The Western Canada Aviation Museum offers a unique mix of history and science. Enter through 'Gate 1' - the original Trans Canada Airlines (now Air Canada) passenger terminal - step back in time and let the pioneer aviators of the north take you on an inspirational journey through time!
Your visit will be filled with tales from the sky, great ideas (and not so great ideas) in flight, and a true appreciation for the adventuring spirit.
The original aircraft hangar, including several one-of-a-kind aircraft, such as Canada's first helicopter, the CL-84 Tilt-wing, our 'flying saucer' Avrocar, and of course, historic military jets, bushplanes and commercial aircraft.
Since its incorporation in 1974, the Western Canada Aviation Museum has:
■Grown into an award-winning heritage institution dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Canada's aviation history, situated in a historical building of over 90,000 square feet;
■Been designated a 'Special Theme Museum' by the Manitoba Government; one of only six museums to achieve this status;
■Proudly worn its 'Star Attraction' signage in the Travel Manitoba program;
■Begun to play an important role in the education system as a destination for students and faculty to support the subject areas of science, social studies, geography, history and language arts;
■Offered a unique mix of history and science - 'innovation and adventure' to its guests from near and far; and
■Catapulted on to the world stage - planning its new home as a signature attraction in the airport campus redevelopment.
Incorporated in 1974, the Western Canada Aviation Museum has grown into an award-winning heritage institution dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Canada's aviation history.
The aircraft on display reflect the history of aviation development in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Canada and include examples ranging from bush planes to transport, military, private and commercial aircraft. Specific examples include:
■Canada's first helicopter (built by the Froebe brothers in Homewood, Manitoba);
■The most complete Vickers Viscount in the world (which flew out of the hangar that now houses the Museum);
■A replica of the Junkers JU-52/lM that flew out of the Brandon Avenue base of Canadian Airways Ltd. Known as the 'Flying Boxcar', this ungainly plane was the largest single-engine aircraft operated in North America.
■The Avrocar - A replica of the flying saucer that was built by a secret contract between the American military and Avro Canada during the Cold War years.
■In 2005, the Museum acquired a very significant Tiger Moth (designated a Canadian Heritage aircraft by the Federal Government) and the only Fokker Super Universal aircraft left in the world.
■The Museum also houses an exhibit on Canadian Women in Aviation; flight simulators; a Black Brant Rocket (built in Manitoba by Bristol Aerospace); and
■Other aviation memorabilia, such as a collection of first airmail covers (i.e., envelopes, including one signed by Charles Lindbergh and Orville Wright).
