The Handley-Page Halifax was built specifically for Britain’s Royal Air Force, and was used extensively as a support aircraft for the more famous Lancaster bomber. It went through several design changes before the first two prototypes started flying in 1937, and it continued to be modified as the war progressed. The first Halifax flew with the RAF in October 1939, and the second finally arrived in August 1940. After that, several Halifax squadrons were formed, and the first Halifaxes entered combat in March of 1941. Improvements continued to the engines and overall design. The final version, the Mark VII, had higher-powered Bristol Hercules engines and carried additional fuel tanks.

Overall, 6,176 Halifaxes were built, all for the RAF. However, many RCAF crews flew in RAF Halifaxes during the war – in fact, 29,000 of the more than 75,000 Halifax missions flown during the Second World War were flown by Canadians, and the Halifax was considered one of the most important bombers flown by the RCAF at that time. More Canadians flew Halifaxes than Lancasters. The Halifax was popular because it had a reputation of being able to absorb enormous punishment and still get its crew home.

Unlike other heavy bombers like the Lancaster, the Halifax also was used for other purposes, including evacuating casualties, glider towing, dropping men and supplies by parachute and for maritime patrol. Halifaxes remained in use with RAF Coastal Command until March 1952, and also continued in service with the Airborne Forces after the war.

The Museum’s Halifax, NA337, started its career with 644 (RAF) Squadron in March of 1945. As the War drew to a close, it flew several missions before being ditched in Norway just a month after entering service.

On the night of April 24, 1945 the aircraft was one of two Halifaxes on a mission to drop ammunition, arms, and supplies to members of the Norwegian resistance. But after completing the mission, NA337, carrying a six-man crew, was hit by German antiaircraft fire while flying over the railway bridge at Minnesund. A 20-mm shell pierced the starboard wing, igniting the fuel tank and starboard engines. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Alexander Turnbull, turned north and tried to find a place to land. Visibility was hampered by thick fog, and the aircraft ended up ditching in the lake about a kilometer from shore at about 2 a.m. The rough landing on the water shattered the nose and snapped off the tail section. Although the crew survived the crash, the life raft failed to deploy properly. Ultimately, only the tail gunner, Flight Sergeant Thomas Weigthman, would survive. Halifax NA337 remained in Lake Mjosa, Norway until 1995, when it was retrieved by the Halifax Aircraft Association. Transported in pieces to CFB Trenton, it moved into the Restoration Workshop at the Museum, and a team of dedicated volunteers spent the next 10 years restoring it. It was officially unveiled in 2005.