Several weeks ago, I took my boys to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum outside of Hamilton, Ontario. It’s actually a hangar on the outside of the Hamilton Airport, which is what permits them to use their aircraft for flights.
CF-104 mounted outside the museum
A trainer module, precursor to a simulator
model of a Supermarine Stranraer
So the museum really consists of three parts. The photos above are of the first part, which is to the left after you purchase your tickets. I don’t think anybody is really mistaken for what this museum is- it’s all about the aircraft collection. But this first section provides information about the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, and some of the non-flying aspects of the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. I was very pleased to see the inclusion of women’s history in a well-integrated way, not just as an adjunct or box-ticking exercise. There’s even the obligatory video- with more than one option, to boot. More importantly, this section is well designed, and informative. They manage to pack a bunch of artefacts in as well which is lovely. I hope that most people take the time to explore this section as it deserves.
Now for the main part of the museum. It’s one big hangar space.
The front section of a Boeing 707 (CC-137)
A CF-100. One of the aircraft you can climb into, if you’re taller than 4 ft.
De Havilland Vampire, one of my personal favourites. Smaller than I thought it would be.
Canadair Sabre, in the livery of the ‘Golden Hawks’ demonstration team
Avro Anson
A Visitor from the ‘Planes’ movies
Avro Lancaster, one of the only two remaining in flying condition in the world. Undergoing maintenance
CT-33 Silver Star trainer
the CF-100 is one of the aircraft you can get into. Duncan was tall enough to get in
Canso aircraft- long range patrol bomber. One of my favourites
S-2 Tracker, one of the only naval aircraft in the collection. Undergoing rebuilding
Torpedo next to the Tracker.
Here they show the HMCS Bonaventure in it’s Anti-Submarine Carrier version, with several Trackers and helicopters on deck.
Sea King helicopter at the back of the ASW Bonny
gun turret from the Bristol Bolingbroke Mk. IVT that is being rebuilt
The Hangar is spacious- not only for the aircraft collection but also for special events, such as the classic car show that was happening the day that we were there. I really enjoyed seeing all the aircraft, but with so much of the collection being in flying condition the hangar isn’t really set up in a permanent display. There are is no defined path to circulate throughout all the aircraft- and many of the labels for the aircraft or faded, missing or damaged. it’s clear where the focus is- it’s the planes themselves. The most accurate descriptor I can come up with is that the museum aspect of things is less of a focus than the planes themselves. I do hope that they are able to put some funding in there to provide better in-depth labels for the lesser known aircraft, such as the Fleet Finch.
There was also an outdoor section. Unfortunately, I didn’t take any good photos of the Fairey Firefly which was flying that day. The aircraft outside are equipped with ladders so that even small children can climb up and examine the cockpit
Two small boys examine a Tiger-stripe painted CF-104.
The CF-101 Banshee
CF-101 and Hawker Hurricane
Duncan and Lennox examine the Hawker Hurricane
CF-5 Freedom Fighter
There was a classic car show with a lot of jaguars the day we were there.
CC-115 Buffalo, one of the few aircraft everybody can walk into
DC-3, pre-flight
We very much enjoyed seeing the aircraft outside- it was wonderful to be able to walk into and explore the CC-115 Buffalo as much as you could- and the inside display was created for children as well with lots of Buffalo around the inside of the aicraft. It also had a very knowledgeable guide posted inside. These aircraft are also a big neglected- with paint schemes being a bit tired- and in particular the cockpit glass being cloudy and the cockpits not having much inside to look at. However, it was very cool to be able to get up close.
There is also a really good giftshop, with lots of good models and things that you can buy including a very impressive book selection.
over all, I very much recommend this museum. From a cost point of view- both kids were free, and I was only $16 so it was a very cost effective several hours out. If you’re into aircraft and are a reasonable drive from the Hamilton airport, I would very much suggest that you check out this museum.
