The North Atlantic Aviation Museum, Gander, NL
Report and photos by Gord McNulty
A brief opportunity to visit the North Atlantic Aviation Museum (www.northatlanticaviationmuseum.com) in Gander was among the highlights of a vacation trip to Newfoundland in late August. The museum, located directly across from our hotel, was to our surprise open until 7 p.m. when our tour bus arrived in Gander around 5:30 p.m. The weather was overcast but at least rain held off.
Hudson Mark III at North Atlantic Aviation Museum, Gander, Aug. 23, 2017.
Close-up of Hudson Mark III at North Atlantic Aviation Museum. The aircraft is identical to the one that made the first successful trans-Atlantic crossing from Gander in November, 1940.
The museum’s focal point is a rare Lockheed Hudson Mark III, believed to be one of only six in existence worldwide and the only intact Hudson in North America. The museum’s Hudson, previously owned by Kenting Aviation in Toronto, was donated and flown to Gander on 17 May 1967. It was refurbished and mounted on a pedestal near the airport by volunteers who decided to erect a monument to the crews of the Royal Air Force Ferry Command who were so vital to the Allied success. Volunteers at Gander’s 103 Rescue Unit, Canadian Forces, painted Hudson BW769 as T9422 to commemorate the historic flight of BOAC Captain, later RAF Air Vice Marshal, D.C.T. Bennett, who made the first successful transatlantic crossing from Gander 10-11 November, 1940.
Canso CF-CRP completed more than 10,000 drops as a water bomber for the Newfoundland government. It was donated to the North Atlantic Aviation Museum in 1989.
CF-101B Voodoo, 101065, came to the North Atlantic Aviation Museum from National Defence HQ in Ottawa. The aircraft was used by 416 Squadron in Chatham, NB.
The aircraft collection includes a PBY-5A Canso water bomber in Newfoundland government colours. The Canso, CF-CRP, had been owned by Canadian Pacific Airlines, Trans-Labrador Airlines, Eastern Provincial Airways. It completed more than 10,000 drops as a water bomber for Newfoundland between 1966 and 1987 and was donated to the museum in 1989.
Other static aircraft include a CF-101B Voodoo, 101065, and a Beech Expeditor 3NM, CF-VPK, currently on permanent loan from the College of the North Atlantic. A nicely refurbished Tiger Moth, CF-CPE, formerly RCAF 9693, is displayed inside the museum. This aircraft, affectionately known as “a Bag of Tricks” was purchased after its RCAF service by Jack James, a name synonymous with Gander International Airport which he served for almost half a century. Mr. James rose through the ranks to become the general manager and retired in 1984 after 20 years in that position.
Tiger Moth, CF-CPE, was known as a Bag of Tricks after RCAF service, and was owned by Jack James, longtime general manager of Gander Airport, who retired in 1984.
It’s unfortunate that the Hudson and other outdoor aircraft are exposed to weather all year round. The museum is proposing to construct a hangar-style building to ensure the preservation of the Hudson. This facility will include interpretive tools such as a small theatre and activity/meeting rooms. It will be known as the Ferry Command Memorial Hall, creating a permanent memorial to the men and women of Ferry Command, including some 500 who gave their lives in active service.
If interested in donating towards this cause, please contact the museum, a registered Canadian charity that issues income tax receipts for all donations. The museum’s address is 135 Trans Canada Highway, P.O. Box 234, Gander, NL, A1V 1W6. Phone (709) 256-2923.
Atlantic Ferry Pilot Memorial at the North Atlantic Aviation Museum.
Beech Expeditor 3NM, later CF-VPK, is currently on permanent loan from the College of the North Atlantic.