BCAM and DRE

If any aviation museum in the world can claim a theme related to the Norseman the title goes to the British Columbia Aviation Museum at the southeast part of Victoria International Airport – CYYJ.

For starters the museum restored and flew their own Norseman after completion in August of 2003.  Flight insurance costs now keep the aircraft on static display although it could fly again one day.  Delivered to the United States Army Air Force (USAAF) in June 1944, serial 538 designated as a UC-64A used major components in the restoration process from another Mk VI, serial 131 and thus has its current Canadian civil registration CF-DRE.

DRE is also featured in the museum’s logo and a huge example adorns the building as visitors access the site via Norseman Rd!  It is painted in Royal Canadian Air Force colours of 2480/AG-R, a Mk IV that was stationed at Patricia Bay (now CYYJ) during the later part of World War II.

The official newsletter of the museum is called The Norseman News and a significant collection of aviation art can be viewed in the Norseman Room.  If you are travelling through CYYJ and have a few hours, take a stroll along the paved airport perimeter pathway and check out this museum that made the Norseman a centrepiece!