News & Stories

Early Canadian bush pilots faced challenges at every turn and confronted them head-on, armed only with an indomitable will and a can-do attitude. Thanks to bush flying, trips that once took weeks could now be completed in hours. Those dealing …

#1815 Now on Display The project began with an idea—one that would lead to 6,000 volunteer hours in a major restoration effort and a fundraising campaign unlike anything the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada had undertaken before. “2024 marked the 100th anniversary of …

The Royal Aviation Museum’s Connection to Hollywood History There’s an old song that goes, “You Oughta Be in Pictures.” As it turns out, two of our museum’s aircraft are the same type as those featured in the classic Hollywood film Captains of the …

Text by Lt Col (ret) Robert Nash for the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada. During the Korean War, United Nations pilots flying the F-86 Sabre were involved in some of the earliest jet-to-jet battles in history. Their primary opponent …

Text by Lt Col (ret) Robert Nash for the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada. The F-86 Sabre is the most-produced Western jet-powered day fighter, with a total production of 9,860, including all variants. Between 1949 and 1956, North American …

Growing up in War Lake First Nation northeast of Thompson, Manitoba, Desiree Charlton learned early on the vital importance of aviation for remote northern communities.  Her community was accessible only by train for most of the year. In winter, an …

2024 marked the 50th anniversary of the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada and it sure was a memorable one! We had over 60,000 visitors, more than 9,000 students, and hosted 68 private events. And our 180 volunteers logged 21,000 …

On November 9, 2024, we held our second annual Preservation Ball at the museum and raised $450,000 for STEM education! It was a fantastic, ‘70s-themed night filled with live music, dancing, an amazing culinary experience, and more. Our heartfelt thanks …

It’s been an exciting fall so far at the museum, and we’re just getting started! Our first travelling exhibition, Snoopy and the Red Baron opened on October 7 and we’ve put together a series of Peanuts©-themed workshops planned over the …

It’s spooky season! Are you ready for a ghost story? Even in our new museum, staff have reported spooky occurrences from time to time. Loud banging after hours, mysterious voices when no one else is in the building, and lights …