“The Den” donates vintage windows to the Museum

In summer, a historic hangar that was part of #10 Service Flying Training School (10 SFTS) in Dauphin, Manitoba collapsed. Rather than simply knocking the structure down and disposing of the materials, Troy Angus from “The Den” based in Pierson was contracted to dismantle the building. The Den is a business that supplies “barnwood that is sourced from rural resources. This process has begun and the materials will be repurposed rather than dumped in a landfill. The Den is rescuing some original windows form the hangar and is donating them to the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum – housed in a similar structure. The windows will be put to good use by the museum and we are grateful for this donation! You can read more about this project in the following article from the Dauphin Herald. 

A New Year Message

The following is a message to all of our supporters and volunteers as we enter 2024, from Museum President, John McNarry.

A New Calendar year is ahead of us. The past year was interesting and challenging.

We have a lot more challenges to meet as we move forward with the Museum.

It will be a busy and interesting year.

I want to personally thank you all for your support and dedication to the CATPM. 

I hope you find the year to be rewarding as we continue in our efforts to preserve the story of the BCATP as well as the memory of those who sacrificed so much that we can enjoy living as we do. Happy New Year to all.

Thank you for supporting the CATPM.

John McNarry.

The Brandon Sun Archives

Back in the first week of October 2023, I had been talking with the Brandon General Museum and Archives, and Matt Goerzen of the Brandon Sun about saving the Brandon Sun’s Archives. The Brandon Sun’s new location does not have space for the original newspapers, and while the Legislative Library has expressed interest the archives was soon to go to the landfill.  Our Archivist, Judith, and myself had taken a look and felt we could at least save 1900 to 1950, this would cover WWI and WWII.  The Brandon Sun also provided the shelving to store the newspapers. At the time, depending on the number of volunteers we felt we may be able to save more, perhaps volumes which include our museum’s history.  Opportunities like this do not happen often and it would be been a shame to see Brandon’s history go to the landfill.  In the end we had a great crew of volunteers.  It was decided that temporarily we would use a space in the east lean-to of the hangar.  Certainly not a permanent home but at least the opportunity to keep it safe, and the resulting time will hopefully mean a permanent home.  In the end we saved it all, something we can all be happy about!

This is an article from the Brandon Sun about this acquisition

submitted by Stephen Hayter, Museum Executive Director

a carload ready to take to the CATPM
Some of the Sun archives safely stored in the CATPM

The archives in the old Brandon Sun building
In the Sun archives

Stephen hard at work

Gift Ideas at the Tiger Moth Gift Shop!

As you know, we are closed over the winter, however, staff and volunteers are still at wok. Likewise, our gift store has a wide selection of great items as the Christmas season is upon us! If you are interested in making a purchase, just call the museum and we can either have the items ready for you to come by and pick up, or make an appointment to come in and look around. We have toys, clothing (t-shirts, jackets, hoodies), hats, mugs, RCAF 100th anniversary items, glassware and coasters, jigsaw puzzles, books – new and used, model kits, clocks, and so much more! Take a look at the photos below for some of the items we have. Great gifts and stocking stuffers!

Call or email – weekdays from 9:30 – 3:30!  (204) 727-2444 or airmuseum@inetlink.ca