54 FLYPAST September 2018
MUSEUMS REYNOLDS ALBERTA
with the first two crammed with
an assortment of agricultural
vehicles, buses, commercial trucks
and fire engines, including many
horse-drawn units from the late
19th century. Around and above
these is an astonishing selection
of cars and motorcycles, including
many significant rarities such as
Chrysler’s first production model.
The third section houses aircraft,
and there are so many it is almost
impossible to count them. One
of the more immediately visible
residents was a full-size replica of
an Avro Arrow. Also among the
collection was Edgar Percival E.P.9
Prospector CF-NWI, one of seven
survivors of the 21 built, plus Bristol
Bolingbroke 9904 (one of two in the
collection), and Barkley-Grow T8P-1
CF-BE. The latter is one of only two
extant; the other is in the Hangar
Flight Museum in Calgary.Lockheed Lodestar CF-TDB is
present, and from the balcony
it was possible to see a rare
‘pointed-wingtip’ DH-87A Hornet
Moth (CF-DAL), and Miles Whitney
Straight CF-FGK. Among the
military hardware on show was
Canadian-built Anson V 12477, one
of seven Ansons in the collection,
plus Cessna Crane 8778, Auster
AOP.6 VP633, Stinson Reliant
CF-BGM (formerly FB763 and
43-44204) and DH Vampire F.3- They were surrounded by
numerous US light aircraft – so
many that it would have taken
hours to log them all.
The upper level is home to
several long-term restoration
projects and incomplete aircraft,
including Blackburn-built and
canopied Fairey Swordfish II
HS498, Canadair CL41-R Tutor
CF-LTX-X (used by its manufacturer
for experimental work), Howard
DGA-15P 5418, Fairchild 71 NC24K
(a highly regarded Canadian
bushplane), and an unmarked
Aircoupe. Restoring and displaying
every item in this well populated
reserve area will inevitably take
many years.
The Reynolds-Alberta Museum
deserves to be at the top of any
to-do list for enthusiasts visiting
the area. It really is a vast and
incredibly diverse collection – I
was there for five hours and
was still unable to record every
aircraft present. The attraction is
part of a network of provincially
owned and operated historic sites,
interpretive centres and museums,
and it’s supported by the Friends of
Reynolds-Alberta Museum Society.
I’d heartily recommend a visit.http://www.reynoldsmuseum.caand Taylor J-2 Cub CF-BEE. Among
the rarest aircraft present is Avro
Avian CF-CDV, which was acquired
before World War Two, while
another unusual item is the unique
Sznycer-Gottleib SG-V1D Grey Gull
CF-FGG, which on February 7, 1948
became the first helicopter to join
the Canadian civil register. Other
rotary items include the 1963-
built Haseloh Gyroplane CF-OMO,
and C-GUAG, an enclosed cockpit
version of the latter. It is truly an
eclectic gathering of machines.
Behind the scenes
Following a good look around
the main halls, I was granted
access to the huge building that
houses the reserve collection.
This area is not normally open
to the public, save on special
occasions or for guided tours.
It’s divided into three sections,
A full-size replica of an Avro Canada
CF-105 Arrow.“The Reynolds-Alberta Museum deserves to be at the top of any to-do list for
enthusiasts visiting the area. It really is a vast and incredibly diverse collection”
The unmistakable profi le of a Hawker
Hurricane, in this case Canadian-built
A Bristol Bolingbroke awaiting restoration. Mk.XII 5418.