The RCAF Memorial Museum, adjacent to the grounds of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton, has been in existence in its current state since 1994, when it moved into a 13,000 square foot building.  The museum currently houses many artifacts inside, dating from the beginning of Canadian military aviation to the present day.  The exhibits are well-laid out and labelled (I noticed a significant improvement museologically between my last visit, in December 2000, and this time), and overall has a clean, professional feel to it.  There is also a good gift shop with a used kit section, which has some real chestnuts in it!

The photograph above gives an overview of the main building, which is chock full of interesting artifacts.  Visible in the foreground is a full-scale replica of the Burgess-Dunne biplane, the first Canadian military aircraft.  The wings of this unlikely-looking aircraft are still under construction.

Had history been different, Avro's Arrow might not have been the only CF-105!  This unusual desk model in the museum's collection illustrates Republic's attempt to sell the F-105 Thunderchief to the RCAF; several other "might-have-beens" are also shown as desk models, including an RCAF C-141 Starlifter and a Douglas DC-8 in Air Transport Command markings.  Such gems abound in and above the display cases.  Among the other interesting artifacts on display are lots of individual and squadron memorabilia (mascots, etc.), a variety of uniforms and flight gear, and a good collection of ejection seats.

There are no full-scale aircraft on display inside the museum, but it sits adjacent to an air park with approximately 20 planes on display, ranging from a de Havilland Chipmunk and a C-47 through to more modern aircraft such as the Sabre Mk. 6, T-33, CF-5, CF-101, and CF-104 (it appeared that a CF-18 was being prepped for display when I was there).  The biggest aircraft on display is this Canadair CL-28 Argus ASW aircraft, which served with the RCAF and CAF from the 1960s until it was replaced by the CP-140 Aurora in the early 1980s.  In front of it is a Hunter FGA.58, formerly of the Swiss Air Force's aerobatic team.

Perhaps the most exotic aircraft on display is this ex-East German MiG-21MF "Fishbed-J," which still had its engine in the fuselage and a GSh-23 gunpack in place.  Although the aircraft are exposed to the elements, they are still generally in good shape.  The particularly streaky appearance of this MiG is due to the rotten weather that has followed me on each visit I have taken to this museum!

Without question the most ambitious project that the RCAF Museum has undertaken is the Handley-Page Halifax Mk.VII NA337, which was shot down by German AA over a Norwegian fjord in April 1945 and recovered in 1995.  When complete, this aircraft will be the only fully-restored Halifax in the world. 

The restoration area for the Halifax is adjacent to the museum building, and is generally open whenever the museum is.  The volunteers working on the aircraft are very willing to show their work  to any visitors.  The restoration is progressing well (a significant amount of progress had been made over the last two years), and is being done to an extremely high standard.  In the photo above, Kim (my better half) stands next to the meticulously restored tail turret and rear fueslage of the Halifax.  The Bristol Hercules engines are also masterpieces of the restorer's art.  I was happy to hear that the aircraft will be restored in its original markings and configuration, and that this plane will never either fly or be displayed outdoors. 

As of May 2003, the foundation for a new museum building, to house the Halifax and other aircraft indoors, was about to be poured.  This building is scheduled to be completed in 2005, when the Halifax restoration should also be done (final assembly and painting of the Halifax will have to be done in the new building, since the current one is too short to allow the Halifax to sit on its landing gear).  When done, this museum should be a fitting home for an aircraft of such significance.  I wish them the best of luck, and look forward to many more visits.  This museum is highly recommended to anybody in the southern Ontario/upstate New York area.