Canadian Air and Space Museum
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Air and Space Museum (formerly the Toronto Aerospace Museum) is an aviation museum
featuring artifacts, exhibits and stories illustrating a century of Canadian aviation heritage and achievements. The museum is located in a hangar that once housed the original de Havilland Canada
aircraft manufacturing building.
Located in what is now known as Downsview Park
, the hangar was later appropriated by the Royal Canadian Air Force
as a part of RCAF Station Downsview, and then later as CFB Toronto, which was closed in April 1996. On September 20, 2011, the museum was served an eviction notice by Downsview Park for non-payment of rent.
The institution is largely run by volunteers and has the goal of educating visitors on the Canadian aerospace industry and technology.
The museum is housed in what was the original factory for the de Havilland Aircraft of Canada
. It is the oldest surviving aircraft factory building in Canada. This building saw the creation of the de Havilland Beaver
and Otter
bush planes which helped to open the Canadian North, and was also the place where Alouette I, the first Canadian satellite was assembled.
Originally the Toronto Aerospace Museum, the museum was re-launched under its new name, the Canadian Air and Space Museum, on February 20, 2009. At that time the museum had plans to further renovate the premises to better house their large exhibits and to provide more detailed information for visitors and school programs. Plans included specific galleries to house the full-sized Avro Arrow replica, another for the Avro Lancaster and additional galleries dedicated to the history of the de Havilland aircraft company, Canadian achievements in space, including a theatre and planetarium
.
The museum was given notice of eviction from its hangar at Downsview on September 20, 2011 for failure to pay over C$100,000 in unpaid back rent, even though the museum was in the process of repaying the rent owed and had been assured they would not be evicted. The museum will have to relocate by March 2012. The museum subsequently learned that all tenants of 65 Carl Hall Road had been served eviction notices and that Downsview Park intends to replace the entire facility with a hockey rink.
Media reports indicate that the museum held its last day open on 25 September 2011 and also launched a massive campaign to save the museum, including enlisting the aid of historians like Jack Granatstein
and starting a petition. On September 21, 2001 Toronto Councillor Maria Augimeri
proposed a motion that "City Council call on the Federal Government to recognize the contributions of Canadian aerospace and aviation innovation; grant the Canadian Air and Space Museum (CASM) located on the site of the former military base in Downsview, a long-term reprieve and provide assurances of its preservation on the Downsview lands." The motion was passed unanimously.
On 29 October 2011 it was reported that, although the museum building had previously been listed as a federal Heritage Building by both Parks Canada
and the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, these listings had recently disappeared and Parks Canada claimed that they had been erroneous.
The Museum is affiliated with the Canadian Museums Association
, Canadian Heritage Information Network
and the Virtual Museum of Canada
.
undergoing restoration; a full-scale replica of the Avro Arrow, a de Havilland Tiger Moth
, Grumman Tracker and many other Canadian-made aircraft. The museum also houses the original equipment that was used to build over a thousand Curtiss JN-4
biplanes in between 1917 and 1918, flight training simulators from the 1940s and 1950s, and exhibits relating to the history of Downsview air force base.
Aviation museum
An aviation museum, air museum or aerospace museum is a museum exhibiting the history and artifacts of aviation. In addition to actual or replica aircraft, exhibits can include photographs, maps, models, dioramas, clothing and equipment used by aviators.Aviation museums vary in size from housing...
featuring artifacts, exhibits and stories illustrating a century of Canadian aviation heritage and achievements. The museum is located in a hangar that once housed the original de Havilland Canada
De Havilland Canada
The de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. company was an aircraft manufacturer with facilities based in what is now the Downsview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
aircraft manufacturing building.
Located in what is now known as Downsview Park
Downsview Park
Downsview Park is a former Canadian Forces Base in the community of Downsview in Toronto, Canada. It contains about 231.5 hectares of land, of which more than 130 hectares are earmarked for traditional parkland, recreational and cultural amenities...
, the hangar was later appropriated by the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
as a part of RCAF Station Downsview, and then later as CFB Toronto, which was closed in April 1996. On September 20, 2011, the museum was served an eviction notice by Downsview Park for non-payment of rent.
The institution is largely run by volunteers and has the goal of educating visitors on the Canadian aerospace industry and technology.
