What's Here
What’s Here:
Our Library and Resource Center
BCAM’s collection of more than 9,000 aviation books is considered the largest in Western Canada. But it is far more than books—we have a data base of more than 35,000 historical photographs, more than 600 videos, an extensive collection of Canadian aviation magazines, aircraft technical and engineering manuals and much more information available on searchable data bases. Librarians are always ready to help research any questions you might have. If we can’t find the answers, we can almost always point you in the right direction.
Visitors are welcome to browse the shelves or, with a Librarian’s help, explore our digitized materials. Museum members and annual pass holders can borrow books, magazines and videos from the collection.
Explore what’s available in our book collection using the links below, or contact us at [email protected].
Book Collection:
- Books Database
- Hospital Hill Memorial—Fallen Airmen of the Empire
What’s Here: Our Artifacts
The museum’s collection consists of over 10, 000 artifacts ranging from aircraft, to manuals, to uniforms and more. Countless stories are shared within our walls. While we have many artifacts on display, our collection is also stored in our climate-controlled artifacts centre and is managed using Catalogit, a cloud-based museum software.
Conducting research? Looking for a specific item? Interested in donating? Please email our volunteer Artifacts team at: [email protected]
What’s Here: Our Archives
In complement to the repository of information in the Library & Resource Centre, BCAM’s Archives are mandated to collect and preserve the more formal elements of aviation history in the Province and the Museum. In addition to the records of the BCAM Society, we hold the records of the BC RCAF Aircrew Association and the Western Canada Chapter of the Ninety-Nines.
The Archives also hold a large collection of fonds donated to the Museum, consisting of material ranging from personal wartime letters to background research collections of aviation authors.
The Archives can be accessed during normal Museum hours with the assistance of Library staff.
What’s Here: Children’s Area
Our children’s area consists of plane pedal carts, flight simulators, interactive aircraft, and an array of hands-on aviation themed displays. This area is located in our Main Hangar.
All children must be supervised at all times.
Consider purchasing an Annual Pass so you and your family can visit the children’s area whenever you’d like!
What’s Here: Restoration
The British Columbia Aviation Museum restoration facility is adjacent to the Main Display Hangar and public access is welcome (accompanied by a tour guide). The restoration hangar is always crowded with projects and is especially busy on Thursdays which is our ‘work day’. The 5,000 square foot hangar includes wood working, metal working, instrument repair, and storage areas for parts.
Many, but not all, of the Museum’s aircraft have been restored or refurbished within our restoration facility. Some of our aircraft were restored before the hangar was built in 1997, while others, like our Vickers Viscount, are too large to fit into the restoration facility. Despite having a restoration facility, a handful of our aircraft were received in flying condition and have been maintained within the display hangars.
Past restorations include the North American Harvard Mk. II, the Auster AOP 6, the Lincoln Sport, and the 7/8 scale SE 5a. Visits to these aircraft within the display hangars will reveal the skill and dedication of the many volunteers who contributed their talents so generously.
Currently, we have three restoration projects in progress with the Lancaster FM104 restoration taking place in the restoration hangar, and the CF-104 Starfighter and Piasecki restorations occurring in various locations throughout the museum.
What’s Here: Gift Shop
Our gift shop is open to everyone and includes an array of specialty BCAM and general aviation merchandise, ranging from unique artwork and souvenirs to clothing. Bags, and toys.
We are planning on updating our gift shop in the new year, so please bear with us as we reorganize products, and some mild construction takes place.