81 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Hello All, another year is drawing to a close—they seem to go by quicker all the time. We have accomplished a lot in 2019.

 

I would like to thank everyone who has worked hard to make these changes possible and to make our museum even better. We have improved our infrastructure, held some great events, refurbished displays, welcomed new volunteers, generated funds, increased our collection and library holdings and many other things. Visitor comments clearly indicate that we are doing a good job. In looking at the future we have many short term goals and long term projects.

 

Our front of house is looking a little tired and with some reorganization we can substantially improve our visitor’s first impressions of the museum. At the same time we make better use of space to increase gift store revenue. New storage will allow us to free up space for an IT room where our tech wizards can work in comfort.

 

Our librarians would appreciate some changes to free up more room for our ever growing collection of books and reference material. We are currently in the thinking stage -any input would be welcome. In the longer term we have to consider ways to create an even more solid foundation to allow fund-raising to accelerate for our planned new hangar and Lancaster restoration projects. We have met our fund-raising consultant and have determined that we need to add somebody with a professional curatorial background to our team.

 

We also need some volunteers willing to improve our social media profile and to help promote the museum. Let a board member know if you have any thoughts, or if you can recommend people who will help. We also have to have a clear vision of our plan for the future that we can articulate clearly to prospective donors and for grant applications. Time will have to be spent on updating our 5 year plan and generating vision statements. Once drafted these will be shared with members to allow for input and to ensure that everyone knows where we are heading.

 

https://www.bcam.net/

 

 

i guess they take the lancaster cockpit out on tour sometimes to raise awareness.

 

 

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 05 January 2020 - 04:15 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

New monument outside BC Aviation Museum honours fallen pilot

Lieut. Robert Gray was shot down while on a mission off the coast of Japan

https://www.vicnews....s-fallen-pilot/

[Rob Randall]

Great story but saying Ongawa Bay is near Tokyo is like saying Cadboro Bay is near Portland Oregon.

[Victoria Watcher]

has to be really sad to be one of the last persons to die in a war. 

[Rob Randall]

He died the same day the second atom bomb was dropped! A lot of historians think Japan had already decided to surrender at that point, just that key members were slow-walking the decision to the Emperor. 

[Victoria Watcher]

A large piece of Canadian military history is moving from Chilliwack to Vancouver Island, where it will find a new home in the B.C. Aviation Museum.

 

But it will be no small feat getting the Grumman S2F Tracker aircraft to its destination.

 

Moving the massive airplane is a logistical challenge that will include a tow truck, an RCMP escort and eventually, a barge.

 

 

 

https://www.saanichn...viation-museum/

 

 

 

 

 

wikipedia

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 24 January 2021 - 07:36 AM.

[Rob Randall]

"Massive"? That cute lil' thing?

[Mike K.]

If only there was some other way to move an airplane. I’m drawing blanks as to what that could be, though.

[Victoria Watcher]

we must have one of the least well-known aviation museums in the world.

 

someone needs to shake it up a bit.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 24 January 2021 - 07:50 AM.

[Mike K.]

You know what a hidden gem is? The Sooke Museum. I visited it last fall for the first time and was impressed. And not the kind of impressed that you’d expect for a small regional museum, but genuinely appreciative of the effort that community went to.

[Victoria Watcher]

You know what a hidden gem is? The Sooke Museum. I visited it last fall for the first time and was impressed. And not the kind of impressed that you’d expect for a small regional museum, but genuinely appreciative of the effort that community went to.

 

do they have an area on "all sooke days"?

 

was is "day" or days?  used to be a big deal.

 

 

 

that reminds me.  i was at home depot the other day.  it's truly shocking how few sales associates are out on the sales floor.  but let me tell you it was amazing how many people rushed in to help when i tried to start up a chainsaw.  remarkable.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 24 January 2021 - 08:14 AM.

[AllseeingEye]

"Massive"? That cute lil' thing?

 

 

Yup although its larger than the image infers, with about a 20+ meter wingspan. Regardless the old "Trackers", which I well remember patrolling the BC coast when I was a kid, are guppies compared to typical anti-sub/maritime surveillance aircraft in service today. Saw the entire fleet parked at Abottsford Airport about 15 years ago where they were based/retired at the time.

[Victoria Watcher]

Flying Banana helicopter and Starfighter set to land in North Saanich museum

A Piasecki twin-rotor helicopter and iconic Starfighter jet are coming to BC Aviation https://www.vicnews....saanich-museum/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 12 July 2021 - 05:07 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

E-Beaver, vintage aircraft in mix for aviation museum open house in North Saanich

 

Photo opps, kids games, flight simulators and more on tap for Aug. 20 event

 

 

https://www.vicnews....-north-saanich/

 

 

Admission is by donation. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1910 Norseman Rd. with added parking at nearby Saanich Rotary Park, where a shuttle will take people to and from the museum.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 16 August 2022 - 06:31 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Harbour Air:

We’re excited to be taking part in BC Aviation Museum’s Annual Open House this Saturday in Sidney, B.C. A great event for the whole family, take your weekend to new flight and learn more about aircraft and aviation history. Activities include a display of vintage aircrafts and cars, military reenactors, children’s activities, food trucks and more!

Members of Harbour Air’s ePlane team will be on-site showcasing the future of sustainable flight, answering any burning questions and of course our all-electric Dehavilland Beaver will be on display.

Experience an insiders look at our electrifying journey, we hope to see you there!

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 16 August 2022 - 02:12 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Electric aircraft "star attraction" at aviation museum's open house

You can see the electric Beaver today at the B.C. Aviation Museum, 1910 Norseman Rd. near Sidney, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

https://www.timescol...n-house-5720574

[Redd42]

On my way there today!

[Victoria Watcher]

We will expect a detailed report.

[Redd42]

Holy smokes was this worth it! Went too late to really experience everything - my bad. This place is such a gem. How is this not on the list of tourist attractions?

 

Yep, saw the electric beaver.

 

My favourite part, at the end of the day, when they were kicking out us folks who came late, but didn't want to leave, was the fly past by the orange biplane. 

 

Had an excellent after event dinner and beer on the patio of the bleue moon cafe.

 

After dinner and before attending the Salish Sea Festival in Sidney (which also was a huge well worth affair), drove by the new Amazon warehouse. Now I get why there was some objection to it. It is HUGE. Not like anything else in that warehouse district (which I use to work in). 

[Mike K.]

And what’s kinda funny, is it’s considered a small Amazon warehouse, or any warehouse for that matter.