History
De Havilland Canada
The de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. company was an aircraft manufacturer with facilities based in what is now the Downsview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
. It is the oldest surviving aircraft factory building in Canada. This building saw the creation of the de Havilland Beaver
De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver
The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver is a single-engined, high-wing, propeller-driven, STOL aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada, primarily known as a bush plane. It is used for cargo and passenger hauling, aerial application , and has been widely adopted by armed forces as a utility aircraft...
and Otter
De Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter
The de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter is a single-engined, high-wing, propeller-driven, STOL aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada. It was conceived to be capable of performing the same roles as the earlier and highly successful Beaver, but was overall a larger aircraft.-Design and...
bush planes which helped to open the Canadian North, and was also the place where Alouette I, the first Canadian satellite was assembled.
Originally the Toronto Aerospace Museum, the museum was re-launched under its new name, the Canadian Air and Space Museum, on February 20, 2009. At that time the museum had plans to further renovate the premises to better house their large exhibits and to provide more detailed information for visitors and school programs. Plans included specific galleries to house the full-sized Avro Arrow replica, another for the Avro Lancaster and additional galleries dedicated to the history of the de Havilland aircraft company, Canadian achievements in space, including a theatre and planetarium
Planetarium
A planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation...
.
The museum was given notice of eviction from its hangar at Downsview on September 20, 2011 for failure to pay over C$100,000 in unpaid back rent, even though the museum was in the process of repaying the rent owed and had been assured they would not be evicted. The museum will have to relocate by March 2012. The museum subsequently learned that all tenants of 65 Carl Hall Road had been served eviction notices and that Downsview Park intends to replace the entire facility with a hockey rink.
Media reports indicate that the museum held its last day open on 25 September 2011 and also launched a massive campaign to save the museum, including enlisting the aid of historians like Jack Granatstein
Jack Granatstein
Jack Lawrence Granatstein, OC, FRSC is a Canadian historian who specializes in political and military history.-Education:Born in Toronto, Ontario, Granatstein received a graduation diploma from Le College militaire royal de Saint-Jean in 1959, his BA from the Royal Military College of Canada in...
and starting a petition. On September 21, 2001 Toronto Councillor Maria Augimeri
Maria Augimeri
Maria Augimeri is a city councillor in Toronto, Ward 9 representing one of the two York Centre wards.-Background:Augimeri moved to Canada with her family at age two. Before entering politics, she was a Social Anthropologist at York University...
proposed a motion that "City Council call on the Federal Government to recognize the contributions of Canadian aerospace and aviation innovation; grant the Canadian Air and Space Museum (CASM) located on the site of the former military base in Downsview, a long-term reprieve and provide assurances of its preservation on the Downsview lands." The motion was passed unanimously.
On 29 October 2011 it was reported that, although the museum building had previously been listed as a federal Heritage Building by both Parks Canada
Parks Canada
Parks Canada , also known as the Parks Canada Agency , is an agency of the Government of Canada mandated to protect and present nationally significant natural and cultural heritage, and foster public understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative...
and the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office, these listings had recently disappeared and Parks Canada claimed that they had been erroneous.
The Museum is affiliated with the Canadian Museums Association
Canadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museums Association is a national organization for the promotion of museums in Canada.The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The...
, Canadian Heritage Information Network
Canadian Heritage Information Network
The Canadian Heritage Information Network is a Canadian government-supported organization that provides a networked interface to Canada's heritage, largely through the World Wide Web. It aims to give access to Canada's heritage for both Canadians and a worldwide audience, by supporting the...
and the Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada
The Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
.
Collection and exhibits
Current museum displays include: an Avro LancasterAvro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
undergoing restoration; a full-scale replica of the Avro Arrow, a de Havilland Tiger Moth
De Havilland Tiger Moth
The de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and was operated by the Royal Air Force and others as a primary trainer. The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk in 1952, when many of the surplus aircraft...
, Grumman Tracker and many other Canadian-made aircraft. The museum also houses the original equipment that was used to build over a thousand Curtiss JN-4
Curtiss JN-4
The Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" was one of a series of "JN" biplanes built by the Curtiss Aeroplane Company of Hammondsport, New York, later the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company. Although the Curtiss JN series was originally produced as a training aircraft for the U.S...
biplanes in between 1917 and 1918, flight training simulators from the 1940s and 1950s, and exhibits relating to the history of Downsview air force base.
Aircraft displayed
- AEA Silver DartAEA Silver Dart-References:NotesBibliography* Aerial Experimental Association . Aerofiles. . Retrieved: 19 May 2005.* Green, H. Gordon. The Silver Dart: The Authentic Story of the Hon. J.A.D. McCurdy, Canada's First Pilot. Fredericton, New Brunswick: Atlantic Advocate Book, 1959.* Milberry, Larry. Aviation in...
