Home For The Heavies Museum Expansion Project

The Most Exciting Fundraising Campaign in the Museum’s History

We have launched the most exciting fundraising campaign in the museum’s history to expand the current facility. The Bomber Command Museum of Canada has evolved to an internationally recognized WWII memorial that restores aircraft to runnable/taxiable status. With only four operational Lancaster bombers in the world, the Bomber Command Museum of Canada is home to one of these historic aircraft. Our Lancaster has four runnable engines and creates very unique experiences when you visit the museum.

The museum’s mission is to educate and inform current and future generations through lectures, demonstrations, artifacts, working aircraft and true-life stories by the contributions and sacrifices made by men and women of Bomber Command.

These experiences are being constrained by an extremely limited taxi-way and areas for visitors to observe the aircraft. The Museum (and Society that runs the museum) is preparing to build a 25,000 square foot hangar immediately west of the existing facility, with access to green space and where aircraft can be taxied and displayed throughout the seasons.

It is so important to showcase and share this history with the world. To expand this humble museum will show respect for thousands of Canadians that heroically served and offer everyone who visits, the chance to reflect on our freedom as we know it today.

Bomber Command operated for 2000 days and flew almost 400,000 operations. Of the 120,000 who served, more than 55,000 were killed, including over 10,600 Canadians.

We invite you to join us in this journey and leave your legacy.

Introduction to the Project

In 1986 the small town of Nanton, Alberta was asked to store and care for a WWII Bomber (the Lancaster FM159). When they realized what a special and historic treasure this was, they built an aviation museum that was created and developed by local volunteers.

Since then, the museum has become world-renowned and has undergone a few additions so it could continue to attract visitors from around the globe. It also has hangars where intricate repairs are completed on multiple historical aircraft.

The next audacious goal is to expand with a new taxi-way, outdoor viewing area and hangar that will house ‘The Heavies’. The Heavies include the Lancaster FM159 and a newly restored Halifax bomber; the backbone and most successful bombers used by RAF & Bomber Command in WW2.

The Halifax 57 Rescue (Canada) organization has been recovering world war two planes from around the world since 1994 and have embarked on a world-wide quest to recover another Halifax for the Bomber Command Museum. They have already acquired parts of the plan on the island of Malta, south of Italy, in a Belgium swamp and in British scrap yards and rural sites. All the Halifax sections are being restored by Knox Tech. Inc., a rebuild shop in Ottawa, Ontario but soon they will need to move the plane an complete restoration at it’s final home in Nanton, Alberta.

I had an amazing day trip to the museum with my twenty year old son. He didn’t know much about Bomber Command and the young men who served. When he heard the four engines running on the massive Lancaster Bomber, he really got it. We had a moment when I said, above the engines, ‘Imagine I was saying goodbye to you right now and you were leaving to serve in war on the other side of the world?’ This truly resonated with him. Museum guest, Wendy from Calgary

Home for the Heavies Expansion

The Society will build a 25,000 square foot hangar facility immediately west of the existing facility with an adjacent green space and viewing area.
The new addition to the museum will not only provide a safe and permanent home for the heavy planes, but also extend the way the museum can be utilized and experienced by visitors, event groups, community and the volunteers.
These new experiences galvanize financial viability for the future of the museum with large events, meetings, training and educational programs that aren’t viable in other smaller areas of the museum.
The expansion provides a taxiway and viewing area. Seeing the planes in motion ignites imagination and an opportunity to show respect and admiration for the planes and the young men who flew them.
Current costs (including contingency) total $7.5m. We will seek private, public, corporate and government support to bring this incredible project to life.

The Impact of Your Gift

‘I whole heartedly support the Bomber Command Museum’s, HOME FOR THE HEAVIES, expansion campaign. The Royal Canadian Airforce Association (RCAFA) has been a long-time admirer of their remarkable work and dedication to preserving aviation history. They have a strong vision for the future and a comprehensive plan for the utilization of the funds they are seeking. I believe that supporting this organization in their endeavor to build a new hangar is an investment not only in the preservation of aviation history but also in the enrichment of Canadian culture and the promotion of education.’ Colonel (Ret) Terry Chester, CD National President RCAF Association

To find a meaningful way to become a project partner, including naming opportunities or in-kind donations of building services and supplies, please reach out to:
Dan Fox – Board Chair and Campaign Chair, Home for the Heavies
Dan.fox@bombercommandmuseum.ca
403.646.2270