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On a regular basis people sent me photos, to share their enthusiasm for vintage airliners or to illustrate a question. These photos have been lingering in a scrapbook or a discarded box somewhere and/or probably wouldn't find their way to Online-use or publication. To prevent them from getting lost, with permission of the sender, I like to share them on this page. Photos already online (personal websites, airliners.net, jetphotos.net, etc) are not meant to be included here. With the ever growing popularity of Social Media (Flickr, Facebook, Instagram) the barrier has become much lower for people to share their photographs or scans of slides; imperfection to post aviation images is no longer an issue. I noticed a decline in requests for publication on my website (a decline I welcome, as I struggle with the workflow) on my 'Guest Pages', so now some of these images shared below will be copied from Facebook & Flickr by me. For preservation of their historic value as I see it; always with proper credit to the photographer, of course! Btw, while I am on social media, picking up on aviation news, I use it mainly for other interests while my website remains my main focus to share my interest in vintage aviation. |
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The one that got away! In 2007 I was in Iceland (see my report) but this one escaped my attention. For next time!
The Douglas R4D-6 150187 (c/n 20842) at Þórshöfn airstripIn July 1969, the Douglas R4D-6 41-50187 of the US Air Force was damaged beyond economic repair during takeoff at the old Þórshöfn Airport in the north east of Iceland. It was written of by the Navy and left to it’s own devices in a grass closure not far from the airstrip at Sauðanes north of Þórshöfn. For years the farmer at Sauðanes used to wreck as a shelter for his sheep and in 1996 it’s wings were removed. Supposedly the plane was to be restored but something must have upset those plans. Unlike the Douglas at Sólheimasandur it still has some color but otherwise in no better condition. This is the 1969 accident report: https://aviation-safety.net/
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Screening a number of database records I had not seen updates on for quite some time, I came across Douglas C-47-DL N34FL (c/n 
Probably at an early start the USAAF serial on the plane on display at the restaurant led to this mistake as 43-49790 ('349790') was c/n 15606/27051; and it was former HK-1333. The airframe I am interested in here was reported on 07Mar03 at Palm Beach IAP,FL stored. "Within the next five years it will become the centerpiece of an ambitious, $8 million on-campus project designed to teach students and visitors about World War II." "“Into the Past: The World War II Experience,” an interactive exhibit and tour that will be open to the public, is expected to include two museums, 14 new classrooms, a World War II canteen, a student research center and three interactive learning centers featuring authentic World War II battlegrounds and post-war events." "The project was conceived by Hauptner, whose husband, Greg, is the school’s founder and CEO, as a permanent tribute to veterans and soldiers who lost their lives in the war and victims of the Holocaust." "The school plans to raise money to support the project and has hired a fundraiser. Proceeds generated from the project will benefit the school and local veterans’ organizations." |
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Dirk Septer sent me a 2016 update on the YS-11 converted to a restaurant at Philipsburg, on St.Maarten.
More on 'Air Lekkerbek' over the years here on the island of St.Maarten see : Off-Airport Latin America |
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During this weekend (Oct.2016) I found myself going through a series of updates in my database, of locations and/or status/condition mostly. So little hard data is shared
through forums these days, everybody seems to share 'soft data', often endless rehashing images (without proper data on where/when/what) on social media (e.g. Facebook). While trawling the internet for updates I came across the present, very remote, location of DC-3/C-53D N101SF (c/n 11674) in Doctors Mesa, Colorado. I would like to know who the current owner is and when N101SF moved here. Did it fly in? EMAIL |
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Norman Smith wrote me in Oct.2016 in an effort to get an identification for these aircraft under (long term?) restoration in a hangar at Red Deer.
Norman wrote: "We visited Red Deer on the 13th of October 2011 and found the three frames in the corner of Buffalo's hanger. Nigel Hitchman replied on the 'Classic-Propliner' (Yahoo) forum: In a 2016 list I noticed: "CF-NJK (c/n 242) Joe McBryan, Red Deer,AB; minus wings." See THIS LIST (.pdf) Norman wrote in return (and particularly in respect to that list): The WCAM in Winnipeg advised me, by email from Keith Olson (02Nov16): We have, at our storage compound, north of Winnipeg, two aircraft, CF-BTC and CF-CRT. See 2014 photo by Tim Chaloner of Norseman CF-BTC on Photos by Friends & Guests (48). The last time I visited Red Deer was in 2007. A bit more on the suggested Norseman's, CF-GOB, CF-GTM and CF-NJV 1 - CF-GOB (msn 421) - listed as 'Joe McBryan, Red Deer,ALB - for parts' on www.norsemanfestival.on.ca/airworthy-norseman/ 2 - CF-GTM (msn 828) also listed as 'Joe McBryan, Red Deer,ALB - for parts' (same list) 3 - 44-70299 (msn 564) Delivered to USAAF July 12, 1944; Lockbourne, Ohio July 13, 1945;
To RFC at Ponca City, Oklahoma October 11, 1945; Turner Mack Aircraft Co., Newton, Kansas;
registered NC54665; Alaska Airlines Inc., Anchorage, Alaska; damaged at Cape Lisbon July 21, 1953; Northern Fort Nelson Air Service, Fort Nelson, BC; reg'd as CF-NJV April 27, 1961, cancelled. Two more images by Norman Smith, also sighted that trip (2011) in the Buffalo Aiways hangar at Red Deer-
In 2007 I visited Moose Jaw air museum but lost the images; Norman kindly provided some of Norseman CF-SAM |
Andy Marden wrote me in Sep.2016: "I photographed the attached C-47 fuselage at Aurora State Airport Oregon in late July this year.
