New Opportunities for the Downsview Aerospace Site: 1996-Present

• In December 1997, Canada Lands Corporation approved a proposal from the newly formed the DND formally allowed the Canadian Air & Space Museum to occupy a small portion of Plant #1 in which to establish Toronto’s first and only aerospace museum.
• In 1998, the Canadian Air & Space Museum commenced production of a replica of the Avro Arrow in what had been the wartime Avro Anson II trainer and de Havilland Mosquito fighter-bomber paint shop.
• In 1999, The City of Toronto’s rare Avro Lancaster Mk. X bomber, FM104, was moved from Lakeshore Blvd. to the Canadian Air & Space Museum for conservation and restoration
• In April 2003, the Canadian Air & Space Museum and Parc Downsview Park Inc. entered into a three year Strategic Alliance.
• In 2004, the Canadian Air & Space Museum welcomed home a DH 82 Tiger Moth built at Downsview in 1942. The aircraft was flown from California to the Museum by Robert Laidlaw who sdonated the Tiger Moth to the Museum’s collection.
• In June 2005, a recreation of a First World War Vickers Vimy bomber departed Downsview to recreate the first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic Ocean by Alcock and Brown in 1919. The aircraft was piloted by US aviation adventurer Steve Fossett and Mark Rebholz. The pilots retraced the original flight from St. John’s to Ireland in the giant twin engine biplane.
• In May 2006, the Canadian Air & Space Museum celebrated the 60th anniversary of the DHC-1 Chipmunk at its first Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival
• In October 2006, the Canadian Air & Space Rollout a full scale model of the famous Avro Arrow supersonic interceptor on the 49th anniversary of the original rollout at Malton in 1957.
• In May 2007, the Canadian Air & Space Museum celebrated the 60th anniversary of the DHC-2 Beaver bush plane at its second Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival.
• In late 2007, the Canadian Air & Space Museum took delivery of a Bell CH-136 Kiowa helicopter from the National Air Force Museum of Canada at CFB Trenton. The Kiowa was the last military aircraft every operated from CFB Toronto, which closed in 1996.
  

2009: Launch of the Canadian Air & Space Museum

What was planned:

In the Museum’s current form, the Avro Arrow is homeless. The revitalization and expansion project will create a home for the Arrow in the Avro Canada Gallery.

In addition, the Lancaster Mk X Bomber will also find a home in the Aviation of Defense Gallery, where visitors can comfortably, clearly and safely view the restoration of this historic aircraft.

A classroom area will be created and known the Science of Flight Centre.

A Civil Aviation and Transport Gallery will showcase Canada’s accomplishments in the Commercial Airline industry and Toronto illustrious Aviation History will be showcased in it’s own unique Gallery area.

Outside visitors can marvel at the Bombardier Commercial Airline Gallery.

Other unique and new Museum areas will include and area dedicated to aerospace Innovation and Research, a 100 Seat State of the Art Education Theatre, an Educational Workshop, An upper and lower Space and Discovery Gallery featuring a space theatre and planetarium a Historic Gallery devoted to telling the history of de Havilland Canada. An area where Restoration and Fabric Demonstration projects can be viewed by visitors, as well as the restoration and recreation of the original de Havilland Canada Office Gallery.

The Museum will also boast a comprehensive Aerospace Library and Archives.

In addition the Museum will offer a first-rate Gift Shop.

September 20, 2011

The Museum, along with the other tennants at 65 Carl Hall Road, are served eviction notices. They learn that the building has been slated for demolition and will be replaced with a four-pad hockey arena. The campaign to save the building and Museum begins.