In celebration of my 25th anniversary of employment, my employer (Martinair) issued me tickets for a destination of choice; I decided to revisit a favourite corner of the world: Western Canada & Alaska. And I decided to aim for a few places I had not been before.

The flight on board the Martinair 767-300ER to Calgary was uneventful; for my travel in the area I had opted for a combination of standby tickets and e-tickets booked through the internet (my plans had started very ambitious, which I had to scale down a bit for budget reasons and time available).
Standby for Calgary to Seattle on Horizon Air did not work out due unavailability of open seats; so after 4 hours waiting with disappointing result, we bought tickets with Westjet for Vancouver and rented a car to drive to Seattle the next day. We flew to Anchorage and more can be read on my ALASKA 2006 report.

On June 20th we flew Ketchikan to Seattle and onward with flight AS2174 (Horizon Air), deHavilland Canada DHC-8 N365PH to Vancouver IAP,BC.
My first act, after having collected my 3rd rental car (from Alamo) this trip, was to drive to the Aviation World -shop (on the way to the South Terminal) and collect Larry Milberry's 2 volumes on Air Transport in Canada (CANAV books) they had been saving for me!
The Road Goes On Forever...

C-FKFZ is Convair CV580 c/n 151.

This one was delivered to Pan American as N11151 on 18Feb54. Later that year it went to National Airlines and in 1960 to Lockheed Aircraft Corp and onward to Allegheny Airlines; it was converted to CV440 and CV580, being reregistered as N5823 on 18Apr67. It operated for Aspen Airways (03Aug76-), Air New England (lease, periods in 1978, 1979 1980); it may have been operated by Cosmopolitan Airlines, not sure.

C-FKFZ was assigned for Kelowna Flight Charter on 06Feb92, leased to Trans Provincial in 1992 and since March 1993 with Kelowna Flightcraft again.

The Type Certificate of the Convair (short for: Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft) series is held by Kelowna Flightcraft of Canada these days and they have done wonderful things with it: they developed the stretched CV5800 and the airtanker CV580, a success in present aerial firefighting equipment.
Kelowna Flightcraft acquired the Type Certificate from Tracor Flight Systems in 1997. Tracor had acquired all the Convair TCs including the 880/990 from GD.
[This info was provided by "Christian" on Yahoo's excellent forum Classic-Propliners.]

I returned to Vancouver IAP in 2010 and once more came across C-FKFZ, see MY 2010 REPORT

Driving around Vancouver Int'l Airport I found a spot I could take a photo of N582P, which just finished unloading.

N582P is a Convair CV580 operated by Air Tahoma and deployed everywhere they can get a contract. It has that "Skytruck" -finish all over it...
C/n 475 was manufactured in 1957 and registered to General Dynamics Corporation as N8473H. Canadair had it delivered as CF-LMN on 13Feb59; it was converted to CV540 (CL-66C) and operated for the Royal Canadian Air Force as 11161 from 24Apr62.
Struck of charge on 01Sep66 it became available for a civilian career again and was subsequently registered as N969N for General Motors Corp (23Aug66). It was converted to type CV580. In 1967 it went to North Central Airlines, to Republic Airlines in 1979 and to Northwest Airlines in 1986.
It was bought by Super 580 Aircraft Co. (Carlsbad,CA) on 07Oct88 and found its way to Air Resorts Airlines (of Carlsbad,CA too); in 1991 it was stored at Carlsbad. Cool Air Inc acted as receiver and so R&& Holding registered ownership on 01Feb96; it may have again operated (for Renown Aviation) that year.
Funny thing is when I checked the FAA online database I found N582P's status "registered N582P 19Nov95 to N582P Inc, Undeliverable triennial"... suggesting the operator's adress is invalid. But here it is, firmly in use!

