Medicine Hat City Hall Aviation Display

Story and photos by Wes Krause,
President CAHS Medicine Hat "The Lost 48" Chapter
posted September 2026
In April 2026, a member of the Historical Society of Medicine Hat and District contacted me about a display case the Society has in the local Esplanade events centre/museum. I worked with this Society member when I was President of that Historical Society from 2020 through 2023, during the COVID pandemic
Medicine Hat Esplanade display in April 2026. See this story in the CAHS May 2026 eNewsletter.
After a brief discussion and taking measurements of the case, I set up a dedicated display with assistance of the Museum Historian. All artifacts and images were from my private collection. It remained in the Esplanade foyer until just prior to our 2026 Stampede in Medicine Hat. This display morphed into an updated larger display. In early June 2026, a Historical Society lady suggested I contact the City of Medicine Hat regarding a permanent display case in City Hall that is also the Historical Society responsibility. Apparently, this case had not seen any content for over 18 months. It just so happened that the contact at the City of Medicine Hat was a Liaison for the Heritage Resources Working Group, who I had worked with closely trying to preserve the original wind tee from the Second World War No. 34 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) at the Medicine Hat Regional Airport. 
Once again, measurements were taken and a plan was formulated for this specific display case. With the help of an archivist from the Esplanade Museum to lift the glass top, the display case was filled. It will remain in place for a substantial time when a new display will be put on.
Medicine Hat City Hall Historical Society display case.
The display is dedicated to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) and No. 34 SFTS. Artifacts in the display are from my private collection. These include two flight helmets are Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) issued, complete with oxygen masks and goggles. Small details include a selection of Commonwealth nationality flashes, RCAF Pilot wings, RCAF Medicine Hat Pennant, map of No. 34 SFTS, and a copy of a December 1941 Christmas dinner at No. 34 SFTS where the back is covered in autographs of those in attendance (original in my private collection).
Medicine Hat City Hall display dedicated to BCATP and No. 34 SFTS with items from CAHS Medicine Hat President Wes Krause's personal collection.
The display will remain at City Hall through Summer and most likely until October 2026, at which time a new display will be coordinated and set up through the combined efforts of the Historical Society, the Esplanade Museum, and myself.