May 31, 2024
Who else feels like summer is officially here? The next few months will be busy, busy, busy, and fun, fun, fun! We’ve got some returning events, visiting aircraft, and exciting news about our F-86 Sabre fighter jet restoration. Here are five things you can look forward to at the museum this summer!
1. The return of pedal planes
Ride the runways on one of our custom-made pedal or push planes!
These ride-on toys were handmade by two of our volunteers and debuted last summer, thanks to support from the Carolyn Sifton Foundation.
Pedal plane rides will return in early June and are included with admission.
2. Wings & Wheels
Our annual Father’s Day event has become a Winnipeg tradition over the past couple of years. We’re excited to announce its return this year on June 16.
This year’s event will feature another classic car show, fun activities for kids, a taco food truck, and Goldeyes tickets for the first 20 dads through the door.
Learn more here.
3. Summer fun days
Have you heard about our new Summer Fun Days programming?
These half-day programs start July 2, 2024, and run every Tuesday morning from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm through August 20.
Each program is 2.5 hours long and includes a museum tour, an educational component and hands-on STEM activity, nut-free snack, and supervised playtime outdoors in Aviation Plaza (weather permitting!).
We have two programs to choose from, suitable for ages five through 12. Participants can learn about the four forces of flight, design and build their own aircraft, and more!
See the details and register here.
4. Visiting aircraft
If you missed our first visiting aircraft of the year, the de Havilland Canada Chipmunk, don’t worry. We have three more lined up, and possibly more to come:
July 9 – 10: Canso PBY-5A
The Canso is a rare and remarkable plane that played a vital role in Canada’s history. It was used as a submarine hunter, and for search and rescue during the war. After the War, it was converted for civilian use, mostly as a water bomber to help fight forest fires first in Newfoundland and later in western Canada.
This Canso is one of the few remaining airworthy examples in the world. Thanks to the efforts of wonderful volunteers at the Fairview Aircraft Restoration Society (FARS), it now has a distinctive orange and green paint scheme that represents the provincial colours of the Province of Newfoundland. It was repainted during the conversion to become part of their air tanker fleet.
July 16 – 17: Avo Lancaster
Recognized as the most famous Allied bomber of World War II, the Avro Lancaster is a lasting symbol of all they did to defend our freedom.
The Mynarski Memorial Lancaster, also nicknamed VeRA, is owned and operated by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, a non-profit charitable museum located in Hamilton, Ontario.
The museum’s restoration crew, consisting mostly of World War II veterans, painstakingly restored the aircraft to over eleven years. On September 11, 1988, the restored Lancaster flew again and has flown consistently since then.
This Lanc is the only airworthy one in North America and one of only two in the world.
We’ll also be screening Reunion of Giants while the Lancaster is here. This film documents the Lancaster’s flight from Hamilton to the UK. Here, it met up with the other only airworthy Lancaster in the world operated by the Royal Air Force.
It was a mission unlike any other this Lancaster and her flight crew had ever undertaken. Two legendary bombers, separated by time and distance, met in Bomber County to fly together, this time in peace.
Stay tuned for details on how to purchase documentary tickets!
The Lancaster visit is generously supported by the Paterson Family Foundation.
August 9 – 11: P-51D Mustang
Don’t miss seeing one of the most legendary aircraft ever, the P-51 Mustang.
This aircraft could fly circles around the competition, especially when it came to escorting Allied bombers deep into enemy territory. The Mustang’s ability to stick with those bombers and bring them home safe and sound turned the tide in the Allies’ favor.
Originally built for snooping around as a recon plane by the Royal Air Force (RAF), the Mustang got a makeover that turned it into a high-flying, sky-patrolling warrior. The P-51D’s ability to switch gears at the drop of a hat made it a go-to asset for the Allied forces.
Learn more about these three events!
5. F-86 Sabre progress
If you follow us on social media, you may have seen that the vertical stabilizer of our F-86 Sabre is fully restored and now on display!
The rest of the airframe is still undergoing work, but additional pieces will be moved to the museum as they’re completed. Final assembly will take place on site later this summer. Following that, we’ll have an official unveiling! Stay tuned for details.
Don’t miss out—purchase an annual pass!
With all we have planned for this summer, now is a great time to buy an annual pass. Not only will you be able to attend all these events for free, but you’ll also get exclusive early access to the Lancaster and many other benefits.
READ MORE