My records show it is in use with Air Tahoma and 'N582P Inc' is a construction within Air Tahoma.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revoked Air Tahomas AOC effective January 14, 2009. A recent audit resulted in 30 findings related to "systemic problems" involving record-keeping, maintenance and operations.
The airline had been involved in a recent fatal accident when one of the airlines CV-580 aircraft crashed during a post-maintenance test flight. [aviation-safety.net/news]

Update on N582P (Feb.2017): ATDB.aero online database has it as 'stored at LCK'. And I have that one in my database as 'at Columbus-LCK 28Sep2007 minus tail'.
But they fixed that (probably before Air Tahoma ceased in 2009?), as I have here on Ken Swartz' gallery a 2016 image of N592P while stored at Rickenbacker-LCK Airport.

Tracker 148, no doubt 'struck off charge' from the military - but it still shows '148' as identification.
Sean Keating and Karl Hayes replied to my question as to what fate has fallen on this (re)tired Tracker...
Sean: "the Tracker is owned by BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) as a training device… I think it was given to them by the government upon retirement, but it hasn't been used very much; I don’t know anyone who has seen it running…
You can see the BCIT logo on the hangar door in the background."

Karl: "About the Tracker 148 at Vancouver, there is (or certainly was) quite a large school for aviation mechanics at the Vancouver International Airport. I don't know if it is still active there, but it was one of their instructional airframes on which the student mechanics learned their trade.
It was called the Pacific Vocational Institute or something like that. In years past, they also had an ex Air Canada Viscount and a Jetstar. At one stage they also had an ex canadian military Otter, until it was made flyable again and sold."

Came across Tracker 148 again at Abbotsford on 26Sep19, looking sad. CANADA 2019.

More photos of mine at:
Vancouver-South Seaplane base

Visit to Boundary Park:

This place I had trouble finding; even had to buy a more detailed map at a gasstation.
This residential air park was set up in 1995 in reply to the Greater Vancouver Regional Council's plans to close the airfield and transform it into a municipal park. We had hoped to buy lunch here, but the airfield was smaller than I had thought and although a shack housed a sort of coffeeshop, we found it unattended.
While the book North American Survivors (Roy Blewitt, 2005) stated this airfield housed some 50 vintage aircraft,
I found little evidence of this; a few single props were parked, but nothing much else and no one around.

This map may help in finding Delta Heritage Airpark

However, my actual reason for visiting was to see this vintage Lockheed L.18-08 Lodestar CF-TCY (18-2064) on display and it was a brilliant day, so no worries!

Lockheed Lodestar, CF-TCY

Ken Swartz sent me a 2018 update, CF-TCY residing at University of the Fraser Valley’s Aviation technical
school at Abbotsford Airport. See Ken's gallery on my website.
CF-TCY was seen at Abbotsford 26Sep19, partly disassembled and sad looking. My CANADA 2019.

CF-CKT served with RCAF 401 (Aux) Sqn (Montreal), 403 (Aux) Sqn (Calgary), plus RCAF Stations Rivers,
Portage la Prairie and Summerside, and sold surplus in the 1960's.
Purchased by the Canadian Museum of Flight in 1982 it was airlifted to the museum in 1984 from
Abbotsford Airport by Okanagan Helicopters.

See my full report on
Canadian Museum of Flight

Douglas DC-3 CF-PWH

This DC-3 was manufactured on February 24th, 1940 for American Airlines as 'Flagship Texas'. Since that date she also served in the USAF, under the colours of Trans Alaska Airlines, Queen Charlotte Airlines, Pacific Western Airlines, Great Northern Airways and Trans Provincial Airlines.
In 1972 her "flying career" ended when Trans Provincial utilized her as a "spare" parts ship for other DC-3's in their fleet. After removal of all serviceable parts, CF-PWH was pushed into the bush adjacent to the Terrace, B.C. airport and abandoned as "derelict". Thankfully, a founding member of the "Friends of the DC-3 - Canada" recognized her long contribution to the people of British Columbia and through last minute negotiations with the scrap man, was able to purchase her remains for future restoration. In 1987, CF-PWH was moved from Terrace to the then Transportation Museum in Cloverdale. Upon the closure of this facility, the Township of Langley invited the Friends of the DC-3, North America to relocate at the Langley Municipal Airport.
This Douglas DC-3 was, in fact, the first DC-3 to be owned and operated by a "home grown" B.C. airline, -- Queen Charlotte Airlines. She became Pacific Western Airlines first DC-3 and as such was assigned the fleet number of 301.
Today, CF-PWH is the oldest surviving DC-3 in Canada.

