Cold Lake Air Force Museum
Encyclopedia
The Cold Lake Air Force Museum is a military aviation museum
located in Cold Lake, Alberta
. The museum preserves and exhibits the heritage and history of 4 Wing Cold Lake
and 42 Radar Squadron
.
The Air Force Museum is actually one of four museums based on the old site of 42 Radar Squadron, who re-located to CFB Cold Lake in 1992. The Oil and Gas, Heritage and Aborginal Museums are connected to the Air Force Museum through a covered hallway affectionately dubbed 'The Tunnel'. All together, the museums are referred to as the Cold Lake Museums
or the Tri-City Museums.
The old facility of 42 Radar Squadron was decommissioned in 1992 and the museum opened its doors for the first time on July 1, 1998.
affiliated with, 4 Wing Cold Lake and its antecedent formations. The Museum is the focal point for Canadian Air Force research in the Cold Lake Region. The museum details the chronological development of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and associated Canadian Forces Units, in the Cold Lake Region. The Museum also details the history and heritage of Canadian Forces Units associated with Cold Lake who served in Europe.
squadrons, and also some items from the Oil and Gas, Heritage and Aborginal Museums
.
The first floor of the Museum exhibits 4 Wing ground squadrons. The second floor exhibits, 4 Wing flying squadrons, Engines, a model of the Base and a few other exhibits that have to do with 4 Wing.
The following exhibits are displayed at the Cold Lake Air Force Museum:
, CHIN
, OMMC
and Virtual Museum of Canada
.
Aviation museum
An aviation museum, air museum or aerospace museum is a museum exhibiting the history and artifacts of aviation. In addition to actual or replica aircraft, exhibits can include photographs, maps, models, dioramas, clothing and equipment used by aviators.Aviation museums vary in size from housing...
located in Cold Lake, Alberta
Cold Lake, Alberta
Cold Lake is a city in northeastern Alberta, Canada, named after the lake it is situated near.-Geography:The city is situated in Alberta's "Lakeland" district, 300 km northeast of Edmonton, near the Alberta-Saskatchewan provincial border. The area surrounding the city is sparsely populated,...
. The museum preserves and exhibits the heritage and history of 4 Wing Cold Lake
CFB Cold Lake
Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake , commonly referred to as CFB Cold Lake, is a Canadian Forces Base located within the City of Cold Lake, Alberta. It is operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force and is one of two bases in the country using the CF-18 Hornet fighter/interceptor...
and 42 Radar Squadron
No. 42 Radar Squadron
42 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron of the Canadian Air Force became operational in June 1955. The Squadron was originally used to provide radar control to the CF-100s flying around CFB Cold Lake. In October 1962, 42 AC&W Squadron became 42 Radar Squadron in the Semi-Automated Ground...
.
The Air Force Museum is actually one of four museums based on the old site of 42 Radar Squadron, who re-located to CFB Cold Lake in 1992. The Oil and Gas, Heritage and Aborginal Museums are connected to the Air Force Museum through a covered hallway affectionately dubbed 'The Tunnel'. All together, the museums are referred to as the Cold Lake Museums
Cold Lake Museums
The Cold Lake Museums are four museums that are located on the old facility of 42 Radar Squadron on the north edge of Cold Lake South. The museums included are the Cold Lake Air Force Museum, as well as the Oil and Gas, Heritage and Aboriginal Museums. Visitors enter from into the Air Force Museum...
or the Tri-City Museums.
The old facility of 42 Radar Squadron was decommissioned in 1992 and the museum opened its doors for the first time on July 1, 1998.
Mission
The Mission of the 4 Wing Cold Lake Air Force Museum is to preserve and display the history of 4 Wing Cold Lake and the squadrons and Units which have been, or will be stationed at, oraffiliated with, 4 Wing Cold Lake and its antecedent formations. The Museum is the focal point for Canadian Air Force research in the Cold Lake Region. The museum details the chronological development of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and associated Canadian Forces Units, in the Cold Lake Region. The Museum also details the history and heritage of Canadian Forces Units associated with Cold Lake who served in Europe.
