Philippine Mars Departure Delayed (AGAIN) - December 17, 2024
"Philippine Mars" departed Sproat Lake on Sunday December 15th on its second attempt to reach San Francisco. Hoping to arrive before sunset, the aircraft overflew its sister "Hawaii Mars" at the British Columbia Aviation Museum before heading south. Unfortunately, the Mars only got as far as Port Townsend, Washington when the #4 engine began running rough forcing to crew to shut the engine down and divert to Patricia Bay near Victoria International Airport, where it arrived at about 1:20pm. Turns out the problem was a dropped valve and mechanics were working today on changing the cylinder. If all goes well, perhaps a test flight on Wednesday and a departure for San Francisco shortly thereafter. For more info, check out these CBC News and Times Colonist articles. Many thanks to Peter Killin for providing photos of the aircraft in Patricia Bay.
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Philippine Mars Departure Delayed - December 14, 2024
After test flights on December 9th and 10th, it appeared that "Philippine Mars" was ready to depart for San Francisco and points south on the morning of December 11th. The aircraft departed Sproat Lake but, after about an hour, returned with the #2 engine shut down. This engine was "borrowed" from sistership "Hawaii Mars" and had performed flawlessly on that aircraft's flight from Sproat Lake to the British Columbia Aviation Museum on August 11, 2024. The #2 engine had been a concern during test runs and the two flights but it appeared that the issues had been resolved. That was not to be when a "low oil pressure" indication appeared shortly after departure and the engine was shut down with the aircraft returning to Sproat Lake. While all involved were disappointed, the word is that they will attempt to fix the problem and hopefully try again next week when it appears they will have a weather window for the flight. Check out these two great videos posted on YouTube reporting on the flight....CHEK News - Engine trouble forces Philippine Mars’ ‘final’ flight back to Sproat Lake; and Alex Praglowski Aviation - The LAST Flying Martin Mars! Philippine Mars Startup, Taxi, and Flypast on Sproat Lake Dylan Phelps - Centerline Images captured the aircraft on Sproat Lake earlier in the week.
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Philippine Mars Update - December 3, 2024
On November 16, 2024 I reported that a tentative date for the departure of Martin Mars C-FLYK "Philippine Mars" from Sproat Lake had been set for Monday November 18, 2024. Although Transport Canada has granted the necessary permit for the ferry flight to the United States, the #2 engine needed replacement and the aircraft is still at Sproat Lake. The Vancouver Island Free Daily (AV News) reports "A crack was discovered in one of the four engines; maintenance crews decided to swap it with one of the engines from the Hawaii Mars, which were still in working order from their flight in August. The engine was trucked up from Victoria and quickly replaced." With the engine replaced, high speed taxi testing on the lake resumed on November 30, 2024 and Tobyn Burton Aviation posted a video of the event on YouTube. If all goes well and the weather cooperates, the plan is to start flight testing today or tomorrow with departure for the U.S. hopefully in the next week. For more information, check out the November 30, 2024 AV News article. While the article is a few days old, it gives lots of interesting background information and is well worth a read. Another good source of current information is the "Martin JRM-3 Mars Water Bombers" Facebook Group. BREAKING NEWS - Philippine Mars flew for the first time in many years today when she took off from Sproat Lake and climbed to 200 feet for a 4-5 minute flight along the lake. The flight was captured in this YouTube video. For more information, check out this December 3rd Vintage Aviation News report.
KF Aerospace Retiring Its Convair Freighters - December 2, 2024 - Updated December 8, 2024
KF Aerospace announced in an October 26, 2024 Press Release that its contract with Purolator for the British Columbia Feeder Network (BCFN) had been renewed for ten years and that part of the agreement involves replacing the veteran Convair fleet with ATR-72-500F aircraft. "KF Aerospace is proud to announce the renewal of its contract with Purolator for the BC Feeder Network (BCFN) - a relationship that has reliably served communities across British Columbia for nearly five decades. The new agreement spans 10 years, underscoring the strength and longevity of this critical relationship. As part of the renewed agreement, KF Aerospace will upgrade the BCFN fleet to the modern ATR72-500F aircraft, helping to ensure continued efficiency and reliability in cargo transportation across the province." A November 26, 2024 Yahoo! Finance article reports that KF Aerospace currently operates three Convairs and that "KF Aerospace will oversee acquiring and converting the ATR72-500s, with one conversion already near completion at KF's main Kelowna maintenance facility." The three aircraft being retired are CV580 C-GKFG, CV5800 C-GKFS and CV580 C-FKFZ. While this is sad news for Propliner enthusiasts, the retirement of these 70-year old aircraft was inevitable despite their many years of dependable service to the company. With the rash of recent Convair retirements, this leaves only a handful of these aircraft still in service. UPDATE: I checked the Flightradar24 website and it shows that CV580 C-GKFF, CV580 C-GKFG, CV5800 C-GKFS and CV580 C-FKFZ were all flying as of December 6, 2024. I contacted KF Aerospace who confirmed that these four aircraft will remain in service until at least mid-2025.
Canadian Museum Moving to New Home - December 1, 2024
On November 28, 2024 the Chilliwack Progress reported that, after almost 30 years at Langley Regional Airport (YLY), British Columbia, the Canadian Museum of Flight will be moving to a new home at Pitt Meadows Regional Airport (YPK). The museum's DC-3/DST CF-PWH and CS2F "Firecat" CF-OPU are currently located at Langley while the L18 CF-TCY is stored at the University of the Fraiser Valley at Abbotsford International Airport. While the museum would have preferred to remain at Langley, there were no viable options for expansion thus necessitating the move. For more information, check out the Chilliwack Progress news article.
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Philippine Mars Update - November 16, 2024
AvWeb reported on November 13, 2024 that a tentative date for the departure of Martin Mars C-FLYK "Philippine Mars" from Sproat Lake has been set for Monday November 18th. The date is dependent on weather and the completion of paperwork required by the U.S. and Canadian governments. AvWeb reports that the Mars will stop in San Francisco for a full day and then three days in San Diego before departing for Arizona. While the AvWeb report notes Lake Pleasant as a possible landing site in Arizona, previous reports mentioned Roosevelt Lake as a possible Arizona landing site. Wherever it lands, it will then be partially assembled and transported to the Pima Air & Space Museum by land for permanent display. CHEK Media posted a very nice video on YouTube showing the aircraft going through its paces on Sproat Lake. For additional information, check out the November 6, 2024, September 4, 2024 and August 16, 2024 reports on this website.
TransNorthern Airways Update - November 15, 2024
It appears that R4D-8/C-117D N28TN is back in service with TransNorthern Airways. Mark Jennings sent me the report regarding this aircraft along with R4D-8/C-117D N29TN and DC-3S N30TN. "I saw on your website you provided an update about TransNorthern Super DC-3 N28TN last week. I live next to the airport so I see that plane almost every day. Early Saturday afternoon I heard what sounded like a DC-3 taking off from Ted Stevens Anchorage International and watched it from my doorway, confirming it was N28TN. While out running errands I saw it coming back in for a landing about three hours later. I hung around and watched as it taxied back over to the TransNorthern ramp. Looks like it's back in cargo operation! I'll try to get some video one of these days if I'm able to catch it in action. N30TN has been moved a short distance away from their hangar to where TransNorthern keeps some aircraft not in current use. And N29TN sits wing-less and tail-less a little further away in what appears to be long term storage condition." Many thanks to Mark for the update.
Alaskan R4D-8/C-117D Makes Test Flight - November 8, 2024
Rolf Keller sent me an email with the good news that Trans Northern Airways (TNA) R4D-8/C-117D N28TN made what looks like a 1 hour/28 minute test flight on November 7, 2024. The aircraft was damaged on December 8, 2021 when it suffered an engine failure departing Anchorage International Airport and made a wheels-up forced landing at nearby Merrill Field. Temporary repairs were made to get the aircraft ready for the short flight back to TNA's base at Anchorage International, which occurred on June 4, 2022. Permanent repairs have been completed and hopefully the test flight went well and the aircraft will be back in service soon hauling freight. Thanks much to Rolf for passing on this exciting development.
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Martin Mars Begins Taxi Testing - November 6, 2024
Martin Mars C-FLYK "Philippine Mars" recently began taxi testing on Sproat Lake in preparation for its delivery flight to the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona. Vintage Aviation News reports that the aircraft entered the lake on November 4th and the current plan is to log at least six hours of flight time in the local area before heading south to Arizona where it will land on Roosevelt Lake. It will then be disassembled and trucked the final 100+ miles to the museum. I've driven the road to Roosevelt Lake and folks moving the aircraft will have a challenging ride ahead of them. Rob Frolic photographed the November 4th event and more of his photos are included in the Vintage Aviation News report. For additional information, check out the September 4, 2024 news item on this website.
Alaskan C-119 on the Move - October 11, 2024
Bob Garrard reports that longtime Anchorage, Alaska resident C-119 N9027K was recently partially disassembled in preparation for a move to new owners at Big Lake, Alaska. Parked at various locations around Anchorage International Airport for many years, the aircraft was delivered to the USAF as C-119G 53-8073 and later converted to a C-119L. I'm assuming that the C-119 will become part of the FLY8MA Pilot Lodge at Big Lake. With its boxy interior, it will be a great addition and hopefully this will assure the aircraft's survival for many years in its new role as a hotel. For more information about the FLY8MA Pilot Lodge, check out the October 21, 2023 news item on this website. I've also included two photos of the aircraft taken in June 2023.
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Air Spray Electras Dispatched to Bolivia - October 9, 2024
Dave Richardson reports..."Air Spray have sent two Electra's to Bolivia to help with fires. C-FLXT/T481 L-188C (1130) flew Red Deer-Great Falls-New Orleans-Panama City-Iquitos-Santa Cruz 19-21 September followed by L-188A C-FVFH/T489 (1006) on 5-7 October taking the same route." Great to see these workhorses being used to help out in South America.
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Gimli C-46 Update - October 8, 2024
John Olafson reports on C-46 C-GIBX which has been parked in Gimli for a number of years. "I made an inquiry with a friend who lives in Gimli, Manitoba to see if C-GIBX is still there and she said yes, it's still there. It's amazing that it has not found a new owner after so long. I have no idea who actually owns it, the Commando was de-registered a long time ago. What a shame. I took this photo eight years ago. I wonder what its condition is after so long on the ground." Information about the aircraft's current situation would be most welcome and can be emailed to me at connieman@comcast.net.
Museum Celebrates Arrival of Martin Mars - September 26, 2024
On September 20, 2024 the British Columbia Aviation Museum celebrated the arrival of Martin Mars C-FLYL "Hawaii Mars" with a ribbon cutting ceremony. For more information, photos and videos of the event, check out Vintage Aviation News September 25, 2024 article.
Kelowna Convair Sightings - September 19, 2024
John Olafson made an early morning visit to Kelowna International Airport on September 17th and sent the following report and photos. "I got up early to be able to get C-GKFG as it came in to Kelowna shortly after 7AM. I wonder how much longer the KF Convairs will operate. So, I am happy to have been able to get this beauty in perfect early morning light. The photo on the ground shows a forlorn C-GKFF sitting off to the side with a lot of marks on it showing what needs attention. Hard to know if it will fly again. It looks like it's sad to see its stable mate flying above it while it is grounded. Oh well..." C-GKFG is one of the few remaining CV580's in regular service and John captured it beautifully in the early morning sunlight.
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Philippine Mars Update - September 4, 2024
On August 16, 2024 I reported that Martin Mars C-FLYK "Philippine Mars" would be flown from Sproat Lake to Lake Pleasant near Phoenix, Arizona, where it would be disassembled and trucked the rest of the way to Tucson. AvWeb reported on September 2, 2024 that the aircraft "will be flown from its current base on Sproat Lake on Canada's Vancouver Island to Lake Roosevelt, Arizona's largest body of water. It will then be dismantled and trucked 150 miles to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson."
Hawaii Mars on Display at Museum - September 1, 2024
Ken Swartz reports that Martin Mars C-FLYL "Hawaii Mars" is now parked next to CV580 C-FHKF and a A-26, Tracker and Tradewind at the B.C. Aviation Museum. It's great to see this iconic aircraft safely in place at the museum.
Hawaii Mars Arrives at Museum - August 23, 2024
Loaded on a large trailer, Martin Mars C-FLYL "Hawaii Mars" was successfully moved two miles from Patricia Bay to the British Columbia Aviation Museum on the evening of August 21, 2024. The museum is located at the east end of Victoria International Airport and the move was accomplished in just under three hours, with the aircraft arriving at 9:15pm on a large flatbed trailer. Here's some links to articles and videos documenting the move.
Times Colonist - Martin Mars water bomber could be ready to make its move on Wednesday - August 21, 2024
Times Colonist - Martin Mars water bomber arrives at new home after 1 km/h trip - August 22, 2024
Vintage Aviation News - The Hawaii Mars Water Bomber Finally Arrives At Its Forever Home, The British Columbia Aviation Museum - August 22, 2024
Times Colonist - They move giant things all the time, but Hawaii Martin Mars was still special - August 23, 2024
Philippine Mars Update - August 16, 2024
On April 25, 2024 Coulson Aviation announced that Martin Mars C-FLYK "Philippine Mars" would be going to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona. Since the museum is located in the desert and the Mars requires a large body of water to land, the obvious question is how to get the aircraft from Sproat Lake to Tucson. Although it hasn't been confirmed, I recently heard from a knowledgeable source that the aircraft will be flown to Lake Pleasant which is about 45 miles north of Phoenix. From there it could be trucked to Tucson but this would involve driving through Phoenix and dealing with the many overpasses. Another possibility would be to transport the aircraft by truck from Lake Pleasant to a railhead and then transport it by rail to Tucson. Needless to say, it ought to be a very interesting journey. Also see my April 28, 2024 report on the acquisition.
Additional Martin Mars Articles & Videos - August 13, 2024
Over the past few weeks there's been a multitude of news articles about Martin Mars C-FLYL "Hawaii Mars" and I've posted links to some that I have received from readers.
chek News - Hawaii Martin Mars flies for first time since 2016 as preps continue for final flight next week - August 2, 2024
YouTube Video - First Flight in Eight Years - August 2, 2024
Vancouver Island Free Daily - Hawaii Mars waterbomber back in the sky for first time since 2016 - August 5, 2024
Vintage Aviation News - British Columbia Aviation Museum Announces Hawaii Mars’ Final Flight - August 7, 2024
CBC News - Historic Martin Mars water bomber completes final flight in B.C. - August 11, 2024
Skies Magazine - Hawaii Mars makes final flight to resting place at BC Aviation Museum - August 12, 2024
AVweb - A Majestic Farewell - August 12, 2024
Alex Praglowski Aviation - FINAL FLIGHT! Martin Mars Low Pass and Landing in Patricia Bay - August 13, 2024
chek News - ‘Now the hard work starts’: BCAM making progress on getting Hawaii Martin Mars to its new home - August 13, 2024
Martin Mars Makes Final Flight - August 12, 2024 - Updated August 13, 2024
On August 11, 2024, Martin Mars C-FLYL "Hawaii Mars" made its final flight from Sproat Lake to the British Columbia Aviation Museum in North Saanich, B.C. The iconic aircraft was escorted by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds demonstration team. It's great to see that this aircraft will be preserved and placed on public display at the museum. Check out this YouTube video, which live streamed some the flight and its arrival in Patricia Bay. UPDATE: Andras Mihalik photographed the final flight of the Mars and has graciously allowed me to post his stunning photos!!
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Martin Mars Completes Test Flight - August 4, 2024
Martin Mars C-FLYL "Hawaii Mars" successfully completed a test flight on Sproat Lake on August 1, 2024 in preparation for its delivery flight to the British Columbia Aviation Museum. Tobyn Burton Aviation posted a short report and a very nice 10-minute YouTube video about the flight. "On August 1, the Hawaii Mars lifted off Sproat Lake under its own power for the first time in approximately 8 years. The last time the Hawaii Mars flew was when it appeared at Oshkosh back in 2016. Since its last flights, the Hawaii Mars was sitting unused for several years, but in the past few months, work has been done to prepare C-FLYL for its final flight to Patricia Bay seaplane base at Victoria Airport, where it will be acquired by the BC Aviation Museum and eventually put on display."
Kelowna DC-3 Update- July 18, 2024
John Olafson recently visited Kelowna Airport and provided the following report and photos of DC-3 C-FGXW. "I was at Kelowna Airport on July 16th and had a chance to stop by the KF Museum and saw that DC-3 "Odyssey 86" is outside being worked on. There seemed to be some engine work and other things going on. I see the nacelles are all white now, compared to my last visit. Maybe some flying is going to happen perhaps. I am looking forward to seeing it once they have applied a lot of the stickers and decals the aircraft received during its month-long world-wide tour in 1986 promoting Expo 86 in Vancouver."
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High Speed Runs on Sproat Lake - July 14, 2024
Skye Avionics captured recent high-speed runs of Martin Mars C-FLYL "Hawaii Mars" on Sproat Lake in this YouTube video. Looks like it will be flying very soon!
Turbo DC-3 Arrives in Anchorage - July 12, 2024
DC-3-65TP N560PT arrived in Anchorage, Alaska on July 9th after successfully completing a ferry flight from the lower 48. It will go into service with Anchorage-based DC-3 operator Desert Air Cargo joining BT67 N115U. Paul Filmer photographed the aircraft as it was passing through Centennial Airport, Colorado on July 8th. The addition of a second turbine powered DC-3 probably doesn't bode well for Desert's three piston powered DC-3s...N272R, N44587 and N59314.
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Canso Centennial Celebration Tour - July 12, 2024
80-year PBV-5A Canso C-FNJE departed Fairview, Alberta June 18, 2024 on its "Canso Centennial Celebration Tour" making its way east for a number of event stops. Robert Lawrence wrote an article about the tour, which was published July 2, 2024 on the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) website. The article begins..."Rumbling across Canada this June and July a Canadian built and operated PBY-5A Canso aircraft is making its way from Fairview, Alberta to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island and then back over eastern Canada and the prairies in celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the RCAF. It is to reconnect with the personnel who worked on or flew in this exact aircraft or ones like it and reveal the Canso and its history to Canadians." I posted a short article on January 1, 2023 about the amazing 10-year effort to rescue this aircraft from a lake and to restore it to flying condition. The article includes links to two YouTube videos about the rescue and restoration of the aircraft.
