Cold Lake Air Force Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1998 |
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| Location | Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada |
| Type | CFB Cold Lake Museum |
The Cold Lake Air Force Museum is a cool place in Cold Lake, Alberta. It's a museum all about military planes and their history! This museum helps us remember the past of 4 Wing Cold Lake and 42 Radar Squadron.
The Air Force Museum is actually one of four museums in the area. They are all located where the 42 Radar Squadron used to be. The Cold Lake Museums are connected to the Air Force Museum by a covered walkway called 'The Tunnel'. Together, they are known as the Cold Lake Museums.
The old building for the 42 Radar Squadron closed in 1992. Then, the museum opened its doors for the very first time on July 1, 1998.
Contents
What the Museum Does
The main goal of the 4 Wing Cold Lake Air Force Museum is to save and show the history of 4 Wing Cold Lake. This includes all the different groups and units that have been based there. It's also a key place for learning about the Canadian Air Force in the Cold Lake area.
The museum shows how the Royal Canadian Air Force grew over time. It also shares stories about Canadian Forces units from Cold Lake who served in other countries.
Awesome Aircraft on Display
Outside the museum, you can see several amazing aircraft and even some trucks. Each plane has its own special story!
CF-5 Freedom Fighter
This jet (number 116704) flew with different squadrons like 433 Squadron and 419 Squadron. It was stored away in 1995. Later, it was brought to the museum. In 2007, it was put back together and painted in its original Canadian Air Force colors.
CT-133 Silver Star
This plane (number 133413) was one of the last of its kind still flying. It was used by AETE (Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment) until 2004. Then, it was given to the museum. It's painted grey with a red 'X' on its tail.
CT-134 Musketeer
You can also see aircraft number 134241, a CT-134 Musketeer.
CT-114 Tutor
This plane (number 114114) was a famous one! It was used by the Snowbirds aerobatic team for many years. It flew as Snowbird 9 in 1977 and Snowbird 3 from 1979 to 1986. It's painted in its Canadian Air Force colors.
Inside the Museum
When you walk into the museum, you'll first see the visitor's book and the gift shop. The gift shop sells cool souvenirs from 4 Wing squadrons and other items from the Cold Lake Museums.
The first floor of the museum shows exhibits about the ground units of 4 Wing. The second floor is all about the flying squadrons. You can also see aircraft engines, a model of the base, and other interesting displays related to 4 Wing.
Here are some of the exhibits you can explore:
- 42 Radar Squadron
- No. 4 Airfield Engineers
- 1 Air Maintenance Squadron
- 4 Air Defence Regiment
- 4 Wing Hospital
- CHCL - The old Base Radio Station
- 4 Wing Fire Hall
- 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 417 Combat Support Squadron
- 416 Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 410 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron
- 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron
- 10 Field Technician Training Squadron
- Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment
- CFB Baden-Soellingen
- You can also see real equipment like: an Orenda 9 engine (from a CF-100 Canuck jet), a Rolls-Royce Nene 10 engine (from a CT-133 Silver Star jet), two J-85 engines (one from a CT-114 Tutor, the other from a CF-5), and a Pontiac M39 cannon (a gun from a CF-5 jet).
Museum Connections
The museum works with several other groups. These include the CMA, the CHIN, the OMMC, and the Virtual Museum of Canada.
See also
- CFB Cold Lake
- Cold Lake Museums
- Organization of Military Museums of Canada
- Military history of Canada
Images for kids
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Height Finder Radar
