Borden Air Museum

Hangar 11

Hangar 11, which is now home to the Air Force Annex of the Base Borden MilitaryMuseum (BBMM), is one of 15 "temporary" aircraft hangars that were erected for the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in 1917, "strictly as a war measure". Today, Hangar 11 and seven other "temporary" RFC hangars still stand as the centrepiece of Borden's proud military aviation heritage.

The hangar's original structure consists of lattice bow trusses supported on timber posts, and reinforced with diagonal timber braces. It measures 66 by 120 feet, small by today's standards, but sufficient to house ten Curtiss JN-4 trainer aircraft which were in use at the time. The Borden hangars were the first purpose-built military aircraft hangars erected in Canada. Similar hangars were later built at other RFC Canada sites in Ontario, such as Deseronto and Beamsville.

Hangar 11

Over the years, Hangar 11 was used by the Royal Flying Corps - Canada (1917), the Royal Air Force - Canada (1918), the Canadian Air Force (1919-1923), the Royal Canadian Air Force (1924-1967) and by the Air element of the Canadian Forces since 1968. The historical importance of Hangar 11 and the other remaining Borden hangars was confirmed in1987 when the Federal Heritage Building Review Office classified them as Federal Heritage Buildings.

In the early 1990's, Hangar 11 underwent major repairs to ensure its survival. With a new floor and a new roof reinforced with steel beams, the hangar was officially opened to public in 1995 as the Air Force Annex of the Base Museum. In 1999, safety features such as sprinkler systems were added to safeguard both the building and its collection of artefacts.

The Air Force Annex is located on the south side of CFB Borden, on Hangar
Road near its junction to Lundy Lane. The building is open to public Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 to 4 PM. Special tours may be arranged by contacting Museum personnel at 424-1200 local 3531. Admission is free.