Flight To Freedom - History of Military Aviation from WWII to Present

This exhibit that ran from 2001-2003 highlighted significant events in military aviation history from 1939 to the 1980's. Topics include:

1) British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP)

The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) was one of the largest undertakings in Canada's long history and was so successful by the end of the Second World War the Royal Canadian Air Force had become the world's third most powerful air force. Historians credit Prime Minister Mackenzie King for making the BCATP a Commonwealth priority and for insisting on it being "Canadian" in name and in application. Honorary Air Marshal Billy Bishop was deeply involved in promoting Royal Canadian Air Force endeavors within the BCATP.

2) Canadian Air Craft Innovation: Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow Mark 1

The Arrow was a marvel of aviation engineering and design and was a testimony to Canadian vision and ingenuity. Unfortunately due to circumstances, the program was cancelled and the Diefenbaker government in February 1959 scrapped the airplanes. Little remains of the original Arrow aircraft except for a cockpit and nose section displayed in the National Aeronautical Museum, the radar dome nose on display in Calgary and assorted pieces in private hands. In January 1997, CBC aired a TV mini series called "The Arrow". The Billy Bishop Heritage Museum has donated the flying model that was used in the filming to the Canadian Heritage Warplane Museum.

3) The Canadian Forces Reorganization Act

The process of unification of the previously separated Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force began in 1967. The intent of the reorganization act was to achieve savings in various aspects of the operation of the Canadian Military. Throughout the latter part of 1967 and 1968, the new uniform of the newly created organization, The Canadian Forces was developed, requisitioned and distributed to the active personnel.

4) Women in the Royal Canadian Air Forces

On July 2, 1941, the government of Canada granted the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) permission to enlist women after the British Air Ministry requested permission to send a large number of British airwomen to work on the British Commonwealth Air Training Stations. In February 1942, airwomen were integrated with RCAF and were called the RCAF Women's Division. The motto of the Women's Division was "They Serve That Men May Fly". In 1951 women were recruited and accepted directly into the RCAF rather than a Women's Division. In 1979 the Canadian Air Forces allowed women to enter and become pilots in non-combat roles.

Visit the museums to learn more about these important historical subjects.