Versatility At Work

 Across from where I left off yesterday is another example of VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) technology. The Canadair CL-84 Dynavert was an innovative, if little used, addition to the military.

A standard of the military first developed by Boeing and used by many countries: the Boeing Vertol. The Canadian variant is the CH-113 Labrador, used for decades in the military for search and rescue and other purposes. A tough workhorse of a helicopter that does the job.

Interceptors

Another look at the Harrier to start things today, quite sleek and elegant.

A superb fighter: the CF-116A.

Side by side, two wonders. The first, in the foreground, is the Lockheed CF-104 Starfighter.

The crest near the cockpit caught my eye, featuring Hercules slaying the hydra.

Beside it and mounted above is the nose section of an Avro Arrow. This was a Canadian military innovation program of the 1950s meant to serve as an all-weather interceptor. The program was cancelled by the Diefenbaker government at the time in what was a bone-headed decision, and nearly all of the aircraft were destroyed. This nose section, along with a few pieces in other locations that are less recognizable, is all that's left.

Innovation

Today I begin with the CF-101B Voodoo, an interceptor fighter jet. This particular one served in the American Air Force before being retired; it was repainted in Canadian colours for its addition to the collection.

Across from it, another innovation, the Canadian Artemis Jr. moon rover, which impressed NASA for a potential moon program, which was postponed.

As the Cold War went on, military planners worried that long runways would be targets for attack. The response was the concept of VTOL- Vertical Takeoff and Landing. The Harrier, seen here, is the best example of that kind of plane.

Air Power

Proof that the museum's collection is international. This is the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15b, dating back to the 1950s, the beginning of the line of East Bloc fighter jets more commonly known as MiGs.

Across from it, and moving forward in fighter evolution, the Avro Canada CF-10 Mk 5D, a line of fighters meant to be all weather for the vastness of the country.

Here we are at the furthest spot from the main entrance of the museum. This is the Bomarc, a remote guided missile that was a relic of the Cold War, meant to intercept Soviet counterparts. The RCAF included them at two bases in Canada, but the devices soon proved not up to the task as the technology evolved, and ended up retired from service.

Looking back at where we've come from, and what's ahead. 

Fighters

 We begin today with the Bombardier Challenger 604, a business jet. This particular one is a prototype, used for development of the line. Now its home is here at the Museum.

A look ahead at some fighter jets. The small plane in the path ahead is a toy- toddlers can use these to roll around on in the vastness of the museum's space.

Here is the Canadair T-33N Silver Star 3, a fighter jet used in military training schools.

This is the F-86 Sabre 6, a standard of the RCAF back in the 1950s.