Aircraft on Display at the BC Aviation Museum

Aircraft are static unless otherwise noted (airworthy means the aircraft can be flown, grounded means the aircraft was airworthy and with some maintenance could be flown again.) Visit the museum to learn more about our collection.

Information about Museum aircraft under restoration (not on display at this time) can be found by visiting the Restoration Centre page.

Here is a list of all our aircraft on display on this page, along with a brief description.

Aircraft

Avro Anson MK II

Ansons were stationed here at Patricia Bay during World War Two and used primarily for training aircrew. The museum’s example is a Mark II that was obtained from the Legion in Fort St. John, British Columbia. Plans are to restore the aircraft in its training markings, in tribute to the thousands of air crew who received instruction on this type.

The B.C. Heritage Trust has provided financial assistance to this project to support conservation of our heritage resources, gain further knowledge and increase public understanding of the complete history of British Columbia

Bell 47 Helicopter

This helicopter was utilized for just about every imaginable task, from VIP transport to rescue. It even pioneered logging by helicopter. The museum’s example is a Bell 47 D and is distinguished by its gold fish bowl canopy. In addition to providing obviously superb visibility, it enabled the aircraft to be used in harsh climates. Familiar to television viewers, it will be remembered as the busy medivac helicopter from “M*A*S*H 4077”, demonstrating yet another of its uses. Visit our Museum and learn about this helicopter's very interesting history.

On loan from the: Royal BC Museum Logo

Bristol Bolingbroke MK IV

The museum’s "Boly" is a Mark IV variant and is actually a composite of two separate aircraft. The restoration was completed in 1996 and was painted to represent one of the aircraft flown by #3 Operational Training Unit based here at Patricia Bay during the Second World War years.

Chanute Glider

Designed in 1897 by Octave Chanute of Michigan, this type represented all that was known about the work of European pioneers, such as Otto Lilienthal who developed an airfoil shaped wing still in use today. Embodying most of the stability and control features of today's aircraft, it lacked only a light but powerful enough engine to achieve fully powered flight. Chanute’s work greatly influenced the Wright brothers who overcame Chanute’s problem to become the first men to achieve sustained powered flight. The aircraft on display is an exact replica of the 1897 model and was built by Russ Carrington of Victoria. He donated it to the museum in 1989.

Chipmunk DHC 1-22

Designed in Canada by the De Havilland Company of Canada, the Chipmunk made its first flight at Downsview, Ontario on May 22, 1946. The aircraft here Chipmunk DHC

at the museum was manufactured at Chester in England and entered service with the RAF in 1951. It was declared surplus to requirements in March 1997 and offered for sale by auction in London. It was sold to the present owner and BCAM member, Rob Atton, in May 1997. -- airworthy

Douglas A26 Invader

The museum’s example was donated by Conair Aviation of Abottsford British Columbia. Conair is a world leader inaerial fire fighting technology. This particular aircraft is an A-26 B and the faired over gun ports can be seen in the nose. Upon its retirement as a water bomber, it was donated to the museum. It was decided to keep the airplane in its fire fighting configuration. This is in recognition of the yeoman work done by the airplane in this province. This is the only water bomber conversion preserved in a museum today. -- grounded

Eastman E2 Sea Rover

Unique to Canada and British Columbia, and the only example left in the world, it is one of 18 designed and built by Tom Towle and Jim Eastman of Detroit Michigan, and one of five used in British Columbia for many years. The aircraft displayed here has been restored by using the remains of two Sea Rovers, CF-ASY and CF-ASW.

Fleet Model 2

While the Fleet Model 2 is not a true bush aircraft, lacking capacity and range of that type, it is a good choice to serve as the symbol of British Columbia aviation. This aircraft CF-AOD, was flown in the province, from its delivery in 1930, until its retirement in 1981. At that time it was the oldest active registered aircraft in Canada.

On loan from the: Royal BC Museum Logo

Gibson Twin Plane

This aircraft is one of the most historically significant in Canadian aviation. Itwas the first airplane completely designed, built and flown in Canada, and it happened right here in Victoria. The example on display is an exact replica. The original engine from the original Twin Plane forms part of the National Aeronautical collection in Ottawa.

Luscombe Silvaire

The example on display is a 1946 Model 8A and was salvaged from assorted pieces found in South America and donated to the museum in 1988. BC Airlines, formed by Bill Sylvester, one of the first commercial airlines on the West coast, used a similar Silvaire to train its pilots. This restored airplane represents a little piece of British Columbia Aviation History.

