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

The North Atlantic Aviation Museum opened its doors in 1996 and is dedicated to preserving and presenting stories and artifacts highlighting Gander’s role in the development of Trans Atlantic Aviation.

The exhibit, covering the time period from 1935 to 2001, provides a rich narrative of Gander’s short but fascinating history.
Learn about Gander’s role as an important strategic base during WWII, how the town earned the nickname “Crossroads of the World”, why Gander was known throughout the Eastern Bloc, and finally hear the story of Gander’s unexpected role, in the days following 9/11.

History Timeline
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.

THE VISION
THE EXPANSION

We are currently fundraising to expand our museum. We believe it is important to preserve the Hudson Bomber used in Ferry Command, and create a living 911 memorial. The expansion will also provide some much-needed community spaces, a café with glass walls overlooking Gander Lake, a theatre, and more.

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