Robert William Bradford

Robert William Bradford, C.M., was born December 17, 1923, in Toronto, Ontario. As a youth, he developed an early interest in aviation and its art. At 18, he and his twin brother Jim, enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and trained on the Tiger Moth and Anson. Posted overseas in March 1944, Bradford was attached to the Royal Air Force as a staff pilot. He was seriously injured in a bad-weather crash, and spent several months in hospital before returning to flying. The war ended before he was posted to operational duties.

On returning to Canada, Bradford joined A.V. Roe Canada Ltd. as a technical illustrator. Four years later, in 1953, he moved to de Havilland Aircraft of Canada as project illustrator. His excellent work earned a promotion in 1956 to Chief Illustrator in the Publications Department, a position he held for ten more years.

Robert Bradford at #6 EFTS. Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, June 1943.

F/O Robert Bradford between flights. Cork, Lancashire. July, 1944.

F/O Donald E Bradley and F/O Robert Bradford (right). Cork, Lancashire. July 1944.

Robert Bradford piloting an aging coastal reconnaissance Anson bomber somewhere over the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. S[ring 1945

F/L Robert Bradford upon returning to Canada. July 1945.

In 1961 Bradford created four aviation paintings for the 1962 calendar of publisher Rolphe-Clarke-Stone Ltd., including one of the Curtiss JN-4 'Canuck' which caught the attention of Ken Molson. Molson was the first Curator of the National Aviation Museum which was formed in 1960 at the Uplands Airbase in Ottawa. Molson commissioned eighteen pieces, a series of historical aviation images in which Bradford depicts aircraft and aviation events of significance to Canada. From 1964, until the construction of a new museum building, the small collection of World War I aircraft was housed in old wooden hangars at Rockcliffe airport in Ottawa.

In 1966 Molson encouraged Bradford to join the National Aviation Museum as Assistant Curator. Thus began a twenty-three year career of dedication, perseverance and accomplishment in the preservation of our country's aviation heritage.

In Canada's Centennial year, 1967, Bradford succeeded Molson as curator. In 1970 he promoted the flying of the Museum's World War One aircraft at airshows across Canada, bringing to thousands of people the chance to see what their museum was doing.

In 1978 the National Aviation Museum Society (Friends of the National Aviation Museum) was established to bring attention to the need for adequately fireproofed housing for Canada's outstanding collection of historic aircraft. The collection was at considerable risk in the old hangars because of a significant fire hazard. As a result of Bradford's support, the Society eventually won a commitment from the Federal Government to provide a new and safer facility.

In 1982, as acting Director of the National Museum of Science and Technology, the parent museum of the aviation collection, Bradford's priority was the urgent need for improved facilities. Returning to the National Aviation Museum in 1984 as Associate Director, Bradford's persistent efforts were directly responsible for persuading the government to design and build a new building. Bradford oversaw the acquisition of a number of artifacts of historical significance to Canadian and international civil and military aviation. Top quality restoration work has earned international renown. The collection, widely regarded as among the best in the world, is now housed in the new National Aviation Museum facility which opened to the public in 1988 at Ottawa's Rockcliffe Airport.

As soon as the commitment for a new facility was made, Bradford began to create the 'walkway of time' to represent the various eras of aviation. In this ingenious way, the visiting public is introduced to the evolution of aviation in Canada.

HRH Prince Charles and Robert Bradford at National Aviation Museum. April 1975.

HRH Princess Margaret of the Netherlands. June 8, 1978.

HRH Prince Andrew and Robert Bradford. July 27, 1978.

Throughout the years, Bradford continued to paint airplanes. Other commissioned works painted by Bradford include those to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Alcock and Brown's trans-Atlantic flight, Billy Bishop's Victoria Cross-winning aerial action, 'Doc' Oaks, the first recipient of the Trans-Canada (McKee) Trophy, and Air Canada's 50th anniversary.

In recognition of his accomplishments as an artist, Bradford was awarded the American Aviation Historical Society's Aviation Artist Award in 1974. He was the first Canadian so honoured. The Federation Aeronautique Internationale recognized his curatorial and artistic accomplishments in the field of aviation by awarding him the prestigious Paul Tissandier Award in 1982.

In 1987 Bradford was commissioned by Canada Post to design a series of sixteen stamps depicting important aircraft in Canadian history. The popular series was issued in groups of four and included by year of issue: 1979 - Curtiss HS - 2L "H Boat", Canadair CL-215 'Scooper', Consolidated 'Canso' A, Canadian Vickers 'Vedette'; 1980 - Avro 'Lancaster', Avro-Canada CF-100 'Cnuck', Curtiss JN-4 'Canuck', Hawker 'Hurricane'; 1981 - de Havilland DH-82C 'Tiger Moth', Canadair CL-41 'Tutor', Avro Canada C-102 'Jetliner', de Havilland Canada DHC-7 'Dash 7'; 1982 - Fairchild FC-2WI, Fokker 'Super Universal', Noorduyn 'Norseman', de Havilland Canada DHC-2 'Beaver'.

Bradford was named Patron of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society in 1988, a position he continues to fill. He retired as Director of the National Aviation Museum in 1989, and continues to devote his time to painting and his life-long avocation of preserving Canada's aviation history. In 1989 he was named a Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.) for his outstanding achievements. He resides in Toronto, and is still active.

Robert William Bradford was inducted as a Member of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 1996 at a ceremony held in Toronto, Ontario.