In a significant move aimed at advancing the restoration endeavors of the Bomber Command Museum of Canada’s ambitious “Halifax Project,” the Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum at Hendon has undertaken a monumental gesture by generously donating a right-hand outer wing panel sourced from a Handley Page Hastings.
The roots of this invaluable contribution trace back to the Handley Page Hastings C.1A TG568, which had been held in storage at the RAF Museum (Midlands) in Cosford since its decommissioning in 1974. The airframe’s final chapter unfolded at RAE Bedford, where it was meticulously dismantled. A noteworthy aspect of this donation is that the wing panel, crafted by the same manufacturer, closely emulates a Halifax outer wing panel, with the only discernible difference lying in the aileron attachment points.
Expressing unwavering enthusiasm for this collaborative initiative, a spokesperson from the RAF Museum remarked, “This marks a substantial stride forward in the restoration efforts of our Canadian friends who are diligently working to repair and restore a Halifax.”
As of now, the donated wing resides in secure storage in North Yorkshire, patiently awaiting the construction of a tailor-made cradle that will guarantee its safe transit to Canada. Adding to the anticipation of this journey is another wing panel recently acquired by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) C-17, set to join the donated wing in early 2024. Following their arrival on Canadian soil at RCAF TRENTON, the wings are poised for a 250-kilometer road journey, culminating at the Halifax Project’s dedicated workshop in Arnprior, near Ottawa.
The heartfelt gratitude of the Bomber Command Museum of Canada (BCMC) team extends to Harry Raffal, Head of Collections at the RAF Museum, and his dedicated team for their generous donation and unwavering support. This collaborative and altruistic initiative not only serves the crucial purpose of preserving invaluable historical aviation artifacts but also nurtures a strengthened bond among aviation museums on a global scale.
