An extensive collection of aircraft, aircraft engines and weapons associated with aircraft draw hundreds each year to the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum in Halifax. Created in 1977, the museum staff and backers are committed to preserving the aviation heritage of the Atlantic coast portion of Canada.
Located at the Halifax International Airport site, the museum keeps the history of military aviation alive along with the long story of civilian aviation. In addition to the extensive display of aircraft and engines, the museum has a significant collection of artifacts, documents, uniforms and more. The collection covers the entire range of air travel, from the first balloons to the latest, complex aircraft.
Records indicate that the history of aviation in Atlantic Canada extends back to 1909, to the first engine-powered flight. The story was first told in small, separate displays at various locations, before the vision of a single museum site became a reality. The Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum moved to its present location in the late 1980s. Several sponsors, government agencies and volunteers worked to construct a large hangar in 1995. The site was considerably expanded with thousands of square feet of exhibit space.
Among the aircraft on display are a 1934 homebuilt craft, a CF-5A Canuck, Cl-13 Mk V Sabre, Lockheed Jetstar and a very interesting V-1 Buzz Bomb. Aircraft engines in the collection include Pratt-Whitney and Rolls Royce engines.
Visitors have enjoyed the excellent gift shop as well, finding many traditional and not-so-traditional souvenirs available. Among the items for sale in the recently renovated shop are books, aircraft models, shirts, posters and more.
