Trenton Air Force Museum

One day after class I headed to the RCAF Aviation Museum, in Trenton, with my friend David. Not really knowing much about aviation, or war for that matter, and having never been there before I didn't really know what to expect. Was I ever in for a pleasant surprise.

The museum showcases many artifacts dated back to the World Wars. There are more than 40,000 artifacts that include weapons, art, medals and other military memorabilia. Aside from that, there are over 22 historical aircraft's that have been restored and are showcased across the complexes 15 acres.

Having wandered around learning a lot about the planes and their uses from David, who seemed to know just about everything from their use to how they're constructed, we decided to go inside. There in the back room was a handful of volunteers, mainly retired elderly military men, who were working on various projects. The biggest were the ongoing restorations of a 1942 Avro Anson Mk II and a 1943 North American Harvard Mk II. Both these vintage air crafts were originally made in Canada, and were instrumental in training generations of aircrew. It was a challenge that you could tell these men were more than happy to be put up to. Just about EVERYTHING had to be rebuilt and re-fitted. It was unbelievable how they could basically make a blueprint as best as possible and put the pieces of these puzzles back together.

Then, there's the Halifax as is seen in the last three pictures above.

Continued in next post.....

1940's Halifax Bomber

I started talking to a man, who's name for the life of me I cannot remember, and he showed me around a little explaining a lot about the work they were doing. We chatted for a bit and he told me the story of his most prided aircraft and how it was found.

In April of 1945, the Halifax NA 337 which was flown by 644 Squadron RAF left from England heading to Norway to drop off supplies. On its return, it was hit by German anti-aircraft fire and crashed into Lake Mjosa. It stayed there for 50 years under 750 feet of water, until a man, who as a child had witnessed what he thought was the crashing of a plane, remembered and returned to the spot. The Halifax Aircraft Association recovered the plane and it was taken to Trenton by the Canadian Forces.

It took almost 13 years to restore. I was told over 750,000 rivets were used to rebuild this 64000 pound beast, and it's now the most technically accurate Halifax in the world. There were originally 6,178 built and apparently only 3 are remaining. It's said to be " A tribute to all who knew the 'Hallie', this aircraft is a lasting legacy to the over 50,000 Canadians who served in Bomber Command and the 9,919 whose lives were lost."

I asked him if it was restored inside. He looked at me as if it would be any other way. I asked if I could see it and he said there were videos of the inside. I think I must of looked overly eager or I had insulted him in questioning as if the belly of the beast he considered his 'baby' was hollow or not, but either way he told me we were going inside.

Step ladder up, stay ducked because it's low and narrow and the massive size on the outside sure didn't match what I thought the inside looked like. 64000 pounds when fully loaded, holding so much fuel, supplies and ammo that there was room for no more then I believe 7 people inside. A Radio Operator, Navigator, Rear Gunner,Pilot, Flight Engineer, Mid-Upper Gunner and Bomb Aimer. Narrow little hallways and spaces to maneuver around. I was in awe.

Staring out the windows imagining what the view was like in the 40's when you stare down into nothingness but the machinery of other planes. I climbed up into the pilots seat and there really was an odd sensation. It was pretty cool. I can't even really explain it.

I'm doing things and learning things I never thought possible. I'm seeing and living and experiencing little things that just seem surreal to me. This is going to be my life? Days of random adventure and knowledge and amazing people. I can't wait.