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Canadian Wings: A Remarkable Century of Flight
Feb. 25, 2009 – To commemorate the Canadian centennial of powered flight, the Canada Aviation museum presents Canadian Wings: A Remarkable Century of Flight, Museum visitors will discover the remarkable stories and rich history of their Canadian aeronautical heritage.
February 25, 2009 By Administrator
To commemorate the Canadian centennial of powered flight, the Canada Aviation museum presents Canadian Wings: A Remarkable Century of Flight, Museum visitors will discover the remarkable stories and rich history of their Canadian aeronautical heritage that began with J.A.D. McCurdy’s epic flight in 1909. The exhibition is celebrated in four galleries;
Getting Into the Air (and Staying There): 1902-1918 is a tribute to the earliest days of aviation and examines the “Wonderful World of Flying Machines,” “Understanding Flight,” and the impressive aviation innovations developed during the course of the First World War.
Tying the Country Together: 1919-1938: Explores how powered flight connected Canada and Canadians in entirely new ways. Visitors will undoubtedly take pride in the truly Canadian concept of bush flying and this period of “firsts” which included groundbreaking flights that inspired the imagination and cemented aviation in our collective consciousness.
Industry and War: 1939-1945: Demonstrates the Second World War’s role as a catalyst for growth in all segments of aviation. During this relatively short period of time, a rapid pace of innovation and change took place that included the emergence of a Canadian aircraft manufacturing industry and establishment of the impressive British Commonwealth Air Training Plan which trained over 130, 000 airmen for service overseas.
Shrinking the World: 1946-Present: Illustrates a period of growth in commercial aviation that is represented by aircrafts such as the Douglas DC-3 and the Bombardier Challenger. The emergence of the airline industry has served Canadians in the remote North as well as urban areas, and has brought new Canadians from around the world to their new homes in this country.
The exhibition continues its march in time by highlighting more recent developments, such as Cold War technology which highlights some of the impressive aircraft that served with the RCAF and/or the Canadian Forces during this era.
The journey continues as Canada’s entrance to the jet age follows featuring Canada’s first jet fighter, the de Havilland Vampire, the only remaining section of the legendary Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow, and the contemporary CF-18 Hornet, to name only a few Naval and rotary wing aircraft are also represented. Fascinating naval aircraft, with their “folding wings,” on display include the eminent Fairey Swordfish of Second World War fame, and the Museum’s helicopter display that features the last Boeing Vetrol Labrador to fly with the Canadian Forces, with its life saving legacy and many stories to tell.
Canada’s aeronautical history is on of innovation and excellence, often with only the barest essentials to support its dreams of flight. The exhibition is designed to leave the visitor with pride in Canada’s achievements and to fuel the dreams of tomorrow.
Canadian Wings: A Remarkable Century of Flight, open as of Feb. 25, 2009, is an ongoing exhibition featured at the Canadian Aviation Museum.
General Info:
613-993-2010 or 1-800-463-2038,
www.aviation.technomuses.ca
Anthony Smyth, Director General:
613-990-2526, asmyth@technomuses.ca
Christine Lucas, Chief, Communications & Marketing:
613-993-4243, clucas@technomuses.ca
