Canadian War Museum Ottawa, Ontario October 2026

The Canadian War Museum in Ottawa is Canada's national museum of military history, tracing the country's military heritage from the earliest conflicts to the present day. Its extensive collection includes uniforms, weapons, vehicles, aircraft and other artefacts, supported by exhibitions that explore Canada's involvement in conflicts around the world. My biggest problem with this concrete bunker of a museum was how dark it was inside, made worse by the fact that tripods were not allowed. Some of the aircraft were even tucked away in the ceilings, making them difficult to photograph. Worst of all, the museum's layout is a confusing maze of one-way walkways. I found it incredibly frustrating trying to locate some of the aircraft and, eventually, find my way back out into daylight. In the end, I actually needed help from two members of staff.

Left to right: McDonnell CF-101F Voodoo (101002) ex 425 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force. Built by the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation and delivered to Canada, it served with 410 Squadron and 425 All-Weather Fighter Squadron at CFB Bagotville, Quebec. In 1972, it flew with the 425 Squadron demonstration team, the Alouette Reds. Retired from flying operations, the aircraft was converted into Instructional Airframe from May 1987.

Left to right: Northrop CF-5A Freedom Fighter (116702) Royal Canadian Air Force. It was used as a test aircraft and flown by units like the Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment (AETE) at locations such as Cold Lake and Churchill. Supermarine Spitfire IIb (P8332 'ZD-L'). Taken on strength by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on May 7, 1942, after serving with the Royal Air Force by No.1 Training Command in Mountain View, Ontario, and featured in War Bond drives, including a display at Old City Hall in Toronto. Sopwith 7F.1 Snipe (E8102). On October 27, 1918, Canadian Major William G. Barker flew this Sopwith Camel, E8102, over the Forêt de Mormal in France, where he engaged a large formation of German aircraft alone. In one of the most remarkable aerial combats of World War One, Barker fought off the enemy force despite being heavily outnumbered, earning the Victoria Cross (VC) along with other decorations. E8102 had been brought to the front for Barker's personal evaluation at the end of a two-week posting. While returning to the UK, he was drawn into the combat that made both pilot and aircraft famous, making E8102 a unique one-off combat veteran. It is just a fuselage and is contained in a glass case.