Canadian Craft Cannibals

Canadian military is faced with years of defense underspending, and an increased operating tempo. As a result, some in Canada's air force have resorted to stripping museum craft for spare parts to keep operational aircraft flying.

Fox News: Canadian Air Force snags plane parts from museum to fix ailing aircraft

In July 2012, air force technicians used the navigational units from an old Hercules plane on display at the museum to install in a similar plane still in use, the Ottawa Citizen reported Monday.

The National Air Force Museum on the Canadian Forces’ Trenton Base in Ontario features a large collection of retired military aircraft. Museum curator Kevin Windsor told the Citizen that classified equipment is typically taken off the display planes, but the museum tries to keep the aircraft as close to operational as possible to give visitors an authentic experience.

The search-and-rescue squadron at the Air Force base in Trenton contacted the museum’s executive director, retired Lt. Col. Chris Colton, to ask permission to examine the Hercules, in search of two inertial navigation units.

Canada really needs to increase its defense budget, as spending 1% of GDP isn't cutting it when the increased demands from NATO, sovereignty and SAR patrolling and war-of-terror-whose-source-must-not-be-named continue to increase the costs to be borne.