The Botwood Flying Boat Museum, located in Botwood, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, showcases the town’s rich aviation heritage from 1920 to 1945. Operated by the Botwood Heritage Society since 1989, the museum is situated on the site of a former Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) seaplane base.
Botwood Flying Boat Museum
15 Airbase Place
Botwood
New Foundland and Labrador A0H 1E0
+1 709-257-4612
Mid June – end of September
Daily 10:00 – 20:00
or by appointment
Admission
The museums are located on Airbase Road in Botwood, just 10 minutes off the Trans-Canada Highway on Route 350.
Aircraft collection
| 81960 | Vickers OA-10A Catalina |
Displays of early aviation 1919-1945, Flying Boats of PanAm & BOAC, Flight simulators.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Botwood served as a crucial refueling base for transatlantic flying boats, including Pan American Airways‘ Boeing 314 Clippers and British Overseas Airways Corporation’s (BOAC) aircraft. These flying boats connected North America and Europe, with Botwood being a key stopover between New York and Foynes, Ireland.
The Botwood Flying Boat Museum features exhibits and models that depict this significant period in aviation history. Visitors can explore story panels, view artifacts, and engage with two flight simulators that allow them to experience flying seaplanes and helicopters. Additionally, the museum houses the Ev Elliott Archives, which contain valuable historical documents and photographs.
Adjacent to the Flying Boat Museum is the Botwood Heritage Centre, located in a former Pan American Airways terminal built in 1936. This center delves into local history, including the town’s logging industry, military presence during World War II, and its role as a seaport. The Heritage Centre also features displays on the Beothuk people, antique snowmobiles, and a collection of long guns.
For those interested in visiting, the museums are typically open from late June to early September. It’s advisable to contact them directly for current operating hours and admission rates.