Nieuport 17

This is a 7/8 scale replica of the World War One French built scout (or fighter as we know them today). Nieuport 17

This replica aircraft was built and flown by Mr. Jack Blair. After his death, Mrs. Blair donated this aircraft to the museum in 1993. -- grounded.

Originally it was powered by a modern Rotax two cylinder engine. To make this a more authentic replica aircraft, a 7/8 scale replica of the original power plant, a LeRhone 9J 110hp engine, is under construction in our Restoration Centre.

Noorduyn Norseman

The museum’s example is originally a UC-64A bought after the war by Green Airways in Red Lake, Ontario and re-registered CF-JDG. Subsequently sold to David Warren of Wrangler Alaska, it was again re-registered, this time as N538DW. It ultimately crashed at the Cominco mining site near Bronson Creek, British Columbia when a wheel detached on landing. The aircraft insurers wrote the aircraft off as beyond economical repair and eventually the museum purchased it for scrap value. This aircraft has been restored to airworthy standard by museum volunteers, with partial funding from the Millennium Fund. It is registered as CF-DRE as the majority of the salvaged parts for the fusalage came from DRE.

PacAero Tradewind

This aircraft is a much modified Beechcraft 18. The modifications to the Beechcraft 18 were done here at the Pat Bay airport by the Pac Aero Company. The aircraft was lengthened to take a tricycle landing gear. Two Pratt and Whitney turboprop engines replaced the radial engines. A large single fin replaced the twin fins of the original. This large single fin added the needed in-flight stability in light of the other modifications. Our Tradewind CF-BCF was once owned by the British Columbia Government and was extensively used by "flying Phil Galardi” who was then Minister of Highways. Later sold by the government to Keewaten Air of Manitoba, it was used as a small airliner. They subsequently donated the airplane to the museum.

Pietenpol 1933

The museum’s example was built by Bob McDonnel from original plans. Starting in 1978, many hours went into its construction before its completion in 1984. The aircraft never flew as Mr. McDonnel suffered a heart attack just before he was to fly it for the first time. Not wanting anyone else to fly it, he donated it to the museum in December 1990. -- grounded

Rutan Quickie

Developed in 1978 by Bert Rutan of around the world Challenger fame, the Quickie is a unique design of Styrofoam, covered with fiberglass. It weighs only 250 pounds and has a 25 horsepower engine. This light weight construction gives the Quickie a speed in excess of 100 mph and its canard design is said to make it completely stall proof. The museum’s example was built in Victoria by Fran Benton and donated to the museum in 1995. -- grounded

Republic RC-3 Seabee

The example in the museum is a RC3, serial number 710 and was once owned by Alaska Coastal Airlines. It was used by that company’s Aircraft on display at the BC Aviation Museum

manager as his personal hunting and fishing aircraft. It was subsequently purchased by the Norie Brothers Logging, and registered in Canada as CF-JLC. It was donated to the Museum by Henry & Frank Norie in 1991. -- grounded

Royal Aircraft Factory S.E. 5A

This aircraft is a 7/8 scale replica, partially built by Dennis Mitchell of Williams Lake, British Columbia. This S.E.5A

particular aircraft was to be powered by a Continental air cooled engine. The aircraft was intended to fly, but is now a static display - includes a 7/8 replica of the original 1914 Hispano-Suiza Engine. More about the Museum's engines.

Sikorsky S-55

The Sikorsky S-55 dates from late 1949. In June of 1952 the Royal Canadian Navy took delivery of three Sikorsky S-55s. The RCN designated this type as HO4S-2. These helicopters were used primarily as a plane guards during flight operations from the aircraft carriers They were responsible for saving the lives of many aircrew who crashed at sea during carrier operations. The restoration is almost complete, with a few parts still missing. It is painted in Royal Canadian Navy Colours, and is now serving as our gate guard.

Skyseeker Ultralite

This fully powered ultralite embodies all the aerodynamic controls of a full size airplane, but is intended to provide a low cost simple flying experience. The Skyseeker in the museum has fabric covered wings and tail surfaces. -- grounded

Spitfire 3/4 Scale Replica

Bob Noren started building this 3/4 scale replica of the famous World War II fighter aircraft, the Spitfire. It was going to be a flying replica, however, Bob was unable to complete the project due to his untimely death at age 41. The unfinished project was donated to the Museum as a memorial. The replica was completed by volunteers from 443 Squadron.

Other Aircraft

Other aircraft reside at the museum from time to time. As these are not permanent residents, they are not listed here. Visit the museum to see the ever changing displays.