Calgary Museum Hit by Damage and Theft

Report by John Chalmers
CAHS Membership Secretary
posted April 2023
The Hangar Flight Museum in Calgary has been hit twice in March 2023 by damage to its facilities. On March 6 a winter storm damaged the fabric covered annex to the museum which houses several aircraft for which there is no room in the museum’s main building, a wartime 1941 drill hall built in the style of hangars used by the British Commonwealth Air Training plan during the Second World War.
This screenshot from a Global TV news item provides a view of the Tent Hangar that houses the museum’s Lancaster. Panels of roof fabric have been removed as a result of storm damage. The main building remains open for visitors, but the hangar annex is expected to be closed for four to six weeks while repairs are made.
If there is any positive aspect to that damage, the second time it has happened in two years, it points out the need for the museum to expand with a new permanent building. A campaign is presently underway to raise funds for construction. The City of Calgary has set aside $14.5 million dollars for the project. As well, $5.5 million of in-kind land value has been provided from the Calgary Airport Authority for the museum, located near the Calgary International Airport.

The museum has approached the Government of Alberta with a request for $30 million to assist with the construction of a new museum, expected to cost $60 million in total. Additional funds would be solicited through donations and sponsorships to enable a dream becoming a reality. Among the many letters of support to the Alberta government is one recently sent by CAHS president Gary Williams, on behalf of our national membership.

While the fabric damage to the museum’s annex can be repaired, a more serious loss occurred on March 21 when thieves stole seven commemorative historic bronze plaques from their place on large stones at the museum’s site. Photographic records  are on file that would be useful in replacement of the plaques, for which the estimated cost of replacement is $20,000. To see a story in the Calgary Herald about the theft, click here.
The plaque commemorating the BCATP, which was mounted on a huge boulder by the museum’s entrance, is one of seven plaques stripped from their mounts outside the museum. (Chalmers photo)

Calgary has recently been plagued by the theft of hundreds of bronze plaques, ranging from those on cemetery headstone plaques to ones commemorating military history. The appalling theft of the plaques of The Hangar Flight Museum has prompted an immediate response from the public for support in replacing them.
“We have certainly had setbacks at the museum, and we will continue to campaign for a new permanent structure,” says Brian Desjardins, executive director of The Hangar Flight Museum. “We have been inspired by the outpouring of support of Calgarians, Albertans and others across Canada.”

To offer support or donations for the museum, please visit its website at https://thehangarmuseum.ca/, or call 403-352-4059.

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