INFORMATION SESSIONS ON THE DE HAVILLAND MOSQUITO AND HAWKER HURRICANE.

The City has custody of the aircrafts – a de Havilland Mosquito and a Hawker Hurricane, but neither is in any condition to be displayed at the Aero Space Museum of Calgary. Restoration could cost in the millions of dollars.

The de Havilland Mosquito (P.R. Mk. 35 Serial #RS700 CF-HMS) was built in the UK in 1946. It never saw action in WW II, but was converted by the Royal Air Force from bomber to photo-reconnaissance service for 8 years. Along with 9 others, the Mosquito was sold to Spartan Air Services of Ottawa in 1956 where it saw commercial service as a photo-mapping aircraft primarily in Canada’s north. Logs for this aircraft show last active use in 1960.

The Mosquito was donated to The City of Calgary in 1972 and, except for a failed attempt at restoration between 1989 – 1992, it has been in City storage in pieces for the past 36 years.

The Hawker Hurricane (Mk XII Serial # 5389 FN*M) was built in Thunder Bay, Ontario in 1942. Initially assigned to No. 4 Training Command at Calgary, Alberta, it was then assigned to No. 133 (Fighter) Squadron at Lethbridge, Alberta. On October 26, 1942 the aircraft was relocated to RCAF Station Boundary Bay, British Colombia where it flew Home Defense missions for Western Air Command. On August 20, 1946 the aircraft was retired from RCAF service.

Little is known of its subsequent history until it was found in Saskatchewan and brought to Calgary to be a part of the "Air Museum of Canada" in the early 1960s. It subsequently became the property of the City of Calgary in the 1970s and has been in storage in pieces since then.

The city will host two public information sessions at the Aero Space Museum of Calgary (4629 McCall Way NE) on January 6th and January 7th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Members of the public will be able to learn about the aircrafts and the options open to The City regarding these aircrafts. Citizens will be asked to express their opinions on the various options and those will form the basis of a recommendation to Council later in the year.