Press
Canadian Museum of Flight Announces New Logo.
At the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Museum of Flight on April 25, 2009, the new Museum logo was officially unveiled.
The Museum has had a new logo in transition for some time – that of the Handley Page Hampden. The Hampden is a unique symbol at our Museum, but virtually unknown except among dedicated aircraft fans. This logo also had some shortcomings in its presentation. While it was acceptable on letter size printed material, it lacked definition when printed on larger items, such as shirts.
The Directors studied this problem and came to the decision that it would not be acceptable to go back to the previous logo of the yellow Tiger Moth. Instead we should be forward looking to something that is unique in our collection. One aircraft that met the criteria was the Waco AQC-6 Cabin biplane. It has a long history of flying in BC – about 55 years – and was a unique airplane compared to the ubiquitous Tiger Moth. The red and cream colour scheme made it especially suitable for use as a logo for the Museum.
Well known local photographer, Cam Hutchins, provided the image taken during air-to-air photography with Museum aircraft, and Acro Media Inc. of Kelowna, BC did the design work to provide the logo that is now in use.
HEAVY SNOWFALL DAMAGES HISTORIC AIRCRAFT
December 2008
Langley, British Columbia – December 28, 2008 – Despite the best efforts of Museum volunteers the recent extreme weather in the lower mainland has caused considerable damage to some exhibits at the Canadian Museum of Flight in Langley, BC. Hardest hit is the Museum’s Handley Page Hampden, a World War 2 bomber that was raised from the oceans depths off Vancouver Island in 1985.
Ongoing efforts to clear the rapidly accumulating snow from the wings of the aircraft were overwhelmed during the night of December 26 when a failure of the left wing internal structure occurred as a result of the weight of the snow on the wing. The wing separated from the fuselage and collapsed onto an adjacent display case containing one of the aircrafts original engines. The wing itself suffered considerable damage at both the root and tip. Further damage is visible on the tail of the aircraft although a full investigation of this area has yet to be completed.
The Museum’s Hampden is the sole survivor of its type on display anywhere in the world although another example was recovered recently from a crash site in Russia and is under restoration in Britain. The twin engine Hampden was part of the Royal Air Force’s front line equipment at the start of World War 2 but was soon rendered obsolete and retired from active operations against Nazi Germany during the summer of 1943.
One hundred and sixty Hampdens were built in Canada during WW2 and many were used on the west coast to train crews in the difficult missions of attacking enemy shipping with torpedoes. The Museum's aircraft was lost on just such an exercise on November 15, 1942 when it crashed into the ocean moments after dropping a practice torpedo. Following its recovery the aircraft was the subject of a long and challenging restoration to static display condition which was completed in 1998.
It is anticipated that a lengthy program of repair will be required to put the airplane back into displayable condition and the Museum is putting out a plea for the public's assistance in providing both financial and practical support to help re-build this important piece of Canadian history.
For more information contact the Museum at 604-532-0035 or at cmflight@telus.net
Contact:
Gord Wintrup – Museum President – 604-230-1560
Terry Brunner – Museum Staff – 604-532-0035
Canadian Museum of Flight
Hangar #3 – 5333 216th Street, Langley, BC V2Y 2N3
Email: cmflight@telus.net
Plans for Museum expansion.
August 2008
The Canadian Museum of Flight is planning on expanding its facilities to gain additional floor space. This will mean that the Museum can restore and display additional aircraft and artifacts that are currently in storage, or those that will be acquired in the future.
The Museum is currently housed in a 5,000 square foot facility and is planning to build a 30,000 square foot structure that will contain offices, a gift shop, a workshop, a large display area and a fully equipped commercial kitchen.
The Museum has reached an agreement with Air Cadet Squadron 746 Lightning Hawk to share the proposed building. The partnership of the air cadets and the Museum will be of benefit to both growing organizations, giving motivation, mentorship and challenges to both parties.
Our goal over the next two years is to expand our facilities in order to increase our revenue streams, increase our membership, create more partnerships, run more organized tours, and host more events such as weddings and corporate events.
Museum under Distinguished Patronage.
July 8, 2008
The Museum is delighted to announce that His Honour, the Honourable Steven Point, Lieutentant Governor of British Columbia has accepted our invitation to become Honorary Patron of the Canadian Museum of Flight.
The Lieutenant Governor is the representative of Her Majesty The Queen of Canada in the Province of British Columbia, and as such, takes precedence over everyone in the province except the Sovereign. The Lieutenant Governor personifies the Crown, which is both the apex and the unifying link in the constitutional and political structure of the province — executive, legislative, and judicial. All legislation must receive Royal Assent before it becomes law. It must therefore be signed by the Lieutenant Governor. All Orders-In-Council and official proclamations are also signed by the Lieutenant Governor in the name of The Queen.