Aircraft
Outside the Museum where one drives up there are several aircraft and a few trucks on display. Included are specific aircraft serials and histories.- CF-5 Freedom Fighter - This aircraft (116704) served with 433 Squadron, 434 Squadron, and 419 SquadronNo. 419 Squadron RCAF419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron is an air force unit with the Canadian Forces. The squadron was originally formed during the Second World War as part of the Royal Canadian Air Force...
. It finished its life with 419 Squadron and was sent into storage at CFB Mountain View in 1995. It was later shipped to the museum, and in 2007, it was assembled and painted in CAF Era Markings by 1 AMS. - CT-133 Silver Star - This aircraft (133413) was one of the last T-birds flying. It was used by AETE until the summer of 2004 when it was given to the Museum. It is finished overall grey with an AETE red 'X' on its tail.
- CT-134 MusketeerCT-134 Musketeer|-See also:-External links:*...
- aircraft (134241) - CT-114 Tutor - This aircraft (114114) was used by the SnowbirdsSnowbirdsOfficially known as the Royal Canadian Air Force's 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the Snowbirds are Canada's military aerobatics or air show flight demonstration team whose purpose is to "demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of Canadian Forces personnel". The squadron is based at...
as Snowbird 9 in the 1977 season, Snowbird 10 in the 1978 season, and Snowbird 3 in 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1986 seasons. Finished in CAF Era Markings.
Museum layout
When one enters the museum, the visitor's book and the Kitshop is what one sees first. The Kitshop sells memorabilia from 4 WingCFB Cold Lake
Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake , commonly referred to as CFB Cold Lake, is a Canadian Forces Base located within the City of Cold Lake, Alberta. It is operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force and is one of two bases in the country using the CF-18 Hornet fighter/interceptor...
squadrons, and also some items from the Oil and Gas, Heritage and Aborginal Museums
Cold Lake Museums
The Cold Lake Museums are four museums that are located on the old facility of 42 Radar Squadron on the north edge of Cold Lake South. The museums included are the Cold Lake Air Force Museum, as well as the Oil and Gas, Heritage and Aboriginal Museums. Visitors enter from into the Air Force Museum...
.
The first floor of the Museum exhibits 4 Wing ground squadrons. The second floor exhibits, 4 Wing flying squadrons, Engines, a model of the Base and a few other exhibits that have to do with 4 Wing.
The following exhibits are displayed at the Cold Lake Air Force Museum:
- 42 Radar SquadronNo. 42 Radar Squadron42 Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron of the Canadian Air Force became operational in June 1955. The Squadron was originally used to provide radar control to the CF-100s flying around CFB Cold Lake. In October 1962, 42 AC&W Squadron became 42 Radar Squadron in the Semi-Automated Ground...
- No. 4 Airfield Engineers
- 1 Air Maintenance Squadron
- 4 Air Defence Regiment
- 4 Wing Hospital
- CHCL - The old Base Radio Station
- 4 Wing Fire Hall
- 409 Tactical Fighter SquadronNo. 409 Squadron RCAF409 Tactical Fighter Squadron is a unit of the Canadian Forces under Royal Canadian Air Force. The squadron operates the CF-18 Hornet from CFB Cold Lake in Alberta, Canada.-History:...
- 417 Combat Support SquadronNo. 417 Squadron RCAF417 Combat Support Squadron is an Air Force unit with the Canadian Forces. Based at CFB Cold Lake it provides helicopter support to the base operations. Since 1994, it has also provided Search and Rescue.-History:...
- 416 Tactical Fighter SquadronNo. 416 Squadron RCAF416 "City of Oshawa" Tactical Fighter Squadron was a unit of the Canadian Forces under Royal Canadian Air Force. The squadron operated the CF-188 Hornet fighter jet from CFB Cold Lake in Alberta, Canada...
