Comox Air Force Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1987 |
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| Location | CFB Comox, 19 Wing Comox, Lazo, British Columbia |
| Type | military aviation museum |
The Comox Air Force Museum is a super cool place where you can learn all about the history of CFB Comox and the amazing planes and people who served there. It collects, keeps, and shows off items related to the base, its squadrons, and other units.
You can find the museum right at the main entrance of CFB Comox. This base is located in the beautiful Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The museum first opened its doors in this spot on September 12, 1987. Besides the awesome exhibits, the museum also has a library full of aviation books and an art gallery with airplane paintings.
Just about 500 meters down the road from the main museum building, you'll find the Heritage Air Park. This is where many of the real aircraft are on display! There's also the Y2K Spitfire restoration hangar nearby, where old planes are brought back to life.
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Awesome Aircraft on Display
The Comox Air Force Museum's Heritage Air Park is home to many incredible aircraft. These planes were once used by the Canadian military. Here are some of the cool aircraft you can see there:
- CF-100 Canuck
- CF-101 Voodoo
- CP-107 Argus
- CP-121 Tracker
- CT-133 Silver Star
- De Havilland Vampire
- Douglas Dakota
- Piasecki H-21
- Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King
Please note that the CF-104 Starfighter was once here but has since been moved. Also, the CT-114 Tutor is now on display at the Comox Valley Visitor Centre, which is just off the Inland Highway.
Cool Exhibits Inside
The museum has many interesting exhibits that tell stories from different times in history.
First World War History
This exhibit shows items from the First World War. It focuses on the brave airmen who came from Canada's West Coast.
Second World War Stories
You'll find many fascinating items from the Second World War in this exhibit. Some of these include:
- A Fire balloon: Learn about these balloons that were launched by the Japanese. They hoped these balloons would start fires on the West Coast of North America.
- John Colwell's Stalag Luft III Prisoner of War (POW) Log Book: See the actual logbook of a Canadian airman who was a prisoner of war.
- Information about James Francis Edwards, a famous Canadian pilot.
- Details about Douglas "Duke" Warren, another important Canadian airman.
UN Peacekeeping Missions
This exhibit highlights Canada's important role in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions around the world. You can see many items related to these missions.
NORAD Defense
Discover Canada's part in NORAD. This is a joint defense organization with the United States that protects North American airspace.
19 Wing's Squadrons
This section of the museum celebrates the different squadrons that have served at CFB Comox.
Past Squadrons Exhibit
This part of the museum displays items from squadrons that used to be at Comox but have since moved or been disbanded.
- 409 Squadron:
- An Orenda 11 turbojet engine.
- An AIR-2 Genie Missile load training device.
- A CF-101 Voodoo ejection seat.
- 414 Squadron:
- The Black Knight Suit of Armour.
- VU 33 Squadron:
- A Tracker Tail Hook.
Present Squadrons Exhibit
This exhibit shows items from the squadrons that are currently serving at CFB Comox.
- 442 Squadron:
- A Search and Rescue Technician Jump Suit.
- 407 Squadron:
- A Wright 3350 Cyclone 18 Piston Engine.
- A Torpedo.
- A Sonobuoy.
Vehicles on Display
Besides aircraft, the museum also has some cool vehicles, like:
- A Willys Jeep
Museum Connections
The Comox Air Force Museum is connected with several important organizations. These include the CMA, the CHIN, the OMMC, and the Virtual Museum of Canada.
See also
