THE BRITISH COLUMBIA AVIATION MUSEUM

If you love airplanes and aviation, the British Columbia Aviation Museum located in Sidney, British Columbia on Vancouver Island, is definitely worth checking out.  While not a huge museum there are lots of interesting and unique aircraft, aircraft engines, pictures, models and artifacts. In the Memorial Room you will find many artifacts from the wars that Canadians fought, either as members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Flying Corps, or Royal Air Force. They also have a historical display of the Pat Bay Airport as it was during its time as a Commonwealth Air Training Centre, complete with models of all the aircraft that were stationed here during those years.

The museum is operated by the BC Aviation Museum Society is dedicated to preserving aircraft and aviation artifacts. They collect, restore and display aircraft and artifacts related to the history of aviation in Canada, with emphasis on British Columbia.

They also have a gift shop.  The Museum is located next to the Victoria International Airport at 1910 Norseman Rd in Sidney.  Click the links for hours and admission fees.  British Columbia Aviation Museum

Bristol Bolingbroke Mk IV,

Airworthy Noorduyn Norseman

Eastman E2 Sea Rover – this is the only remaining example of this aircraft in existence

Nieuport 17

Cockpit of Vickers Viscount

Avro Anson Mk II

Wiilis Jeep & Bolingbroke

Vickers Viscount 700 Series

Great News!

The BCAM has recently announced that a Martin Mars water bomber from Coulsen Aviation, one of only 2 in the world, will be coming the the BC Aviation Museum as a permanent exhibit! Coulsen Aviation as 2 of the Martin Mars, Hawaii Mars and Philipine Mars at their base on Sprout Lake here on Vancouver Island. Hawaii Mars will be coming to Victoria, Philipine Mars will be going to the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tuscon, AZ.

Martin Mars Water Bomber – Hawaii Mars in it’s old MacMillan Bloedel livery taken at a Victoria Airshow many years ago.

Updates On the Hawaii Mars

On Aug 11, 2024 the Martin ‘Hawaii’ Mars made it’s final flight from it’s base on on Sproat Lake, near Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. The Mars flew down the east coast of the island flying past many of the island communities with it’s final destination being Patricia Bay near Sidney where it landed for it’s final time before being moved up to the BC Aviation Museum. The flight was pretty spectacular to watch! Such an amazing aircraft, so huge! As an added bonus, the Snowbirds escorted the Mars on it’s final flight around southern Vancouver Island.

Martin ‘Hawaii’ Mars with Snowbirds escort

Martin ‘Hawaii’ Mars with Snowbirds escort

Martin ‘Hawaii’ Mars

Martin ‘Hawaii’ Mars

I took my 90 year Dad out to check out the progress on getting the Martin Mars to it’s final display spot at the BC Aviation Museum on Aug 29, 2024. They are just about set to lower the plane to the ground and should be finished on the 3oth of Aug.

The Martin Mars being readied for it’s final display position

This gem of aviation history is well worth the visit. You can check out their website at British Columbia Aviation Museum.