Exhibit featuring original, First World
War-era Curtiss Canuck biplane propeller commemorated in
April 2024 to celebrate Billy Bishop
Toronto City Airport 85th anniversary and RCAF
centennial
TORONTO, April 25,
2024 /CNW/ - Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport,
in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Military Institute (RCMI)
and RCAF Foundation (RCAF), unveiled a new, permanent exhibit in
the airport's mainland pavilion in commemoration of the RCAF
centennial and 85th anniversary of the airport.
The exhibit features an original First World War-era Curtiss
JN-4 Canuck biplane propeller and a collection of nine original
pilot's wings badges, representing the evolution of badges worn by
Canadian aviators from 1912-present and including the rare Royal
Flying Corps (RFC) and Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) wings of the
First World War.
The "Canuck", manufactured by Canadian Aeroplanes Ltd. of
Toronto was the Canadian variant
of the Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny", an American/British design. The Canuck
was widely used in training by Canadian pilots during the First
World War.
Part of the collection of the RCMI museum, these artifacts are
now on permanent display at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, next
to the airport's cast bronze statues of First World War flying aces
and Victoria Cross recipients
William Barker and William Avery "Billy" Bishop – the airport's
namesake.
Established in 1939, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has
operated on the Toronto waterfront
for 85 years and has strong ties to Canadian military and aviation
history. In its early years, from 1939 to 1943, Billy Bishop
Toronto City Airport served as a training ground for both the Royal
Canadian and Royal Norwegian Air Forces, with neighbouring Little
Norway Park named in honour of the Norwegian community that settled
around the airport in 1940.
To learn more about the history of Billy Bishop Toronto City
Airport, please view a video of the airport's journey over the past
85 years, or visit BillyBishopAirport.com to view a timeline
featuring archival photos from the PortsToronto collection dating
back to the 1920s and 1930s. Follow along as we celebrate our
85th anniversary this year, and connect with us on
social media at @BBishopAirport or with the hashtag #YTZ85.
Quotes
"Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport's iconic location on the
Toronto waterfront was selected in
the 1920s by a City-appointed committee led by First World War
flying ace, Victoria Cross
recipient, and our namesake, William Avery
"Billy" Bishop. The airport went on to play an important
role in the war effort serving as a training base for Royal
Canadian and Royal Norwegian Air Force pilots."
"Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport's connection to military and
aviation history in Canada runs
deep, and we are honoured that the Royal Canadian Military
Institute recognized this in selecting our airport to host these
superb, original First World War-era pieces from their collection.
The exhibition unveiled today is a fitting tribute to the Royal
Canadian Air Force's century of aviation excellence in Canada, and underscores Billy Bishop Toronto
City Airport's important role in the past, present and future of
aviation in this country."
- RJ
Steenstra, President and CEO, PortsToronto, owner and operator of
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
"The story of the Royal Canadian Air Force is one of courage and
sacrifice that has shaped our nation's military history and
heritage. As we celebrate 100 years of the Royal Canadian Air
Force, it is an honour to be able to unveil this exhibit to
commemorate the historical connection the Royal Canadian Air Force
has with the Greater Toronto Area
which encompasses the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Together,
we celebrate our centennial, honour our veterans, and recognize
today's air force personnel, whose dedication and professionalism
keep our skies safe."
-
Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny,
Commander, Royal Canadian Air Force
"As the exhibition's curator, I am proud to help commemorate the
RCAF's centennial with PortsToronto through this striking new
permanent gallery. The carefully curated and original artifacts
within have captured the power and character of Canada's storied military aviation history.
This important exhibit will endure as a testament to the many
Canadian air force personnel who have served, and continue to
serve, with great courage and distinction – their history and
impact will continue to matter."
-
Ryan Goldsworthy, Museums Manager,
City of Toronto (Former Museum
Director & Curator of RCMI)
"Today's unveiling serves both as a testament to how the long
histories of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Billy Bishop Toronto
City Airport are intertwined, and as a reminder that as we move
into the future, the past should continue to inform our path
forward. The history of the airport, the RCAF, and Toronto is all around us if we take the time
to look—from Little Norway Park near the airport and the Daniels
Building, formerly Spadina Military Hospital, to 'Shrapnel Corners'
at Yonge and College, or the early air shows at the CNE where
Amelia Earhart developed her love of
aviation.
"I encourage everyone to take today's unveiling as not only an
opportunity to learn about the Curtiss JN-4 and its role in
Canada's military history, but
also as a jumping off point to learn more about the rich history of
the Royal Canadian Air Force, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport,
and Toronto."
-
Neil Pakey, President and CEO,
Nieuport Aviation, owner and operator of the passenger terminal at
Billy Bishop Toronto City
Airport
"The RCAF Foundation's mission is to take a past, present, and
future look at the Royal Canadian Air Force, aviation, and
aerospace in Canada. We aim to
share stories of the 100 years of the RCAF, while supporting the
next generation of Canadians who plan to enter the sector, and make
an important impact in their community and around the
world. The exhibit unveiled today at Billy Bishop Toronto City
Airport is a perfect example of the RCAF's legacy in Canadian
aerospace and we were proud to see it shared with the airport's
passengers and community."
-
Jeremy Diamond, CEO, RCAF
Foundation
About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
Offering
service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S., with connection
opportunities to more than 100 international destinations via our
airlines' networks, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is an
important international gateway that will offer US Preclearance in
2025. The airport is a key driver to Toronto's economy, generating more than
$2.1 billion in total economic output
and supporting 4,450 jobs, including 2,080 directly associated with
the airport's operations. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has
served its community for 85 years from its iconic location on the
Toronto waterfront, where it
facilitates healthcare for Ontarians by providing a base for
medevac services connected to local hospitals. Billy Bishop Toronto
City Airport is committed to achieving its vision of cleaner,
greener and quieter operations, and is renowned for its unique
travel experience, efficiency, and customer service, having won a
host of passenger-driven and environmental achievement awards.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is owned and operated by
PortsToronto.
About the Royal Canadian Military Institute
The Royal
Canadian Military Institute (RCMI) of Toronto is an independent member-supported
organization which, promotes the study and discussion of military
history, defence, security and international affairs, along with
the operation of its museum, library and archives, for the benefit
of its members and the interested public, through the provision of
exceptional services within a unique collegial environment. The
RCMI maintains one of the finest and largest military history
collections in Canada.
About the Royal Canadian Air Force
The Royal Canadian
Air Force (RCAF) is a part of National Defence and the
Canadian Armed Forces. It defends and protects Canadian and North
American airspace in partnership with the
United States. The RCAF also contributes to international
peace and security.
About the RCAF Foundation
The RCAF Foundation works
closely with like-minded organizations to help them further their
goals in support of the important Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)
legacy, promote Canadian aviation and aerospace as a potential area
of study/career path, and develop innovative ways to engage youth
to learn about the RCAF. In 2021, the RCAF Foundation embarked on a
10-year horizon to build an enduring platform to fulfil our
perpetual mission and to preserve, promote and celebrate the RCAF
through community engagement, education programs and commemorative
activities. We have been using the 2024 RCAF Centennial as the
marquee event to create the ground floor substance for our mission,
the momentum for our ongoing community support, and the leadership
to sustain our efforts.
SOURCE Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport