Where HISTORY takes flight! 
The exciting stories of Blatchford Field
inspire new exhibit designs  
The Alberta Aviation Museum's revitalization plan will bring to life the stories of the men, women and flying machines that made Blatchford Field a leader in Canadian aviation.

And the latest exhibits, designed by Museum Curator Lech Lebiedowski, show in vivid detail how that will be accomplished.
 
"I was inspired by the stories of [aviation pioneers like] Wop May, Jimmy Bell and Katherine Stinson," says Lebiedowski. "So every exhibit will tell the stories of those individuals in the context of the aircraft in our collection."

Lebiedowski points to the display for the Cranwell biplane. It  uses mannequins dressed to depict Jimmy Bell, Blatchford's first manager, Edmonton Mayor Kenneth Blatchford, an early aviation proponent, and bushpilot legend Wop May. In the background a diorama shows Hangar 1 as it looked in 1929-1930.  

One of the most exciting scenes illustrates the Mosquito bomber of 418 (City of Edmonton) Squadron during its World War II mission in Europe.

The museum's Mosquito represents the one flown by Edmonton's own Russ Bannock. He developed the techniques to shoot down the German V-1 flying bombs that were taking their toll on the British people. 

"The exhibit will show the dynamics of war," says Lebiedowski. "The idea is to make it three-dimensional. So we will actually build the vehicle and the shattered building [shown in the design.] This will probably be the most difficult of all the exhibits."   

Work on the displays has already begun and the first 'story islands' should be complete by the end of the year. The actual progress will depend on fundraising and volunteer time.

Keep an eye on this newsletter, or better yet, come by to see the progress as we build these thrilling new additions.
Kenneth Blatchforld, Jimmy Bell and Wop May with the Cranwell in front of Hangar 1 circa 1929-1930.
The Stinson SR-9 exhibit is dedicated to the aviation mechanics who kept the bushplanes flying under difficult conditions.
The Barkley-Grow with Yukon Southern Air Transport owner Grant McConachie.
 The 418 Squadron Mosquito fighting in Europe during World War II
Big changes in the 'front office'
Open Cockpit Day in pictures

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Thanks to all our great volunteers who helped make Open Cockpit Day 2016 a big success. We couldn't have done it without you. See you all next year.

  Coming Events


  • October 13, 7 pm. From Dogsleds to Bushplanes: Exploring the Antarctic. Part one of our new AAM Lecture Series. Dr. Henry Wyatt discusses his trips to Marguerite Bay on the Antarctic Peninsula in support of survey work in the late 1950s. Members $8, non members $10. More details here.

  • November 5, 1:30-3:30 pm. Celebrating Rosella Bjornson: Canada's first female airline pilot.  Sponsored by the Alberta Labour History Institute, Elevate Aviation and the Alberta Aviation Museum. Join us as we honour a trailblazing local aviator.  Free admission to the event. More details: www.albertalabourhistory.org or phone 780-732-0320.

  • November 11, 10:30 am. Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Hangar.  Sponsored by 700 (City of Edmonton) Wing RCAF Association, 418 Squadron Association, 504 Royal Canadian Air Cadets and Ex-RCAF Women's Association. Free admission to the event. 

  • November 17, 7pm. Fighting 'The Beast' From the Air. Our AAM lecture series continues with four speakers who were intimately involved in battling the wildfire in Fort McMurray. Scott Elliott and Patrick McIlwaine from the Alberta Forest Service, along with Dennis Crystian, Chief Pilot, Air Spray, and Paul Spring, President, Phoenix Heli-Flight will discuss their involvement tackling the massive forest fire. Members $8, non-members $10. More details here

For more information please contact:
Steve Finkelman
Communications Coordinator
steve.finkelman@albertaaviationmuseum.com
780-996-6102