North Atlantic Aviation Museum

Learn all about Gander's strategic role in the world of aviation and its important role in World War II and beyond!"]Located on the Trans Canada Highway between the James Paton Memorial Hospital and the Gander Tourist Chalet, the North Atlantic Aviation Museum has a wonderful display of Gander's aviation heritage.

On the grounds outside, you'll find a number of vintage aircraft. Inside you can "stroll down memory lane" when you visit the photographic display. You'll also see many civilian and military artifacts.

Have you ever wanted to be a pilot? Well, here's your chance! Visit the cockpit of a real DC-3. Sit in the pilot's seat and let your imagination soar!

These are only a few of the interesting sights you'll see at the Aviation Museum.

Don't forget the gift shop! For the aviation buff, many unique treasures await you! Go ahead, browse around! We're sure you'll find the perfect souvenir!

Tel: 709-256-2923 Visit Website

9-11 Legacy

On September 11, 2001, Canadian and US airspace is shut down in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the United States. Over 200 flights are redirected to alternate airports in Canada with 42 of those flights rerouted to the Gander Airport."]Within hours 42 aircraft (38 commercial and 4 military) carrying just under 6,700 passengers and crew members, land at Gander. Suddenly and without warning, the town's population of less than 10,000 almost doubles as it's inundated with thousands of bewildered passengers from around the world - many with no idea where they are, what's going on or how long they'll be stranded.

With a history of welcoming transatlantic flights, and the welcoming spirit of Newfoundland, the town of Gander rolls out the welcome mat! Over the next few days, Gander and the surrounding communities open their doors and hearts to scores of unexpected guests known as "the plane people". Hundreds of local volunteers work tirelessly around the clock tending to every need of the passengers stranded in a strange place under the worst of circumstances.

Through countless acts of sacrifice and kindness, Gander turns a time of hopelessness into hopefulness.

If there's one legacy that we'll be known for, it's that there are still good people left in the world. Love and compassion will trump hatred and violence every time.

Mayor Claude Elliott

Consolidated Canso

Sold to Provincial Government in 1970 and used as a water bomber for approximately 20 years.

The Canso was manufactured by Consolidated Aircraft Company of San Diego, California with a crew capacity of 2-3 civilian or 7-9 military. It reaches a maximum speed of 179mph/288km/h with an initial climb of 10,000 ft/3048m in 19.3 minutes. The aircraft is powered by 2-1200 HP Pratt and Whitney Waspy r-1830-92. The aircraft arrived in Gander in the fall of 1958 with Eastern Provincial Airways and was then sold to Provincial Government in 1970 and used as a water bomber for approximately 20 years. This orange, green and white aircraft was donated by the Newfoundland Government and is now owned by the museum.

Lockheed Hudson Bomber

The Hudson Bomber was the first of thousands of aircraft to pass through Gander en route to Europe during World War II.

A familiar sight to the citizens of Gander, as it was on display for many years mounted on a pedestal near Washington Street. Manufactured by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation of Burbank, California , the Hudson can carry a crew of 2-4 pilots, 1 gunner and 1 navigator. It is powered by 2 Wright 1200hp r-1820-27 and reaches a maximum speed of 225mph/362km/h with an initial climb of 10,00ft/3048m in 6.3 minutes. Its main purpose was as a light bomber, troop transport and maritime reconnaissance. The Hudson was the first aircraft of American design to destroy an enemy aircraft during World War II.

McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo

This was an all-weather interceptor aircraft operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Forces between 1961 and 1984.

This impressive looking aircraft is owned by the museum, and was manufactured by Mcdonnell Aircraft Company of St. Louis, Missouri to carry a crew of two. It is powered by 2 Pratt and Whitney j57, 2 shaft turbo jets (maximum thrust of 16,000lb), and a maximum speed of 1200 mph/1963km/h (mach 1.85) with an initial climb of 17,000 ft per minute. Although they never fired a weapon in wartime, the CF-101 served as Canada's primary means of air defence from Quick Reaction Alert facilities at Canadian airbases. The CF-101s were retired in the 1980s and replaced with McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet fighters.

Beech 18

Continuously produced from 1937 to November 1969 (over 32 years, a world record at the time), over 9,000 were produced, making it one of the world's most widely used light aircraft.

The Beech 18 is on loan from the College of the North Atlantic, Gander Campus, where it is used as a teaching tool. This aircraft was manufactured by Beech Aircraft Corporation of Wichita, Kansas and is powered by 1-450hp r-985-an-1,-3. It reaches a maximum speed of 215mph/345km/h with an initial climb of 10,000ft/3048m in 8.6 minutes. During and after World War II, over 4,500 Beech 18s saw military service - as light transport, light bomber (for China), aircrew trainer (for bombing, navigation and gunnery), photo-reconnaisance, and "mother ship" for target drones. In the early postwar era, the Beech 18 was the pre-eminent "business aircraft" and "feeder airliner." Besides carrying passengers, its civilian uses have included aerial spraying, sterile insect release, fish seeding, dry ice cloud seeding, aerial firefighting, air mail delivery, ambulance service, numerous movie productions, skydiving, freight, weapon- and drug-smuggling, engine testbed, skywriting, banner towing, and stunt aircraft.