Island Excursion, part 3 of my showcase destination.

It was coming on closing time at the British Columbia Aviation Museum and there were a few more aircraft I just had to look at before we were kicked out. Firstly, I had to get up close and personal with the only jet in the entire collection. I had a model of this when I was a whole lot younger, never did finish it though....

The Canadair CT-133 Silver Star was a license built variant of the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, a two seat jet trainer which started out from the original P-80/F-80. In turn the Lockheed P-94 Starfire would later evolve from the T-33 and appear in World of Warplanes as a tier IX Multi-role Fighter for the American tree.

One of the major differences between the Lockheed and the Canadair CL-30 was the use of engines, the Shooting Star had Allison J33, the Silver Star used Rolls-Royce Nene 10.

It was hard to get a good shot of this aircraft, due in part to it's location inside the museum and the other planes around it. However, I was able to not only snap a picture of inside the cockpit....

....which didn't turn out nearly as good as I had hoped, but I also got one of those once in a lifetime opportunities to do this....

Although you can't really tell from this image, the cockpit was a real tight fit. Up front, all of the controls were in spots that didn't promote comfort. For me, once I sat in the seat, that was it, no real moving around after the straps went on and the canopy was closed.

Now, the plane that I really wanted to see and if it was the only exhibit this museum had, it would have been worth it for me....

Placed right in the middle of the museum was this license built Bristol Blenheim, but in Canada, it was known as the Bolingbroke. Produced by Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. Canada, over 620 of these aircraft would take part in World War Two performing two key roles, maritime patrols and crew training. Long ago, I pitched the idea of introducing this aircraft as a premium offering for World of Warplanes http://forum.worldofwarplanes.com/index.php?/topic/22211-okay-i-have-found-my-canadian-bacon-for-your-premium-consideration/ but that idea didn't carry on for long.

Despite that, the plane exists in World of Warplanes as the original Bristol Blenheim, at tier IV in the British Heavy Fighter tree. What I wasn't fully prepared for was the sheer size of the full sized, real life model....

....and with the size of the crowded hangar, very difficult to get all of the plane into one shot. Nevertheless, I was able to capture details that will add to my memory of this experience.

The straightforward, no nonsense cockpit with it's gauges, controls and pass-through tunnel to....

....the navigator's station in the nose, complete with a map and plotting tools of the time. My wife shot this video of my self guided, exterior tour of this aircraft, along with my son....

I had planned on doing this video tour, with me making comments and observations, but I didn't follow through with any pre-planning, scripting and other stuff along those lines.

Here is the story of the aircraft, from the display beside it....

This plaque brought another moment of silence for me.

Our time at the museum had come to an end, but before leaving, I made two purchases, my small part of giving back to the efforts of those who have put in the time to keep these aircraft around, to be enjoyed by many more visitors, for years to come....

I finally have an Arrow to call my own, but flying it might prove to be a very difficult task, I think.

When I was a whole lot younger, I would borrow this book from the library so much, I almost believed I owned it. Now, many years latter, I do and will cherish it for as long as my eyesight holds out.

On leaving the building and on our way back to our rental car, I caught a glimpse of one last plaque....

....reminding me how precious history is and never let it be forgotten.

Island Excursion, part 2 of my showcase destination.

In amongst the preserved aircraft at the British Columbia Aviation Museum were displays that lined some of the walls, since the museum only had so much room to work with. The one pictured above as about an aircraft that holds a very special place in my heart, but is beyond the time period of World of Warplanes. I spent a lot of time staring at this exhibit.

This picture didn't turn out nearly is good as I had hoped, but Avro Canada built other aircraft, besides the Arrow. The display case shows models (from left to right) of a Avro Lancaster (a four engine bomber that will probably never make it into the game), the C102 (a civilian jetliner that first flew in August, 1949), a CF-100 Canuck (which could fit the game's time period restrictions) and of course, another Arrow model.

Avro also designed and constructed this powerful Orenda jet engine, read more about it here....

Another nice display of the various aircraft flown by members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Now, here is a small attempt to bring about awareness for a piece of forgotten history. Depending on which source you consult, the Royal Canadian Navy started to fly aircraft in much the same fashion as the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm, with the 1946 delivery of a carrier, HMCS Warrior. Although Canadian's flew naval aircraft during World War Two, they were considered more of an extension to the Royal Navy's operations. Starting with the post-war era, Canada would be seen with it's own naval air identity, that would last until the retirement of it's last carrier, HMCS Bonaventure, in 1970.

Which brings me to this entertaining contraption. My son was "flying" this sorta-scaled Hawker Sea Fury and attempted to land it on the deck of this sorta-scaled HMCS Magnificent CVL 21. The trick was to pull a lever up or down, which moved the upper guide line higher or lower from the deck. Think of it as a zip line for a little model plane. With a small metal tail hook, the goal was to catch one of the two lines across the after flight deck and come in for that "perfect" landing. Plain, simple fun.

