Story and photos by John Chalmers
On Tuesday, June 9, the Alberta Aviation Museum held its first-ever fundraiser luncheon. The sellout attendance saw famed aviator, Edmonton-born Max Ward (1921-2020), remembered and honoured at the event. Starting his long and colourful career in aviation as an RCAF pilot in 1940, he then served as an air force flying instructor at Canadian bases until 1945.
Post-war, Max began work as a bush pilot flying in northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories. In 1952 he formed Wardair, based in Edmonton, which was ultimately flying aircraft as large as Boeing 747s. Operating until merging into Canadian Airlines in 1990, Wardair earned a fine reputation for flights, on-board meals and passenger service.
Tickets for the luncheon were created in the form of a Wardair flight ticket and guests were welcomed by mannikins in the uniforms of a purser and a flight attendant at the Chateau Louis convention centre where guests received a three-course meal served with red or white wine, just as were passengers on Wardair flights.
Highlight of the luncheon was an original monologue scripted and performed by well-known Edmonton playwright and actor, Kenneth Brown, Speaking in the persona of Max Ward himself, Ken Brown as Max recounted a varied career in flying several types of aircraft such as a de Havilland Fox Moth, Otter and Beaver before moving into the area of jet-powered charter flights and scheduled service in five provinces, as well as to destinations in the U.S, Europe and Mexico.
“Max” described financial difficulties faced in the aviation industry, growth of his airline, and survival of two crashes. A mid-air collision while flying an Anson with the RCAF took the life of the two airmen in the other aircraft, and writing off a Beaver in a winter mishap in the NWT were two narrow escapes for Max.
The planning committee was headed up by former RCAF pilots. Col (Ret.) Brent Abbott, at left below, was chairman. LCol (Ret.) Laurie Hawn, a former Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre, served as M.C. at the event. Generous sponsorship by several organizations as well as ticket purchases contributed to success of the luncheon.
Funds raised by the event will be put to immediate good use on the wartime hangar that is home to the museum. Executive director Jean Lauzon, says “Most museums run as operationally lean as possible, and ours is no different. All funds raised will go towards immediate needs that include painting the outside of the hangar and rehabilitative work and repairs on the Warren Truss system of the hangar.”
“The museum has successfully run a number of events which reinforced the community outreach and emphasized the role of the museum as a focal point for the community, but had not held a dedicated fundraiser and sponsorship provided bonus funding,” says Brent Abbott. “The event demonstrated that we can raise significant funds through dedicated fundraiser events. What we do as a follow-up is going to be a challenge!”
Among the door prizes was a copy of A Tradition of Excellence: Canada’s Airshow Team Heritage by LCol (Ret.) Dan Dempsey, who was in attendance. Lucky winner of the authoritative book was Capt (Ret.) Erwin Loewen (right). As founder of the Snowbirds Alumni Association in 2013, now serving as secretary and past president, Dempsey is involved with efforts to keep the Snowbirds flying and not end their service as presently planned upon conclusion of the 2026 performance season.
Housed in Canada’s last operating double-wide double-long hangar of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, the museum is home to over 30 aircraft. One is a rare twin-engined Barkley-Grow T8P-1. It is a type flown by Max Ward as he was building his company to provide passenger and freight service. Only 11 were built, seven of them came to Canada, and only three survive, all at museums in Alberta – Edmonton, Wetaskiwin and Calgary.
The event was rewarding in raising over $40,000 while intangible results came in the form of praise and many positive comments, both verbally and in the survey questionnaire provided with donation cards at each place setting. Volunteer support is vital to Canadian aviation museums, with fundraising always a necessity!
The luncheon on June 9 helps to herald the beginning of a new era for the Alberta Aviation Museum. After more than 30 years in a wartime hangar owned by the City of Edmonton, the hangar will be sold soon to the museum. The museum will then have full responsibility for managing and operating what once was known as Hangar 14 of the BCATP bases in Edmonton, the home of one of Canada’s biggest aviation museums.