147 replies to this topic

[Bambam]

Big crowd out there over the weekend; that RCAF Starfighter is uber cool, a wicked looking aircraft. They are still working on the final resto but she is a real slick looking machine. They served the RCAF until 1986 when the last one was withdrawn from service to be replaced by the F-18. The one at the museum was a front line nuclear capable interceptor that flew at a breathtaking 2900 kph, or Mach 2.4, over the Cold Lake base test range.

[lanforod]

I noticed the fighter jet off the highway in Chemainus is gone.

[Sparky]

^ Ya that belongs to Kev, who owned the Antique Barn which is now closed. Rumour has it he wants to open again in a new location so we might see the plane again.

[Victoria Watcher]

Santa’s annual trip to the BC Aviation Museum in North Saanich is set for Saturday (Dec. 6).  One of the staff and volunteers’ highly anticipated events of the year, Santa arrives by helicopter at the museum adjacent to Victoria International Airport.  Once the big guy has landed, he’ll take up residence in the nose of the museum’s DC3 to greet children for photos and free candy canes.

 

Read more at: https://vicnews.com/...-saanich-visit/

[Victoria Watcher]

A piece of Canadian aviation history is set to land on Vancouver Island.

 

The BC Aviation Museum in North Saanich says it will be adding a Canadair CT-114 Tutor to its collection, a jet made famous by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds.

 

The aircraft holds a unique place in Canadian history. It was selected as the very first Snowbird 1 lead aircraft when the aerobatic team formed in 1971, and before that served as the lead solo jet for the Golden Centennaires during Canada’s centennial celebrations in 1967.

 

Museum officials say the acquisition comes after a 20-year effort to secure a Tutor aircraft, calling this particular jet one of the most significant ever flown in Canada.

 

The museum is now launching a fundraising campaign to support the cost of transporting, reassembling and restoring the aircraft to its original Snowbirds paint scheme, colours, logos and insignia. As of Monday, more than $8,500 had been raised toward a goal of $80,000.

 

Once restored, the jet will be put on display for visitors as part of the museum’s collection, which already includes dozens of aircraft spanning more than a century of aviation history.

 

 

https://cheknews.ca/...aanich-1313340/

Attached Images

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Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 March 2026 - 08:38 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

“The fact that it’s the very first Snowbird … if you’re a car enthusiast, it’s like getting the very first Rolls-Royce,” Hale said.

“We’re very excited to have such a historically significant aircraft coming to the museum.”

The museum plans to host an open house when the aircraft is finished that will involve current members of the Snowbirds signing autographs, along with likely dozens of alumni, Hale said.

 

[...]

 

Museum officials said everything has “doubled” since the arrival of the Martin Mars, including attendance, revenues, merchandise in the gift shop, demand for meeting and event space, and the volunteer base.

“I thought after the initial bubble of having the Mars arrive that things would sort of slowly move back a little bit to where they were before, but they haven’t,” Hale said.

“Our numbers are continually increasing. The people are coming from all over the world to see what we’ve got. Everybody seems to be walking in the door aware and excited to see the Martin Mars. And then their jaws drop when they see whatever else we have.”

 

 

https://www.timescol...museum-12049673

 

 

 

 

Museum officials said everything has “doubled” since the arrival of the Martin Mars, including attendance, revenues, merchandise in the gift shop, demand for meeting and event space, and the volunteer base.

 

 

Well, that's good.  The place has always had potential.  

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 24 March 2026 - 11:35 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

'Snowbird 1' arrives in Sidney after 3,500-kilometre journey

The CT-114 Tutor jet that led the iconic Canadian Snowbirds into history more than 55 years ago landed at the B.C. Aviation Museum on Tuesday.

https://www.timescol...ourney-12083730

 

 

The museum, run by volunteers and reliant on small grants and admission fees, is raising funds to cover the costs of transporting, reassembling and restoring the aircraft. It’s just over halfway to its goal of raising $60,000, said Dempsey.

 

It’s also starting a fundraising campaign to build a $2-million hangar to house the jet and other recent acquisitions, including the Martin Mars Hawaii waterbomber and Cold War-era Starfighter jet.

 

The museum has already received $50,000 from one donor for its hangar, which would include a reinforced roof for a walkway mezzanine and hanging airplanes.

 

The museum plans to host an open house over the August long weekend, where current members of the Snowbirds will sign autographs, along with dozens of alumni, said museum president Stephen Hale.

 

The event will coincide with the 40th anniversary of the David Foster Foundation 40th anniversary gala on Aug. 6 and 7, when the Snowbirds will do a flypast to honour the Victoria-born musician, who is also an honorary Snowbird.

[Victoria Watcher]

The sights and sounds of the Snowbirds have long been a familiar thrill for Canadians, echoing across the skies from coast to coast. Now, a piece of that history has touched down for good on Vancouver Island.

 

A vintage CT-114 Tutor jet, one of the earliest aircraft used by Canada’s famed Snowbirds aerobatic team, has officially found a new home at the B.C. Aviation Museum. Built in 1961, the aircraft played a key role in the early days of the Snowbirds, making its maiden demonstration flight in 1971 and completing its tour in 1978.

 

“It’s the first Snowbird aircraft, so we’re very, very delighted,” said museum president Stephen Hale.

 

 

https://cheknews.ca/...museum-1314897/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 04 April 2026 - 06:08 AM.