Today was my last day in Edmonton so I decided to visit the Alberta Aviation and Royal Alberta Museums. They are both on opposite sides of town from where I am staying, so I’ll get a good 8 kilometre walk today.

On my way to the aviation museum, I passed the Kingsway Shopping Centre so I popped in to get a new set of gloves and an umbrella. I misplaced one glove from my premium (super keep fingers warm) gloves, and my umbrella bent so I needed new sets. I’m glad I got them because as soon as I went outside a light snow shower started. Herewith a photo of the city centre from the shopping centre carpark.

I got to the aviation museum and had a close look at the outside front exhibits first before going inside. I didn’t get close to everything as they had a small front end loader moving the snow around, and it was bigger than me. The large grey plane below is a McDonnell Douglas CF-101 Voodoo. This served the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) between 1961 and 1984. It had a highest speed of Mach 1.78, and with its “exceptional” climb performance, provided the aircraft with significant striking power.

Also outside was a tri-faced “sign” with what look like bronze plates that depict different scenes and each one states one third of the saying that we raise at ANZAC Day (and other times) and that both the USA and Canada use for different purposes. This being “At the going down of the sun”, “and in the morning”, “we will remember them”. Here is one side:

look inside. There were around 2 dozen planes inside and outside. I first watched a video of some of the retired ladies and gents talking about the history of aviation in Alberta, and then went to look more closely at some of the planes.

The museum includes a 7/8 scale Vickers Viking IV biplane. This plane was developed in Britain after World War I and became the first amphibious aircraft to enter production. Two Vikings were purchased by the Canadian Air Force in 1923. Canadian Vickers then won a licence to build these in Canada, and a further 6 were purchased. These biplanes played a critical role in the early mapping of Northern Canada, due to their ability to land on both land and water. Even now in Canada, many of the public own or lease planes that are able to land on water, as a way of getting around, especially as there are over 3 million lakes on Canada, mostly in the sparsely populated Northern Territories.

There is also a full restoration of a B-25 Mitchell with the name of “Daisy Mae”. One day in 1957 on the return to base from a training program, a reserve pilot in the 418 Squadron crashed the plane into a hanger when the brakes of the B-25 failed. The pilot missed three other bombers through his actions. The right wing scraped the side of the hanger, which then caused the plane to arc into the hanger wall. The original plane was left in a farmer’s paddock and identified 40 years later. It took 6 years and over 40,000 hours of volunteers’ time to restore.

I also got to test my flying “skills” in a small simulator. I did quite well I thought, taking off and flying over Edmonton for about 20 minutes. Sadly I crashed the plane into some houses trying to land.

There were many more planes as well as great displays of past history and military clothing etc. and some other outside planes.

After two hours, I left and headed off to the Royal Alberta Museum. I had to traipse through a strong snow storm, stopping on a couple of occasions to shelter in bus stop shelters, to warm up a little. After getting to the museum, it was closed for renovations. There were signs on the doors and workers everywhere. So I started back to my residence. Next door was a Casino which also included the Ice Hockey stadium for the Edmonton Oilers.

I stopped over at The Canadian Brewhouse on the way. The snow was replaced by rain so I thought it was a good time for a drink. I nibbled on roast potato strips whilst downing 2 dark ales followed by 2 Guinesses. I was much warmer then to get back to the residence and the rain had stopped so it was at least a little clear. Herewith the outside of the MacEwan University Residences.

I then rang the taxi company and booked a 5.30am trip for the morning (to the train station), and then had a shower, packed my bags, and read the newspaper and watch a few episodes of The First 48, the crime show, until it was time for bed. I received an email from Via Rail, the railway company, advising that the train was running an hour late and so to factor this into my plans. I was happy to leave the taxi time as it was, I’d just spend another hour reading at the railway station.