Information from: Canadian Museum of Flight

Next stop: Conair at Abbotsford,BC.

This is Airtanker 55, registered C-FHKF for Conair. But it hasn't always been so...
C/n 374 was first delivered as a CV440 to SABENA as OO-SCS on 14Nov56, where it served for many years. It returned to the USA for Frontier Airlines (N73166) upon its purchase on 04Mar68. It was converted to CV580 in 1978. Frontier Leaseco Inc became registered owner on 02May83. And Air Traffic Service Corp bought it on 16Dec83.
Frontier Commuter leased it in 1984 and so did ITR Airlines. Sierra Pacific Airlines became the new owners on 25Mar85.
Wings West (American Eagle) leased it in 1987 and so did Rocky Mountain Airways, in 1988.
Express Airlines (NW Airlink) leased it in 1989 and Arizona Air in 1993. It was found stored at Avra Valley,AZ in May 1995.
I found it as C-GEUZ at Kelowna,BC during Aug99 awaiting maintenance or reconfiguration by Kelowna Flightcraft.
It was reregistered C-FHKF on 20Oct99 and converted to airtanker during 2000. Conair bought it on 18Feb00, apparently at first decorated with airtanker number 455, later changed to 55.

C-FKFM Tanker 54

C-FKFM is Conair's Airtanker 54 and has c/n 70.
Since I had been less sure of my itinerary at this stage of my travel, I had made no confrmed arrangement for a visit here; I was much relieved and very happy when someone did make time available to show me around! Thanks Dennis!
T54 is obviously receiving a maintenance inspection in the spotless hangar of Conair.
C/n 70 was produced in 1953 as a CV340 for United Airlines ("Seattle") with tailnumber N73133. Its aviation history traces its next owner to Tex Johnston Inc in 1968; that same year it was converted to CV580.
In 1969 it was registered to Aero Spacelines and stored at Marana,AZ. On 11Sep72 it was bought by Farmer's Union Travel Club of Denver,CO and Aspen Airways bought it on 11Oct75.
It went to the Alaska Historical & Transportation Museum of Palmer,AK on 14Jun85 but it was much too soon to retire to a museum...
On 16Jan92 it became C-FKFM for Kelowna Flightcraft (operating a short lease that year for Trans Provincial Airlines) and was reregistered to Kelowna Flightcraft Air Charter Ltd on 02May95.
It was subsequently reconfigured to Airtanker and bought by Conair on 07Sep00.
Information from The ConvairLiners Story, by J.M.Gradidge (Air-Britain, 1997) and my own records.

Stored..

Across the airfield, near the airtanker base, sits a fair number of airframes in storage (all Grumman
Trackers, except 1 Douglas DC-6.
Preparing another trip to these parts I found that this boneyard had been cleared out by maximum scrapping effort!

Spotting the Air Spray Airtanker 89 C-FVFH must be attributed to my wife, who eagle-eyed this Lockheed
L.188C Electra (c/n 1006) while we were descending by winding road on Castlegar,BC (24Jun06).

The small airport was fully deserted, even the terminal had its doors closed.

CF-BZI was the main interest which attracted me to visit this museum at Calgary Int'l Airport, but there is much of interest to explore in the Aero Space Museum.

See my page dedicated to my visit to:
Aero Space Museum .

N4AX (c/n 1) has been stored here at Calgary IAP for a number of years now.

Ten Canadair CL-66B (CV540) Cosmopolitan's were bought by the Canadian Air Force, designated CC-109. Eight, including this RCAF 109151, were converted to CV580 (engines). It has been stored here since July 1994...
I saw it stored at Calgary in Aug99 but it was stored showing tailnumber C-FNCI then.
Las Vegas Aircraft Leasing bought it on 23jun00 from North Canada Corp (owners since Oct96) and rereg'd it N4AX.

Canadair CL-66 on Wikipedia

There is a special story to the Canadair CL-66B's: see my Saskatoon 2007 page.