Do you (or maybe your viewers) have any idea of its identity, please?" 
See a photo taken from on eBay, dated august 2015, offering this DC-3 for a starting bid of usd 8.000,- HERE.. My database shows more former (official) identifications: NC30035, 43-2013, NC17885. See another photo (also dated 2016, by Ken Swartz) on Photos by Friends & Guests (48). |
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While Harvards and Texans are not of immediate interest to me, I never can pass one by. Twice I had the opportunity
to go up in one on a flightseeing trip but time constraints and budget grounded me; here's hoping.. I found a remark "Al meer dan 40 jaar is Harvard IIB B-193 te vinden op camping Duinrand in het Zeeuwse Burgh-Haamstede / Westenschouwen." This 'over 40 years' remark dates from 2010. (source: www.airnieuws.nl/phregister/475/luchtvaartnieuws.html)
This is from 'Texan Registry' on www.warbirdregistry.org: AT-16 Harvard Mk. IIb Serial :42-12523 - Construction no.: 14-770 - Civil Registration: None History: Delivered to RCAF as FH136 - BOC: April 30, 1943 - SOC: October 2, 1946 To Charles Babb Co, Montreal, Quebec, 1946 Delivered to Royal Netherlands AF as B-193, 19?? Westerschouwen, Schelde Estuary, Holland, 1992 - Displayed on pole, duinrand Campsite, Burgh-Haamstede, Netherlands, 2000 |
Doug wrote me in Sep.2016 and added pics: "I came across you page while looking up N845S. It was (is) currently in Bishop,CA where I took the following pictures on 22SEP16." 
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Brian Lowe sent me this photo in response to my page ABANDONED WRECKS OF THE NORTH
I can verify for you that it is not that wreck..! I lived up there in Ft Franklin in 1987; the pilot of C-FMBO was close family friend and my father worked with Air Sahtu. I remember the story, it all came back to me when I read the article documenting loss of right engine oil pressure, 9 aboard and so on.. Here is a picture of C-FMBO sitting on the ice in 1987." |
Martin 'JoeJoe' Prince Jr shared this Noorduyn Norseman in Sep.2016. JoeJoe wrote:"The owner of DHC-2 Beaver N77KZ also has a Norseman in Bethel!" |
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The DHC-2 page on Facebook provided the following information and images.
David Oberg published in August 2016 "Crosswind Lake on Moraine Creek claimed another victim today." The DeHavilland DHC-2 was identified as N95RC c/n 970. Date of crash was 09Aug16 and the operator Rapids Camp Lodge Inc. / Deneki Outdoors. A quote from their website reads: "Our Beavers N2297R, N95RC, the wheel equipped Beaver N420RC, and the Otter N205RC, have all been stripped down to bare metal and completely restored to a like new condition. With the only heated hanger in King Salmon, our planes are kept immaculate and maintained to the highest standards."  The small insert is a photo by Kenneth Strickler: "Photo taken right after the accident". There were 7 persons on board at the time of the crash, 4 sustained serious injuries, 3 sustained minor injuries. N95RC was reportedly helicoptered out on 12Aug16. Neil Aird's wonderful website DHC2.com has history of N95RC detailed |
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During the 1990s I became fascinated with aviation history in Alaska, after a visit. Since then a few more visits have been made, each time faithfully documenting the declining fleet of 'propliners'. But since then I've also collected and read a good many books on aviation history and bushflying in Alaska. One of the pages that I compiled as a result, was a webpage on Cordova Airlines. And I was mighty pleased that John Cooney, after many years since I started this page, has gone through the trouble of sending me a photo for this endeavour.  John wrote (august 2016): "My mother, Dorothy Cooney, as seen in the photo was a flight attendant for Cordova." Cordova Airlines was acquired by Alaska Airlines in 1968. |
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In 2004 I toured South Africa for propliners and found the Rovos CV440's looking splendid. Not long after my visit they were offered for sale.
