August 23, 2026
With the first day of our Hercules weekend under our belt, and Sunday’s activities still underway, we want to thank the hundreds of people who have joined us at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada for a rare opportunity to step aboard an RCAF CC-130H Hercules and help celebrate an aircraft that has been part of Winnipeg’s skies for generations.
For decades, the Hercules has carried people and cargo, supported humanitarian and emergency operations, and flown missions across Canada and around the world. As the CC-130H approaches the end of its service with the RCAF, this weekend has given our community an opportunity to get up close, meet members of 435 Transport Squadron and recognize the people and aircraft behind that remarkable legacy.
Most importantly, we saw a lot of young visitors looking up at a very big airplane with very big smiles. Inspiration can begin with our youngest visitors, but it can lead somewhere much bigger. As a museum, one of the most important things we can do is help inspire future aviators to chart the course forward.
Thank you to everyone who joined us, and especially to the members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, 17 Wing and 435 Transport Squadron who made this extraordinary experience possible.
CityNews Winnipeg joined us Saturday to capture the story. Their article is shared below, along with the video.
Hundreds of Winnipeggers lined up this weekend for a chance to see one of Canada’s most recognizable military aircraft up close as the Royal Canadian Air Force’s CC-130 Hercules aircraft prepare to retire this fall.
The two-day event, a collaboration between the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, gave members of the public a chance to step aboard the aircraft and learn more about its decades of service.
“I was really excited to come. And when I first saw the plane I thought it was gonna be way smaller. Like way smaller,” said one young visitor.
The Hercules has been a familiar sight over Winnipeg for many years and has been used for a wide range of missions, from transporting cargo and personnel to supporting humanitarian operations.
Major Thom Doelman, a pilot and operations manager with 435 Transport Squadron, said the response from the public has been overwhelming.
“The appreciation is very much welcomed, it’s heartfelt. The support has been overwhelming,” said Doelman.
The event also offered aviation enthusiasts an opportunity to get a closer look at an aircraft that has played a significant role in Canada’s military history.
“I just love airplanes. I just wanted to see the Hurc. It’s one of the more unique-looking aircraft. I know it’s much older than I am,” said one visitor.
The Hercules on display at the museum has also been used in recent emergency-response operations, including during last year’s wildfires in northern Manitoba.
“This became an opportunity for us to connect with the community as many people here know this aircraft has been in the skies over Winnipeg for many many years,” said Doelman.
Families were among those waiting to board the aircraft, with many children getting their first close-up look inside a military plane.
“I see kids here stepping on to the aircraft with the same wow and amazement in their eyes as I had in mine. It could be that this would lead to future Airforce aviators,” said Doelman.
For some of the young visitors, the experience was already inspiring dreams of becoming pilots.
“I am dreaming of getting a pilot license and to fly all over the place,” said one young visitor.
“We share an interest in airplanes. He loves airplanes,” said another visitor.
The Hercules display comes as the iconic aircraft approaches the end of its service in Winnipeg, giving residents a chance to say goodbye while celebrating its long history in the community.
“I was really excited to come. And when I first saw the plane I thought it was gonna be way smaller. Like way smaller,” said another young visitor.
For the Royal Canadian Air Force, Doelman said events like this are about more than showcasing an aircraft, they can help inspire the next generation of aviators.
For the hundreds of people who turned out, it was also a chance to honour an aircraft that has been part of Winnipeg’s skies for generations.
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