Winnipeg Air Force Park And Garden of Memories

Outdoor Air Force park showing airplanes and a Garden of Memories offering a tribute to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

On grounds along Air Force Way next to 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters and 17 Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, you’ll find a collection of 14 aircraft on display in an outdoor park.

Most of the aircraft in the Air Force Air Park are mounted on tall pillars so you look up at them. A few sit on concrete brick pads at ground level. Signage identifies the type of aircraft, its specifications, and the role it played.

CX-144 Challenger, manufactured by Canadair Limited, was the second Challenger prototype. This aircraft was used exclusively for testing purposes. Its first flight was on March 17, 1979.

F-86 Sabre MK VI, manufactured by Canadair Limited, was an interceptor and fighter bomber with a max speed for 698 mph at sea level. It served from August 1950 to November 1968 and had six 50-calibre machine guns.

CF-100 Canuck, manufactured by Avro Canada Limited, served from 1951 to 1981 in all-weather interceptor and electronic warfare roles.

The Garden of Memories is a tribute to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. On December 17, 1939, Australia, Canada, Great Britain, and New Zealand approved a plan in which aircrew required for the duration of World War II would be trained in Canada. Some 131,533 airmen graduated from various British Commonwealth Air Training schools across the country. There were over 100 schools in Canada. Manitoba had 12 major sites and 14 satellite air fields. The Garden of Memories is dedicated not only to the airmen who came to be trained, but also to the instructors and teachers, and to the civilian population who assisted in making the men feel welcome.

The Garden was started around 1996 and opened in 1999. It was completed around 2003. A memorial stone in the shape of the province of Manitoba sitting in the middle of a circular stoned area lists the Manitoba bases. Flags of the four countries fly just around the circular area.

Benches contain words reminding us of what the garden represents. Memory stones on the edges of the circular area remember the airmen.

You may not notice it unless you look closely, but the metal fence/gate leading into the garden contains Bren gun barrels. The Bren gun was a light machine gun made by Britain in the 1930s. Although it was used in various roles until 1992, it is best known for its role as the British and Commonwealth forces’ primary light machine gun during World War II.

17 Wing began as RCAF Station Winnipeg, which officially opened in April 1925 as one of the first Air Force Bases in Canada. During World War II, RCAF Station Winnipeg became a major part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The 402 “City of Winnipeg” Squadron has been based in Winnipeg since 1932. The Base is now one of the country’s largest.

17 Wing Ghost Squadron was formed to maintain the artifacts in Air Force and assist in preservation and restoration of historic aircraft. Volunteers work to restore and maintain aircraft.

There are benches located throughout Air Park. There are picnic tables along one side bordering a wooded area.

There is also an indoor museum at the site. The Air Force Museum, located inside the Billy Bishop Building, 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters, showcases rare artifacts, including the Battle of Britain lace tapestry. It is open Monday to Friday during the summer from 8 am to 4 pm by appointment.

Air Force Air Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week year-round. There is no admission charge.

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