North Atlantic Aviation Museum

Crossroads

of the World

The North Atlantic Aviation Museum celebrates Gander’s role as the “Crossroads of the World” in aviation history.

Safe Haven

9/11 Exhibit

Our museum is home to the Safe Haven exhibit, sharing the stories of Gander and surrounding towns during that week in 2001.

Explore

Exhibits

EXPLORE SOME OF THE NOTEWORTHY ATTRACTIONS AT THE MUSEUM

Hudson Bomber

Ferry Command

Safe Haven

History Timeline

1935

1938

1940

1946

1945

1958

1985

2001

Beginnings (1935)

The British Overseas Airway Corporation (BOAC) came to Newfoundland to find a suitable place for an airport. Their motivation was two-fold: Profit and Pitstops. They began construction at an abandoned sawmill at mile 213 of the Newfoundland Railway, and thus was the origin of the Newfoundland Airport.

First Landings (1938)

The First airplane lands at Gander, it’s a ski-equipped Fox Moth, call sign VO-ADE. The single engine bi-plane is operated by Imperial Airways for the Newfoundland Government and flown by Captain Douglas Fraser.

Commence Ferry Command (1940)

On November 10th, seven Hudson Bombers left Gander and headed East. No one had ever flown the North Atlantic this late in the year. Yet, 13 hours later, all seven bombers landed safely at Aldergrove, Northern Ireland. By the war’s end, nearly 10,000 aircraft had been ferried from Gander to Great Britain.

Heroism by Helicopter (1946)

September 18, 35 kms Southwest of Gander, a Douglas DC-4 owned by Belgian airline, Sabena, goes down in a dense area of wood. For the first time in Newfoundland history, helicopters were used, shipped in from the US, to facilitate carrying out 18 survivors of the 44 onboard.

Crossroads of the World (1945)

To make money, airlines needed to transport passengers, not fuel; and the early aircraft were bulky and fuel inefficient. By making an intermediate stop at Gander to refuel, commercial airlines increased their revenue, and every transatlantic flight had to stop here. Gander was nicknamed, “Crossroads of the World”.

Out with the Old (1958)

In the early 50’s, with safety of residents in mind, a town planning scheme was developed to construct a new townsite just west of the airport at what would become Gander’s current location. A planned community, completely built from scratch. The present municipality was incorporated in 1958

Arrow Air (1985)

December 12, a DC-8 with a crew of eight, carrying 248 peace-keeping U.S. military personnel home to the U.S from the Sinai Desert crashes upon take off leaving Gander, killing every person on board. This remains today the largest and most tragic aviation accident in Canadian history.

9/11 (2001)

On September 11, Canadian and U.S airspace is shut down in the immediate aftermath or the terrorist attacks in the United States. Over 200 flights are redirected to alternate airports in Canada with 42 of those flights rerouted to Gander airport.

Gallery

View Exhibits

TESTIMONIALS

SEE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD TO SAY BEFORE YOU VISIT

Admission

Though small this museum has an excellent timeline of history of aviation in the area. As Gander and it’s existence is so based on the airport this is truly the story of Gander and all that has come to be there with the airport. From the idea of air travel across the ocean up to 9/11 and Gander’s unique role, the museum gives a great look at how things there came to about and what the role of aviation was in it. A great stop in the area!

- Katherine H.

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the North Atlantic Aviation Museum. Gander has a unique and rich history with aviation and I learned a lot during our visit. There are interaction components, and lots of panels to help learn about various aspects of aviation in Gander. There is a piece of the World Trade Center and exhibit related to Ganders role during 9/11. We were here about 1 hour, and found it a worthwhile visit.

- Alyssa B.

This is a great stop for sure. It highlights the wonderful rich aviation history that the community of Gander has. Very interesting and absolutely worth a stop. I thought the PBY Catalina was one of the coolest items in their display, but the 9/11 tribute was also really interesting.

- James Paterson

As we have sent travellers here before, we felt it was important to see for ourselves. Worth visiting if you’re near Gander and especially a must see if you’re going to see Come From Away locally or have seen it previously. Very interesting history and curious to see how many iconic folks passed through Gander at one point.

- Prince Adventures