Bomber Command Museum of Canada facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Bomber Command Museum of Canada

Established	1986
Location	Nanton, Alberta

The Bomber Command Museum of Canada is an exciting aviation museum located in Nanton, Alberta. It used to be called the Nanton Lancaster Society Museum. The museum first opened its doors in 1986. Its main goal was to protect and fix up a special airplane called the Avro Lancaster FM159. This Lancaster is one of only four left in the whole world! Two of them can still fly, and two, like the one at the museum, can move around on the ground. Over time, the museum has grown a lot. It now has many different aircraft. A lot of these planes were used during World War II by the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. This was a huge program that trained pilots and aircrew from many countries.

A Look Back: The Museum's Story

The Nanton Lancaster Society started in 1985. Their big mission was to save the town's Avro Lancaster plane. This plane had been sitting outside since 1960. The next year, in 1986, the society officially opened the aircraft as a museum.

In 1991, the society finished building a special home for the Lancaster. Throughout the 1990s, the museum collected many more aircraft. These planes helped show the history of the Lancaster. After the first building, the museum expanded in 1998, 2002, and 2007. The museum also has a library, an archive, and a shop where planes are fixed. They are currently working to add a second large hangar for their collection.

Since 1986, the museum's Lancaster has been fully restored. All four of its engines now work! This means the aircraft can move around on its own power. It is one of only four Lancasters in the world that can do this. The museum decided to paint the plane like another Lancaster, FM-159 (F2-T), known as "T for Tommy." This was the plane where a brave pilot named Ian Willoughby Bazalgette was killed in 1944. In 1990, the museum held a special ceremony for the aircraft. Many important people attended, including Ian's sister, Ethel Broderick.

In 2005, the museum created its Bomber Command Memorial. Then, in 2010, it changed its name to the Bomber Command Museum of Canada. Today, it is a nationally recognized museum. It works with other aviation museums across Canada. It also hosts members of the Royal Canadian Air Force. They all work to remember the important contributions of Canadian airmen and women. This includes their service during and after World War II. Besides airplanes and vehicles, the museum has many engines. It also has a large collection of "nose art" pieces and other cool objects.

Exciting Projects

The Bomber Command Museum is always adding to its collection. Right now, they are working on some big projects.

• They are restoring a de Havilland Mosquito RS700. They are doing this with the City of Calgary and the Calgary Mosquito Society. Once finished, it will be on display.
• They are also working with Halifax 57 Rescue. Their goal is to recover a Handley Page Halifax HR871. This plane is currently off the coast of Sweden. If they succeed, they will restore it and put it on display. This would make the museum one of only four in the world to have a Halifax!

Amazing Collection

Airplanes

Vehicles

Gallery