20 years on Edmonton Kingsway

[Thomas Hinderks]

Celebrating 20 years on Edmonton Kingsway

September 28th, 2012

Seems just yesterday, but it’s not…20 years ago the Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society signed a lease with the City of Edmonton and created a home for the Alberta Aviation Museum and it’s 14 partner organizations.

The building was in disarray having been unoccupied since the prior tenant, Western GMC, had left the site some years before. But the challenge did not stop there, the (then) all volunteer operation started to return the facility to it’s former glory as a double wide double long British Commonwealth Air Training Plan hangar.

Starting with having to re activate and make usable the (then) 50+ year old structure, raising the more than six figures of funding required to install the concrete firewall and sprinkler system to be able to make the building once again accessible to the public.

Since then the volunteers and staff have raised well over a million dollars and more to bring the building to it’s current state as a historic site. Classrooms have been added, new parking lot, landscaping, aircraft mounted, a new façade for the public entry, windows and a theatrical stage. As well as refurbishing offices, creating areas for archives, meeting rooms and workshops all within the original structure.

With those dollars raised also invested were many donations in kind and tens of thousands of hours of volunteer time. The facility has been a work of passion, dedication and a treasured effort by the many hundreds that have been involved and today now stands as a true Edmonton landmark a place for 14 volunteer organizations and home to one of Canada’s best aviation museum’s.

But most of all a tribute to all those that made it possible.

Thomas Hinderks
Executive Director

[cnr67]

I cannot imagine this city without that vast array of aviation history and the knowledge that pertains to that collection. Congrats to you sir with the hope of many years of success yet for the museum.

[The_Cat]

Congratulations Thomas!

[Rocket252]

I have visited other aviation museums but ours ranks right up there with the rest.

A great place to visit.

Congrats Thomas and the rest of your team.

[ajs]

A gem for the city. Congratulations and thanks to all involved.

[Thomas Hinderks]

Thanks for the kind words everyone...

We are constantly pushing and striving to be better, but I thought it would be interesting to use this thread to show where we came from...tomorrow another piece.

Tom

[David Jackson]

Congratulations Tom! Wow, only 20 years! I thought the museum had been there forever.

What a great facility, and its only getting better.

[Komrade]

Congrats Tom. Its always great to see people use their passion to benifit the city as a whole.

[Cod Father]

Tom, is the museum making a play for a portion of Taxiway Alpha and/or the next Hanger in behind the museum?

[Thomas Hinderks]

Originally Posted by Cod Father

Tom, is the museum making a play for a portion of Taxiway Alpha and/or the next Hanger in behind the museum?

Yes and have been for years, since the airport decision, still negotiating with no confirmations...one of those times where patience is a virtue as we are seriously out of room and are having to restrict operations like education programming and restoration.

Also looking at a series of alternate and secondary sites

Thanks for thinking of us.

[Thomas Hinderks]

Celebrating 20 years on Edmonton Kingsway

September 28th, 2012

Today Edmonton can proudly boast the 3rd largest aircraft collection in Canada, but back in 1992 it all started with (2) aircraft.

The First in the building was a 1943 Lockheed Vega Ventura patrol bomber recovered by the Ventura Memorial Flight Association from North of Yellowknife in the NWT. The aircraft had crashed and been abandoned in the early 1950’s when doing aerial survey with Spartan Aerial Surveys, prior to that the Ventura had served with the RCAF during the Second World War.

The Ventura Memorial Flight Association remains a partner in the facility through today and the Lockheed Ventura that arrived 20 years ago continues the slow process of restoration to flight. When completed this aircraft will be the only flying Ventura in the World and a tribute to all those that served in the Ventura for the RCAF and other air forces around the world. See www.rcafventura.ca for more information.

The Second was the Museum’s own Fairchild 71 known as “ATZ”.
The Fairchild is the first aircraft restored by the Museum. Recovered by Hercules from by a lake in the NWT in the 1980s as a derelict pile of parts it has become one of the centre pieces of the Museum thanks to efforts of our volunteers.

It is also one of our “movie stars” having been featured in the Second World War movie “Captain of the Clouds’ which starred Jimmy Cagney. It’s more important history in Edmonton and Alberta was flying the many survey routes that became the routes and maps we still use today. Those that piloted this specific aircraft read like a “whos who” of the famous bush pilots that are now recognized with their names on many of the subdivisions and streets in Edmonton. Lee Britnell, Grant McConachie, Punch Dickens and many more piloted our Fairchild to fame in the 1930s.

The Fairchild 71s were designed in the late 1920s and into the 1930s as a commercial aircraft. Many adapted to use in Canada’s North. The folding wings allowed cheap hangar storage as the width or wingspan of the aircraft dictates the cost of storage.

With the aircraft is displayed a unique canoe designed by Lee Britnell who had gone on to establish Aircraft Maintenance #1 which became North West Industries one of Canada’s greatest aerospace companies.