Alaskan C-47 Heading to Georgia - July 8, 2024
C-47 43-15200 was recently disassembled and prepared for shipment from its longtime home at the Museum of Alaska Transportation in Wasilla, Alaska to its new home at the Museum of Aviation at Robins AFB, Georgia. A team from Robins Air Force Base disassembled the aircraft, which will be restored before being placed at display at the Georgia museum. After essentially being ignored for many years at the Wasilla museum, it's great that this aircraft is being restored. Here's the text of an article that appeared on the USAPatriotism.org website.
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U.S. Air Force Capt. Nick Schiavone, 709th Airlift Squadron commander, says it has been a fantastic opportunity to partake in the movement of one the aircrafts that participated in the Normandy landings.
The Skytrain, tail number 43-15200, is a historically significant aircraft that participated in three crucial airborne operations of World War II.
The first was Operation Overlord, where they dropped men of C Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Regiment, 101st Airborne Division during the first wave of the airborne assault of Normandy during the night of June 5 to 6 1944. It also participated in the aerial resupply of Bastogne, a critical success of allied defense against the German Ardennes offensive, and Operation Varsity, where it was instrumental in the largest single-day airborne invasion ever as U.S., Canadian, and United Kingdom troops crossed the Rhine into northern Germany.
"Externally, we're helping to restore something for the general public to see about Air Force history and heritage," said Arthur Sullivan, the curator at the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. "We look at it internally as a way to honor the Airmen and the Soldiers that flew in that aircraft in World War II."
After its delivery to the United States Army Air Forces in 1944, the aircraft served in the European Theater of Operations until June 1946 when it returned to the continental U.S. During its time in the ETO, the aircraft served in the 99th Troop Carrier Squadron, 441st Troop Carrier Group, IX Troop Carrier Command, 9th Air Force. It served in various capacities in the New York and Alaska National Guard before its retirement in 1960.
After its active service, the Skytrain went to the National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, based at Wright Field, Ohio, then displayed at Kulis Air National Guard Base in Anchorage. It moved to Wasilla in the early 1980s.
"We've had this C-47 for [many] years and now it's going to be restored," said James Grogan, executive director for the Museum of Alaska Transportation. "Having it go back and get a full face lift and restoration is part of preserving that part of history we have to remember."
Former Coulson Martin Mars Firebombers Being Made Airworthy - June 7, 2024 - Updated June 9, 2024
As reported on April 3, 2024 and April 28, 2024, the two retired Coulson Martin Mars firebombers have found new homes at the British Columbia Aviation and Pima Air & Space Museums. While it makes perfect sense to fly C-FLYL "Hawaii Mars" to the BC museum, I was really surprised that C-FLYK "Philippine Mars" is being made airworthy for a flight to the Pima Air Museum, which is located in the middle of the desert in Tucson, Arizona. Russ Niles published the following report in a recent edition of AVweb.
Russ Niles
Editor-in-Chief
AVweb
June 4, 2024
The owner of the last two flying Martin Mars flying boats is offering a last opportunity for enthusiasts to take the controls of the massive aircraft. Coulson Air Tankers is taking reservations for two Mars "experiences" https://tinyurl.com/u3ajhznv in the former Navy transports before they go to museums.
Neither involve getting airborne. The Water Taxi level gets customers a walkaround and 40 minutes of blasting around Sproat Lake at the company's home base in Port Alberni, British Columbia. The Pilot Recurrency level puts participants behind the controls of the planes for low and high-speed taxiing on the lake after a half day of ground school and a walkaround.
The accompanying video, shot during the Hawaii Mars's visit to AirVenture 2016, gives an idea of what to expect https://youtu.be/Ycx7mFRKkeM?.
The two planes,"Hawaii Mars"and "Philippines Mars", are being returned to flying condition and will be flown to separate museums later this year. "Hawaii Mars" is taking a short hop to the BC Aviation Museum at North Saanich, B.C., while "Philippine Mars" will head to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.
The planes were among four that were bought by timber companies in the 1950s and converted to waterbombers. They were retired from that role in 2011. Coulson is now focused on converting former Southwest Airlines Boeing 737s into air tankers.
UPDATE - British Columbia Aviation Museum president Steve Nichol announced on June 6th that C-FLYL "Hawaii Mars" is expected to fly to the Patricia Bay Coast Guard base between August 5th and 10th, rather than at the end of the year as originally planned. After being brought on land, the aircraft will be towed about a mile over land to the museum at the far end of the airport.
NTSB Issues Preliminary Report on DC-4 Crash - May 12, 2024
The NTSB has issued a Preliminary Report on the crash of DC-4/C-54 N3054V.
Buffalo Adds CL215 Firebomber to Fleet - May 1, 2024
Mikey McBryan recently announced that Buffalo Airways has acquired former Saskatchewan CL215 C-FYWO, which will bring Buffalo's fleet of CL215's to five aircraft.
DC-4 Destroyed in Fatal Accident - April 29, 2024
Alaska Air Fuel DC-4/C-54 N3054V was totally destroyed on April 23, 2024 when it crashed four minutes after departing Fairbanks International Airport. The aircraft was loaded with 3,100 gallons of heating oil bound for Kobuk; an Inupiat village located about 300 miles northwest of Fairbanks. The DC-4 took off from runway 20R shortly before 10:00am local time and was climbing when the #1 engine caught fire resulting in a large explosion on the outboard wing and loss of control. The aircraft rolled and impacted the shoreline of the Tanana River about seven miles from the airport killing both pilots. YouTube videos produced by blancolirio and Flight Records provide quite a bit of information about the accident including ATC tapes and a video of the final moments of the flight.
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https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/aviation/2024/04/23/rescue-effort-underway-after-plane-crashes-in-tanana-river-near-fairbanks/
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2024/04/23/plane-crashes-fairbanks-area-officials-say/
https://alaskapublic.org/2024/04/23/rescuers-responding-to-plane-crash-along-tanana-river-near-fairbanks/
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/plane-crash-fairbanks-alaska-rescue-b2533569.html
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/alaska-plane-crash-fuel-delivery-1.7184269
Second Martin Mars Firebomber Heading to Arizona - April 28, 2024
The Pima Air and Space Museum recently announced on Facebook that they had acquired retired Martin Mars Firebomber C-FLYK "Philippine Mars" from Coulson Aviation and would be adding it to the museum's collection in Tucson, Arizona later this year. "Pima Air and Space April 26 12:22AM BIG news in both size and impact... the famous Coulson Aviation - Next Gen Firefighting airplane, Philippine Mars, will soon find its forever home here in Tucson, AZ! We've officially acquired the aerial firefighter converted from a WWII-era flying boat. It won't arrive until later this year, but we are thrilled to announce that one of the two remaining iconic Martin JRM Mars will be preserved at Pima Air & Space Museum!"
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C-119 Advertised For Sale - April 16, 2024
C-119G N9027K was advertised for sale for on Facebook Marketplace in late March 2024 $15,000. "C-119 Static Aircraft for Coffee Shop, Tiny Home, or Air BnB - $15,000. Historic C-119 Aircraft - Great for a coffee shop, Tiny Home, or Air BnB. Located at Ted Stevens International Airport. No title, as is, where is. Text 907-TwoFourZero-8214 if interested (serious inquiries only)." The seller is identified as Susan Hoshaw. This aircraft has been grounded at Anchorage International Airport for many years and on July 9, 2023 it was reported that it had been moved from its longtime parking spot on Taxiway Z at the south end of Anchorage International Airport to the Everts ramp at the north end. FAA records show that the aircraft has been de-registered and hopefully it finds a good home and is not scrapped.
Museum Acquires Martin Mars Firebomber - April 3, 2024
It was announced in late March 2024 that Martin Mars C-FLYL "Hawaii Mars" has been acquired by the British Columbia Aviation Museum in North Saanich, B.C. It will become the centerpiece of a new wildfire exhibit at the museum. If all goes well, the aircraft's last flight we take place next fall from Coulson Aviation's base on Sprout Lake, Port Alberni on Vancouver Island to Saanich Inlet near Victoria International Airport. From there, the aircraft will be brought up a ramp at Canadian Coast Guard Base Patricia Bay, mounted on a trailer in a swiveling cradle and transported across Victoria International Airport to the museum. The museum is raising funds to build a new hangar to house the Mars and the museum's CV580 and B-26 on land donated by the Victoria Airport Authority. In addition, the provincial government is providing $250,000 to kick-start the effort.
Seven Mars aircraft were built by the Martin Aircraft Company at the close of WWII. The "Hawaii Mars" which was retired in 2015, is one of only two surviving Martin Mars aircraft. The other, "Philippine Mars" C-FLYK, was retired in 2012 and remains at the Coulson facility on Sprout Lake. At one time it was slated to go the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida but, for whatever reason, this never happened.
For more information about this great turn of events, check out an excellent 12-minute YouTube video created by the museum about the acquisition and the following articles.
CBC Article - Mars Firebomber to Become Museum Centerpiece
Times-Colonist - Mars Bomber Coming to BC Museum
Times-Colonist Article - Province Provides $250,000
Kelowna Convairs - January 3, 2024
Tristin Kenney recently posted some December 2023 photos on Facebook of the three remaining Kelowna Flightcraft Convairs that are stored at Kelowna International Airport, British Columbia. They were originally slated for conversions that didn't happen. They are C-131F N157JR, CC-109 109152 and C-131E N4753B. While I believe that 109152 was originally going to a museum, I haven't heard any recent news nor do I know why the other two have escaped the scrapman.
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Far-North CL-215 Rescue - November 24, 2023
Fire Aviation News reports that a Billings Flying Service CH-47 Chinook "rescued" Buffalo Airways CL-215 C-FYWP #292 from a small lake north of Yellowknife, NWT. The aircraft struck a rock during scooping operations at Mitchell Lake on August 28, 2023 and punctured the hull. The pilots taxied the aircraft to a small island where they beached it. A crew was dispatched to reduce the weight of the aircraft by 10,000 pounds so that it could be safely lifted by the Chinook. They removed the engines and props; fluids; radios; pumps and other equipment. A non-eventful 45-minute flight to Buffalo headquarters in Yellowknife, NWT was successfully completed on October 30, 2023. Check out the full story on the online Vertical Magazine.
St. George Museum DC-4 Update - November 11, 2023
Paul Filmer visited the Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum in St. George, Utah on October 19th and photographed Buffalo Airways DC-4 N55CW. As reported on May 1, 2022, the DC-4 was flown from Keystone Heights, Florida to St. George on April 27/28, 2022. The aircraft had been stored for a number of years at Keystone Heights and is currently on display at the museum. N55CW has most likely made its last flight but appears to be well cared for at the museum. Paul reports that the cabin has even been air conditioned! Many thanks to Paul for sharing his photos.
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Everts Air Acquires Three BAe146 Aircraft - November 9, 2023
Everts Air has acquired three BAe146 cargo aircraft, with the first arriving at the company's Fairbanks headquarters on August 4, 2023. BAe146-300QT N146QT began its trans-Atlantic delivery flight on August 2nd when it departed Cranfield, England with stops at Wick, Scotland; Keflavík, Iceland; Narsarsuaq, Greenland; Goose Bay, Newfoundland; Thunder Bay, Ontario; Calgary, Alberta; and Prince Rupert, BC. Rob Everts seems to favor older airliners that most airlines have retired and the same can be said for his choice of the BAe146. N146QT is 33-years old and first flew in June 1990. Everts Air Cargo began replacing its vintage DC-6/C-118 Propliners in May 2011 when it introduced its first DC-9 freighter. The DC-9's have been replaced with more efficient MD-80's and these aircraft service the larger airports in Alaska and the Lower 48. The vintage Propliners have remained in service with Everts to service the smaller airports with gravel runways and those that can't accommodate the MD80's in the winter when the runways become snow covered. While there will probably be some airports that only the C-46 can service, this most likely spells the end for Everts' DC-6/C-118 cargo operations. One bright spot is that the C-46's and DC-6/C-118's will continue flying fuel for Everts Air Fuel for at least the immediate future. The BAe146 was featured on the Smithsonian Channel's Season 4/Episode 5 of Ice Airport Alaska titled "Ice Warriors" released on November 5, 2023.
TransNorthern Super DC-3 Update - October 29, 2023
Mark Jennings photographed TransNorthern's Super DC-3/C-117D N30TN today at Anchorage International Airport (ANC). The aircraft was involved in a landing incident at Goodnews, Alaska on August 4, 2021 and was flown back to TransNorthern's base at ANC on September 23, 2023 after completion of field repairs in Goodnews. Parked nearby was Super DC-3/C-117D N28TN, which was damaged after making an emergency wheels-up landing at Merrill Field on December 8, 2021 after losing an engine on takeoff from ANC. This aircraft was repaired and flown back to ANC on June 4, 2022 but it doesn't appear that it has returned to service as FlightAware shows its last flight on that date. Having spent the money to recover both aircraft, hopefully TransNorthern will return both to service. Mark also noted that Super DC-3/C-117D N29TN was stored disassembled on the TransNorthern ramp. It's never a good thing for an aircraft to be stored disassembled outdoors since water will collect in all the exposed nooks and crannies resulting in corrosion. For more information about these three aircraft, check out earlier NEWS ITEMS on this page. Many thanks to Mark for sharing the photos and updates.
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DC-6 Hotel Update - October 21, 2023
As reported on December 8, 2022, FLY8MA acquired former Everts Air Cargo C-118A/DC-6 N888DG in 2022 with the intent of converting it into a two-bedroom/one-bathroom house on the company's 115 airport facility in Big Lake, Alaska. The project has been completed and the "aircraft house" can be rented for $370/night on the airbnb website. FLY8MA recently posted a ten-minute video on YouTube showing off the finished project and a more detailed twenty-two-minute video showing the conversion process. FLY8MA has also acquired former DHL DC-9 N952AX from Everts and former FedEx B727-227 N492FE that had been parked at Merrill Field for a number of years. Both are currently being converted to houses similar to the DC-6.
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Canadian Tracker Auction - August 6, 2023
Ken Swartz reports that former Saskatchewan CS2F-2 air tankers C-GEQC #504 and C-GEQE #506 are being offered for sale at an auction to be held on August 31st. "At least two DHC-built Grumman Trackers are going to be sold at auction at Abbotsford Airport, BC at the end of August. The University of the Fraser Valley closed its aircraft maintenance and repair school at Abbotsford during COVID-19 and these were training aids used by the school as well as other aircraft." There's no mention in the auction catalog of a third former Royal Canadian Navy Tracker that was owned by the school. For more information about the auction, check out the ableauctions.com website. Also check out the October 22, 2022 report on this website.
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Yakataga Airport DC-4 Update - August 1, 2023
Alaska Air Fuel DC-4 N96358 suffered significant damage to its forward fuselage during an October 10,2020 runway overrun incident at Yakataga Airport, Alaska. The aircraft was stripped of its engines and other valuable components and the hulk has remained parked at the airport. The decision not to repair the aircraft was most likely due to the remote location and primitive nature of the airport, which would have made repairs extremely challenging. At this time, it's not known what plans Alaska Air Fuel has for the hulk. John recently photographed the aircraft, which other than the damaged nose, seems to be in reasonable condition. Many thanks to John for sharing his photos.
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Hay River Report - July 14, 2023
Michael Prophet visited Hay River/Merlyn Carter Airport and toured the Buffalo Airways storage yard. "I'm posting these two overview photos of the DC-4 storage area at Hay River airport (N.W.T) on 7 June 2023 after our tour when the sun came out. Noted were C-FBAJ, C-FBAM, C-FBAP, C-FIQM, C-GBAJ, C-GCTF, C-GPSH, N62342 and DC-6 Swingtail N434TA. I believe all still For-Sale." It doesn't appear that much has changed since my September 2014 visit. Many thanks to Michael for sharing his photos and report.
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Boxcar on the Move - July 9, 2023
Mark Jennings reports that C-119G N9027K has been moved from its longtime parking spot on Taxiway Z at the south end of Anchorage International Airport to the Everts ramp at the north end. "More Alaska Boxcar news! I noticed a couple of weeks ago that Fairchild C-119 N9027K registered to the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum had moved from Taxiway Z on the south side of the airport over to the Everts ramp on the north side. A quick check of the registration reveals a May 2023 sale of the airplane to a buyer in Fairbanks. Hmm...I wonder... Anyway, here a few photos of the plane at its new location parked on the Everts north ramp in Anchorage. The plane looks pretty good, perhaps destined for a new life. Time will tell. I'll keep you informed if I see any more activity."
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Electra Ready for Ferry Flight - June 28, 2023 - Updated June 29, 2023
June 7th and June 26th, Buffalo has acquired former Conair Electra Firebomber C-FYYJ/T460 and was preparing it for a ferry flight from Abbotsford, BC to Buffalo's maintenance base in Red Deer, AB. Bjarni Henrikson reports that the props have been received and installed in he believes that flight will happen today! Many thanks to Bjarni for the photo and report. UPDATE - Bjarni reports that the ferry flight to Red Deer was successfully completed on June 29th. Robert Shields' photo shows the aircraft at Red Deer after an uneventful 1 hour/16 minute flight from Abbotsford.
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Alaskan DC-3 News - June 25, 2023
Good DC-3 news from Alaska where another DC-3 will enter service with Desert Air Alaska. DC-3 N59314 was test flown on June 17, 2023 and Desert Air owner Joey Benetka confirmed that he plans on operating it during the upcoming busy summer season. This aircraft sat for years at Palmer Airport before being made airworthy in 2011 and flown to Anchorage International, where it was impounded. Bart Tiernan (Bush Air Cargo) acquired it in 2017 and Desert Air Alaska leased it in 2020. For more information about the aircraft, check out the October 21, 2022 news report on this website.
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Canadian Museum in Negotiations to Acquire Martin Mars - June 13, 2023
The British Columbia Aviation Museum issued a PRESS RELEASE on June 6, 2023 stating that the museum is in active negotiations with Coulson Aviation to acquire one of the company's retired Martin Mars fire bombers. As reported on January 16, 2022, C-FLYL "Hawaii Mars" was advertised for sale in on the Platinum Fighter Sales website at that time for $5M. The press release didn't state which one of the two aircraft was involved but it's great news in that at least one of the aircraft might be saved and put on display at a museum.
Buffalo Acquires an Electra - June 7, 2023 - Updated June 26, 2023
Ken Swartz reports that Buffalo Airways acquired former Conair Electra C-FYYJ/T460 on June 5, 2023. As previously reported on May 19, 2021, April 5, 2021 and March 1, 2021, Conair retired the Electra in 2020 and it has been parked engineless at Abbotsford since then. Hopefully it will enter service with Buffalo but a more likely outcome is it will become another parts airplane. Many thanks to Ken for the heads-up.
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Everts Propliner Update - May 11, 2023
Marc Hookerman visited Fairbanks, Alaska in late April/early May and forwarded a report on the current status of Everts' Propliner fleet. I've included a photo of each aircraft with Marc providing a gorgeous inflight photo of N444CE and a very nice ramp shot of former Conair DC-6A N651CE. The photo of N444CE is featured on the rear cover of the 2023 issue of Propliner.
DC-6/C-118 Aircraft
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Electra Firebombers Come Out of Hibernation - April 24, 2023
Red Deer Municipal Airport is home to Buffalo Airways and Air Spray with both companies preparing their Electras for the 2023 fire season. Alex Praglowski visited the airport on March 29, 2023 and photographed Buffalo's C-FIJX and Air Spray's C-FVFH performing engine runs. "Preparations for fire season are underway at Red Deer Regional Airport! Air Spray Airtankers and Buffalo Airways both did some engine runs with their Lockheed L-188 Electras yesterday at YQF as they wake these classic birds up from their annual winter hibernation. They usually do some test flights before they head out on their contracts - really hoping to see one of these flying!"
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KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence DC-3 Update - April 17, 2023
Work continues on the restoration of DC-3 C-FGXW at the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence in Kelowna, BC. Here's the latest report from KF. "It's rudder time for our DC-3! Yesterday, the crew installed our freshly recovered rudder - she's lookin' better and better every day! Shout out to the crew at TAC Air Services in Winnipeg, MB who have done all of our fabric work." For more information about the project check out the September 12, 2022 and April 22, 2021 posts on this website.
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Anchorage Update - March 24, 2023
On February 14, 2023 I posted a report that Everts had ceased scheduled DC-6 operations out of their Anchorage terminal. While this is the case, Mark Jennings recently reported that Everts continues to base a DC-6 in Anchorage for charter work. N100CE had been assigned to ANC for some time and was recently replaced by N9056R. Here's Rob's report.
"I thought I could provide you with a brief update on what I see happening at Everts Air Cargo here in Anchorage. Last month you reported that one of your trusted sources had told you that Everts was no longer flying scheduled freight service using a DC-6 from Anchorage, having completed the transition to MD-80s. While that may be trues far as scheduled flights go, there is no shortage of Everts DC-6 activity flying from Anchorage currently."
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"I can see the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and the Everts ramp from my office in downtown Anchorage, and I can hear the big radials almost every time that plane takes off. Its hard to miss that sound and it always captures my attention. I took a look at FlightAware and noticed that after about two months of downtime (perhaps for maintenance?), N100CE recently flew cargo from Fairbanks to Galena and back. So that plane is up and flying again."
"It's good to know these old birds are still being used regularly. And I m not even counting the fuel loads Everts DC-6s carry regularly from Fairbanks and Kenai. So all is good for now with the Everts DC-6s."
"Regarding TransNorthern DC-3 N29TN, I drive by and see it almost every day over at the TransNorthern ramp, packed in snow, waiting for warmer weather. I ll let you know if/when I see any work being done on that plane." Many thanks to Mark for his report.
Everts Ends Scheduled DC-6 Cargo Flights at ANC - February 14, 2023
Over the past ten years Everts Air Cargo has been slowly replacing its DC-6/C-118 fleet with jet aircraft. DC-9 s were initially introduced but these have all been parked in favor MD-80 s, which have increasingly dominated the Everts freight terminal in Anchorage International Airport (ANC). Dietmar Schreiber recently reported that the DC-6/C-118 s are no longer flying regularly scheduled flights out of ANC. When I made my first trip to Alaska in 2005, the Everts freight terminal at ANC was home to DC-6/C-118 s and C-46 s with nary a jet aircraft in sight. The good news is that Propliners are still used exclusively by Everts Air Fuel on fuel delivery flights out of Fairbanks and Kenai. I also believe that freight is also still being carried by Propliners out of Fairbanks. Dietmar sent me a 2015 photo of the ANC terminal with two DC-6/C-118 and three DC-9 freighters. It s sort of ironic that the DC-6/C-118 s have outlasted their "replacement" DC-9 s, which have all been parked. Check out Marc Hookerman s 2022 photo of DC-6A/B N9056R departing Fairbanks with a group of engineless DC-9 s in the background.
KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence Convair Update - January 22, 2023
John Olafson reported on September 12, 2022 and October 20, 2022 on the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence s acquisition of CV580 s N580HW and C-FKFA T452. He visited the museum on January 19, 2023 and provided the following updates and photos. "I visited the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence in Kelowna today and was glad to see C-FKFA Tanker #52 sitting at its new home outside the museum. They were working on the props so I waited a while and soon the prop was back in place. It s nice to know there are two very nice Convairs preserved and on outside display for us to enjoy. There is more room out there so maybe someday we will see the last remaining Canadair built Cosmopolitan joining C-FKFA and N580HW. There were five of them here in Kelowna, but now only one remains." Many thanks to John for his report and photos.
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DC-6 "Airplane House" - December 8, 2022
Folks from FLY8MA bought 115 acres in Big Lake, Alaska and have built a runway, hangar, house and cabins on the property, which they have named "Pilot Lodge." They have begun training student pilots and recently acquired former Everts Air Cargo C-118A/DC-6 N888DG, which they plan on converting into a 2 bedroom/1 bathroom house. It will supplement the four cabins that have already been built on the airport to house students. The big Douglas will also be available to enthusiasts or whoever else might be interested in spending a night in a retired airliner.
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Delivered to the USAF in January 1956 as C-118A 53-3304, it was retired in May 1975 and acquired by Everts in 1995 after service with a number of Alaskan operators beginning in 1976. By 2014 it was parked engineless in the Everts storage yard in Fairbanks.
Alaskan DC-3 For Sale - November 4, 2022
DC-3 N400MF was recently offered for sale in Trade-A-Plane for $625,000. The Wright R1820 powered aircraft was flown to Alaska in 2015 after being retired by Florida based Missionary Flights International and spent the next six years mostly parked at Palmer Airport. Made airworthy in April 2021, it spent the summer of 2022 flying sightseeing trips with Golden Era Aviation, which also owns DC-3 N763A. N400MF was flown to Aurora , Oregon in late September where it is being offered for sale by Aerometal International Inc. In August 2022 Michael Prophet reported that "Last winter N763A received some fuselage/wing tip damage due to a snow storm. Currently plans are to repair her in the near future and get her back in the air!" Hopefully N400MF finds a new home...I've seen her and she's a beauty, both inside and out!
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Super DC-3 Finds a Home (Update) - November 4, 2022
On October 28, 2022 VIPER Transitions reported that Super DC-3 N29TN had been spared and "that a local Air Carrier planned to restore and use the aircraft in their operations." According to Anchorage resident Mark Jennings, the aircraft has returned to the TransNorthern ramp and that could very well mean that it will be going back into operation with that airline. "N29TN is parked back over at TransNorthern, near where it used to sit while it was out of commission. I didn t see the wings tonight, but saw them previously on a trailer so I know they re around here somewhere. N29TN is parked not far from its old orange sibling N28TN so the family is slowly coming back together." It would definitely be great news if this iconic airplane is made airworthy and put back into service. Only time will tell.
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Super DC-3 Finds a Home - October 28, 2022
In a last minute reprieve from the scrapman, it appears that a new home has been found for Super DC-3 N29TN. On October 12, 2022 VIPER Transitions reported that they had run out of options and were planning on scrapping the aircraft. This resulted in an outpouring of responses and apparently a home has been found for the aircraft per an October 27, 2022 Facebook post by the organization. "The DC-3 has found a new home. VIPER Transitions has agreed to terms with a local Air Carrier who plans to restore and use the aircraft in their operations. When we hold training classes for Aviation Maintenance, our veterans will be invited to assist in the process. We are glad to see the plane go to use with a company that supports our efforts. Thank you to everyone who offered us support." It will be interesting to find out what "local Air Carrier" is involved and if they plan on making the aircraft airworthy.
Trio of Canadian CS2F-2 Trackers Looking for a Home - October 22, 2022
The University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, BC is looking to place three S-2 Trackers that are excess to their needs and currently parked behind the school s hangar at the airport. The first two are former Saskatchewan CS2F-2 air tankers C-GEQC T504 and C-GEQE T506, with the third being an unconverted former Royal Canadian Navy CS2F-2 Tracker. The two air tankers are pretty much complete with the RCN aircraft missing props and quite a few instruments. The school wants them gone and they are reportedly free for the asking to a qualified organization. If a new home cannot be found, they will be scrapped.
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Slow Progress on Repair of Everts C-46 - October 22, 2022
Everts Air Fuel C-46F N1822M Salmon Ella was involved in a runway overrun incident at Manley Springs Airport on 16 July 2018 and its nose section was severely damaged. From the appearance of the crushed nose section it was a miracle that neither pilot was injured. The aircraft was disassembled and transported back to Fairbanks where a nose transplant was well underway during my May 2019 to Fairbanks. Mike Golberg recently contacted Rob Everts regarding the status of the repair and received the following response. "She is still on shoring. Shortage of labor has been the stumbling block. We have not given up."
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Time Running Out for Alaskan Super DC-3 - October 21, 2022
As reported on August 29, 2022, the VIPER Transitions has been searching for a hangar in the Anchorage area to house its Super DC-3 N29TN, which was donated to the organization by TransNorthern Aviation in 2021. VIPER Transitions is an Anchorage, Alaska based nonprofit organization dedicated to ending veteran suicide through quality career opportunities and outreach programs. It planned to use the aircraft in its aviation technician training program but their search for a hangar has been unsuccessful and they may be forced to scrap the aircraft. Below is an October 12, 2022 post from the organization s Facebook page. There were many responses to the post and in a follow-on October 18, 2022 post, the organization states that they are still exploring options so perhaps a miracle will happen and the aircraft will be spared.
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--October 12, 2022 FB Post--
"In August we had to move the DC-3 out of the hangar it was in. We were working with the State of Alaska regarding a potential hangar that is sitting unused, as it has been for over a decade, as a possible location to host our operations. The discussions have led to an impasse. The amount of money the State of Alaska is asking for the use of the hangar ($260,000/year), as well as other issues with the site due to the neglect of the Hangar by the State that they would now place on VIPER Transitions. We were further told we did not adequately explain how it is in the State s best interest to work with us."
"We were lucky enough to have a couple of local Air Carriers step in to help buy us a little time to try and find a new home for the plane. Sadly, that time is coming to an end, as we have seen the first snow fall in Anchorage. The plane cannot remain in its current location, and because of the reasons stated earlier, we have no home for the plane. We have contacted numerous relations in the area and have been unable to find a location for the plane."
"We are now in the process of scrapping the DC-3. While our programs will continue, this training tool with its ties to heritage will not be a part of it. Thank you to everyone who has supported this effort. Our mission is greater than any plane or tool we use and we will never quit furthering our cause. If you have a tangible solution, we are willing to hear it, but please do not contact us with emotional statements regarding the plane. We understand the significance of its history, hence what we were trying to accomplish. It is unfortunate, but we will move forward."
--October 18, 2022 FB Post--
"We would like to thank everyone for the recent contacts regarding the DC-3. We are assessing all options. There has been a number of interesting offers, but the main issue remains the same transportation. Whether it is getting moved down the highway a few miles or across the country, we still need to get it there. We are working on options. Thank you again for all the support."
Veteran DC-3 Bides Her Time at ANC - October 21, 2022
DC-3 N59314 was recently noted by Paul van den Berg on the Desert Air Alaska ramp at Anchorage International Airport. Paul reports "Long-time Alaska resident N59314 was sitting on the Desert Air Cargo ramp, August 2022. Not serviceable at the time of our visit, as she was kindly donating spares for her sisters N272R and N44587." This DC-3 has called Alaska home since the late 1970 s when it was acquired by Fairbanks based Frontier Air Services. It went to Abbe Air Cargo in 2001 and stored at Palmer Airport in 2004 after Abbe ceased operations. The DC-3 was flown to Anchorage International Airport in May 2011 and parked after reportedly being impounded. Bart Tiernan (Bush Air Cargo) acquired it in 2017 and it saw limited use until being leased to Desert Air Alaska in 2020, where it was operated alongside Desert Air s two DC-3 s; N272R and N44587. With the arrival of Basler BT-67 N115U in the spring of 2022, N59314 became redundant again and sat out the 2022 summer flying season. The aircraft is in good condition and hopefully will be back in the air again soon.
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Veteran Firebombers Make Final Flights to Museums - October 20, 2022
Within weeks of being retired by Conair Aviation, two CV580 s made their final flights from Abbotsford, BC to museums for static display.
The folks at Victoria International Airport witnessed an historic event when a CV580 air tanker made its final water drop on the airport s runway to mark the end of a remarkable 66-year flying career. Peter Marshall reports "C-FHKF T455 arrived at the British Columbia Air Museum, Victoria International Airport on Friday September 23, 2022, where it will join A-26C CF-BMS, on display. Both aircraft were donated to the museum (different years) by Conair. The Convair was delivered to Sabena in November 1956 and was acquired by Frontier Airlines, who converted it to a CV580 in July 1968. It saw service with Sierra Pacific Airlines before being acquired by Conair in February 2000 and converted to an air tanker. The aircraft made its final flight under the command of Grahame Wilson, who also retired when he handed over the airplane to the museum. Wilson has been flying for 40+ years had been T455 s sole pilot during its entire time at Conair." While he is retiring from his flying career at Conair, Wilson is not ending his association with T455 as he has signed on as a guide at the museum!
Less than a week later on September 28th, a second CV580 made its final flight when it was delivered to the KF Centre for Excellence, where it will go on static display. John Olafson reports "Conair CV580 C-FKFA T452 made its final flight to Kelowna on September 28, 2022 and before landing it made a ceremonial water drop along the airport s runway 16. Sadly I missed the event but I hope to see it when it is put on display at the museum. I recently noticed in my notes, that all the Conair CV580 s had their original radar nose removed and replaced with a much lighter and smaller one giving the nose a kind of stubby look." A September 29th KF Aerospace Press Release noted the company s involvement in the tanker conversion. "In 2000, KF Aerospace (then Kelowna Flightcraft) formed a joint venture with Conair converting 10 commercial CV580 s into tankers. KF performed the weight reduction modification for Conair, and the tanks were fitted by Aero Union or Conair. Each tanker could carry 2,100 US gallons of retardant (or 7,950 litres)." While it sad that Conair has retired it once mighty fleet of CV580 air tankers, it good to see that two have been saved from the scrapman.
List of Active Convairs - September 17, 2022
With the recent rash of Convair retirements and scrappings, I ve attempted to create a listing of active aircraft from a number of sources. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of active aircraft with four piston powered examples still in operation. It was interesting to note that according to FlightAware, a number of IFL Group CV580 s and one of their CV5800 s were recently flown to the company s home base at Oakland County International Airport (PTK). The question I have is whether they were flown there for periodic maintenance; because of IFL s flight crew shortage; or is IFL retiring the type? If anyone knows what the story is, please email me at connieman@comcast.net. Note: I ve also included the four Conair firefighters that were retired after this summer s fire season, with three being retired last week!
IFL Group (Freighter)
CV580 N131FL - retired 2018
CV580 N141FL
CV580 N151FL - to PTK 2 August 2022
CV580 N171FL
CV580 N181FL - to PTK 17 June 2022
CV580 N191FL - retired 2018
CV580 N991FL - to PTK 20 April 2022
CV5800 N351FL
CV5800 N361FL
CV5800 N371FL
CV5800 N381FL
CV5800 N391FL - to PTK 3 August 2022
R&R Holdings (Freighter)
CV580 N581P
CV580 XA-UPL
Raytheon
CV580 N580HH
Airborne Resources (Airborne Imaging)
C-131B N131CR
Conquest Air (Freighter)
C-131F N342GS
C-131F N343GS
C-131F N345GS
KF Aerospace (Freighter)
CV580 C-FKFZ
CV580 C-GKFF
CV580 C-GKFG
CV5800 C-GKFS
Government of Saskatchewan (Firebomber)
CV580 C-GSKR T471
CV580 C-GVSK T473
CV580 C-GYSK T474
CV580 C-GSKQ T475
National Research Council
CV580 C-FNRC
Historical Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS)
CV580 VH-PDW
C-131D VH-TAA
Conair (Firebomber)
CV580 C-FKFA T452 (retired 12 Aug 2022)
CV580 C-FFKF T444 (retired 13 Sep 2022)
CV580 C-FKFL T449 (retired 13 Sep 2022)
CV580 C-FHKF T455 (retired 13 Sep 2022)
Conair CV580s Fly Home to Abbotsford Ending an Era - September 14, 2022 - (Updated November 13, 2022)
A week later than planned due to a late fire season, three Conair CV580 firebombers departed Penticton, B.C. for the last time on September 13th and flew home to Conair s home base in Abbotsford for retirement. C-FFKF T444, C-FKFL T449 and C-FHKF T455 departed shortly after 6:15pm PDT and arrived in Abbotsford about 45 minutes later. C-FKFA T452 returned to Abbotsford from its Alaskan assignment on August 12th so yesterday s return of the three Convairs marked the end of an era for these iconic aircraft and they will definitely be missed by aviation enthusiasts. Their Dash 8-400 s replacements might be more efficient but they are definitely not as sexy! The departure also meant the retirement of veteran pilot Grahame "Whisky" Wilson, who marked the event by dropping a final load of water over the runway at Penticton. Here s a link to an article posted on the pentictonnow.com website. UPDATE...The November/December 2022 issue of Canadian Aviator had a nice article about the retirement of Conair's Convairs.
KF Aerospace Center for Excellence Opens in Kelowna - September 12, 2022
John Olafson recently sent me an email with the exciting news of a new aviation museum opening in Kelowna, B.C. "The KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence just opened this week at Kelowna Airport. It s the dream of Barry Lapointe, founder and President of Kelowna Flightcraft to build a facility like this and it s a beautiful museum and convention center all in one. The star of the museum is the deHavilland Mosquito, one of only five airworthy examples in existence. Two aircraft you will be interested in are the CV580 N580HW which is now retired and on permanent display there. Its parked on the outside and looks great and it s a special one due to the research work it did for years and that its construction number is number 2."
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"The building features several other aircraft and many interesting displays depicting the history and accomplishments of Kelowna Flightcraft. It is shaped like an airplane viewed from above and the roof is designed to look from the front like the leading edge of wings. I am fortunate to live just half an hour away, so I will visit often."
Conair Set to Retire Remaining CV580 Firebombers - September 11, 2022
As reported on this website on May 26, 2022 and July 9, 2022 it appears that it s the end of the line for the three Convair CV580 firebombers (C-FFKF T444, C-FKFL T449 and C-FHKF T455) that were assigned to Penticton Regional Airport for the 2022 fire season. The CASTANET.net website reports that the three Convairs were due to depart Penticton on September 6th but FlightAware reports that all three made return flights to the airport on September 10th and have not flown since. After 25+ years of service with Conair, the Convairs will be replaced by Dash 8-400's. Very sad indeed!
In addition to the three aircraft assigned to Penticton, CV580 C-FKFA T452 was assigned to Alaska. This aircraft returned to Conair s home base in Abbotsford from Ketchikan, Alaska on August 12, 2022 after completion of its final firefighting assignment. At least two of the Convairs are slated to go to museums with C-FFKF #444 going to the KF Aerospace Center for Excellence in Kelowna and another to the British Columbia Aviation Museum in Victoria.
Local Companies Step Up to Help Alaskan Nonprofit - August 29, 2022
VIPER Transitions is an Anchorage, Alaska based nonprofit organization dedicated to ending veteran suicide through quality career opportunities and outreach programs. As reported on September 18, 2021 and October 24, 2020, TransNorthern Aviation donated R4D-8 (Super DC-3) N29TN to the organization for use in its aviation technician training program. On August 12, 2022 they posted the following on Facebook appealing for help in finding a new home for the aircraft and the training program. As it turns out, their appeal didn t go unheard with Everts Air Cargo agreeing to temporarily house the fuselage and wings and FEAM Ground Services providing temporary space for the bladder tanks and engines. They re still looking for a temporary storage location for some miscellaneous parts and the tail while working on their lease application. Hopefully the leasing issues are resolved soon and the organization will have a new home.
--August 12, 2022 FB Post--
Help us save the DC-3! This plane once served as a transport for Marines. Today we use it as a tool in the fight against veteran suicide. This plane serves two primary purposes: (1) as a training tool in the VIPER Aviation Maintenance Program. Our students have rebuilt spar from blocks of aluminum, removed the wings, dropped the engines, performed inspections, etc. and; (2) as a community building tool. We have had multiple generations of veterans come together to work on the plane, socialize, and form lasting bonds. It has been truly remarkable to see people come together with this project. Unfortunately, we are now at risk of possibly being forced to scrap the plane.
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We were invited to apply for the lease of an empty hangar and did so expecting it would work out in a timely manner. Some unexpected issues came up, and so we will not be in our own space before our sublease with FedEx expires. So, until these issues are resolved and we have a more permanent home for the plane and the VIPER Aviation Maintenance Program, we are looking for a space to park our plane. If you know someone at the airport who might be willing to help us store the plane, please have them contact us.
Two More Convairs Scrapped - August 25, 2022 - Updated September 12, 2022
It s been a bad year for Convair retirements and scrappings. Former FAA CV580s N39 and N49 were recently scrapped at Kelowna, B.C with Tristin Kenney photographing their remains, which consisted of a pile of scrap metal. Both had 60+ year careers with the FAA having been delivered new to the agency in 1958. Their U.S. civil registrations were canceled in October 2019 and the disassembled remains of both were trucked north to Kelowna, where KF Aerospace is headquartered.
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Air Spray Electra Report - July 12, 2022
Martin Cooper has been traveling British Columbia in July tracking down and photographing firebombers. On July 10th and 11th he photographed Air Spray L-188C Electras C-FLJO T482 and C-GHZI T484 at the Air Tanker Base in Prince George, British Columbia.
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-T481 Smithers
-T482 Prince George
-T484 Prince George
-T485 Fort McMurray
-T487 Fort McMurray
-T489 Fort St John
-T490 or T492 High Level
-T492 or T490 Slave Lake
-T498 Whitehorse
"I didn t note which Tanker was at High Level and which one was at Slave Lake"
The Ultimate Irony - July 11, 2022
Marc Hookerman took what might be the most ironic photo of 2022 when he photographed the takeoff of DC-6A N9056R at Fairbanks, Alaska in April. While the 1958 vintage DC-6A continues to fly on a regular basis, three examples of its so-called replacement sit idle on the Everts ramp, with at least two being engineless. The DC-9 was introduced some years back by Everts Air Cargo as a replacement for the DC-6/C-118 but it, in turn, has been replaced by MD-80 s with only one remaining in service. Thanks Marc for sharing this amazing photo...it puts a smile on my face!
British Columbia Propliner/Firebomber Report - July 9, 2022
Martin Cooper visited Abbotsford and Penticton, British Columbia on July 8, 2022 and noted the following Propliners/Firebombers.
-Abbotsford International Airport-
Between the Conair hangars
- L-188 Electra C-FYYJ T460 - no props but otherwise appeared complete.
University of the Fraiser Valley
- CS2F-2 C-GEQC T504
- CS2F-2 C-GEQE T506
Both are former Saskatchewan Air Tankers looking unloved but complete.
- Lockheed Lodestar CF-TCY
- Unidentified bare meal S2
Both were also noted in this April 9, 2022 report.
Cascade Aerospace
- C-GFBP appeared to be under conversion to CL-215T wearing yellow with red stripe as Manitoba aircraft or similar
- Unidentified yellow CL-215T with black/white/black cheatline
- S-2 Firecat C-GHDY T573 ex Conair also looking unloved
-Penticton Municipal Airport-
All aircraft departed at approx. 13.30 returning approximately 50 minutes later. I later found out this was a weekly training flight carried out presumably if there is no other activity. Talking to one of the CV580 crew members he noted that whilst there has been no official announcement and the last few years have been rumored to the Conair s last year the crews believe that when this year s contract with British Columbia ends on 7 September that will be the end of Conair CV580 operations.
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- CV580 C-FFKF T444
- CV580 C-FKFL T449
- CV580 C-FHKF T455
AN-2 on Floats - July 6, 2022
Regular contributor John Olafson recently photographed an Antonov AN-2 on floats. While AN-2's don't really qualify as a Propliner, I m making an exception and including it because an AN-2 on floats is rare and interesting....plus it has a big old radial engine up front!
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Grounded in Alaska - June 22, 2022
Dietmar Schreiber spent a couple of weeks in Alaska in June where he was blessed with some amazingly sunny weather for his hallmark air-to-air photography. He also managed to find time to photograph two grounded relics; C-119G N9027K parked at the south ramp of Anchorage International Airport and C-123K N123K parked at Nikiski Air Strip.
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Buffalo Airways Red Deer Update - June 21, 2022
John Olafson visited Red Deer Regional Airport on June 1, 2022 and provided the following update to Mike Goberg s March 21, 2022 report. "I was at Red Deer on June 1st and there was not much to see. The three former Conair Convairs were there and they had G-GYXC in the hangar and it was likely being stripped of anything of value. I could see nothing on the Air Spray ramp and the only thing of interest of Buffalo was DC-4 C-GBNV and it appears to be complete. Maybe its going to be doing some spraying. And C-FDTD was still there but in full view through the fence. Once again, no airside access."
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Forgotten Alaskan DC-4 Hulk - June 8, 2022
When Dietmar Schreiber travels to Alaska, interesting photos are sure to follow. On Dietmar s current trip, he and a group including Andras Mihalik, flew to Ganes Creek on June 7th to photograph former Brooks Air Fuel DC-4 N44911. The aircraft was abandoned after a May 8, 2004 incident where the left wing caught fire during engine start for the return flight to Fairbanks. While starting the #1 engine, there was an explosion on the wing between the #1 and #2 engines resulting in the outboard section of the wing separating from the aircraft. The crew taxied away from the burning wing section and, while the aircraft didn t burn, damage to the wing was extensive and deemed unrepairable. After the engines and other valuable components were removed, the hapless DC-4 was abandoned and left to rot in place. I m somewhat amazed that the state didn't require the removal of the remaining hulk. Perhaps this wasn t required in 2004. Many thanks to Dietmar and Andras for sharing their amazing photos. For more information about the incident at Ganes Creek, check out the Aviation Safety Network report regarding the incident.
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Alaskan Super DC-3 Update - June 4, 2022
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Conair CV580 Update - May 26, 2022
Conair has been drawing down its CV580 fleet and John Olafson reports that only four remain in service. They have served Conair well over the years and this fire season it probably the last for these aircraft. John visited Penticton, B.C. on May 17, 2022 and provided the following report and photos.
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Alaskan "Baby DC-6" News - May 26, 2022
I recently received an email from a gentleman in Alaska saying that he had acquired DC-6 N666SQ and he was planning to convert it into his primary residence. This aircraft was acquired by Everts in 1994 but was not suitable for their needs due to it being a "Baby DC-6" and not a larger DC-6A, DC-6B or C-118. Marty Hall tried to find a home for it at a museum but none were interested and in 2009 N666SQ was donated to the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club. It was disassembled and moved to a location on Bennett Road near Fairbanks in July 2009, where I photographed it in 2011. After a few years at this location, it was moved to a new location in North Pole, Alaska where it sits today. The lot was obviously cleared to accommodate the aircraft but during my May 2019 visit it appeared, for all intents and purposes, to be abandoned with the wings and other pieces haphazardly lying on the ground.
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Two Alaskan DC-6B's....One Reg - May 7, 2022
Fred Barnes recently sent me a report and photos of two DC-6B's that Everts once operated. It's interesting to note that both were registered N151. "It was such good news to hear that the former Everts Air Cargo DC-6B(F) N151 c/n 45496 had arrived in Stavanger, Norway on 2nd June 2020 painted in full Braathens SAFE colors as LN-SUB to be preserved in the Flyhistorisk Museum. I can remember seeing the aircraft as LN-SUB at Gatwick in the 1960s and again in Anchorage 2008 as N151."
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Many thanks to Fred for sharing this interesting historical tidbit and his photos.
Everts Propliner Fleet Status - May 4, 2022
A friend recently asked me about the status of the Everts Air Fuel and Everts Air Cargo Propliner fleet. I had earlier heard that many of the cargo flights had been replaced with MD80 equipment and, using a list of airworthy Propliners from my May 2019 trip to Alaska, I checked the status of each aircraft using FlightAware. The advent of ADSB has made the tracking of such flights easier since both IFR and VFR flights are recorded and noted on the website. While it s not great news, the following summary indicates that Everts continues to utilize Propliners for both cargo and fuel operations.
Everts Air Cargo
C-118A - N100CE - former H&P N51599 - last recorded flight 11 March 2022
DC-6B - N151 - to museum in Stavanger, Norway in June 2020
C-118A - N351CE - last recorded flight on 6 May 2015
C-118B - N451CE - former Everts Air Fuel - non-standard markings - WFU after 1 August 2019 landing accident
C-118A - N747CE - former H&P N233HP and Everts Air Fuel - currently in use out of ANC
DC-6A - N9056R - currently in use out of FAI
C-46D - N54514 EAC Maid in Japan - currently in use out of FAI
Everts Air Fuel
C-118A - N251CE - last recorded flight on 25 February 2022
DC-6B - N444CE - Spirit of America - currently in use out of FAI
DC-6B - N6586C - Everts Air Fuel - former Everts Air Cargo - last recorded flight 11 December 2021
DC-6A - N651CE - former Conair C-GHLY #46 - prior Everts registration N501ZS - currently in use out of FAI and ENA
DC-6A - N7780B - Aviator - last recorded flight on 4 March 2022
C-46R - N7848B Dumbo - currently in use out of ENA
C-46F - N1837M Hot Stuff - currently in use out of ENA and FAI
C-46F - N1822M EAF Salmon Ella - nose section replaced after landing accident on 16 July 2018 - last recorded flight 18 June 2020 (Everett, WA?)
DC-4 Departs Florida for Utah Museum - May 1, 2022
Buffalo Airways DC-4 N55CW departed Keystone Heights Airport in Florida on April 27, 2022 for the Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum in St. George, Utah, where it will go on static display. Departing shortly after 12:00 noon, the aircraft arrived five hours later in Fredericksburg, Texas for an overnight stop. In what will probably be the aircraft s final flight, it departed Fredericksburg late the next afternoon and arrived at St. George Regional Airport four hours later. The veteran flight crew consisted of pilot Bob Steenbock, co-pilot Mike Stallman and flight mechanic Frank Moss. A great choice of crew in that their combined Propliner experience probably exceeds 100 years!
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While all of us would have preferred to see the aircraft continue to fly, having it saved and put on display in a museum is not a bad ending to this story.
Everts Adds New Fuel Hauler - April 30, 2022
Marc Hookerman photographed Everts Air Fuel s newest fuel hauler in Kenai, Alaska on April 27, 2022. DC-6A N651CE is former Conair firebomber C-GHLY #46 and looks great in partial Conair colors with Everts titles. I photographed this aircraft at Fairbanks Intl Airport in May 2019 when it was undergoing conversion at the Everts North Hangar and at Abbotsford, BC in September 2005 in full Conair colors. According to FAA records, the airworthiness date is December 16, 2021 so it s safe to assume that N651CE is a relatively recent addition to the Everts fleet. Many thanks to Marc for sharing his photo.
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Desert Air Alaska Leases BT-67 - April 19, 2022
Desert Air Alaska posted a video on YouTube announcing that BT-67 N115U had joined the company s fleet of DC-3 freighters. Originally acquired by the US Forest Service in June 1964, the DC-3 was converted to turbine power by Basler Turbine Conversions in 1992. The BT-67, registered N115Z, was the last DC-3 type aircraft operated by the US Forest Service when it was retired in December 2015. During its long career with the USFS, it was used to fly smoke jumpers to remote forest fire locations. Basler acquired the aircraft in late 2020 and has dry leased the aircraft to a number of operators since acquiring it. I saw the aircraft during my August 2021 visit to Basler, when it was undergoing routine maintenance before going out on another lease. Here s some photos of the aircraft from that visit.
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TransNorthern Super DC-3 Update - April 18, 2022
Some great news from TransNorthern regarding the company s two operational Super DC-3 s that were damaged in incidents last year. N30TN was involving in a landing incident at Goodnews, Alaska on August 4, 2021 and N28TN made an emergency wheels up landing at Merrill Field on December 8, 2021 after losing an engine shortly after takeoff from Anchorage International. Michael Prophet recently reached out on Facebook for an update on the status of the aircraft and received a response from TransNorthern owner Alan Larson. "N30TN is still waiting on summer weather to come back to ANC. N28TN just got new props in town last week and will be back in the Air soon. N29TN was donated to the Wounded Warrior Group. They are training mechanics and pilots to work on the transport category radials and hope to fly veterans to remote fishing locations this summer. (It's being worked on in the FedEx hanger on the Anchorage International Airport. N27TN is still at the Wasilla Airport - hasn't been put in service yet since ferried from Florida a few years ago!"
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Canadian Lodestar - April 9, 2022
John Olafson recently sent me an email with a photo of Lodestar CF-TCY, which he took at Delta Heritage Air Park way back in 2007. It was moved to Abbotsford for restoration at the University College of the Fraser Valley but it doesn't appear that much has been done in the past 12+ years. "I was viewing the recent photos by Kenneth Swartz at Abbotsford and, in his photo of a stored Tracker (June 2021), I noticed that Lodestar CF-TCY was parked beside it. I photographed it September 19, 2007 at Delta Heritage Air Park and in October of that year it was taken apart and moved to Abbotsford to the University College of the Fraser Valley where it was to be restored for display and then taken to the Canadian Museum of Flight at Langley, BC. A number of retired TCA/Air Canada retirees raised some funds to go towards its restoration. It appears the restoration project is going to take a long time as there does not seem to be very much progress made over the last few years. It is hoped that the restoration will eventually be completed and the aircraft will be put on display as it has a great deal of Canadian aviation history associated with it."
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Does anyone know the identity of the CS2F Tracker parked next to the Lodestar and if it's also waiting in the restoration queue?
Buffalo Airways Red Deer Update - March 21, 2022
Mike Golberg visited Red Deer Regional Airport on March 19, 2022 and photographed a number of Buffalo Airways aircraft from the fence line. Since John Olafson s September 2, 2021 visit to the airport, former Conair CV580 s C-GKFO #53 and C-FKFM #54 have arrived joining C-GYXC #42 and C-FKFB #47. While Buffalo doesn t fly Convairs, valuable engines and other components have been harvested for the company s Electras and smart money have the Convairs eventually being scrapped. Like John, Mike was not able gain airside access and his photos are over and through the fence. The photos provide a sense of what s happening with Buffalo at the airport and are much appreciated. Many thanks to Mike for sharing his report and photos.
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Keystone DC-4 Flight Prep Nearing Completion - March 19, 2022
As reported on March 2, 2022, Buffalo Airways DC-4 N55CW is being made ready for its first flight in quite a number of years at Keystone Airpark in Florida. In the March 2nd report, I assumed that it would be flown back to Canada but it turns out that it is being flown to St. George, Utah, where it will go on static display in a museum. While I haven t confirmed it, I m assuming that museum is the Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum, which is located at the St. George Regional Airport.
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Ronnie told me that most of the major items have been completed, including test runs on all four engines. He is now working on a multitude of time consuming minor items that need to be addressed prior to the flight. While working alone most of the day, he gets help from fellow Canadian Trent Foster after he finishes his shift at nearby MHD-Rockland. Trent worked 20+ years at Air Spray in Red Deer and thus has extensive experience working on both piston and turboprop aircraft and thus has been a great help. Ronnie planned to install the engine cowlings the day of my visit and hoped to have the airplane ready for its flight to Utah in a week to ten days. The DC-4 will be flown to St. George by a three-man crew with the flight taking a day if all goes well. Sadly, it could very well be the aircraft s last flight as it will go on static display at the museum and not kept airworthy. Not a great ending but a lot better than being stripped of her engines and other useful parts and scrapped . Ronnie told me that Buffalo will be basing two of their CL-215 water scoopers in Quebec this summer and that he will spend the summer there supporting the aircraft.
Keystone Airpark DC-4 & Electra Update - March 2, 2022
Ronnie McBryan is back in Florida working on getting DC-4 N55CW ready for a flight presumably back to Canada. As of yesterday, it was reported that three of the four engines are running so the flight can t be too far off in the future. The aircraft was just about ready to depart for Canada back in February 2020 when Ronnie had a medical emergency and had to return to Canada. The COVID pandemic descended on the world shortly thereafter resulting in the two year delay. Now that the US-Canada border is finally back open, Ronnie was able to return to Florida to finish the job he started two years ago.
Not such good news regarding the four former Zantop Electras (N282F, N286F, N340HA and N346HA) that were flown to Keystone Airpark from Willow Run Airport by MHD-Rockland a few years ago with the plan to convert them to air tankers. The plan was abandoned and they have been stored at various locations around the field since then. They re parked in a field surrounded by trees and haven t been moved since my October 2020 visit. On a positive note, it appears that they ve been cleaned up with the black mold removed from the fuselages.
For additional information about these aircraft, check out the October 18, 2020 report on this website. Many thanks to Tony Dann for allowing the use of his recent photos.
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Alaskan DC-4 Rear Fuselage Swap - March 1, 2022
As reported on October 15, 2020, Alaska Air Fuel (AAF) DC-4 N96358 severely damaged when it overran the runway at Yakataga Airport, Alaska on Saturday October 10, 2020. AAF s second DC-4 N3054V had been stored with a damaged rear fuselage at Wasilla Airport for a number of years and was repaired and re-entered service with AAF in late 2020 or early 2021. It had been reported that the rear fuselage from former Central Air Services DC-4 N6816D had been removed and shipped from Tucson, Arizona to facilitate the repair. Glenn Palmer s February 2022 photo of the former rear fuselage from N3054V sitting in the weeks at Wasilla pretty much confirms that the transplant was made.
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Everts Air Featured in Airways Magazine - February 10, 2022
Fed Ex pilot Patrick W. Smith wrote an interesting article in a recent issue of Airways Magazine about a roundtrip flight he took on Everts Air Cargo DC-6A N9056R from Anchorage to Togiak, Alaska. Trips like this used to be common during pre-9/11 days but now they are restricted to those with airline crew credentials. Lucky guy!
RCAF Retires the CC-115 Buffalo - January 21, 2022
The CC-115 Buffalo ended its military career on January 15, 2022, when the type flew its final operational flight for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The Buffalo entered service with the RCAF in 1967 and after 55 years of sterling service, it is being replaced by the CC-295 Kingfisher. The first Kingfisher arrived during the fall of 2020 with delivery of the 16th aircraft scheduled for the fall of 2022. Three Buffalo s will be retained by the RCAF as historical artifacts. For more information, check out the January 15th RCAF News Release and the January 17th SKIE article.
Martin Mars For Sale - January 16, 2022
The Coulson Group recently advertised one of their Martin Mars flying boats for sale on Platinum Fighter Sales for $5M. C-FLYL "Hawaii Mars" along with sister ship C-FLYK "Philippine Mars" were retired from firefighting in 2013 and 2007 respectively. C-FLYL trained Chinese pilots in 2015 and attended AirVenture in 2016 before being flown back to Port Alberni and parked. C-FLYK was painted in U.S. Navy colors in anticipation of a deal with the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida that never happened. It was reported at the time that the deal was blocked as the result of of Canada s "Cultural Property Export and Import Act." The first two photos were taken at Sproat Lake, Vancouver Island, BC in September 2005 and the third taken in September 2016 after C-FLYK was painted in U.S. Navy colors. Many thanks to Christopher Terry for sharing his 2016 photo of C-FLYK.
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Super DC-3 Incident in Anchorage - December 10, 2021
TransNorthern Super DC-3 (R4D-8) N28TN made an emergency landing at Merrill Field (MRI) on Wednesday morning December 8, 2021. The aircraft had taken off from Anchorage International Airport s (ANC) runway 7L on a cargo flight to Kodiak and lost its #2 engine shortly after takeoff. Loaded with cargo and fuel for the flight to Kodiak, the aircraft was unable to maintain altitude and the pilots declared an emergency. They initially requested a return to ANC but, realizing that they probably weren t wouldn't be able to make it back to ANC, they requested runway 7 at Merrill Field. Disaster was narrowly averted as the aircraft clipped the top of some trees near the approach end of airport and the right wing nearly hit a parked GA aircraft before landing with its gear retracted. In all probability, this was done intentionally as they wouldn t have made it to the field if they had decided to extend the gear due to the extra drag that would have created. There are a number of videos posted on the internet and it appears that the pilots did a masterful job getting the airplane on the ground safely without injury to themselves or anyone on the ground. One can only imagine the number of casualties if the aircraft had come down in the middle of Anchorage.
In this day and age, everyone has a video camera in their cellphone and the incident was captured by many bystanders. I ve included links to two YouTube videos. The first video is a compilation of videos and includes the radio transmissions between the pilots and ATC. The second video shows a crew extending the landing gear and towing the aircraft from the runway. While the aircraft will need new engines and props and sheet metal repair to the wings where they hit the trees, it appears that structural damage to the aircraft is minimal. Additional information regarding the incident can be found in the Aviation Safety Network and Kathryn s Reports.
The loss of N28TN means that TransNorthern currently has no airworthy Super DC-3 s in its fleet. N30TN was damaged in a landing incident at Goodnews, Alaska after the apparent collapse of its right landing gear and N29TN was recently donated to a local museum. N27TN has been stored at Wasilla Airport since arriving from Arizona quite a few years ago.
End of the Line for Alaskan DC-3 - October 30, 2021
DC-3 N777YA had a long history of flying the Alaskan bush going back to 1946 with well-known operators including Wien Alaskan, Woods Air Cargo and Bush Air Cargo. While it had been involved in a number of incidents over the years, it was always repaired and put back into service. That ended on November 22, 2015 when the infamous landing strip at Nixon Fork Mine claimed another victim. The DC-3 struck a snow berm just short of the runway threshold causing considerable damage. It was reported that the aircraft was further damaged when heavy equipment was used to move it off the runway. Luckily neither pilot was injured in the incident.
Owner Bart Tiernan originally hoped to repair the aircraft but this proved unpractical due to the remote location of the airstrip and the extent of the damage. The State of Alaska requires that damaged aircraft be removed from the outback and recently the aircraft was cut up into smaller pieces so that it could be removed by helicopter. Recent photos of the aircraft surfaced when FW Transburg posted some on Facebook. I ve also included a photo of the aircraft in better times and one taken shortly after the incident.
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TransNorthern Aviation Donates Super DC-3 - September 18, 2021
Eric Ellis reports on TransNorthern Aviation s R4D-8 (C-117D) Super DC-3 N29TN... "TransNorthern has donated this Super DC-3 to a restoration group and it will be painted in its former Air Force livery. It s currently going to be stored in the FedEx hangar." Since the U.S. Air Force didn t operate C-117D s, I m assuming that it will be painted in either U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps colors.
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Red Deer Regional Airport Update - September 2, 2021
John Olafson recently visited Red Deer Regional Airport in Alberta, Canada and forwarded a report and photos. On July 29th I reported that Air Spray was building a new RADS II tank system and the obvious question at the time was what Electra would be pulled out of the boneyard for restoration. John reports that former Honduran Air Force C-GNPB had been moved to the active ramp and perhaps this long-stored airframe might be Air Spray s next tanker conversion or perhaps not. Only time will tell.
Former Conair CV580 C-FKFB #47 is a recent arrival at Red Deer and joins CV580 C-GYXC #42, which arrived some time ago. Buffalo obviously acquired them for their Allison engines since it doesn t operate CV580 s. With that said, here s John s report.
I was at Red Deer on August 25th, and sadly, and unfortunately I could not access either Air Spray or Buffalo facilities. Air Spray s director of safety was unavailable and nobody was there who was authorized to let me in. Same at Buffalo, although a sympathetic chap let me inside the gate but no further. Very disappointing. Maybe this is yet another airport where access inside is going to be near impossible. I hope not.
It looks like many of Buffalo s stored aircraft have been moved away from the back field and are seen close to their hangars, behind locked gates and fences. Maybe that back storage area is earmarked for something else.
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Many thanks to John for sharing his report and photos.
Alaskan Super DC-3 Damaged in Landing Incident - August 5, 2021
TransNorthern Aviation Douglas C-117D Super DC-3, N30TN was damaged yesterday at Goodnews, Alaska after the apparent collapse of its right landing gear. The aircraft was operating a passenger flight from Anchorage to Goodnews with 17 persons onboard when it departed the runway during the landing rollout. Thankfully no one onboard was injured and hopefully damage to the aircraft isn t too serious. A witness said that the landing looked normal and then all of the sudden it just veered off."
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New Electra Tanker for Air Spray? - July 29, 2021
Air Spray Tankers posted two photos of a RADS II tank system on a July 6th post on their Facebook page with a teaser caption saying that is was being built in their shop for their "next" L188 Electra tanker. The prospect of a new Electra air tanker/firebomber is indeed very exciting and the question now is "what airframe will be converted?" Therre's lot to choose from in Air Spray's Red Deer boneyard.
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Uncertain Future for Former Atlantic Airlines Electra - July 28, 2021
During his June 21, 2021 visit to Abbotsford Airport, Ken Swartz noted that Electra C-GYCG had been moved across the airport from the Conair ramp to Cascade Aerospace. The Electra was one of two acquired by Conair from Atlantic Airlines but never put into service. The other Electra was C-GIZU and both had been stored in Conair s storage yard at the airport since arriving from England. Buffalo Airways acquired both aircraft from Conair in the fall of 2016 with the intent of making them airworthy for ferry flights to Buffalo s maintenance base in Red Deer.
C-GIZU was made airworthy by Electra specialists Don Deyo and Tom Hastings and ferried to Red Deer shortly after the aircraft were acquired by Buffalo but, with winter quickly approaching, it was decided to wait until warmer weather to prepare C-GYCG for the ferry flight. Don and Tom returned in the spring of 2017 and were ready to hang engines and props when Transport Canada ruled that all outstanding Airworthiness Directives (AD) had to be complied with prior to the ferry flight. The no open AD requirement for a ferry flight is almost unheard of and one has to wonder if someone at Transport Canada still has an axe to grind with Joe McBryan.
It is obvious from Tobyn Burton s April 2021 photo that the condition of C-GYCG has gone downhill and it appears that the ferry flight to Red Deer is probably not going to happen. Mold on the aircraft is one thing but the open door is far more serious since it allows birds and the elements to enter the aircraft s interior. As for the Electra that escaped Abbotsford, C-GIZU was noted inside one of the Buffalo hangars in June 2019 but I don t believe that the aircraft has been put into service by Buffalo.
June 2021 Abbotsford Propliner Update - July 27, 2021
Ken Swartz visited Conair Aerial Firefighting at Abbotsford International Airport on June 21, 2021 and provided the following report and photos. "I walked the ramp at Conair at Abbotsford Airport today! The DC-6Bs are long gone but I did see the following air tankers - one L-188 Electra; three Convair 580s (two with tanks removed); one RJ85; one AT-802; one FireBoss; plus one former FlyBe Q400. I also noted former Atlantic Airliners Electra C-GYCG and S-2 FireCats C-GHDY T73 and C-FJOH T76 stored across the field at Cascade Aerospace for Buffalo Airways. In addition, Government of Saskatchewan S-2 Trackers C-GEQC T504 and C-GEQE T506 and one unmarked former Canadian Navy Tracker were stored at The University of The Fraser Valley s Aerospace Centre. The Navy Tracker has been there since 2006."
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For more information about Conair s operations, check out Ken s article in the current issue of Skies, Canada s national aviation magazine.
Buffalo Airways Acquires CV580 - July 26, 2021
Buffalo Airways recently acquired C-GYXC T42 from Conair Aerial Firefighting. As reported on May 19, 2021, Conair is modernizing its tanker fleet and will be retiring its fleet of CV580 firebombers over the next few years. As reported on Ruud Leeuw s Aviation History and Photography website, Buffalo acquired the aircraft for its engines and posted of photo of the aircraft at Conair s base in Abbotsford, BC. Ty Novak posted photos of the aircraft parked engineless at Buffalo s maintenance base at Red Deer, AB, still in Conair colors. The engines are undoubtedly going to be used to keep Buffalo s Electras flying. Many thanks to Ty for allowing me to post his photos.
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Four More Convairs Scrapped in May - June 19, 2021
As reported on May 23rd, former Norlinor CV580 C-FTAP has been saved from the scrapman and was donated to the Time Air Historical Society, where it will be preserved and put on static display. That s the good news the bad news is that the remaining Norlinor CV580 fleet was scrapped at Mirabel, Quebec in May 2021. The aircraft scrapped were C-FAWV, C-FHNM, C-GQHB and C-GRLQ. Ken Swartz forwarded the following report and photos. "Air Spray bought Nolinor s fleet of Convair 580s for their Allison 501 engines and propellers to keep its fleet of Lockheed L-188 flying. Apparently, a condition of the sale was that the Convair 580s had to be removed within 30 days since their parking spot at Nolinor was going to be redeveloped. Most of the Conair s were scrapped at Mirabel International Airport in May 2021, with the exception of C-FTAP which was donated by Air Spray to the Time Air Historical Society in Lethbridge, Alberta. This aircraft has to be removed from the airport within six months." many thanks to Ken for his report and photos.
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Alaskan Convair Scrapped - June 12, 2021
On April 2, 2021 I reported that CV240/T-29 N153PA was scheduled to be scrapped in the very near future. On June 4th, with her engines and other useful components removed, the aircraft was reduced to a pile of metal at Anchorage International Airport. The Convair had not flown for many years and didn t fit Desert Air Alaska s business plan.
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Location of Former Brooks Fuel Aircraft Confirmed - June 5, 2021
As reported on March 27, 2020, 1st Strike Asset Management was contracted by the State of Alaska to clean up the Brooks Fuel yard at Fairbanks International Airport prior to the state undertaking an environmental cleanup. An on-line auction was held in mid-April 2020, which included tools, equipment, vehicles and a number of aircraft. A few aircraft were moved off the compound prior to the auction, including DC-7C N90251, DC-4 N438NA and DC-3 N95460. The DC-3 was noted being towed along a local highway on October 29, 2019 and it was later reported that it was headed to nearby Chena Marina Airport. Reports had the DC-7C and DC-4 being moved to the Everts north hangar area. None of these reports were confirmed and I had hoped to verify the locations during a May 2021 trip to Alaska that unfortunately never happened.
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Convair Eludes the Scrapman - May 23, 2021
As reported on May 3rd, former Nolinor Aviation CV580 C-FTAP was in imminent danger of being scrapped. I m happy to report that the aircraft has been spared and was recently acquired by the Time Air Historical Society. It was the last passenger configured CV580 operating in North American. Since the engines have been removed, it will be transported from Montreal to Lethbridge, Alberta by road. With Conair retiring its CV580 fleet, hopefully a set of runout Allisons and props can be acquired for the aircraft. The society announced the acquisition in a quirky video that was recently posted on YouTube. With all the bad Convair news lately, this is great news indeed and kudos to the society for saving this aircraft.
Conair Fleet Modernization Update - May 19, 2021
As reported on March 1st and April 5th, Conair is replacing its vintage Electra and CV580 firebombers with Q400s. Ken Swartz recently provided some additional insight. "Conair retired L-188 C-FYYJ T60 last year and replaced it with a Q400AT for the 2021 season. The engines and propellers from the Electra will be used to support the eight aircraft CV580 fleet. Alaska s Department of Natural Resources is contracting one Q400AT and one Convair 580 this summer. Conair bought two Q400s from Angola in 2019 and 11 ex-FlyBe Q400s in January 2021. They have the capacity to convert three to four Q400s to air tankers a year since they also have to maintain more than 60 aircraft in their current fleet. Conair still have to deliver three Q400MR s to France under an existing contract. Since the Dash 8-400 production line is pausing this summer, they have bought two aircraft off the production line now ahead of the scheduled delivery date to France."
Golden Era Aviation Launches Operations - May 18, 2021
On February 6, 2021 I wrote about Norse Flight s 2020 plans to begin offering Flight Seeing trips out of Anchorage International Airport with DC-3 N763A. For obvious reasons the venture didn t take off in 2020 and it now appears that Norse Flight has morphed into Golden Era Aviation, which will shortly begin offering vintage flight tours and charters out of Palmer Airport with DC-3s N763A and N400MF.
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Another Convair Faces Scrapping - May 3, 2021
The Time Air Historic Society recently reported on Facebook that the engines have been removed from Nolinor Aviation CV580 C-FTAP> and that the aircraft is in imminent danger of being scrapped. The engines were reportedly sold to Air Spray. This former Time Air aircraft and its possible demise is but another example of the slow but steady decline in the population of both airworthy and non-airworthy twin Convairs.
Palmer DC-3 Test Flight - May 2, 2021
Former Missionary Flight International (MFI) DC-3 N400MF flew for the first time in almost five years on April 23, 2021. The aircraft was acquired by Kingdom Air Corps and flown to Alaska in 2015. Based at Palmer Airport, it has spent most of its time parked at the airport since arriving in Alaska. Back in June 2020, it received some TLC and reportedly it has been sold.
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KF Aerospace Acquires DC-3 - April 22, 2021
KF Aerospace recently acquired DC-3 N173RD, which arrived at company headquarters in Kelowna, BC on April 21, 2021. The DC-3 is special to the company in that it was flown around the world in 1986 by KF founder Barry Lapointe on a publicity tour to promote the that year's Vancouver Expo. The DC-3 will be place on display at company headquarters in Kelowna. For more information check out the KF Aerospace April 15th press release.
Q400 Firebomber Conversion - April 5, 2021 - Updated April 16, 2021 & June 1, 2021
As reported on March 1, 2021, Conair has already retired Electra C-FYYJ and plans on retiring their fleet of CV580 firebombers over the next few years. They will be replaced with former Flybe Q400 s. G-KKEV arrived in late February and is already well into the conversion process at Conair s maintenance facility in Abbotsford, BC. By mid-March the aircraft s interior has been stripped down to the bare airframe, which will reduce weight and maximize its fire retardant load. The conversion is expected to take about 75 days and a second Q400, G-ECOJ, arrived in Abbotsford in late March. Conair has acquired twelve former Flybe Q400's and, doing the math, it should take about two years to convert all of them to firebombers. So---best case, the iconic Convairs will remain in service for two more years. They have been around for many years and will be missed! For more information, check out this February 24, 2021 FlightGlobal article.