UPDATE: CL-66B N4AX (ex RCAF 11151) was issued special marks C-GULQ on behalf of Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd.
on 26 Nov 2012. The ferry flight was done on 11Dec2012.

Next stop is Red Deer,ALB where Air Spray (specialist in Forest Fire Suppression) is located. The days of their Invaders being used as Airtankers are over...

A-26 Invader, C-GHZM 'Fire Eaters'

Invader C-GHZM, Fire Eaters

Lockheed L.188, C-GZYH

Air Spray has converted to the Lockheed L.188 Electra for its airtankers.
We see here c/n 1124, its tailnumber C-GZYH applied with tape, which is fast loosing its adhesive capacity. It is also stored here at Red Deer, purchased for spare parts supply or future reconfiguration.
This L.188A first flew on 19Feb60 and was delivered to American Airlines (named "Flagship Baltimore") with tailnumber N6133A.
In 1968 it was sold to VARIG, receiving tailnumber PP-VJW.
At some point it was sold again and registered HR-AMM for Commercial Link Trading and leased to Interlink of Brazzaville, but I have no further details; it was reported stored at Lanseria,S.Africa in 1995. In Nov99 J.A.M. Air of Swartkop,SA bought it, but on 20Nov02 it departed from Johannesburg for Red Deer, arriving here on the 27th.
Air Spray registered it C-GZYH on 25Oct02.
See my webpage dedicated to my visit to
Air Spray at Red Deer,ALB.

The other major company here at Red Deer Industrial Airport is Buffalo Airways, who have a large maintenance hangar here; the aircraft here are stored, awaiting maintenance or for sale.
See my page dedicated to my visit to
Buffalo Airways at Red Deer.

C-GBAJ, Tanker 14

Bristol Freighter, C-GYQS

This rather uncommon looking plane was the main reason for me to visit the Reynolds-Alberta Museum; this is Bristol 170 Freighter, registered C-GYQS and many years ago I had just missed it visiting Terrace,BC, off to a mine on a contract flight while operated by Hawkair.
The Reynolds-Alberta Museum is located between Edmonton and Red Deer in Alberta, Canada, 65 kilometres south of Edmonton. It is located off Highway 2 or 2A, one kilometre west of the city of Wetaskiwin on Highway 13, or east from Highway 2, near the Wetaskiwin airport.
More on the Bristol Freighter on my page dedicated to the
Reynolds-Alberta Transportation Museum .

An excellent DVD was released by Avion Videos in 2008, showing Hawk Air's 'Biffo' and Carvair in operations during the Bronson Creek / Snip Mine Airlift. Excellent footage !!!

I drove up here, a pleasant drive through a countryside I am sure Vincent van Gogh would have found inspiration in with many of the canola fields in full bloom, to get the remaining 3 on camera...
Date of visit: 28Jun06.

As of 22Feb08, the American Aeronautical Foundation (already proud owner of a B-25J bomber and based at Camarillo,CA) became the new owner Douglas C-47B N215CM.
It has a background serving with the 15th AF and 12th AF in Italy, from Dec1944 to Sep45. This C-47 also brought troops home to the US from the Italian front, during late-1945. The American Aeronautical Foundation obtained her original WWII records card and service records from the Smithsonian.
The American Aeronautical Foundation intends to sell plane rides on it to help support the foundation and the rest of their aircraft.
And indeed, on 22Sep08, it left Villeneuve for the USA!

Norseman CF-HPY

All was not lost on this 28Jun06, as I still had a visit to the Alberta Aviation Museum scheduled. This museum is located on Edmonton Municipal Airport.
I successfully fought the busy traffic to the center of town, where this Noorduyn Norseman V CF-HPY landmarked the museum.

See my dedicated to my visit of the
Alberta Aviation Museum

Curtiss C-46 Commando, C-GTXW at Yellowknife Airport

On thursday June 29th I boarded Canadian North flight 5T450 for my flight to the Arctic North.
I had a stay of 3 full days at Yellowknife and although it was not without disappointment and complications, I am pleased to present the follow report on my page: