Museum History

Originally founded in 1984 as the RCAF Memorial Library and Museum, the National Air Force Museum of Canada (NAFMC) has developed and expanded to where it now enjoys a national reputation, the largest number of aircraft on static display and the most skilled team of restoration volunteers of any military museum in the country.

Relocated in 1994 to the former curling rink on RCAF Rd, 8 Wing/Canadian Forces Base Trenton, the museum presents more than 3,500 artefacts and memorabilia depicting major historical events, notable aviation achievements, as well as the social history of Canada’s Air Force.

Two subsequent building expansions, the Rotary Restoration Shop in 1996 and in 2005, an additional 7,000 m2 of display space, evolved around the acquisition and restoration of one of the most versatile Bombers of the Second World War Bomber, the Handley Page Halifax.

With the interior of the expansion building near completion, the NAFMC continues to refine and reorganize the collection in anticipation of the installation of the new permanent exhibits. Fundraising continues and it is hoped that the new gallery and research library will open to the public by 2012.

The Collection

The term “collection” refers to the artefact holdings of the museum; donated by the public or acquired through purchase or trade, they contribute to and enhance our ability to tell the military aviation story since 1914. The collection consists of more than 40,000 artefacts including original art, weapons, significant archival materials, aircraft, medals and military memorabilia. The museum’s collection is cared for, studied, and exhibited by professional curators. Objects that are not on view may be in storage or on loan to private and public institutions across the country as part of our outreach program.

The Volunteers

With an average of 40,000 visitors a year since 2003, the museum is able to offer free admission and host tours because of an exceptional group of over 100 dedicated volunteers. They collectively give over 30,000 hours annually to every aspect of the museum’s daily and behind the scenes operations.

The Restorations

In April 1945, Halifax NA 337 flown by 644 Squadron RAF left England to drop supplies to the Norwegian resistance. Returning after the successful sortie, it was hit by German anti-aircraft fire. After ditching on Lake Mjøsa, all but the tail gunner would succumb to hypothermia. The Halifax a/c lay undisturbed under 750 feet of water until recovered in 1995 by the Halifax Aircraft Association. Stabilized and airlifted to Trenton by the Canadian Forces and then restored by a devoted team of volunteers, it was officially unveiled in 2005 as the most technically accurate Halifax in the world.Of the 6,178 built, only three exist today. A tribute to all who knew the ‘Hallie’, this aircraft is a lasting legacy to the over 50,000 Canadians who served in Bomber Command and the 9,919 whose lives were lost.

In the last two years, work has begun on the challenging restorations of a 1942 Avro Anson Mk II and a 1943 North American Harvard Mk II. Originally produced in Canada, these two vintage aircraft were instrumental in training generations of RCAF and Allied aircrew.

The RCAF Memorial Airpark

Situated on 15 acres, west of 8 Wing’s operational airfield, the RCAF Memorial Airpark exhibits 22 historic aircraft. This includes the
DC-3 Dakota that revolutionized air transport around
the world and the F-86 Sabre, the finest ‘dogfighter’
of its day.

The Memorials

Named from the air force motto Per Ardua Ad Astra (Through Adversity to the Stars), the Ad Astra Stone Dedication Program has recognized over 9,000 individual air force members and their spouse’s service and sacrifice to Canada. Join us in the Airpark, on the last Saturday of September, for a ceremony of remembrance and celebration.

The museum also hosts numerous ceremonies and reunions involving many of the 32 privately funded monuments in the airpark. Each monument is erected to honour the success and contributions of various Squadrons and Associations.

The Support

The NAFMC is independent and self-financed, operating under the authority of the 8 Wing Commander (who also provides essential public support). All private and corporate donations are sincerely appreciated as well as the tremendous funding received by the RCAF Memorial Foundation and Gift Shop sales. We gratefully acknowledge our most kind and generous benefactor
F/L (retired) Raymond James DFC (1924-2008).