked not to reveal details on the freighter other than it is a damaged aircraft and somewhat incomplete.

We will be able to release it’s history after it arrives.

Again sorry but the source of the aircraft has requested this of us and we must respect their request.

Tom

I will take a guess on the Freighter being the Pidgeon Lake example. As of the list -I would choose a different route and not dupliate something that is already being done ! Therefore ex RCAF C-119!

Just out of interest – what is the origin of your Bristol Freighter? Sadly we no longer have any in the UK but it’s good to hear several are well looked after in Canada (as well of course as those elsewhere such as New Zealand).

Tim