Today we are Canada’s 3rd largest aircraft collection totaling 55+ aircraft on display or awaiting restoration. We’ve come along ways in 20 years…


Thomas Hinderks
Executive Director

[cnr67]

Originally Posted by Thomas Hinderks

Celebrating 20 years on Edmonton Kingsway

September 28th, 2012

Today Edmonton can proudly boast the 3rd largest aircraft collection in Canada, but back in 1992 it all started with (2) aircraft.

The First in the building was a 1943 Lockheed Vega Ventura patrol bomber recovered by the Ventura Memorial Flight Association from North of Yellowknife in the NWT. The aircraft had crashed and been abandoned in the early 1950’s when doing aerial survey with Spartan Aerial Surveys, prior to that the Ventura had served with the RCAF during the Second World War.

The Ventura Memorial Flight Association remains a partner in the facility through today and the Lockheed Ventura that arrived 20 years ago continues the slow process of restoration to flight. When completed this aircraft will be the only flying Ventura in the World and a tribute to all those that served in the Ventura for the RCAF and other air forces around the world. See www.rcafventura.ca for more information.

The Second was the Museum’s own Fairchild 71 known as “ATZ”.
The Fairchild is the first aircraft restored by the Museum. Recovered by Hercules from by a lake in the NWT in the 1980s as a derelict pile of parts it has become one of the centre pieces of the Museum thanks to efforts of our volunteers.

It is also one of our “movie stars” having been featured in the Second World War movie “Captain of the Clouds’ which starred Jimmy Cagney. It’s more important history in Edmonton and Alberta was flying the many survey routes that became the routes and maps we still use today. Those that piloted this specific aircraft read like a “whos who” of the famous bush pilots that are now recognized with their names on many of the subdivisions and streets in Edmonton. Lee Britnell, Grant McConachie, Punch Dickens and many more piloted our Fairchild to fame in the 1930s.

The Fairchild 71s were designed in the late 1920s and into the 1930s as a commercial aircraft. Many adapted to use in Canada’s North. The folding wings allowed cheap hangar storage as the width or wingspan of the aircraft dictates the cost of storage.

With the aircraft is displayed a unique canoe designed by Lee Britnell who had gone on to establish Aircraft Maintenance #1 which became North West Industries one of Canada’s greatest aerospace companies.

Today we are Canada’s 3rd largest aircraft collection totaling 55+ aircraft on display or awaiting restoration. We’ve come along ways in 20 years…


Thomas Hinderks
Executive Director

I do indeed hope the city works with you to continue this legacy of craftsmanship and heritage for many generations yet to come. I will keep bringing guests every chance I have.

[AAAAE]

I want to salute you Tom, for building, from nothing, a great educational, historical, and tourist site.

[Thomas Hinderks]

Originally Posted by AAAAE

I want to salute you Tom, for building, from nothing, a great educational, historical, and tourist site.

Thanks I really appreciate it.

But I am only a piece of the success.

It has taken a team of people tens of thousands of hours of not just repairing /renovating the building and creating the wonderfully restored aircraft but also taking care of:
-The day to day business and administration
-Board members directing and guiding
-Fund raising
-Tour guides
-Teachers/Instructors
-Creating and upgrading the education programs
-Operating the subsidized volunteer lunch program
-Buying supplies and groceries
-Plowing snow
-Cutting grass
and so much more it would take hours to describe.

Our small team of dedicated staff combined with our core volunteers have a huge passion for Edmonton, Aviation and our history.

I'm just one cog in the machine that makes this place happen.

Thanks Tom

[Thomas Hinderks]

Celebrating 20 years on Edmonton Kingsway

September 28th, 2012

Our facility is all about people, both the people of our amazing aviation history and the ones that make this facility and museum work for the Community, Edmonton and ourselves.

Since the facility was re opened to the public in 1992 it has consistently been home to (15) member organizations. While some, like the Ex-Air Gunners Association, have passed into history others such as the Air Cadet Museum and Archives joined the fold.

Today the organizations that make our facility the success that it is include:

AlbertaAviationMuseum Partners

- Air Cadet Museum and Archives
(historic/youth)
- Civil Air Search and Rescue Assoc
(volunteer/public service)
- Edmonton Balloon Club
(modern aviation/education)
- Edmonton Homebuilt Aircraft Assoc
(modern aviation/education)
- Edmonton Soaring Club
(modern aviation/education)
- Experimental Aircraft Assoc
(modern aviation/education)
- Ex- Air (RCAF) Alliance
(veterans/seniors)
- Ex-RCAF Women’s Assoc
(veterans/seniors)
- 418(City of Edmonton) Squadron Assoc
(historic/veterans/seniors/education)
- 504 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets
- 504 Squadron Parents Assoc
(youth/education)
- 180-20th Field Regiment Royal Canadian
Army Cadets
- 180-20th Field Regiment Parents
Association
(youth/education)
- Ventura Memorial Flight Association
(historic/restoration/education)
- Western Aircraft Maintenance Engineers
Association
(volunteer/education)
- Edmonton Aviation Heritage Society



With the Alberta Aviation Museum open (7) days per week, our member organizations active (4-5) nights per week plus weekend events, community events and rentals little wonder our yearly individual uses/visits top 150,000 (estimated) in total to the facility.

For 20 years on Edmonton Kingsway we have been much more than “just” a museum.

Thomas Hinderks
Executive Director

[KC]

You folks need one of those Bat-Signals to light up the sky with on overcast nights. But maybe a biplane or something.

[Thomas Hinderks]

Celebrating 20 years on Edmonton Kingsway

September 28th, 2012

What has made us “more’ than other aviation museum’s?

In addition to all the activities of our partner organizations…

You can get involved in your history by:

- Exhibits you can get right up to
- Inter actives for all ages
- Mini theater video presentations
- Fly Ins, since 1992
- Airfest from 1999 to 2011
- Guest aircraft
(from Bi Planes to Bombers to Jets)
- Guest speakers
(from academics to astronauts)
- Young Eagle & COPA kids flights
- Swing Dances
- Education programs since 1995
- Schools Aerospace Challenge
- Special Visitors
(from Royalty to Rock Stars)
- Historic Flight re creations
(National, International exposure)
- Meeting our dedicated volunteers/staff



We will continue to do what others don’t starting this November with our first Art Show,
“The Art of Flight” November 28th opening. Watch for details.

As the future unfolds we promise to do our best to continue to be “more” than other aviation museums and be more to Edmonton, Alberta and Canada.

Thomas Hinderks
Executive Director
Media contact 780-907-8455

[Thomas Hinderks]

Originally Posted by KC

You folks need one of those Bat-Signals to light up the sky with on overcast nights. But maybe a biplane or something.

We have one...

A search light from the Second World War, but the carbon filaments are too expensive and too hard to get in this day and age.

Maybe we should budget for a new one...and a biplane cut out. LOL

[Thomas Hinderks]

Celebrating 20 years on Edmonton Kingsway

September 28th, 2012

Today we celebrate 20 years of being on Edmonton Kingsway, 20 years of showcasing Edmonton’s aviation history on one of it’s historic thoroughfares.

20 years of providing Edmonton a doorway to it’s exciting and adventurous aviation heritage and a door for the young in our community to access aviation opportunities for their future.

20 years of benefiting Edmonton through community activities, education programming and many other focuses.

20 years of promoting Edmonton Locally, Regionally, Nationally and Internationally and with that attracting visitors and friends from across Canada, North America and around the World.

The Museum and it’s partner organizations look forward to the next 20 years of continuing to be a home for the past, a place for the present and a door to the future.

Thank you to all those that have worked with us or our partner organizations as well as those that have donated and sponsored our efforts, our staff and volunteers that have made it all work and of course…

The City of Edmonton, Province of Alberta and Government of Canada for assistance through various capital grant programs and other support.

Thanks to all those that have visited our facility, attended events and brought others.
Without your patronage we could not fund our day to day operations.

A special thanks to all our media partners television, radio, print and now on line that have helped us bring our history to life and helped us achieve all we have.

Thomas Hinderks
Executive Director

[Thomas Hinderks]

As I sit this morning preparing for our press conference I've begun to wonder.

In the first 20 years our facility has gone from a dormant empty shell to a vibrant centre of Edmonton and Alberta's aviation heritage and culture.

Amassing one of Canada's greatest aviation collections, fantastic archives/library and programming that reaches to all ages.

I wonder what will the facility look like in another 20?

[KC]

Originally Posted by Thomas Hinderks

We have one...

A search light from the Second World War, but the carbon filaments are too expensive and too hard to get in this day and age.

Maybe we should budget for a new one...and a biplane cut out. LOL

Maybe you can quickly put out the call for some help to retrofit it without doing any harm to its authenticity. Here's why:


Batman Adam West cancels Edmonton appearance

BY FISH GRIWKOWSKY, EDMONTON JOURNAL OCTOBER 17, 2012
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/enter...524/story.html

"West sent the following message Wednesday: “Adam West here... It is with a heavy heart that I’m making my first cancellation in 47 years of appearing..."
"The two-day event at Edmonton Expo Centre will have a get-well card on-site for fans to sign for the world’s greatest..."

[24karat]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...+rods&_sacat=0

[Thomas Hinderks]

Well KC

I leave at 4am for the Canadian Aeronautical Preservation Association (Canada's national organization for aviation museums) conference but maybe I can send a flash from Westjet!

In our 20th Anniversary on Kingsway its kind of fitting we were notified today taht we have been nominated for national awards in (2) categories!!

Wonder if we will get one?

Hey 24 Karat

Are those rods for our light or Adam West's back? (lol)

I'll check them out...thanks

Tom

[cnr67]

Congrats to you and the many who work on those beautiful aircraft.