The B.C. Aviation Museum celebrates its 25th anniversary with an open house Saturday.
This year’s theme is Bigone Biplanes. At 1 p.m., the museum will be rolling out an S.E.5A, a First World War single-seat fighter plane, restored by volunteers with the British Columbia Aviation Museum Society.
The museum collects, restores and displays aircraft and artifacts related to aviation history in Canada, with an emphasis on B.C.
Displays range from a replica of a 1897 Chanute glider, a 7/8-scale replica of a Nieuport 17, a Noorduyn Norseman, a 3/4-scale Spitfire and a Fleet Model 2 float plane. The Fleet was flown in the province from its delivery in 1930 to its retirement in 1981. At that time, it was the oldest active aircraft in Canada.
Other planes and artifacts are related to the time Pat Bay was a training base for Commonwealth airmen during the Second World War.
Events at the open house include activities for children, airplane rides and a performance by skydivers at 12:45 p.m.
Admission is by donation. The event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum, 1910 Norseman Rd. (off Canora, east of Victoria International Airport). Twenty-five minute sightseeing plane rides by members of the Victoria Flying School cost $35. Public transit to the museum is advised as parking is limited. For more information, go to bcam.net.
