Warbird Information Exchange

In the current issue of Fly Past Magazine there is a review of the Canada Avaition Museum in Ottawa. Has anyone been to this museum lately? Its seems like a must visit! They have an fabulous/amazing collection according to a list of planes (118 aircraft) in the article. Is the whole collection on display at any given time? Are any of the planes stored outside? I will have to put this place on my list of museums to see!

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

I was there about 9 years ago, before the facility was renovated. At the time almost all of the airplanes were inside, except for a few of the large planes.

Also, because the extension of the hangar hadn't been done all the airplanes were crammed so closely together you could easily miss some jems simply because they were totally blocked from the viewing area.

I imagine it's much better now.

As for the collection, it is rather incredible.

Cheers,

David

I go to the museum 2-3 times a year usually. Right now, everything is inside the new building, so weather damage has stopped.

It's my favourite museum.

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Olivier Lacombe -- Harvard Mk.4 C-GBQB

Go here for my links into my CAvM albums...
http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/Features.html#C

They have a world class collection. The aircraft that were outside are now in the storage hangar. You can get on a tour of the storage hangar, for a little extra cost. I haven't done the tour yet, so none of my photo albums will reflect the new displays in the hangar.

Pat... Let me know when you will be in Ottawa. It would be a good opportunity to get together shoot the bull.

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

I was there in September of 2006. The collection is outstanding and is a must see for the serious aircraft fan. Lighting is lacking so a good flash unit is required for photos. Many aircraft are difficult to photograph as they are suspended from the ceiling. Others due to still being packed in too tightly with their neighbours. Restricted angles available due to display limitations. Display is better than it was but for photos of the larger aircraft there are still to many obstructions. Not a complaint, just stating photography fact.

Numerous aircraft are stored in the new building and when I was there entry was during guided tours only. No aircraft are stored outside since the new building was opened. Allow yourself at least 4 hours fo a walk around the buildings. Beside aircraft there are numerous interactive displays.

Well worth the trip, lots of one of akind or extremely rare airframes. On very,very rare occasions ( someone really important perhaps) some of the airframes are moved outside which would make for much better photography. Perhaps an e mail to the museum would be worth the time to see if they have anything along these lines planned for in 07.

Hope this helps, enjoy your visit.

Jeff

This has been a long-time complaint of mine. The aircraft are only moved when the museum is closed. I feel a rant coming on... I think I will go meditate over the corner instead.

Mike

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Mike R. Henniger
Aviation Enthusiast & Photographer
http://www.AerialVisuals.ca
http://www.facebook.com/AerialVisuals

Do you want to find locations of displayed, stored or active aircraft? Then start with the The Locator.
Do you want to find or contribute to the documented history of an aircraft? If so then start with the Airframes Database.

whats the deal with the Lancaster?? A few years ago it was under discussion about having her codes changed? Also when are they going to fix the "battle" damage to her blister? If they manage to have a new one made, we would be interested in chipping in for a second one!

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Cheers,
Peter

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Hi Pat,

I was there yesterday. One of the world's great / must see museums with a couple of dozen unique aircraft.

The new storage facility has removed the crammed area from the main display, into the new storage building, meaning that all the 'display' aircraft are photographable, and viewable. The art gallery balcony was open, allowing a view down on the main hall.

For an extra $4 you can tour the storage facility, in my case with one other visitor and a very knolageable guilde who helped us get behind a couple of ropes to get a closer look.



I guess it might be subjective, but I'd disagree. You can't get a completely clear shot of each seperate aircraft, it's true, but I wouldn't say it's bad. Also, IIRC from ysterday there's not a single 'suspended' aircraft. There are 1/2 dozen on stands raising them above the others, but they are all angled so you aren't just forced to look to the underside, and not that high in the first place.

While you are there, stop by the Canadian War Museum, the other side of Ottawa on the river. Only a couple of aircraft, including an appallingly badly displayed Spitfire Mk.II, but lots of well presented military and military aviation history.

[Edited for correct directions!] If you are on the 401, stop by RCAF Trenton to see what a real four engined bomber looks like...

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

Hey James,

Just to clarify you'd need to be on the 401 in order to drop by Trenton and see the Halifax. Stunning restoration job and well worth the visit.

Also of note with regard to the Canadian War Museum is rather historically significant airframe from the Great War. Namely the original fuselage from Sopwith Snipe E8102. This is the aircraft William Barker was flying in that famous fight with numerous DVIIs that earned him the VC. How many original airframes are out there that can make that claim?

Regarding the CAM I think James makes an important point in that all the aircraft that are elevated are sitting on their wheels and are not hung.

In any case, the CAM has a great collection and during the summer months it has the benefit of semi-regular visits from Michael Potter's airplanes located just across the river in Gastineau.

Cheers

Edward

It is one of the finest collections in the world, without doubt, and houses many ultra-rare airframes. The aircraft are displayed well too, for the most part, and have useful desciptions accompanying them. The lighting is fine. A tripod is better than flash, and they do allow them.

The new storage building is worth the $4 tour, although several of the larger aircraft are very difficult to photograph because of the tight spacing. I imagine that this will be balanced out eventually when they re-arrange the main museum... there is a good deal more space in there now, with plenty of room for more exhibits.

The newly opened Canadian War Museum, just down the street is a bit of a bust sadly. It is a really cool building, and they have some magnificent artifacts, but they are very poorly displayed and labled. For instance, they have a very rare battle veteran Spitfire MkII hanging from the ceiling in such a way that there is no possible view of it other than its bottom. There is also no description of the actual artifact either... very, very frustrating. There are also 12 or so original aircraft sections with nose art from Canadian bombers (mostly halifaxes) which are on permanent display for the first time, however there is no description of the aircraft/squadrons/crew that flew with them, nor is the lighting or positioning good enough to see them properly. Very frustrating overall, but still worth the visit. Hopefully they will re-arrange their displays to be more accomodating some time in the near future.

On another note, Ottawa is one of the most beautiful cities in the world... so it's well worth the visit too!

Cheers, Richard