- 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 410 Tactical Fighter Training SquadronNo. 410 Squadron RCAF410 Tactical Fighter Operational Training Squadron, nicknamed the "Cougars", is a Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft squadron currently located at Canada's primary training base for the CF-18 , at Cold Lake, Alberta...
- 419 Tactical Fighter Training SquadronNo. 419 Squadron RCAF419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron is an air force unit with the Canadian Forces. The squadron was originally formed during the Second World War as part of the Royal Canadian Air Force...
- 10 Field Technician Training Squadron
- Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment
- CFB Baden-SoellingenCFB Baden-SoellingenCanadian Forces Base Baden-Soellingen or CFB Baden-Soellingen was a Canadian Forces base located near the farming community of Söllingen, part of the municipality of Rheinmünster in the West German state of Baden-Württemberg...
- Equipment on display include: Orenda 9 (CF-100 Canuck engine), Rolls-Royce NeneRolls-Royce Nene|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Bridgman, L, Jane's fighting aircraft of World War II. Crescent. ISBN 0-517-67964-7-External links:* *...
10(CT-133 Silver Star engine), 2 J-85General Electric J85-External links:**...
engines (one from a CT-114 Tutor, the other from a CF-5), a Pontiac M39 cannonM39 cannonThe M39 cannon was a 20 mm caliber single-barreled revolver cannon developed for the United States Air Force in the late 1940s. It was used on a number of fighter aircraft from the early 1950s through the 1980s.-Development:...
(CF-5 gun).
Affiliations
The Museum is affiliated with: CMACanadian Museums Association
The Canadian Museums Association is a national organization for the promotion of museums in Canada.The Canadian Museums Association is the national organization for the advancement of the Canadian museum sector, representing Canadian museum professionals both within Canada and internationally. The...
, CHIN
Canadian Heritage Information Network
The Canadian Heritage Information Network is a Canadian government-supported organization that provides a networked interface to Canada's heritage, largely through the World Wide Web. It aims to give access to Canada's heritage for both Canadians and a worldwide audience, by supporting the...
, OMMC
Organization of Military Museums of Canada
The Organization of Military Museums of Canada is a national organization for the promotion of military museums in Canada.The OMMC was established in 1967 by a group of military museums, historians, and military history enthusiasts. It has over 40 individual and 60 institutional members including...
and Virtual Museum of Canada
Virtual Museum of Canada
The Virtual Museum of Canada is Canada's national virtual museum. With a directory of over 3,000 Canadian heritage institutions and a database of over 600 virtual exhibits, the VMC brings together Canada's museums regardless of size or geographical location.The VMC includes virtual exhibits,...
.
See also
- CFB Cold LakeCFB Cold LakeCanadian Forces Base Cold Lake , commonly referred to as CFB Cold Lake, is a Canadian Forces Base located within the City of Cold Lake, Alberta. It is operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force and is one of two bases in the country using the CF-18 Hornet fighter/interceptor...
- Cold Lake MuseumsCold Lake MuseumsThe Cold Lake Museums are four museums that are located on the old facility of 42 Radar Squadron on the north edge of Cold Lake South. The museums included are the Cold Lake Air Force Museum, as well as the Oil and Gas, Heritage and Aboriginal Museums. Visitors enter from into the Air Force Museum...
- Organization of Military Museums of CanadaOrganization of Military Museums of CanadaThe Organization of Military Museums of Canada is a national organization for the promotion of military museums in Canada.The OMMC was established in 1967 by a group of military museums, historians, and military history enthusiasts. It has over 40 individual and 60 institutional members including...
- Military history of CanadaMilitary history of CanadaThe military history of Canada comprises hundreds of years of armed actions in the territory encompassing modern Canada, and the role of the Canadian military in conflicts and peacekeeping worldwide. For thousands of years, the area that would become Canada was the site of sporadic intertribal wars...