By John Crook, EAA 1203173, Salmon Arm, British Columbia
British Columbia has a long history of innovative aviation going back to 1910 when a visiting Curtiss pusher biplane flew off Lulu Island near Vancouver on March 25. This was followed in September of that year by a 200-foot flight by William Wallace Gibson of Victoria. He flew an unorthodox experimental aircraft of his own design. It had several wings, both fore and aft, and was powered by an aero engine he designed and built.
In commemoration of British Columbia’s rich aviation history, three excellent aviation museums were established at existing airport hangars and facilities at the Comox Air Force Museum on Vancouver Island, the British Columbia Aviation Museum in Sidney near Victoria International Airport, and the Canadian Museum of Flight at Langley Airport just east of Vancouver.
Coastal British Columbia and the lower mainland have been served by float planes and flying boats for more than a century, while aircraft of Canadian, American, and British design and production made a key contribution to the war effort during the Second World War. Supporting this effort was the massive British Commonwealth Air Training Plan which trained Commonwealth, Free French, Norwegian, and some American pilots, engineers, navigators, and gunners at airports scattered around the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and across Canada. Today British Columbia has several international airports, while smaller community airports serve general aviation, medevacs, and forest firefighting. Bush flying is still alive and well.
Until August 2022, when the modern, purpose-built KF (Kelowna Flightcraft) Centre for Excellence: Okanagan Aerospace and Aviation Museum (The Centre) opened, there were no aviation museums commemorating the rich flying history in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia’s southern interior. The earliest notable flight occurred on August 7, 1919, when Captain Ernest Charles Hoy undertook the first successful flight across the Rockies from Vancouver to Calgary, via Vernon, where he was the first to land at the new Vernon airfield and delivered a letter from the mayor of Vancouver. He then continued over British Columbia via Kelowna to Grand Forks and on to Cranbrook and on to Lethbridge, and Calgary, Alberta. Subsequently several Okanagan Valley flying clubs were established like the Vernon Flying Club with its history of air shows and barnstorming. (Vernon Airport History — Vernon Flying Club)
The KF Centre for Excellence/Okanagan Aerospace and Aircraft Museum has taken a novel approach to the design and goals of an aviation museum. The Centre’s lore says that the plan was sketched out by its founder, Barry Lapointe (Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame member) on a table napkin as he showed Executive Director Paula Quinn his vision. The design took the shape of an aircraft. The roof is shaped like the upper profile of a wing. The “wings” accommodate an aircraft hangar on each side of the central “fuselage” of the building. The “fuselage” houses a display area for piston and jet engines, DC-10 and Convair flight simulators, and hands-on educational exhibits. The upper floor of the “fuselage” can be reached by an impressively modern wooden spiral staircase which takes you up to a spacious conference area and provides a view over the “wing” hangars and aircraft on each side. This is no ordinary building just north of Kelowna’s international airport terminal. It’s well worth exploring.
The jewels in the crown of The Centre are airworthy aircraft. Barry built his passion for aviation into Canada’s largest commercial aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul organization so The Centre can draw on many of the tools, skills, and personnel Barry has assembled. With the new facility, Barry and Paula aim to instill a love for aviation for generations to come.
In 1986, Barry flew around the world in a 1944 DC-3C to celebrate both the 50th anniversary of the aircraft and Expo ‘86 in Vancouver; visiting 55 cities in 28 countries, in two months. This vintage transport, which is now in the museum, is being restored so it can fly again in memory of that voyage.
Note: if you’re confused, as I was by Convair vs Conair, Convair is the aircraft, Conair is the name of the company, Conair Aviation, that operated the 580 as an aerial firefighter. Ed
There are two World War II vintage aircraft which are, or will soon be, airworthy. They include the de Havilland 98 Mosquito and the Hawker Tempest Mk II.
The Mosquito B Mk 35, VR796, is unique. Last fall, in 2022, it flew into Kelowna. Unlike other flying Mosquitos which have been rebuilt using new wood molds in New Zealand, VR796 still has its original wooden airframe, so it is getting humidity control for the hangar to keep its structure in good shape. VR796 worked as an aerial survey platform for Spartan Air Services across Canada, in the Arctic, and abroad in the 1950s and ‘60s. Recently, the sound of its two synchronized Rolls-Royce Merlin engines could be heard smoothly roaring around Kelowna Airport.
The Tempest II, MW376, (Check out this Hawker Tempest II MW376 Restoration Project video) has been restored immaculately to almost flying condition. Pending some work on the P&W engine and the usual safety regulatory reviews, the Tempest is expected to fly soon.
Other aircraft in the collection include a de Havilland Canada Mk III amphibious Turbo Beaver; Cessna 180 on floats; and a Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing which was the business executives’ must-have hot rod in the 1930s skies. Out on the ramp are two massive Convair 580s; one in a water bomber configuration and the other in an electronic test bed format.
The Centre has recently welcomed a pointy, short-winged jet fighter which flew very fast. We might get to hear the roar of its engine soon. Stand by for that treat and others which are still in the works and under cover.
The Centre is just a few minutes’ walk north of the Kelowna International Airport terminal. If you are flying or driving around the Okanagan Valley, the museum is well worth a visit. It will only get better as more artifacts are added. While you are there you might choose to taste some wine from the many prize-winning vineyards in the Valley. What could be better: vintage aircraft, good food, and relaxation.
With appreciation for the assistance of Paula Quin, Executive Director, KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence