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Aviation Cultures Conference

@avculturesconf.bsky.social
1.1K followers 511 following 196 posts

A place where researchers and practitioners come together to share their knowledge and ideas of flight, and its place in history and society. Posts by @tashheap.bsky.social and @jdkightly.bsky.social aviationcultures.org

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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
It was great to have @authorkim.bsky.social join out second panel session, and I, for one, am excited to see the book come out soon! Don't miss it. -JDK
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
MANY helped @avculturesconf.bsky.social, but we must mention Geoff Wong in Western Australia and Brett @airminded.org in Vic, Aus, who stuck with us for online backup throughout their nights! Thanks gents. - JDK.
Geoff Wing in his Boomerang Tee.The mysterious Avatar that is Airminded.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
We're on holiday! @avculturesconf.bsky.social team are on a well-earned break after the hard work of the Mk VIII Conference in Kelowna, Canada in partnership with the CAHS and KF Centre for Excellence teams. We'll be picking up late July, with follow ups, highlights and maybe new ideas. Stay tuned!
James filming Andy, the KF Centre for Excellence piper and DH Mosquito speaker, before the Mosquito engine run on day 1. Photo by Phil Vabre.Quick selfie by James from 'Kelowna Mission Control' managing the online connectivity and in-room sound and vision for the participants around the world. We had three panel sessions. The last, was where we succeeded in a blended in-person (two speakers and moderator Phil) with two online speakers (on screen, plus in-room camera monitor) and questions online and in person. A huge challenge, successfully brought off. Go, us!The in-person AvCultures team in front of the remarkably-storied DC-3 of the KF Centre for Excellence. Edward, Jeanine of the KF Centre, our terrific facilitator, Phil and James. (The online AvCultures team of Brett and Geoff in Aus were also VITAL.) Photo by John Weatherseed.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
The first @avculturesconf.bsky.social Mk VIII Conference Panel Session went off at the end of Day 1: ‘Aviation Museums: selecting what stories to tell’. It was a storming success, with a rapt audience and some great questions, well answered!
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Are you ready to ROAR?!
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
We're about off! @avculturesconf.bsky.social & CAHS Convention is GO! How do you get a bunch of aviation enthusiasts away from the book sale? VERY hard! But our first speakers will grab your attention. PS. Mozzie. You CAN still come along online, see the link: aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Tech tech, Check Check! Getting going at @avculturesconf.bsky.social
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
But the appreciation from this end is huge! Thank you. - James
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Not every day you get 3 Aviation Presidents in one place! 2 with the same acronym! Gary, President of Canadian Aviation Historical Society(CAHS) in green; Phil, centre, President of Civil Aviation Historical Society, Essendon, Vic, Australia (CAHS!) and James, @avculturesconf.bsky.social President!
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
We’re here! @avculturesconf.bsky.social MkVIII team are, for the first time, in the SAME place, ready for the combined CAHS AvCultures event. And what better place to be than with the Mozzie at the KF Centre for Excellence? Which will be engine running tomorrow! aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
Three men, Edward Soye, Phil Vabre and James Kightly, in front of a Mosquito aircraft ~ selfie.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
A WHAT event? Apart from an @avculturesconf.bsky.social and CAHS event at the KF Centre for Excellence, what kind of event does Phil like? Stay to the end of the video to find out. Boy, he cracks me up sometimes! - James vimeo.com/1198957732?f...
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AvCultures Physical Event
This is "AvCultures Physical Event" by Aviation Cultures on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
3/3 And Keith Webb, our amazing filmmaker who's given us all those most amusing short films. Amazing? You should see what material (and 'anti-talent') from @avculturesconf.bsky.social he started with! They won't be in Kelowna, but they, and you, can dial in! aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
2/3. Next up @stevenpam.bsky.social , who's expertise in event filming and audio has (we hope) steered us onto safe ground for an immersive experience at the event for all. Steven's seen here with the @avculturesconf.bsky.social usual two, at the Airways Museums on one of our 'dry run' preps...
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
The @avculturesconf.bsky.social Mk VIII team is small but mighty! As well as those attending in person, we'd like to shout thanks to Geoff, online support from Western Australia, the man for CAC Boomerangs; here with Phil. in tactical camo (Hawai'in shirt) and James, with the Moorabbin Beau. 1/3
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Warbirds Worldwide - Journal of the Warbird Industry @warbirdsworldwide.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
This Mosquito, a rare late production example, is a true warbird. Join us and see it in action on 18 June, in Kelowna, Canada! (You can come online, too. Tickets via the @avculturesconf.bsky.social website.)
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Wow! The KF Centre for Excellence will be running their Mosquito's engines in @avculturesconf.bsky.social Mk VIII Conference/CAHS Convention on 18 June 2026 (weather & serviceability allowing). Join us, in person, or, worldwide access, online! Event tickets at website. vimeo.com/1199326299?f...
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Mosquito run up
This is "Mosquito run up" by Aviation Cultures on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Getting REEL close (geddit?). @avculturesconf.bsky.social Mk VIII is on: 17-20 June in Kelowna, BC, Canada. Even if you can't join us in person, you can still register online. We'd love to see you! Why join us? Some reasons here. And a fake air traffic controller. Ha! vimeo.com/1198957731?s...
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Airways Museum to Canada: Make it a Small World!
Aviation Cultures President James Kightly gives a quick briefing on why you should attend the forthcoming conference in Kelowna, Canada. Event partners are the KF Centre for Excellence and the Canadia...
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Fancy a view of the driver's seat? These will be accessible at the forthcoming @avculturesconf.bsky.social at the KF Centre for Excellence, June 17-20, tickets via our website! The KF Centre staff and volunteers will be facilitating our access. Don't miss it! aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
KF Centre for Excellence Image, featuring eight volunteers in front of different aircraft. Their text: "KF Centre for Excellence tour guides don’t just share history - they’ve lived it, or grown up alongside it. Pilots, engineers, and family members of those who served… each unique volunteer brings a personal connection that makes every tour special. 

Thank you for sharing your time, your knowledge, and your stories so generously with every guest who walks through our doors."Cockpit of the Hawker Tempest from above. James Kightly Photo.Cockpit of the de Havilland Mosquito. James Kightly Photo.Cockpit of the historic KF Centre Douglas DC-3. James Kightly Photo.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Which KF Centre for Excellence aircraft would you like to hear more about? Mosquito? Starfighter? Tempest? Sabre? What do you want to know? All are up for details from staff and volunteers at @avculturesconf.bsky.social Mk VIII this 18-20 June. Join us, you can ask the questions...
Photo of a smiling man in front of an aircraft. KF Centre for Excellence image & test: "Say hello to Luke Staber! Since 2005, Luke has been part of the KF family — and this summer he joined the KF Centre for Excellence as our Senior Mechanic AME. You’ll often spot him working on the Starfighter or the Sabre.

Luke brings nearly two decades of expertise, a calm and friendly attitude, and a true love of aviation to our team. We’re so glad to have him at the Centre!"Photo of the Mosquito. Via KF CFE.Photo of the Tempest. Via KF CFE.Photo of the Starfighter by James Kightly.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Well you can discuss it with Bob Garry, CFE Volunteer, and Luke Staber, CFE aircraft maintenance engineer, when they do the CF-104 'Meet the Aircraft' sessions at the @avculturesconf.bsky.social Conference in a couple of weeks! But seriously, the pros and cons of both types are, actually, complex.
Photo of the Centre for Excellence's CF-104 two seater on display. Photo by James Kightly.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
You've got Sabre jet fighters. What are you going to replace them with? Australia went French (seen here). Canada went Starfighter, Join us at @avculturesconf.bsky.social Mk VIII Conference 17-20 June to see an F-104 and find out more! vimeo.com/1194693093
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Moorabbin Mirage
This is "Moorabbin Mirage" by Aviation Cultures on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Today's the 84th Anniversary of the first flight of the CAC CA-12 Boomerang on 29th May 1942. From an earlier @avculturesconf.bsky.social Conference, here's our 5 min video 'Boomerang Story'. Join us at AvCultures Mk VIII, in person in Canada, or online, for more great stories! vimeo.com/517474962
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Boomerang Story
Picking up several themes of the Aviation Cultures Conference, this five minute video looks at some unique aspects of the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Boomerang story, with authoritative, first h...
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
More feedback from Mk V Conference in 2021: "Wonderful stuff! Thanks again everyone and looking forward to sifting through the papers and recordings. Have learnt so much." And: "...This conference has me excited about my PhD again!" So don't miss Mk VIII: fly in, or online! aviationcultures.org
Period photo of a car going through a gate, above which it says 'Fly In Drive In Theatre'.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Our reel talking about the Sabre type, reflecting the RAAF's CAC (Avon) Sabre vs the Canadair example, illustrated with the Sabre at Moorabbin Air Museum and the former flying example A94-983. vimeo.com/1194693094?f...
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CAC Sabre, Moorabbin & Flying
A Reel talking about the Sabre type, reflecting the RAAF's CAC (Avon) sabre vs the Canadair example, illustrated with the Sabre at Moorabbin Air Museum and the former flying example A94-983.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Museum attendee feedback on Mk V: "a fabulous opportunity to come together with fellow aviation/heritage professionals in a very accessible way. ... I particularly loved the ability to be able to live comment and chat with other participants, which made it feel more inclusive and less isolating."
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Now counting down... Time to check out the intriguing papers, amazing presenters, and get your tickets to join us in person (or online!) at the fantastic Aviation Cultures Mk VIII Conference, 17-20 June! Here's the FULL programme, with all timings and events: aviationcultures.org/wp-content/u...
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
2/2 Come, join us in Kelowna, Canada in mid June, in person or online and see their Chipmunk in the Aviation Cultures Mk VIII Conference and CAHS Convention. aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
aviationcultures.org
Aviation Cultures Mk.VIII – Aviation Cultures
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Our friends at the KF Centre for Excellence are celebrating the first flight of the DHC Chipmunk a couple of days ago, so here’s a quick antipodian mention, including a VERY early example, still flying in Australia. 1/2 vimeo.com/1186608842?f...
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AvCultures at the Antiquers Corowa
An introduction to Aviation Cultures Conference Mk.VIII filmed by Aviation Cultures President James Kightly at the Antique Aeroplane Association of Australia's annual fly-in at Corowa, NSW, Australia.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Bristol Stories: Australia to Canada. A look at the rare Bristol Beaufighter at the Moorabbin Air Museum, and considering the divergent paths of the Australian and Canadian Bristol heritage - from the Beaufort to the Bolingbroke. vimeo.com/1194691708?f...
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Bristol Stories: Australia to Canada
A look at the rare Bristol Beaufighter at the Moorabbin Air Museum, and considering the divergent path of the Australian and Canadian Bristol heritage - from the Beaufort to the Bolingbroke.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
The faces you make when the Reel filing is going well... ...and when it isn't. @philthyavnurd.bsky.social & @jdkightly.bsky.social getting it 'in the can' (or not) for @avculturesconf.bsky.social. Stay tuned! Better still join us at the even 'IRL', or online: aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
James Kightly smiling into the camera in a museum environment.Phil Vabre (left) and James not smiling into the camera. There are lights behind them, but the one above James' head is not on.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
The @avculturesconf.bsky.social are a place to try out ideas w well-informed peers, experts in similar or VERY diverse fields, who'll engage with your ideas and welcome the back-&-forth. What might come out of AvCultures Mk VIII? You might make a breakthrough! aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
aviationcultures.org
Aviation Cultures Mk.VIII – Aviation Cultures
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
As our Canadian Aviation Historical Society friends say: "Reconnect with your friends, meet people from around the world who share your passion for aviation, and join us in one of Canada’s most scenic destinations. We look forward to welcoming you to Kelowna this June!" www.cahs.com/cahs-nationa...