Small scale models can be as much a labor of love as restoring/preserving real aircraft. I can appreciate the countless hours that people have invested in recreating the smaller history. I have tried on many occasion to build a complete model, but I don't have the patience or focus to finish one off. This little Gloster Meteor caught my eye, a small companion to my premium British tier VII jet I earned from an event, long ago now. But, these are just a few models....

....amongst so many. When I continue, it's back to some real aircraft, including the "Queen of the Hangar".

Island Excursion, my showcase destination.

The British Columbia Aviation Museum is located on the grounds of the Victoria International Airport, at 1910 Norseman Road. I found out this place the last time I came to the island, over a year ago, but the opportunity to go then just didn't happen. Now, it was my whole point and purpose for coming this time around.

Once again, after reading the plaque, I bowed my head and closed my eyes, my inner voice thanking all those who served and those who are making the effort to make sure history is preserved and isn't forgotten.

Hanging from the lobby ceiling, a small scale example of just one of the planes I came to see, so let's start with that in full scale....

....as explained to me by my son. I listened, but the displays carried much more information....

The North American Harvard, also known as the Texan, is not currently in World of Warplanes. For the most part, it was an unarmed trainer used by American, Commonwealth and other foreign forces. However, it's armed Australian cousin, the CAC CA-1 Wirraway was recently introduced as a premium ground attack aircraft at tier III. Here is some more of the Harvard, as taken by me...

I wasn't too surprised on the size of the aircraft itself, seems the Wirraway, as modeled in the game, was close enough to meet my real world expectations. I spent a fair amount of time walking around this aircraft, allowing my mind to absorb as much as it could from this experience. However, I had to leave room for a few more exhibits of interest....

My son and I leaning on a 3/4 scale Spitfire. Here is the backstory on this unfinished labor of love....

Thank you Mr. Noren and rest well.

In World of Warplanes, the Supermarine Spitfire enters the game at tier V in the British tech tree. A purchasable premium captured German version can be found at tier VI. Here is more of this replica that captures the very essence of this real British warhorse....

It was a lot to take in, when we first got there, but there was more yet to come. I will share that and more, very soon.

Island Excursion, an incidental sighting for why I wanted to I come here.

A mere 5 minute drive north of our hotel, stands the town of Sidney, a picturesque community with a population of just over 11,000. From the travel brochures, there was a lot to see and do, including the views of the Gulf/San Juan Islands and all of the marine activity in the Salish Sea, which was breathtaking. However, it was what we couldn't find advertised that caught the attention of my wife, as we drove down the main drag....

To some, it might be hard to tell exactly what she saw, but once she pointed it out me and with the brief time I looked, I knew exactly what it was. Trying to contain my excitement, I asked her to circle the block, so we could check it out more closely. She coyly agreed. Around we went and when the last corner was turned, one of my childhood dreams became a reality....

....and I came face to face with a Canadian legend. As a child, I was always fascinated by this plane, among a few others. Quickly, but safely, I stepped out of the just parked rental car and ran across the road. My nerves were shaky, but I had to capture this moment, for as long as time would allow....

I would offer up just what this aircraft is, but instead, I will let the dedication plaque speak for itself....

I stopped after reading the plaque and bowed my head. With my mind's voice, I thanked all of those Canadair employees who built this and all of her sister aircraft, silently paid my respects for those who flew and serviced these planes, but most importantly of all, my admiration to those who made the effort to save and preserve this one example I was laying my eyes on.

The brief story behind the Canadian Sabre is this; it was a license built North American F-86 with Canadian modifications, known as the CL-13. Six variants or Marks were produced from 1950 through 1958, totaling over 1800 built. Canadian Sabres would serve during the Korean War, flying in USAF livery and designated as F-86E-6-CAN. With a long service life in overseas service, the last CL-13 was retired from active duty in 1980, with the Pakistan Air Force. For more reading, check this dormant site out http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/p86_22.html

In World of Warplanes, the Canadair CL-13 isn't in the current version of the game, but the North American F-86 Sabre is, as the top tiered American Fighter. However, through the use of imagination or a custom skin creation, that little detail can be changed to suit the player.

So, if you happen to come to Vancouver Island, find the time to come up/over to Sidney. Located at 9831 4 Street, ANAVETS #302 is worth the visit http://www.unit302.ca/ even if you stay outside to marvel at the aircraft, naval guns and for the tanker still inside of me....

Turns out, we needed some local material to find out about this place and it's displays....

We left the plane and continued on with our day's activities, but later that night, we came back and I captured some very surreal beauty shots, returning this reality back to my dreams....