Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

Northern Vignettes


Arctic Harpoons
Beechey Island
Crystal II
Deline/Fort Franklin
Fort Hope
Fox Moth
Kellet's Storehouse
Naujan
Old Fort Providence
Old Fort Reliance
Stone Church
Thule Village
Yellowknife
Fort Journal

The Fox Moth
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Wally Wolfe painting of Fox MothThe restoration of the Moth took place in St. Albert, Alberta. It took seven years at a cost of $100 000, but in 1985 the project was finally completed. Although it did not progress beyond a ground run, the aircraft was rebuilt to flying condition and was given the registration CF-BNI, which belonged to one of the Moths that had flown in the North.

Once reconstructed, no space could be found in the North to accommodate the Fox Moth and it was decided to send the aircraft to the Western Canada Aviation Museum in Winnipeg on temporary loan. It remained there from 1985 to 1987. Early in 1987 a group of aviation enthusiasts in Yellowknife, many of whom were connected with the Fox Moth project since its inception, banded together to form the Fox Moth Society. The aim of the society was to ensure that space was added to the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre to accommodate the Fox Moth. Many individuals and companies came forward, donating financial, human and material resources.

When the new gallery was complete, the Fox Moth was transported from Winnipeg on board a Canadian Armed Forces Hercules. The Moth was finally home! The Heritage Centre's Aviation Gallery was officially opened on 17 October 1987 in the presence of such notables as Max Ward and Stan McMillan, a fitting tribute to the early bush pilots and their crews.

Written by Wally Wolfe and published in "Arctic" Volume 42, Number 1 pp.82-84