Speaker's Panel

Speaker's Panel

Interested in learning about our museum or Canada’s aviation history? Our enthusiastic team of volunteer speakers are available to deliver group presentations to community and business organizations, historical societies, and service clubs.

Presentations are available in person or via Zoom. While there is no set fee for these live presentations, groups are encouraged to make a donation to support the museum.

For additional information or to book a presentation, contact Toni McFarlane, Volunteer Services Administrator, at tmcfarlane@warplane.com or 905-679-4183 ext. 247.

Topics

A history of the Canadian Warplane Heritage, its amazing aircraft, and why it is "Canada’s Flying Museum”.
An icon of World War II, explore what made the Lancaster heavy bomber so special, including a brief history of CWH's operational Lancaster FM213.
In 1943, only 18% of Canadian bomber crews would survive their first 30 missions. Discover why flying in a Lancaster was so dangerous, physically demanding, uncomfortable, and emotionally stressful.
May 16, 1943: Operation Chastise was one of the most iconic RAF Bomber Command missions of WWII. Learn how Sir Barnes Wallis developed the bouncing bomb that destroyed the hydroelectric dams, and the contribution Canadian aircrew made during the mission.
The story from training to operations of a Halifax heavy bomber pilot whose role was to drop supplies and spies. Flying out of RAF Brindisi (Italy) alone at night to the resistance fighters of the Balkans and Poland during the spring and summer of 1944.
In the 1950s, Avro Canada developed a jet interceptor that was capable of flying higher and faster than any other contemporary aircraft. Five planes were built and test flown. On February 20, 1959, the project was abruptly cancelled. Existing aircraft along with jigs, tooling, and blueprints were all destroyed by order of the Canadian Government. Why?
Alone against the might of Nazi Germany and outnumbered four to one against an experienced and well equipped foe, why and how did the RAF prevail in the summer of 1940?
During WWII, the Guinea Pig Club treated the physical and psychological injuries sustained by severely burned aircrew. This unique approach was instrumental in helping some badly disfigured aircrew return to operations and others reintegrate back into society.
Canada trained over 100,000 aircrew during WWII in over a 100 airports scattered across the country. This training program played a critical role in the outcome of WWII. The presentation also highlights training facilities in Southern Ontario.
A history and Canada’s participation since the Boer War.
June 12, 1944: A Canadian’s heroic effort to free his Canadian friend - trapped in the rear turret of a doomed Lancaster heavy bomber - set to crash on a night mission over France.
June 24, 1944: A Canadian pilot, his Canadian crew, and their tragic last mission in search of German U boats in the North Atlantic off the coast of Scotland.
How did the pioneers cross oceans? How did WWII bombers find their targets? How did early airlines safely cross the globe? Find answers in the world before GPS.
During WWII, Germany had two uncrackable coding machines used by the Army, Air Force, and Navy. How did they work and how did the Bletchley Park cryptanalysts solve their secrets and develop intelligent machines to read the German codes.
Join the speaker in a journey across 50 years and three continents. Discover how the development of air cargo shaped the modern world economy.
The speaker’s experience flying in Africa (1974-2015) and his many experiences with multiple planes.
A de Havilland test pilot’s challenging solo flight from Tokyo to Canada.

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