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CAHS National Convention 2026
The Canadian Aviation Historical Society Annual Convention
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
What do YOU want to see on the screen? We'll be releasing the full programme with timings very soon (the speakers and papers are already on the website). It's in person in Canada, OR online for a very reasonable ticket price. We'd love for you to join us! aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
A group of people sitting in a 1920s airliner on wicker seats facing a screen, the first movie in the air screening.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Exciting! In exactly ONE month we'll be at the KF Centre for Excellence in Kelowna, BC, Canada, to kick off the @avculturesconf.bsky.social Mk VIII Conference in partnership with the Canadian Aviation Historical Society's Convention. It's the people that make it! aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
A screenshot of lots of people in on an Aviation Cultures Conference online, and a chat sidebar.A panel session at Aviation Cultures in person event.Departure lounge! Much purple! Please join us, online or in person!The tail of a Convair at the KF Centre of Excellence with 'Open to the Public' written on it.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Next @avculturesconf.bsky.social paper! "Aeronautical Engineering at the Uni of Toronto: The Early History" from David Waechter. This university was the first Canadian institution to offer aeronautical engineering, and David explores this fascinating history. aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
John Hamilton Parkin was the professor who installed the University of Toronto’s first wind tunnel in 1918 and taught the university’s first formal courses in aeronautical engineering in the late 1920s.

(Image: Library and Archives Canada, Image ecopy a053689‑v8)A Vedette Flying Boat model mounted inside the first University of Toronto wind tunnel.

(Image: Ingenium Archives, Ken Molson Fonds, KM-03120)A glider built at the University of Toronto using design contributions from students in several consecutive senior years beginning in 1946. The glider first flew in November 1949. They named the glider "The Loudon" after one of the professors, T.R. Loudon.

(Image reproduced with the explicit permission of the Engineering Institute of Canada)
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
2/2 Erin has curated exhibitions, presented historical video games, & published widely, inc the first women aircrew in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Valerie works to develop exhibitions that centres the experiences of underrepresented groups. Join them (& us!) at aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
Valerie Wood, Left, and Erin Gregory, Right.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
"Back(log) to the Future: Adventures in Uncatalogued Objects at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum" CASM’s curator Erin Gregory & assistant curator Valerie Wood outline the CASM Backlog Project, & share case studies of the weird, wonderful &sometimes complicated objects that they came across. 1/2
A view of the store at the Canada Aviation & Space Museum. James Kightly.The Aviation Cultures Mk VIII Conference logo.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Dr. Kimberly Fraser, RN, PhD, MFA, has a flair for lived history. Kim speaks passionately about flight, community, and the unsung stories of Canadian aviation. Kim developed a love for aviation first as a young med-evac nurse, then over countless hours in the right seat as the family co-pilot.
Portrait photo of Kimberly Frazer.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Speaker Profile: Kimberley Fraser: "Wind beneath their Wings: 100 Years of flight at Canada's Oldest Operating Airport" Since 1926, Cooking Lake has been a vital gateway to Canada’s vast north. Dr. Fraser shows the spirit of early risk-takers echoes. Dets & Tix: aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
'Postcard' with details of Kimberly Frazer's talk details, picture of a floatplane.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Great news coming! It's about one of the attached. Even without the 'upgrade', we can confirm we've noted experts presenting on each of all four types. Which one gets the 'upgrade'? Either way, with those four to hear about, why wouldn't you join us? Please do: aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
Photo of a RCAF Grumman Goose. Paper 'The Grumman Goose in RCAF Service' by Jerry Vernon.The KF Centre's de Havilland Mosquito, presentation by Andy Moore of CFE. Photo by James Kightly.RCAF CanCar built Hurricane on skis. Paper 'The Hawker Hurricane in Canada: HWE use and CCF production' by Jim Bates. Credit: (Griffin Library Photo via Fred Paradie) via https://silverhawkauthor.com/aviation/canadian-warplanes-3-hawker-hurricane/The Centre for Excellence's RCAF painted CF-104, RCAF. Presentations by Luke Staber and Bob Garry, CFE volunteers. Photo by James Kightly.