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Ken also wrote an interesting article about Conair's Dash 8-Q400 conversion program in the June/July 2021 digital issue of Skies Magazine.
Another Convair to be Scrapped - April 2, 2021
I recently received a report that Desert Air CV240/T-29 N153PA was going to be scrapped in the very near future with its two R2800 engines going to Everts. I contacted Desert Air owner Joey Benetka who confirmed that indeed the aircraft is being scrapped. While N153PA appeared to be in good condition, it hadn t flown for many years and didn t fit into Joey s business plan. Joey plans on operating the DC-3 for years to come so this is yet another example of the DC-3 outlasting its so-called "replacement."
Conair Replacing Electra and CV580s with Q400s - March 1, 2021
Conair has retired Electra C-FYYJ Tanker #60 and it was recently noted parked engineless at Conair s Abbotsford, BC base. The Electra will be replaced, along with the CV580s over the next few years by eleven former Flybe Q400s. According to an article published on the Fire Aviation website, the first Q400 has arrived in Abbotsford after the long ferry flight from Europe. It s sad that the Electra and Convairs are being retired and hopefully some will finds homes with other operators. I've included a photo taken of the Electra in better times by John Olafson at Campbell River, BC on September 3, 2015.
Alaskan Vintage DC-3 Tours Still on Hold? - February 6, 2021
In 2020, Norseflight announced on their website that they would be offering vintage DC-3 tours and charter flights out of Anchorage International Airport in DC-3 N763A. This aircraft is painted in vintage Ozark Airlines colors and is fitted with, what I believe is, an original pax interior. The startup didn't happen in 2020 for obvious reasons...does anyone know if there are plans to start operations in 2021? Below is an excerpt from their website.
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We will be offering breathtaking flightseeing tours right out of Anchorage International. Within minutes of departure you will experience a first row view of the Alaska Wilderness in a classic DC-3.
Charter Flights
In addition to our vintage tours we will be offering the aircraft for charter work. Contact us to find out more.
Our Airplane
The DC-3 is one of the most iconic airplanes ever built. She has served faithfully in World War 2 and keeps doing so well into the 21st century. N763A has flown for the Army Air Corp, Continental Airlines, and various private operators. Grace Kelly once flew on this very aircraft.
Norseflight
3705 Arctic Blvd, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, United States
(907) 230-8204
Alaskan DC-4 Returned to Service - January 14, 2021
Marc Hookerman reports that repairs to Alaska Air Fuel s (AAF) DC-4 N3054V have been completed and the aircraft has returned to service hauling fuel to the far reaches of Alaska. For more information about the aircraft, check out the December 19, 2020 report on this page. Marc also reports that DC-4 N51802 remains parked at Fairbanks International Airport. As reported on June 5, 2020 this aircraft was purchased by AAF at last year s Brooks Fuel auction in Fairbanks.
Alaskan DC-4 Being Readied for Return to Service - December 19, 2020
As reported on October 15, 2020, Alaska Air Fuel s (AAF) DC-4 N96358 was written off when it overran the runway at Yakataga Airport, Alaska on October 10, 2020. AAF had initially been interested in purchasing Buffalo Airways DC-4 N55CW but apparently the two parties couldn t agree on purchase terms. N55CW has been stored at Keystone Airpark in Florida for the past six years and was last based at Punta Gorda, Florida on an oil dispersant standby contract back in 2012. Due to the deal on N55CW falling through, AAF is busy preparing its second DC-4 N3054V for a return to service with engines already installed and functional checks scheduled for next week. This aircraft was an active flyer with AAF and has been stored at Wasilla, Alaska for the past four years.
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Alaskan Super 3 Assumes New Role - October 24, 2020
TransNorthern Aviation R4D-8Z N29TN, which has been grounded for a number of years in Anchorage, will be given a facelift and used to train veterans. TransNorthern owner Alan Larson posted the following announcement on Facebook yesterday. "Wondered if anyone has a picture of the Navy Admiral's ship Paint scheme from the 60's. TransNorthern converted this aircraft to a 19 passenger executive Part 135 aircraft in 2007 and operated it in Alaska serving High End Fishing Lodges until 2014. It will be used to training veterans to learn new skills in Aircraft Maintenance in 2021." N29TN is one of four Super DC-3s owned by TransNorthern with N28TN flying freight, N30TN flying passengers and N27TN stored at Wasilla Airport. If you can help Alan with a photo of the aircraft from the 1960's, please email him at alan@transnorthern.com
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Keystone Airpark Electras & DC-4 - October 18, 2020
I visited Keystone Airpark on October 16, 2020 and, in addition to visiting MHD-Rockland, I had the opportunity to photograph the four former Zantop Electras (N282F, N286F, N340HA and N346HA) and Buffalo Airways DC-4 N55CW that have been parked at the airport for a number of years. After Zantop ceased operations in 2001, the four Electras were stored in Ypsilanti, Michigan for quite a few years before being acquired by MHD-Rockland. One by one they were made airworthy and flown to Keystone Heights in late 2014/early 2015 using one set of engines provided by Buffalo Airways. MHD-Rockland teamed with Electra expert Don Deyo of Mercair and Buffalo Airways with the goal of restoring the aircraft as freighters and/or firebombers. For whatever reason, the venture never gelled and the Electras were parked at the southwest end of the airport near the approach end of runway 5. They have since been moved to a grassy area near t-hangars at the northeast corner of the airport. I witnessed the arrival of two of the Electras and it s sad to see how quickly they have deteriorated. All four aircraft are covered with dark mold and, as reported on September 1, 2020 unless a last minute buyer appears, the aircraft will most likely be scrapped.
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DC-4 Damaged in Runway Overrun - October 15, 2020
Alaska Air Fuel DC-4 N96358 was severely damaged when it overran the runway at Yakataga Airport, Alaska on Saturday October 10, 2020. While the aircraft came to rest sitting on its nose with its nose gear lying nearby, luckily none of the crew members were injured. The aircraft was delivering fuel to the remote 4,350 foot landing strip but no fuel was spilled during the incident. The FAA had recently issued a NOTAM warning pilots not to use the unpaved runway for aircraft weighing over 5,000 pounds due to the runway's soft surface and recent damage to it. At this time it is not known if the aircraft will be repaired. Alaska Air Fuel owns another DC-4, N3054V, which is stored at Wasilla Airport. This report is based on an article originally published in the October 13, 2020 edition of The Cardova Times.
Abbotsford Firecats Scrapped - October 4, 2020
Firecats have a long history of firefighting in Canada and for many years there was a large collection of retired aircraft at the Conair boneyard at Abbotsford Airport. Gord Spruyt visited the airport on September 26, 2020 and reports that the remaining aircraft were being scrapped. While many retired Firecats were donated to museums or serve as gate guards around Canada, there was absolutely no market for the remaining aircraft and it was only a matter of time before their date with the scrapman would come. I visited Abbotsford in September 2014 when there were no fewer than 12 Firecats in the boneyard ranging in condition from total derelict to near-airworthy. It s a sad end to an era but we can take some solace in that CAL FIRE still operates 20+ turboprop S-2T firebombers in California.
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DC-3 Soldiers on in Peterborough, Ontario - September 8, 2020 - UPDATED October 2, 2020
DC-3 C-GJDM has been a resident of Peterborough Municipal Airport in Ontario, Canada for the past 30+ years and has remained earthbound for most of that time. Over time the engines and control surfaces were removed and the airplane was deregistered in 1993. While the DC-3 appeared to be derelict, it had seen military service with both the USAF and Spanish AF until 1976 and apparently was still fitted with much of its original military equipment. Registered C-GJDM in August 1986, the aircraft was fitted with 980 HP PZL-621 engines and 4-bladed props by Airtech Canada at Peterborough Airport. The aircraft made its first flight with the new engines and props on March 6, 1987 but the company s efforts to market the conversion was not successful and the aircraft remained parked at the airport.
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Ken Swartz has photographed the DC-3 over the years and did so in July 2019 after the Coventry crew had completed their work. He visited the airport again on September 26, 2020 and reports that there were no changes in the status of the aircraft. Hopefully it won't be scrapped and perhaps would make a good candidate for a Basler BT-67 turbo conversion. Another interesting resident of the airport is the Beech 99 prototype N212BH, serial number U-1. I d like to thank Ken Swartz for sharing his photos of C-GJDM and N212BH. Over the years he s traveled throughout Canada and the United States photographing a wide variety of aircraft and has generously allowed me to share many of them on this website.
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Pilot Error Suspected in BT-67 Crash - September 1, 2020
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada released its final report yesterday on the June 21, 2019 forced landing of North Star Air BT-67 C-FKGL shortly after takeoff from Fort Hope Airport, Ontario. The aircraft ended up in Eabamet Lake and luckily neither pilot suffering any injuries. The report states the probable cause: "After lifting the landing gear control handle, with his left hand on or near the throttle quadrant, the pilot not flying may have inadvertently moved the fuel condition levers, cutting the fuel to both engines simultaneously." For complete details of the incident, check out the TSB Report.
Gimli C-46 Remains Grounded - September 1, 2020
Mike Golberg recently asked if I had any recent information on C-46F C-GIBX, which has been parked at Gimli, Manitoba for quite a few years. I reached out to my Canadian contacts, but no one seemed to have the current status of this aircraft. Ken Swartz pointed me towards Ruud Leeuw s excellent website, which had a number of reports regarding the aircraft, including a 2019 update. Multiple reports start about halfway down the page and I've summarized them below. http://www.ruudleeuw.com/canada07-gimli.htm
September 2017 UPDATE from Stan Mason:
"We have emailed previously some time ago re the above aircraft, and over last couple of years I have been in touch with a guy named Tom Phinney, who is at GIMLI and looks after 'IBX from engineering side. He was once Technical Director for Air Manitoba many years back. Well, the news is that the aircraft has been sold!! And Tom is getting the C of A back - currently just fitted two refurbished props. It is being bought by TransNorthern Aviation in Anchorage (their website offline at present) to add to their DC3 fleet."
September 2017 UPDATE from Alan Larson of TransNorthen Aviation:
"Actually the C46 is being purchased by a businessman here in Alaska. He operates a fuel farm in McGrath Alaska and purchased it to cover times when the river is too low to permit barge shipment of fuel to his facility. And because he likes airplanes! We hope to reposition the aircraft to Anchorage as early as next week (1st week of October -Webmaster) and TransNorthern will be crewing and maintaining the airplane. We will update you and also would certainly like to receive pictures of the aircraft in its past life!"
September 2018 UPDATE:
A ferry flight to Alaska was delayed due to a technical snag: a frozen fuel line had ruptured and repairs required a wing pull (status per Nov.2017). In Sep.2018 I received an update, "still arguing with the owner who is to pay for what." Not sure if that means whether that fuel line has been repaired or not.
2019 UPDATE:
A few years ago a deal was in the making, C-GIBX was to be sold to operate a mining contract in Alaska, on the AOC of TransNorthern Aviation of Anchorage, AK. But in preparation for the sale it was found that an expensive repair needed to be performed: a wing pull to address damage by a frozen and ruptured fuel line. By early 2019 that that repair was done and C-GIBX was looking better than a few years ago. Except seller and buyer went head-to-head about the repair bill, each refusing to budge and thus the status quo continues, C-GIBX isn't moving from Gimli as yet.
UPDATE - Mike reached out to Alan Larson at TransNorthern, who told him that the dispute over the repair bill continues and that the aircraft probably needs about 3 days work to get it back flying. It would be a real shame if it remained parked because of a dispute over a mechanic's bill. Mike also found this up-close and personal YouTube video of the aircraft. It was uploaded to YouTube on May 20, 2020 so I'm assuming it's fairly current. Please email me at connieman@comcast.net if you have any additional info on this aircraft.
Buffalo's Latest CL215 Being Readied for Ferry Flight - August 30, 2020 - UPDATED September 12, 2020
Dale Sawchuk reports that Buffalo Airway s recently acquired CL215 water bomber C-FTUV #256 is being made airworthy in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The aircraft has previously seen service with the Governments of Quebec and Manitoba and also Conifair before Buffalo acquired it in early 2020. Dale s August 2nd report "Buffalo s CL215 #256 is getting brought back to life after sitting for about ten years. Engines are oiled and were fired up and I was told they started up fine. The props will be overhauled before it departs Winnipeg." UPDATE - Fred Barnes photographed #256 at Winnipeg on September 15, 2009. He believes that the CL215 fleet was still active at the time.
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Buffalo and Air Spray Aircraft Photo Survey - August 3, 2020
Pierre Gillard traveled to Yellowknife, NWT and Red Deer, AB earlier this year and photographed what appears to be every Buffalo and Air Spray aircraft on-site. The photos serve as a great snapshot of the current aircraft population at both locations, both active and stored. Here are links to his blog with Buffalo aircraft and the Air Spray aircraft photos. I've updated the Photos & Videos Page of this website with many of Pierre's photos.
Pierre also recently wrote an article for the Qu bec Aerospace Museum about his C-46 flight on Buffalo s Valley Run delivering essential cargo to the remote Mackenzie Valley communities of Norman Wells, Fort Good Hope and Colville Lake. Buffalo operates two C-46 type aircraft, with C-GTPO carrying 14,000 lbs of cargo to the three destinations on Pierre s flight.
Many thanks to Pierre for sharing his article and very impressive photo collection. For more of his amazing photos, check out his aviation photo blog.
Fairbanks DC-6A House Project - July 29, 2020 - UPDATED August 4, 2020
DC-6A N12347 has been a fixture on the Old Steese Highway north of Fairbanks for many years. I first heard about it during my first trip to Alaska in 2005 but it wasn t until 2011 that I found and photographed it for the first time. During my May 2019 visit to Fairbanks it was still parked on the side of the road without wings and appeared much the same as it did back in 2011. It was always a mystery to me why someone would have gone through the trouble of moving it there and Jacob Naber finally shed some light on this little mystery in his July 30, 2020 Facebook post. "Work has finally started on my dad's 1953 DC-6 N12347. After 17 years sitting up here in the hills were finally getting to her. She was put on pilings a few weeks ago. And within this last week we've put a wing back on along with motors and some ridiculously bent props. This old girl is getting converted into a house by my dad." Jacob also included some recent photos.
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Fred Barnes sent me a photo of the aircraft taken in Anchorage, Alaska where it was being prepared for the fish hauling season on May 4, 1986. At the time the aircraft was owned by Aerolaska.
Desert Air Alaska Leases DC-3 - July 9, 2020
Desert Air Alaska has recently leased DC-3 N59314 from Bush Air Cargo and will begin operating it in the near future just in time for the busy summer season. N59314 will join DC-3 s N272R and N44587, which are currently operated by Desert Air.
Palmer DC-3 Update - June 12, 2020
Andrew Gudeman reported in a June 2nd Facebook post that he was performing an annual inspection on DC-3 N400MF. This aircraft has done little to no flying since arriving in Alaska in April 2015 and has been parked at Palmer Municipal Airport since shortly after arriving. When I visited Palmer in May 2019, the aircraft was missing its #1 prop but otherwise appeared to be in good condition. In the photo posted by Andrew, he appears to be installing the missing prop. There have been rumors about a possible sale so perhaps this veteran aircraft will be returning to the air soon.
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Additional Photos of DC-6B Arriving in Norway - June 6, 2020
Richard Toft captured the arrival of DC-6B N151 at Sola Airport in a series of photos and has allowed me to share them on this website. Many thanks to Richard for allowing the use of his photos.
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Initial Cleanup of Brooks Fuel Compound Complete - June 5, 2020
Levy Ballard reports that the initial cleanup of the Brooks Fuel compound at Fairbanks International Airport has been completed. As reported on April 21, 2020, 1st Strike Asset Management was contracted to clean up the facility, which included three DC-4 hulks, a nearly complete DC-4, aircraft engines and a multitude of parts and equipment. All of these items were offered for sale on an on-line auction with bids due April 10th. DC-4 N51802 was sold to Alaska Air Fuel and has been moved to a nearby airport location; N67018 was towed to the Everts ramp for temporary storage; and the remaining two aircraft, N99212 and N90201, were expected to be moved off the compound last weekend. Rumor has it that one of the two had already been sold to a company that plans on submerging it for use as a diving attraction with the other outfitted for use as a B&B. Only time will tell if these plans come to fruition. Now that the initial cleanup has been completed and the equipment removed, the state will perform a hazardous material remediation of the site.
DC-6B Arrives Safely in Norway After 15+ Hour Flight - June 2, 2020
After making a diversion to Bergen for a low pass down the airport's runway, N151 turned south and completed the final leg of its epic Alaska to Norway journey. Following a final flyby at Stavanger's Sola Airport, the aircraft's flying career came to an end at 3:26pm local time when it safely landed at the airport. Mikey McBryan created a very nice YouTube Video documenting the aircraft's refueling stop in Yellowknife and its arrival in Stavanger.
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DC-6B Makes Early Morning Departure From Fairbanks - June 1, 2020
DC-6B N151 departed Fairbanks this morning at 3:28am local time for the 4 hour flight to Yellowknife, NWT but was forced to return to Fairbanks due to a minor mechanical issue. The aircraft arrived back in Fairbanks at 4:23am and the problem was quickly rectified. Departing again at 6:38am, the aircraft arrived in Yellowknife after a 4 hour/40 minute flight. After taking on fuel in Yellowknife, the aircraft is scheduled to depart for the long nonstop flight to Stavanger, Norway. Karen Wing forwarded the photo of N151 s nose art, which was created by Ron Klemm and applied to the aircraft yesterday.
After being on the ground in Yellowknife for about 3 hours, the aircraft and crew departed for Stavanger at 3:42pm local time. Expected arrival at Stavanger is about 2:00pm local time tomorrow. Anthony Jarvis was on the ground at Yellowknife to witness the event and provided the following report and photos via Facebook. "Wow....talk about a coincidence......following my post earlier about DC-6 C-GPEG, along comes N151 out of the murk here in Yellowknife transiting from Alaska to Norway and Museum. With it is the Norwegian Iditarod Dog Sled team. Joe suggested they walk the dogs while refueling and Buffalo crews helped out. For all of you on the other side of the pond, they will be departing and going direct, 14hrs. to Norway. Here are some pics!"
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Norway Bound DC-6B Painted in Braathens-SAFE Colors - May 31, 2020
In preparation for its delivery flight to the Flyhistorisk Museum Sola in Stavanger, Norway, DC-6B N151 was painted in 1960 s era Braathens-SAFE colors. It was recently rolled out of the Everts North Hangar at Fairbanks International Airport and looked absolutely stunning. If all goes to plan, the aircraft will depart Fairbanks for Norway on Monday June 1st. Being of Norwegian heritage (parents immigrated to the United States), I have visited Stavanger on a number of occasions and look forward to seeing the aircraft during my next visit, which hopefully will be in 2021.
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DC-6B Delivery To Norway Scheduled for June 1-2, 2020 - May 28, 2020
The Flyhistorisk Museum Sola in Stavanger, Norway announced on its website on May 27th that the long delayed arrival of DC-6B N151 at the museum is expected to happen on June 2, 2020. As reported on March 15, 2020 and September 16, 2019 Everts Air Cargo has recently retired the aircraft after many years of flying cargo around Alaska and the former Braathens-SAFE aircraft was acquired by the museum. Here s the article translated to English by yours truly using Google Translator.
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If all goes according to plan, DC-6B N151 will depart Alaska for Norway on June 1, 2020, with an expected arrival at Stavanger s Sola Airport Sola on June 2nd. The history of this aircraft has stirred national and international interest, with the latest mention of it being made in the New York Times on May 26, 2020.
The J r Museum and Flyhistorisk Museum Sola (FMS) have worked for a year to get the aircraft from Alaska to Norway. Prior to this, a group of former Braathens employees, led by Jon Stokke, worked on the project for several years.
The Douglas DC-6B was a central part of Braathens SAFE s aircraft fleet from 1962 to 1973. It was used on charter operations around the world and also on the airline s domestic network in Norway. N151 was operated by Everts Air Cargo in Alaska for many years and, during his long career, has been home based on three different continents.
The Ludv. G. Braathen's Fund for the Promotion of Norwegian Aviation allocated funds for the purchase of the aircraft and the Flight History Museum Sola initiated action to raise funds for a ten-year maintenance fund.
The original agreement with Everts Air Cargo was that the aircraft would fly over to Norway in November 2019. When the owner of the company, Robert Everts, needed a plane for missions in Alaska during the fall, he asked for the suspension of the ferry flights until March 2020. The J r Museum accepted this, with the deadline for delivery before 1 April 2020.
In mid-March the corona virus knocked out normal interaction between countries around the world and it became clear that the aircraft could not be delivered within the agreed deadline. In addition, the dollar exchange rate rose to a level far beyond the funds that the Braathens Fund had allocated for the purchase. Without a new specific delivery date, there was great uncertainty about the original financing plan and what funds would be available. As a result, the purchase had to be canceled.
Iditarod champion Thomas W rner became aware of the situation regarding the aircraft. After winning the prestigious Alaskan Iditarod sled dog race March 2020, he suffered a coronary and wasn t able to return to Oppland where his wife and five children were waiting. He now saw his chance to return home, and brought along one of his sponsors, Aker BioMarine. In addition, the municipality of Sola provided financial support for the aircraft. With these funds added to the Ludv. G. Braathens Fund, it was now possible to plan the flights from Alaska to Stavanger!
The aircraft is scheduled to arrive at Sola mid-day on June 2. There will be a reception for the aircraft, aircrew and owner Robert Everts, Thomas W rner and the dogs inside Avinor's area with invited guests. Due to the corona virus and resulting infection control rules, space is limited and unfortunately it will not be possible for the event to be open to the general public.
The current schedule and route looks like this, but changes can occur and will be updated continuously:
The aircraft will remain at Sola Airport for a few months and then will be relocated to the Flyhistorisk Museum Sola to become part of the museum s permanent collection. It will be placed on display outside of the museum with plans to have an exhibit inside the aircraft for museum visitors.
"Conair - 50 Years in 5 Minutes" Video - May 24, 2020
Very nice vimeo video chronicling Conair s first 50 years by photo.
2019 "News" - Air Spray Adds CL-215 and CL-415's to Fleet - May 21, 2020
In November 2018 the Province of Manitoba awarded a ten-year aerial firefighting contract to Babcock Canada. Babcock subcontracted flight operations to Air Spray, which has many years of aerial firefighting experience in Canada, United States and Europe. The contract included the management, maintenance and operation of Manitoba s fleet of four CL-415 and three CL-215 aircraft supported by three Babcock owned Twin Commander bird-dog aircraft. The Babcock press release stated that the province would retain ownership of the aircraft, parts, inventory, tools and equipment but would lease them to Babcock for the life of the contract. Interestingly, between June 2019 and April 2020, all seven waterbombers were registered to Air Spray. They include CL-215 s C-GMAF, C-GMAK, C-GBOW and CL-415 s C-GMFW, C-GMFX, and C-GMFY and C-GMFZ. Apparently the Canadian Civil Register differs from the FAA Register in that it records the operator of an aircraft and not necessarily the owner. Air Spray has expanded its business base in recent years to include the establishment of an US tanker base in Chico, California and the award of FireBoss and Bureau of Land Management AT-802 SEAT contracts in Oregon, Washington and Alaska. For more information, check out the Babcock November 2018 press release.
Buffalo P-3A Aircrew Training at McClellan - May 12, 2020
As reported on April 30th Buffalo Airways has leased P-3A N922AU #22 to Airstrike Firefighters for use on their California aerial firefighting contract alongside N923AU #23. Sergio Maraschin photographed the aircraft on May 10, 2020 at Sacramento McClellan Airport undergoing aircrew training. After being grounded for many years, it's great to see these two aircraft flying again. Many thanks to Sergio for sharing his photos.
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Unalakleet C-97 Storage Shed - May 4, 2020
Alec Jurgeleit recently visited Unalakleet, Alaska and photographed the fuselage of C-97L N4580Q, which has been converted into a very nice storage shed by one of the locals. The aircraft saw service with the USAF as 53-223 and was converted to a KC-97L with the Oklahoma ANG late in its career. Acquired by Stratolifter in November 1986, it saw service in Alaska before being written off after catching fire while offloading fuel in Unalakleet on May 18, 1989. For more information about that incident check out the Aviation Safety Network website. The first two photos show the current state of N4580Q and the third photo shows it at Kenai in the late 1980s, where it was based hauling fish. The Kenai photo was taken by Rob Collard from the right seat of Stratolifter C-97 N39178. Many thanks to Alec and Rob for sharing their photos.
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Buffalo Airways Leases P-3A Firebomber to Airstrike - April 30, 2020
Buffalo Airways acquired former Aero Union P-3A N922AU #22 in 2014 and ferried it from McClellan Airport, California to Keystone Airpark, Florida for safe keeping. The goal was to recertify the aircraft as an airtanker and get it on a U.S. or Canadian firefighting contract. I photographed the aircraft at Keystone in April 2015 shortly after it arrived while it was still wearing full Aero Union colors and titles. By 2017 a Buffalo green accent stripe and titles had been added and, as reported on February 10, 2019, the aircraft departed Keystone Airpark in 2018 for McClellan, where Airstrike Firefighters would perform the federally mandated P-3A structural integrity inspection program.
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Brooks Fuel Auction Update - April 21, 2020
As reported on March 27th and April 11th the State of Alaska evicted Brooks Fuel from its facility at Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) and hired 1st Strike Asset Management to clean up the facility. An on-line auction was recently completed with three DC-4 hulks, a nearly complete DC-4, aircraft engines and a multitude of parts and equipment being offered. While the DC-4 hulks will most likely be scrapped with the fuselages possibly being hauled off to become someone s storage shed, DC-4 N51802 was nearly complete and was acquired by DC-4 operator Alaska Air Fuel at the auction. At this time, it s not known if the aircraft will harvested for its parts or made airworthy and flown to the company s headquarters at Wasilla Airport. Also of interest, DC-4 N438NA and DC-7C N90251 were recently noted safely parked outside the Everts North Hangar at the airport and were not part of the auction. It will be interesting to see what happens to these airplanes. Photos of the three aircraft are from June 2011.
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Brooks Fuel Property Auction Closes - April 11, 2020
As reported on March 27, 2020, 1st Strike Asset Management has been contracted by the State of Alaska to clean up the Brooks Fuel yard at Fairbanks International Airport prior to the state undertaking an environmental cleanup. The online auction (Lot 617 and Lot 618) was closed yesterday and included three DC-4 hulks (N67018, N99212, N90201); one nearly complete DC-4 (N51802); R2000, R3350 and R4360 engines; multiple pallets of hardware, tools and equipment; and an aircraft tug. There were lots of bids submitted for each of the pallets, 16 bids for N51802 and surprisingly two or three bids for each hulk. With the exception of the four aircraft, all items must be removed from the property no later than 5:00pm on April 16, when payment is due. The aircraft must be removed no later than May 8, 2020. For sure, it's the end of an era and I wish the state luck in their environmental cleanup!
State Cleaning Up Brooks Fuel Yard at Fairbanks Airport - March 27, 2020
The State of Alaska has apparently lost patience with the slow pace of cleanup at the Brooks Fuel yard at Fairbanks International Airport and has taken the lead on the effort. Levi Ballard reported on a Facebook post yesterday that: The company I work for is selling four C-54s/DC-4s. The N-numbers are N51802, N67018, N99212, and N90201. These airplanes formerly belonged to Brooks Fuel here in Fairbanks, Alaska. An online auction is currently underway. We just started it yesterday, but there is a short amount of time to get the planes out of the yard. The State of Alaska has to do an environmental cleanup on the site. The aircraft belong to the State of Alaska. I don't know any of the details. All I know is that the company I work has been contracted to clean the yard up. I do know that Mr. Brooks was working on cleaning it up himself until about November.
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Brooks Fuel - June 27, 2011
Everts DC-6B Delivery to Museum Delayed - March 15, 2020
As reported on September 16, 2019, Everts DC-6B N151 has been acquired by the Museum of Aviation History at Sola Airport in Stavanger, Norway. The delivery flight had been planned for late March 2020 but, with Norway essentially shutting its borders due to the worldwide corona virus pandemic, the flight has been postponed.
Bush Air Cargo DC-3 Back in Action - January 6, 2020
It's old news but Bush Air Cargo DC-3 N59314 is back flying again. As reported on August 2, 2019, the aircraft was damaged after encountering a downdraft on short final at Kenai Municipal Airport in Alaska on August 1, 2019. Owner Bart Tiernan recently told me that the minor tail wheel damage suffered during the incident has been repaired and the veteran cargo hauler is back in operation.
Buffalo Airways DC-4 Fleet Advertised for Sale - December 28, 2019
If you re in the market for a DC-4, Buffalo Joe McBryan might have a deal for you. The entire fleet, consisting of eleven aircraft, is currently advertised for sale on the Buffalo Airways website. The aircraft conditions range from parts aircraft to near-airworthy. CF-BAA #12 has been stored for many years in Yellowknife and is listed as a parts aircraft and N55CW #16 is currently stored at Keystone Heights Airport in Florida. The remaining aircraft are stored in Hay River, NWT. (Note: While C-GBNV #56 was recently noted in Red Deer, the website states that it is stored in Hay River.)
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Contact Joe McBryan at:
buffalo@buffaloairways.com
1.867.873.6112 or (fax) 1.867.873.8393
TSB Issues Report on Buffalo Airways DC-3 Forced Landing - December 23, 2019
The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) of Canada released Report A19W0052 on December 20, 2019 re the May 3, 2019 forced landing of Buffalo Airways DC-3 C-GJKM about 6.5 miles south of the airport in Hay River, NWT. The report was described by the TSB as limited scope. Here s a summary of the board s findings.
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1. The left engine malfunctioned shortly after departure from Hay River and was shut down.
2. The crew was unable to totally complete their checklists, including the landing briefing
3. Due to an apparent miscommunication between the pilot and co-pilot, the co-pilot prematurely extended the landing gear.
4. With the landing gear extended, the crew was unable to maintain airspeed/altitude and a forced landing was made.
5. Both the pilot and co-pilot were qualified to and certified to fly the DC-3.
6. The aircraft was operating within maximum gross weight limits.
7. The TSB did not investigate the cause of the engine failure.
8. Buffalo Airways standard operating procedures were in accordance with the DC-3 s operating manual.
9. The report concludes with the following Safety Message... In this occurrence, the aircraft s airspeed and altitude could not be maintained, primarily because of the increased drag when the landing gear was extended early in the approach. This highlights the need to follow SOPs and use standard phraseology, as well as the importance of checklist discipline, during an emergency.
The aircraft was spotted being transported by road through Manning, Alberta on July 15, 2019 and noted in Buffalo s hangar in Red Deer, Alberta on September 4, 2019. Hopefully it can be repaired and returned to service.
DC-3 Takes Road Trip Down Fairbanks Highway - October 30, 2019
Former Brooks Air Fuel DC-3 N95460 was photographed on October 29, 2019 being towed down a Fairbanks highway to parts unknown. The aircraft had been stored for many years at Brooks Air Fuel, where I photographed it in May 2019. While not confirmed, it's been reported that the DC-3 was being towed to nearby Chena Marina Airport.
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Alaskan DC-3 Heading South for the Winter - October 26, 2019
Co-owner Nico Von Pronay recently reported on Facebook that DC-3 N763NA will be flying south for the winter. The DC-3, which had been parked in Marathon, Florida for many years, was acquired by Nico and a partner in 2016 and flown to Anchorage, Alaska in 2017. It had done very little flying since arriving and was parked on the Desert Air ramp during my May 2019 visit to Anchorage. With help from Desert Air owner Joey Benetka, the DC-3 was recently made airworthy and successfully completed a test flight on October 12, 2019. It departed about a week later and was in Missoula, Montana on October 26th. Nico also stated that they plan to return the DC-3 to Alaska and offer flightseeing trips and flight instruction.
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Two Former Buffalo DC-3s Arrive in Oshkosh by Road - October 25, 2019 (October 31, 2019 Update)
As reported on April 14, 2019, Buffalo Airways has sold an additional four non-flying DC-3s to Basler Turbo Conversions. CF-YQG/N856RB arrived at Basler in late August still wearing faded Nunsani Central titles. CF-JWP/N856YB arrived in late September still wearing Gateway Aviation titles. Both had been stored for quite a few years at Buffalo s maintenance base in Red Deer, Alberta. I haven t seen any recent reports on the other two aircraft, C-FDTB/N856KB and C-FFAY/N856QB. Does anyone have the current status on these two aircraft? UPDATE: RUUD LEEUW TRAVELED TO RED DEER IN OCTOBER 2019 AND PHOTOGRAPHED BOTH C-FDTB AND C-FFAY AT THE AIRPORT.
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Everts Air Cargo DC-6B Going to Norwegian Museum - September 16, 2019 (February 5, 2020 Update)
Everts Air Cargo DC-6B N151 is nearing the end of its service life and has been acquired by The Museum of Aviation History at Sola Airport in Stavanger, Norway. N151 flew for the Norwegian airline Braathens-SAFE as LN-SUB in the 1960 s and will be put on static display at the museum in period Braathens-SAFE colors. The aircraft is being retired by Everts Air Cargo because the airline operates in accordance with 14 CFR Part 121, which requires inspections at regular airframe time intervals. During its tenure with Everts, the aircraft has undergone regular A-,B- and C-Checks but it's approaching a very extensive and expensive D-Check. The last Alaskan operator to perform a D-Check on a DC-6 was Northern Air Cargo about 15-20 years ago and it cost in excess of $1M. Normal operation procedure since then has been to retire a DC-6 approaching a D-check or convert it to a fuel hauler, which operate under 14 CFR Part 125. Everts Air Fuel aircraft are meticulously maintained but are not required to undergo D-checks, which require the aircraft to be almost completely disassembled.
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Everts Air Cargo DC-6 Involved in Landing Accident at Candle, Alaska - August 2, 2019
Everts Air Cargo C-118B N451CE is a probable write-off after it struck a berm while on final approach to the airport at Candle, Alaska on August 1, 2019. The aircraft was operating as Flight VTS-24 from Fairbanks to Candle and the good news is that none of the three crewmembers onboard were injured. The landing gear and engines were damaged and the aircraft came to rest turned around. For more information, check out the Aviation Safety Network website.
DC-3 N59314 Damaged in Landing Incident at Kenai, Alaska - August 2, 2019 (August 3, 2019 Update)
DC-3 N59314 was damaged on August 1, 2019 after encountering a downdraft on short final at Kenai Municipal Airport in Alaska. The subsequent hard landing resulted in fuselage and tailwheel damage. The aircraft is owned by Bart Tiernan and no injuries were reported. At this time, the extent of damage is not known. For more information and updates, check out the Aviation Safety Network website. Good news....owner Bart Tiernan reports that the damage was relatively minor and the aircraft should be back in operation in about ten days.
Former Atlantic Airlines Electra Receiving TLC in Buffalo's Red Deer Hangar - July 10, 2019
Michael Baldock visited Buffalo Airways at Red Deer Municipal Airport on June 2, 2019 and noted that former Atlantic Airlines Electra C-GIZU was inside one of the Buffalo hangars. The aircraft, along with C-GYCG, was acquired from Conair in the fall of 2016 and ferried to Red Deer shortly thereafter. It has been parked at the airport since arriving and hopefully its presence inside the hangar means that it will be entering service with Buffalo Airways. I had heard that import paperwork issues needed to be resolved and hopefully this has happened. In the meantime, Buffalo s other former Atlantic Airlines Electra C-GYCG remains in Abottsford almost three years after the sale. Transport Canada has decreed that all outstanding AD s must be resolved before it will allow the aircraft to undertake the short ferry flight to Red Deer. This is a very puzzling decision considering that ferry permits are routinely issued for the purpose of moving non-airworthy civil aircraft to other locations for a variety of reasons, including maintenance. One has to wonder if the Joe McBryan-Transport Canada feud continues.
Air Spray Electra Emergency Landing - July 8, 2019
Air Spray Tanker #490 C-GZCF made an emergency landing on June 22, 2019 at Red Deer Airport in Alberta, Canada after experiencing landing gear problems. None of the four crewmembers were injured and the 3,000 fire retardant tank and right side props/engines seemed to have taken the major brunt of the forced landing. From video of the landing and post-crash photos, it appears that the nose and right main gear failed to retract.
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Mikey and the "Plane Savers" Team Do It - DTD Flies Again! - June 6, 2019 (Updated June 7, 2019)
Mikey McBryan with the help of family, friends and volunteers accomplished what many skeptics considered impossible when DC-3 C-FDTD flew for the first time in over 30 years on June 6, 2019. Work began on restoring aircraft, which had been parked at the Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport near Montreal since the early 1990 s, on April 11, 2019. In less than two months, a small group of volunteers transformed a near-derelict shell of an aircraft into one capable of taking to the air. Mikey s dad Buffalo Joe arrived a few days ago and was at the controls of the airplane during today s one hour flight, where he thrilled the large crowd with a flyby and touch-and-go landing before ending the flight with a perfect landing. Mikey documented the day's events and the flight in an emotional 43 minute final YouTube episode of Planesavers. Mark Brandon also captured the day's events and posted a very nice 17 minute video on YouTube . Benoit de Mulder generously shared the following photos and reported that the aircraft departed for Thunder Bay the next day on the 7th of June. I'm looking forward to seeing her in July at AirVenture 2019.
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Former Everts DC-6s Scattered Around the Fairbanks Area - May 25, 2019
Not all DC-6s and C-118s retired by Everts wind up in their famous Fairbanks boneyard. Over the years a number have been donated or sold to individuals and organizations and can still be found in and around the Fairbanks area. In addition to DC-6 N4390X, which is used by emergency first responders at Fairbanks Intl Airport for training and DC-6A N6174C at Chena Hot Springs Resort, I have located the following aircraft.
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DC-6A N12347 sits alongside Old Steese Highway a few miles outside of Fairbanks. Its outer wings have been removed and it is located in what appears to be a storage area for some sort of business. I remember folks talking about it during my first visit to Alaska in 2005 while on an Ian Allan tour so it s been there for at least 14 years and probably longer. Fairbanks is expanding with more and more houses being built in the area. I wonder how long it will be before one of the new homeowners complains about the "eyesore" along the side of the road! It can be located by plugging 1380 Little Fox Trail, Fairbanks, AK into your GPS.
The forward fuselage of DC-6B N999SQ The Lucky Duck sits atop the Pike s Aviation Greenhouse & Sweets shop on Airport Way near the airport. The shop is part of the Pike s Waterfront Lodge but I ve never seen it open. Capt Cliff E & Rob" is inscribed below the copilot s window in obvious reference to Cliff and Rob Everts.
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C-119 Engine Runs at Palmer Airport - May 18, 2019
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Former Everts DC-6 Lingers on at Fairbanks Airport s Fire Practice Area - May 14, 2019
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Former Conair Tanker #46 Ready to Enter Service with Everts Air Fuel - May 13, 2019
I noted former Conair DC-6A C-GHLY #46 parked outside Everts North Hangar in basic Conair colors with EAC titles on the tail. This aircraft was one of three Conair DC-6s acquired by Everts a few years back and was initially registered N501ZS for the ferry flight from Abbotsford, BC. While it doesn't carry any registration markings, it was recently re-registered N651CE and appears to be ready to enter service hauling fuel for Everts.
Everts Air Fuel C-46 Dumbo Gets a Makeover - May 13, 2019
Everts Air Fuel C-46M N7848B Dumbo had been wearing a rather well-worn traditional Everts color scheme for quite a few years. That has all changed with the aircraft getting a complete cosmetic makeover. The C-46 was basking in the sun in front of Everts North Hangar during my May 13th visit wearing a polished aluminum look with red Everts and Dumbo titles.
Everts Air Fuel C-46 Salmon Ella Gets New Nose - May 13, 2019
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Former Everts DC-6A on Display at Chena Hot Springs Resort - May 12, 2019
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"Plane Savers" Project Achieves Major Milestone - May 8, 2019
The Plane Savers project to restore a near-derelict C-47 achieved a major milestone yesterday when the engines on C-FDTD were run for the first time. The vintage airplane had been parked at Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport near Montreal since the early 1990 s and its future was not looking good. When Mikey McBryan first heard about the aircraft and its D-Day history, he decided it needed to be saved and launched the "Plane Savers" project. Mikey enlisted the help of his Uncle Ronnie and, after more than three months of preparation, work began on April 11th. Led by Uncle Ronnie, volunteers have been showing up every day to work on the airplane, which has slowly come back to life. Ecole Nationale d'A rotechnique (ENA) is a large aviation tech training school located on the field and they have provided invaluable support to the project, including use of their hangar on numerous occasions. Mikey has been posting daily "Plane Savers" videos on YouTube and Episode 126 documents the engine runs. Check out the photos of what the airplane looked like at the start of the project. Benoit de Mulder also posted some photos and videos from yesterday s event on Facebook. Congratulations to Mikey, Ronnie and all the volunteers for their remarkable achievement. I'm looking forward to the first post-restoration flight on June 6th.
Gimli C-46 Update - May 5, 2019
On April 22nd I asked if anyone knew what the latest status of C-46F C-GIBX, which has been stored in Gimli, Manitoba for the past ten years. I recently received word that the wings had been pulled for the corrosion inspection and there is a possibility of it operating for a mining firm under TransNorthern Aviation s AOC. Hopefully this comes to fruition and this vintage Propliner gets back to earning money for its owner.
Buffalo DC-3 Lost After Engine Failure - May 4, 2019
Buffalo Airways DC-3 C-GJKM made an off-airport landing on May 3, 2019 after experiencing an engine failure while enroute from Hay River to Yellowknife. The aircraft departed Hay River on a scheduled flight at about 8am and was 20 minutes into the 55 minute flight when the #2 engine failed. The pilots attempted to return to Hay River but were forced to set the airplane down about 5 miles from the airport. The Aviation Safety Network posted a preliminary report on the incident. I will post additional information as it becomes available.
Does Anyone Know the Current Status of Gimli C-46F? - April 22, 2019
Does anyone have the latest status on former First Nations Transportation C-46F C-GIBX, which has been stored in Gimli, Manitoba since the airline ceased operations in 2009? A few years back I heard that Buffalo Airways wasn't interested in the airplane but haven't heard anything since. The aircraft looked to be in good condition when John Olafson photographed her in September 2016. I'd appreciate an email if anyone has the aircraft's latest status. Hopefully she won't be allowed to rot in place. (Update: The aircraft was photographed at Gimli on August 30, 2018 and appeared to be in good condition.)
Red Deer Regional Airport Propliner Treasure Trove - April 18, 2019
Red Deer Regional Airport in Alberta, Canada is located about eighty miles north of Calgary and is home to a large collection of vintage Propliners, both active and stored. Air Spray s headquarters and maintenance base are located at the airport as well as Buffalo Airways maintenance base. Both airlines store aircraft on the field and this news piece will focus on those aircraft. While I have visited the airport three times in the past 15 years, this report is based on airfield tour by Joe and Mikey McBryan on YouTube Plane Savers Episodes #77 and #78. While the list isn t meant to be all-inclusive, it gives you a good idea what s stored at the airport.
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Basler on Canadian DC-3 Buying Spree - April 14, 2019
Basler Turbo Conversions has been on a buying spree at Buffalo Airways, picking up no less than five DC-3 airframes in the past year. Buffalo has been a reliable source of airframes with the company previously selling former Boreal C-FQBC and former First Nations Transportation CF-FTR to Basler. Both were made airworthy for ferry flights to Oshkosh with C-FQBC being re-registered N960BT and making the flight in November 2015. CF-FTR followed in 2016 and was re-registered N144WC. A second former Boreal Aviation DC-3 C-GCXD was trucked to Oshkosh in September 2018 and re-registered N856LT.
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Desert Air Alaska Changes Ownership - March 1, 2019 (April 4, 2019 Update)
Joey Benetka recently announced that he had purchased Desert Air Alaska from longtime operator Dennis Gladwin. Desert Air is based at Anchorage International Airport and the airline owns two DC-3s and a T-29B/CV240. While the two DC-3s have been very active during my Alaska visits, I've never seen the Convair in action. When I was in Anchorage four years ago, the Convair was in excellent condition and I was told that it could be made airworthy quickly if demand warranted. The company s website states We fly freight to over 200 locations in Alaska. We can get your cargo to where it needs to be. Desert Air Alaska is a charter freight service offering large haul capacity to rural runways and remote sites. Smooth, direct and reliable - we have a host of services like HAZMAT and oversize freight accommodation with no extra handling fees. For more information about Desert Air, check out the company website. I wish Joey luck and hope to meet him when I visit Alaska in May.
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Buffalo DC-3 Put Out to Pasture - February 26, 2019
Joe Mooney recently reported on Facebook that Mikey McBryan told him that Buffalo Airways DC-3 C-GWIR had been moved to his Uncle Ronnie McBryan s farm for storage. This aircraft was severely damaged on August 19, 2013 after the #2 engine caught fire shortly after takeoff from Yellowknife Airport with 21 passengers onboard. The engine was shut down and during the ensuing emergency landing the aircraft struck a stand of trees before making a gear-up landing in a field short of runway 10. There was no post-impact fire and none of the passengers or three crew members were injured. When I visited Buffalo a year later the aircraft was stored in the corner of the Yellowknife hangar. Recent video from Mikey McBryan s Plane Savers YouTube videos showed no sign of the aircraft in the hangar so I thank Joe for solving the mystery of the whereabouts of the C-GWIR.
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Former Conair Electra Remains at Abbotsford - February 10, 2019
Buffalo Airways acquired two former Atlantic Airlines Electras from the Conair Group in the fall of 2016. C-GIZU and C-GYCG were never put into service by Conair and had been stored at the company s headquarters in Abbotsford, B.C. since arriving from England. C-GIZU was made airworthy and ferried to Red Deer shortly after the aircraft were acquired by Buffalo but, with winter quickly approaching, it was decided to wait until warmer weather to prepare C-GYCG for the ferry flight.
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Alaska Loses an Aviation Icon - February 10, 2019
Everts family patriarch Cliff Everts passed away on December 7, 2017 at age 95 in his Fairbanks, Alaska home. Born on July 27, 1922 in Yonkers, New York, Cliff learned how to fly at Reynolds Field in Valhalla, New York, where he soloed in 1938 at the age of 16. He moved to Alaska in 1943 to fly Ford and Stinson tri-motor aircraft for Alaska Star Airlines, where he worked for 18 months before joining
Wein Alaskan Airways in February 1945. He began his career at Wein flying Boeing 247 and Lockheed Lodestar aircraft and retired 35 years later flying Fokker F-27 s. After retirement from Wein, he founded Everts Air Fuel, which received its Part 125 operating certificate on February 1, 1983.
I had the pleasure of spending some time with Cliff during a visit to Everts Fairbanks headquarters in August 2009. At the time he was 87 years old and still checked in at Everts headquarters on most days. His wife Betty was also still very much involved in the company as she was her son Rob s secretary! Cliff gave me a tour of his office, which was full of mementos from his 66 year aviation career, including the original framed Everts Air Fuel Part 125 certificate. During his flying career, Cliff amassed 30,000 flying hours and was inducted into the Alaska Aviation Hall of Fame in 2013.
Cliff was survived by his wife Betty, five daughters and son Rob, who followed him into the family business. The Everts family has been very accommodating to the enthusiast community over the years, offering tours of its Fairbanks headquarters, the Anchorage freight terminal and the Kenai fuel operation. While there has been a slow evolution to jet equipment in the form of DC-9 and MD-83 freighters, Everts is still the largest operator of piston engine aircraft in the world with a fair amount of the company s freight and all of the fuel still carried in vintage DC-6/C-118 and C-46 aircraft. While it s obviously now a bit dated, more information about this fascinating company can be found in my February 2010 Air Classics article.
Everts Boneyard Reorganization - February 10, 2019
With Everts continuing to buy DC-6 and C-118 aircraft, the company s storage yard in Fairbanks had reached capacity with overflow aircraft being parked outside its north hangar. In an effort to alleviate the problem, Everts began cutting the outer wings and tails off DC-6/C-118 aircraft and, by the winter of 2017, had arranged seven aircraft along the fence line making for a very nice photo op for passing motorists and aviation enthusiasts.
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Former Universal Airlines DC-6A Ferried to Fairbanks - February 10, 2019
When Everts acquired former Universal Airlines DC-6A N170UA and C-118A N500UA in October 2015, the later aircraft was made airworthy in short order and ferried from Kenai to Everts maintenance base in Fairbanks for storage. While N500UA had flown as recently as the summer of 2011, N170UA hadn t flown for many years and took quite a bit longer to get ready for the relatively short ferry flight to Fairbanks. The DC-6A was parked on the Everts Air Fuel ramp in Kenai for a number of years before finally being ferried to Fairbanks, where it was noted in June 2018. I m guessing it will be used as a parts airplane and has already shed at least two propellers.
Everts Converts Former Conair DC-6A to Fuel Tanker - February 10, 2019
Everts acquired three retired Conair DC-6 type aircraft in November 2013 and ferried them from Abbotsford to the company s maintenance base in Fairbanks. Former C-GHLY/#46 was registered N501ZS and was the last of the trio to be ferried to Fairbanks, where it arrived on August 10, 2014. Engines had already been removed from one of the trio when I visited Fairbanks in May 2015 so I surmised that it wouldn t be long before all three were stripped of their valuable parts. I was pleasantly surprised when I received a report saying that the airplane was being converted to a fuel tanker and would be going into service with Everts Air Fuel. A June 2018 photo of the aircraft shows it in basic Conair colors with EAF titles on the tail. This hybrid color scheme is a first for an Everts airplane.
Everts C-46 Damaged at Manley Hot Springs - February 10, 2019
While on a routine flight from Fairbanks to Kenai on July 16, 2018 Everts Air Fuel C-46F N1822M Salmon Ella experienced a problem with its #2 engine. Following a precautionary engine shutdown, the aircraft diverted to Manley Hot Springs Airport where a downwind landing was executed. The pilot reported that the aircraft touched down a little fast and, with fading brakes from hard braking, it was unable to stop and overran the runway. The nose was heavily damaging but luckily neither pilot was injured.
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Former Everts C-46F N23AC on Display at Israeli Museum - February 10, 2019
Former Everts C-46F N23AC arrived by ship at the Port of Haifa in Israel on February 21, 2017. The aircraft had been stored for many years at the Everts Fairbanks boneyard and, after arriving in Israel, it was transported by road to the Atlift Detention Camp Museum.
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Buffalo P-3A to McClellan for Inspection - February 10, 2019
Buffalo acquired P-3A N922AU #22 in March 2014 and until recently it had been parked at Keystone Heights Airport in Florida. It departed for Sacramento, California on February 6, 2018, where it is currently undergoing the federally mandated structural integrity inspection program for P-3A firebombers. The work is being performed by Airstrike Firefighters, who recently completed the same inspection on P-3A N923AU. Buffalo hopes to find firefighting work for the aircraft in the U.S. and ultimately in Canada, which currently prohibits the use of former military aircraft as firebombers. This is quite interesting since the P-3A is very similar to the Electra, which is the Canadian government s aircraft of choice for aerial firefighting. Go figure!
Former Everts DC-6A Hoisted onto Pylons - February 10, 2019
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Buffalo Airways to Restore near-Derelict DC-3 - February 10, 2019
Bernoit de Mulder acquired D-Day veteran DC-3 C-FDTD in April 2017 with the intent of restoring it. The vintage airplane had been parked at Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport near Montreal since the early 1990 s and was in danger of being scrapped. Despite his efforts and the efforts of many volunteers, Bernoit was unable to garner the resources necessary to resurrect the DC-3 and two weeks before Christmas 2018 he placed an ad on eBay. Three days later he received a call from Mikey and Joe McBryan of Buffalo Airways fame saying they were interested in the aircraft. A short time later a purchase deal was finalized.
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Not wasting any time, Mikey headed to Buffalo s maintenance base in Red Deer, Alberta on December 31st to meet with his uncle Ronnie McBryan and have a look at the two parts donor aircraft, C-FDTB and C-FDTH. Like C-FDTD, both are former Transport Canada aircraft with C-FDTB s engine firewall and wiring harness configuration identical to the Saint-Hubert DC-3. It s interesting to note that C-FDTB has a full 1940/50s era 3-across passenger interior from its days with Trans-Canada Air Lines. It has been sold to Basler for their turboprop conversion program and all of this history will be stripped out during the conversion. C-FDTH was damaged during a windstorm and, at this point, is best suited to being a parts donor.
Mikey and Ronnie airlined to Montreal and got their first look at C-FDTD on January 3rd. Their plan is to take inventory on exactly what is required for the restoration, gather the parts and pieces in Red Deer and then transport them to Saint-Hubert, where the restoration will take place. This would be an extremely ambitious project under the best of circumstances and I wish them luck.
You can check out the latest project status on Mikey McBryan s Plane Savers YouTube videos and the Plane Savers website.
C-46 C-GTPO Enters Service with Buffalo Airways - February 10, 2019
C-46F C-GTPO entered service with Buffalo Airways on January 16, 2018 after receiving an extensive overhaul at Buffalo s hangar in Yellowknife, NWT. C-GTPO replaced C-46A C-GTXW, which had been written off after a September 2015 landing accident in D line, NWT. Fortunately the crew emerged unscathed but Buffalo desperately needed to replace this workhorse aircraft. C-GTPO had a previous history with Buffalo, having flown for the airline between 1993 and 2004, before being sold to First Nations Transportation (FNT). Abandoned at Gimli after the 2009 demise of FNT, the aircraft was made airworthy by a Buffalo crew and ferried to Yellowknife in November 2010.
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It s an amazing testament to the durability and versatility of these 75 year old relics that they continue to be the aircraft of choice for far-north operations by both Everts in Alaska and Buffalo Airways in northwest Canada. I guess as long as they continue to make money for their owners, they will remain plying the skies long after their modern replacements have been retired and reduced to beer cans.
Red Deer PV-1 Ventura - February 10, 2019
John Olafson was visiting Red Deer Airport in September 2018 when he noted what appeared to be an unidentified PV-1 or PV-2 fuselage stored outside the Buffalo Airways hangar. The registration had been rubbed out and there was no one in the hangar to ask so for the time being the identity of the aircraft remained a mystery. With help from Tony Merton Jones, I was able to identify the aircraft as PV-1 Ventura CF-FAV owned by the Ventura Memorial Flight Association. The aircraft was delivered to the U.S. Navy as BuNo 33315 and went to the RCAF as 2195. It acquired its civilian registration in January 1952 and crashed 65 miles northwest of Yellowknife, NWT on August 14, 1953. Recovered from the crash site crash site by members of the association in June 1988, the aircraft was slowly being restored at the Alberta Aviation Museum in Edmonton, Alberta. The museum needed the space and the aircraft was moved to Red Deer, Alberta in January 2018.
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----Created 10 February 2019------Updated 17 December 2024----