Replica on loan - Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow replica
- Avro LancasterAvro LancasterThe Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
FM104 Restoration Project - Beechcraft CT-134 MusketeerBeechcraft MusketeerThe Beechcraft Musketeer is a family of single-engine, low-wing, light aircraft that was produced by Beechcraft. The line includes the Model 19 Musketeer Sport, the Model 23 Musketeer, Custom and Sundowner, the Model 23-24 Musketeer Super III the retractable gear Model 24-R Sierra and the military...
- Canadair CT-114 Tutor
- CT-133 Silver StarCanadair T-33|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* "Canada's Fab Four". Air Forces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, UK: Key Publishing Limited, August, 2003. ISSN 0955-7091....
- de Havilland Canada DHC-1 ChipmunkDe Havilland Canada DHC-1 ChipmunkThe de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk is a tandem, two-seat, single-engined primary trainer aircraft which was the standard primary trainer for the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force and several other air forces through much of the post-Second World War years...
- de Havilland Tiger MothDe Havilland Tiger MothThe de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth is a 1930s biplane designed by Geoffrey de Havilland and was operated by the Royal Air Force and others as a primary trainer. The Tiger Moth remained in service with the RAF until replaced by the de Havilland Chipmunk in 1952, when many of the surplus aircraft...
DH82C - de Havilland Canada CS2F TrackerS-2 TrackerThe Grumman S-2 Tracker was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare aircraft to enter service with the US Navy. The Tracker was of conventional design with twin engines, a high wing and tricycle undercarriage. The type was exported to a number of navies around the world...
(Currently in storage.) - Fleet 80 CanuckFleet Canuck-Similar Aircraft:*Cessna 120/140*Piper PA-15 Vagabond*Aeronca 11 Chief*Luscombe 8-References:NotesBibliography* Page, Ron D. and William Cumming. Fleet: The Flying Years. Erin, Ontario: Boston Mills Press, 1990. ISBN 1-55046-019-6.-External links:...
- Found Brothers Aviation FBA-2AFound FBA-2-References:* The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft . London: Orbis Publishing....
(Currently in storage.) - SHARP (Stationary High-Altitude Relay Platform)
- UFM Easy RiserUFM Easy Riser-See also:-External links:*...
ultralight - UTIAS Ornithopter No.1UTIAS Ornithopter No.1|-See also:*UTIAS Snowbird...
- University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace StudiesUniversity of Toronto Institute for Aerospace StudiesThe University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies is an advanced research facility for aeronautics and aerospace engineering, located in the Downsview district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada... - Zenair CH 200Zenair CH 200|-See also:-References:*Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aircraft Manufacturers. Second edition. Stroud, UK:Sutton Publishing, 2005. ISBN 0-7509-3981-8....
Engine collection
- Alvis LeonidesAlvis Leonides-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9...
- de Havilland Gipsy Major
- Orenda
- Iroquois Jet Engine replica
- Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp
- Pratt & Whitney Wasp JrPratt & Whitney R-1535|-See also:* Pratt & Whitney Wasp series* R-985 Wasp Junior* R-1340 Wasp* R-1830 Twin Wasp* R-2800 Double Wasp* R-4360 Wasp Major-Bibliography:...
- Rolls-Royce Derwent
Simulators
- Link C8 TrainerLink TrainerThe term Link Trainer, also known as the "Blue box" and "Pilot Trainer" is commonly used to refer to a series of flight simulators produced between the early 1930s and early 1950s by Ed Link, based on technology he pioneered in 1929 at his family's business in Binghamton, New York...
- Air CanadaAir CanadaAir Canada is the flag carrier and largest airline of Canada. The airline, founded in 1936, provides scheduled and charter air transport for passengers and cargo to 178 destinations worldwide. It is the world's tenth largest passenger airline by number of destinations, and the airline is a...
ViscountVickers ViscountThe Vickers Viscount was a British medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs, making it the first such aircraft to enter service in the world...
Simulator
See also
- Organization of Military Museums of CanadaOrganization of Military Museums of CanadaThe Organization of Military Museums of Canada is a national organization for the promotion of military museums in Canada.The OMMC was established in 1967 by a group of military museums, historians, and military history enthusiasts. It has over 40 individual and 60 institutional members including...
- Military history of CanadaMilitary history of CanadaThe military history of Canada comprises hundreds of years of armed actions in the territory encompassing modern Canada, and the role of the Canadian military in conflicts and peacekeeping worldwide. For thousands of years, the area that would become Canada was the site of sporadic intertribal wars...
- de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd
- Parc Downsview Park
External links
- Canadian Air and Space Museum
- Canadian Air & Space Museum Photos of aircraft and aviation related exhibits at the Canadian Air & Space Museum