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
By: Tom H - 25th February 2013 at 16:33
What was??
has something happened to the collection or Al?
The collection and Al are there, it is simply not operating as a museum (in the conventional sense anyway).
Tom
By: Peter - 25th February 2013 at 16:15
Out of interest Tom are you keeping a close eye on what was the Canadian Air -Land and Sea ‘museum’ at Markham ?
What was??
has something happened to the collection or Al?
By: Tom H - 25th February 2013 at 04:42
Out of interest Tom are you keeping a close eye on what was the Canadian Air -Land and Sea ‘museum’ at Markham ?
I try to keep an eye on what they have and are doing but I can’t say a close eye (They are about 3500 km from us +/-). Spoke to Al from there not long ago re: CF-5 and I am aware of the damaged Vamp they have as well.
Was there about 18months ago looking at the parts of 104s he has there.
Tom H
By: David Burke - 25th February 2013 at 01:35
Out of interest Tom are you keeping a close eye on what was the Canadian Air -Land and Sea ‘museum’ at Markham ?
By: Tom H - 24th February 2013 at 22:46
To add to my above post…
We have had a Norseman (on floats) on outdoor display mounted to a pylon for about 10years now.
Our experience with the finishing, sealing and UV protection on this aircraft is what make me confident that we can accomplish the same with a Vamp.
The Norseman shows no sigh of deterioration internally or externally, the wood is holding up very well and the exterior finish is as well. The level of maintenance is key to keeping ahead though and in spite of no repairs being required it shows constant inspections will be needed.
Tom
By: Tom H - 24th February 2013 at 22:38
Unfortunately David we do not have the room to add the pod to inside display (and I would not want to dismantle the aircraft).
Our climate is much, much drier than the UK making things much easier in many ways. In addition with proper sealing, finishing, dehumidifying and some outdoor protection (but not a full hangar) and plenty of maintenance we should be ok.
After researching this I can appreciate how difficult it would be to maintain one in the UK on outdoor display.
Thanks Tom
By: David Burke - 24th February 2013 at 21:30
Sort of begs the question is the effort to try and preserve a type that typically doesnt survive the weather of the U.K that well going to be easy in the Canadian atmosphere? I would argue that the single seat inside could be
just as well complimented by a two seat ‘pod’ displayed next to it.
I understand the desire to have a line up of jets outside – however with any Vampire outside your facing an uphill battle.
By: Tom H - 24th February 2013 at 15:50
I shouldn’t pay too much for a Vampire -there are probably plenty around that are cheap in the U.S . As for putting it outside -not such a good idea!
Typically I would agree
For our internal display we are working on acquiring/restoring TG 372 (single place) the Vamp that came here for cold weather testing. It would never go outside with its provenance.
The one we are negotiated on for outside is a (2) seater in tough shape, but even then we have researched and found that it can be done without sacrificing the airframe if properly sealed,finished and a high level of maintenance is kept up. That said it also has no where near the provenance (for us) and would be representative of the type in our fighter line up.
If I had my way no aircraft would be displayed outside…but then reality interferes.
Tom H
By: David Burke - 24th February 2013 at 12:02
I shouldn’t pay too much for a Vampire -there are probably plenty around that are cheap in the U.S . As for putting it outside -not such a good idea!
By: Peter - 24th February 2013 at 04:15
Thanks Tom.. hope you can acquire it
By: Tom H - 24th February 2013 at 02:28
What is going to happen to the vampire?
We hope to acquire it from Joe McBryan, they have been ongoing for years.
That would allow us to refinish it, seal it, protect it and have it in our east yard jet line up.
Tom H
By: Peter - 24th February 2013 at 01:43
What is going to happen to the vampire?
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February 23, 2013 at 11:16 pm