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PhilthyAvnurd @philthyavnurd.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
I’m really looking forward to meeting fellow museums people - among others - at Aviation Cultures Mk VIII in a month or so. If you’re interested in aviation in any dimension, why don’t you think about joining us?
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
We're very much looking forward to the Aviation Cultures Mk VIII Conference in Kelowna at the KF Centre for Excellence and in partnership with the Canadian Aviation Historical Society. Why? Because museums. Phil gives us a teaser... vimeo.com/1190095339
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Phil Vabre Mk VIII Museums Promo
Aviation museum people join us at the Mk VIII conference! Aviation Cultures Inc committee member Phil Vabre talks about looking forward to meeting up with aviation museum people and sharing ideas.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Please join us! - James 
 Tickets are now available, in person, or (if you can't make it) online, HERE: aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
Poster for the Aviation Cultures Conference, Mk VIII, 2026.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Doyen of Canadian aviation history, Jerry Vernon is supported by the CAHS presenting the Grumman Goose in RCAF Service: & we at Aviation Cultures have curators Erin Gregory and Valerie Wood on 'Back(log) to the Future: Adventures in Uncatalogued Objects at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum'. 2/3
Photo of the storage centre at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Who's wing might that be? James KightlyPhoto of a Grumman Goose in RCAF service! A great story, on a great aircraft. DND Official.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
At June's @avculturesconf.bsky.social event with the Canadian Aviation Historical Society (CAHS) at KF Centre for Excellence (CFE) each group is hosting speakers. Our hosts, the CFE, have D’Arcy Barker, their chief aircraft maintenance engineer talking about the Hawker Tempest (& others)... 1/3
Photo of the Hawker Tempest of the KF Centre for Excellence. Join us, learn about it from D'Arcy! James Kightly
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Edward Soye @edwardsoye.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Join us this June for an exciting collaboration between @avculturesconf.bsky.social and the Canadian Aviation Historical Society! Hosted by The KF Centre for Excellence, it will be a solid program of presentations plus plenty of networking with aviation history focused people from around the world.
aviationcultures.org
Aviation Cultures Mk.VIII – Aviation Cultures
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
TICKETS! AvCultures Mk VIII & CAHS Convention ticket offices are OPEN. First details of the programme, events, highlights are listed. Join us at the KF Centre For Excellence, pictured! Online access tickets are Can$50, in person Can$350 ($325 for CAHS members). aviationcultures.org/aviation-cul...
Photograph of the KF Centre for Excellence, Kelowna Canada by Shawn Talbot. Showing a building with wings, lit, at night with aircraft visible.Photograph showing an aero engine and cut down propeller in foyer of a building, the KF Centre of Excellence, with a Hawker Tempest, de Havilland Mosquito and Douglas DC-3 visible behind. By James Kightly.Photograph of a Cessna 180 Skywagon in the KF Centre for Excellence, on amphibian floats. This is one of the historic local machines at the Centre. By James Kightly.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
James here! I'm v much looking forward to getting back to Kelowna for Aviation Cultures Mk VIII, with our partners the Canadian Aviation Historical Society at the KF Centre of Excellence with their great aircraft collection and display, inc their CF-104. Oh, and some Canadian lake time! kfcentre.ca
Photo of the beach at Bertram Creek Regional Park on Lake Okanagan, Kelowna, BC. Photo of the Lockheed CF-104 at the KF Centre for Excellence, Kelowna airport, BC.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
The programme for the Aviation Cultures Conference, Mk VIII is NEARLY ready to share. It'll be at the KF Centre For Excellence, Canada, AND online, in partnership with the Canadian Aviation Historical Society (CAHS) on 17-20 June 2026. Stay tuned for more aviationcultures.org Your Easter treat! -JDK
Photograph of a Royal Canadian Air Force roundel on the wing of a CF-104 at the Kelowna Flightcraft Centre of Excellence. Photo by James Kightly.
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Aviation Cultures Conference @avculturesconf.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
We’ve got some interesting tales to tell, factual and fictional - don’t miss any of it, including ‘the Jameses Show’ in the third session! -JDK
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