A rural Alberta museum is home to a SUPER rare plane
If you’ve driven Highway 2 through Southern Alberta, you’ve likely passed through Nanton, and the museum that’s home to a super rare plane.
The Bomber Command Museum of Canada is located in Nanton, a small town about 70 kilometres south of Calgary, just off the highway, making it an easy stop for travellers. Despite its roadside location, it remains a hidden gem that most people drive past.
History
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In 1960, an Avro Lancaster, a WWII bomber plane, was put on display outside in Nanton. Twenty-five years later, the Town of Nanton suggested forming a group that could better preserve the bomber, leading to the creation of the Nanton Lancaster Society.
In 1986, a year after the Nanton Lancaster Society was established, they officially incorporated and began showcasing the bomber as a part of the Nanton Lancaster Society Air Museum, centred around the Avro Lancaster.
A building was constructed in 1991 and underwent many expansions to house the growing collection of aircraft and displays. As the museum developed, its exhibits increasingly highlighted the Bomber Command, rather than just the Avro Lancaster.
The Nanton Lancaster Society quickly realized they had become a prominent museum in Canada dedicated to honouring Canadians who served with the Bomber Command, and decided to rename the museum to what it is known as today, the Bomber Command Museum of Canada.
Today
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The museum now includes 26,000 sq. ft. of hangar space, 3,000 sq. ft. used to display smaller artifacts. Visitors can explore a theatre that screens historical footage and documentaries, a library and meeting room, and a gift shop.
The Avro Lancaster bomber still calls the museum home and is one of 17 left in the world. Surrounding the Lancaster are a handful of other aircraft such as the Cessna Crane, Avro Anson, Supermarine Spitfire, and more.
Smaller exhibits showcase artifacts including uniforms, medals, flight logs, and personal items from Bomber Command veterans.
Beyond the aircraft and artifacts, the museum also features a memorial. Installed in 2005, the memorial features five panels of black granite, engraved with the names of every Canadian who was killed while serving with Bomber Command. The memorial includes 10,643 names.
For those willing to pull off the highway, Nanton’s Bomber Command Museum offers a rare glimpse into Canada’s aviation past.