By Skies Magazine | April 22, 2024 Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 15 seconds.
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum has kicked off a fundraising drive as several of its aircraft fan out to airshows across Canada to celebrate the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) centennial.
In a message to the museum’s email list, board chair David Rohrer noted the importance of donations to sustain the facility in Hamilton, Ont.
“As we enter our 52nd year of operations, we have thankfully been able to achieve our goals to grow and expand museum programs and operations, but the reality is that our continuing success is not due to just our own dedicated efforts,” said Rohrer.
“Rather, it is the result of all of our combined efforts including your most important kindness and faithful financial support of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.”
The museum, located near John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM), has a massive collection of vintage military aircraft, including one of the only flyable Avro Lancaster Mk. X bombers in the world.
That aircraft is scheduled to appear at four air shows in Ontario, Alberta and Manitoba this summer, including as part of a “mass flypast” over Ottawa on Canada Day.
The museum’s North American B-25 Mitchell bomber, Douglas C-47 Dakota transport aircraft, Grumman Avenger AS 3 torpedo bomber and a Consolidated PBY-5A Canso bomber based in British Columbia, are also slated to appear at airshows this summer.
Meanwhile, the museum continues restoration work on several aircraft and plans to unveil a new major exhibition this summer titled, “Making Freedom Fly.”
Several upgrades are also planned for the museum building, including a new hangar roof this spring, said Rohrer.
“We really need and appreciate your support,” he said. “As a donor, your contribution to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is an investment in a real Canadian success story.”
The museum is accepting donations through its website.
