Delve into the past and learn about Canadian military aviation history at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. Located in my hometown of Hamilton, Ontario right at Hamilton International Airport, the museum has as its mandate the goal of acquiring, documenting, preserving and maintaining a complete collection of aircraft that were flown by Canadians and the Canadian military services from the beginning of World War II to the present. This collection also includes other related aviation artifacts and memorabilia of historic importance to this time period, such as air plane models, helmets and other gear.

Within the museum you can roam through a gallery containing other various memorabilia, scene replicas and displays. This is an excellent place for students who need to research more about D-Day, the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, or the Ninety-Nines. Or step into the Rolls-Royce Theatre and watch James Cagney in "Captains of the Clouds." In technicolor, of course.

Next, you can make your way into the airplane hangar where you will find a myriad of historic aircraft. The word 'impressive' seems inadequate to describe the sight. We're talking Beechcraft Musketeers, Boeing Stearmans, Westland Lysanders and Avro Lancasters.

There are select aircraft that you can actually board by climbing into the cockpit. This was a really neat experience for the kids.

Along the way, the kids can pose behind some fun photo stands. This picture was my favourite one of all.