Who would have thought that after so many years a buyer would turn up? ZS-ARV has been acquired by HARS of Australia and when I checked its progress on 16Aug16 found it was progressing well on its ferry flight to Australia! Hopefully a buyer for ZS-BRV will present itself soon too; rumor had it a party from Switzerland had shown interest. (In march 2017 BRV was seen in last stages of ferry flight preparations to Switzerland).  Here are a few milestones for ZS-ARV's ferryflught by HARS: 'Tuesday 9th August. Departure time scheduled - 9 am local - 0700z' '13Aug: The Convair is now parked at Mattala in Sri Lanka' '15Aug: We have arrived in Johore Bahru. Leaving on Thursday for Bali' Source: www.facebook.com/hars.gen/ - or their website http://hars.org.au/ Update on ZS-ARV / VH-TAA in march 2017: "ZS-ARV is at HARS in Australia, it set out for the Avalon Airshow last week, but turned back with an engine problem, apparently quite major, so engine change probably needed." |
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Anson Chapell did a motorcycle trip with friends in June 2016. He passed Cold Lake and photographed
this remarkable 'Pinocchio' DC-3, which is preserved there at the air base. On Flickr.com Anson has a larger size image plus a few other images.  This is Douglas DC-3A-467 Skytrain (C-47B/CC-129; 'Dakota IV') 12959 (c/n 15196/26641). Ogden's Aviation Museums & Collections of North America (Air-Britain, 2011) has as former identities for this airframe: 43-49380, 979, 'KN979'. No mention of EN979 as per below. The C-47 Dakota c/n 26641 was employed in the Canadian Forces from 1945 to 1989, during which time a total fleet of 160 Dakotas accumulated 1,426,686 flight hours. The Dak flew a multitude of missions including: arctic re-supply; delivering mail to Canadian troops overseas; flying the Burma hump; towing gliders and targets; dropping parachutists; mercy flights; search and rescue; UN peacekeeping; photo reconnaissance; and a variety of other tasks. Pinocchio was enlisted in the RCAF in 1944 as EN979; however, it was not until 1962 that she was modified, along with two other Dakotas, and received her distinctive CF-104 Starfighter nose. For obvious reasons she was nicknamed 'Pinocchio'. In 1967, she returned to Cold Lake where she flew to Edmonton and back every Tuesday and Thursday, offering a taxi service well patronized by CF
members and their dependants. Pinocchio was sent for her last three years to fly in Winnipeg until the 9 remaining Daks were retired. For quite some time she enjoyed the distinction of being the oldest airframe in the inventory, and will probably remain the most venerable and unique aircraft in the history of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Armed Forces. From: www.douglasdc3.com/pinoch/pinoch.htm |
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I regret that so many people abandoned forums for social media such as Facebook and Instagram, because images
are more often than not posted without relevant data (what? where? when? owner? status?). Still, I am afraid it is
the state of current affairs and it must be said that very pleasing photography is offered too. Here are two recent ones (posted august 2016) and perhaps you may want to visit these facebook groups.
Here is another one, shared by John Robbins on 'Fire Bombers' (Facebook), one to be remembered: The tailnumber N3142D is also mentioned in an NY Times article 'U.S. PRISONER IN NICARAGUA SAYS C.I.A. RAN CONTRA SUPPLY FLIGHTS' - ''Two Cuban naturalized Americans that work for the C.I.A. did most of the coordination for the flights and oversaw all of our housing, transportation, also refueling and some flight plans,'' the prisoner, Eugene Hasenfus, said at a news conference..." "Mr. Hasenfus then named the two reported C.I.A. officials and gave the most detailed account.." ... "Mr. Hasenfus, who is 45 years old, said Nicaraguan rebel supply flights from the main military air base at Ilopango in El Salvador and rebel bases in Honduras were not only supervised by the C.I.A., but were also supported by more than 25 employees of an American company based in El Salvador.".......... ''His situation is very difficult,'' said Capt. Ricardo Wheelock, head of Nicaraguan military intelligence. ''He is a mercenary who has been shot down." " Several documents reportedly taken from the plane, including logbooks, registration certificates, Salvadoran Air Force identity cards and personal papers.." "The documents found on the rebel C-123 military supply plane include Salvadoran Air Force identity cards that describe the three American crew members, .." ... "Three logbooks reportedly taken from the rebel plane appear to list every guerrilla supply flight the plane had made,.." ... "The logbooks also indicate that the plane has had three unusual changes of registration numbers in recent years. In 1982, the plane appears to have been registered as N3142D or O. In 1983, its number changed to N4410F. Three months ago, its number appears to have changed again, to a Panamanian registration, HP824." ... "A certificate of registration lists the plane as belonging to the Sekman Aviation Corporation in Miami, which Sandinista officials say they believe is owned by Southern Air Transport. At least two of the Americans on the plane carried Southern Air Transport identity cards issued in recent months." |
While Dietmar Eckell's photography is much more versatile than picturing aeroplanes, I am glad he has an eye for
aircraft as an art object. These recently (august 2016) appeared on his Facebook page. 
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It was with great pleasure that I worked on another update to the Richard Nash / Bill Hill gallery on my website.
See for the full update HERE.. |
In 2007 while touring the northwest of Canada for propliners and bushplanes I came acros a plane wreck. At the time Sam Cole provided details
of the dramatic event leading to the crash of Beech 18 CF-XVF. Now, many years later, Sam provided his photographs to add to the account. Amazing that both pilot and passenger survived without much harm. Read the full account on CANADA 2007 - RED LAKE |
Phil Brooks forwarded on 17jun16 this fascinating image, and wrote: "Hualtuco,Mexico;taken by a co worker yesterday"
 The image was not accompanied by more info on DC-3 identity, location or the artist. See updates below. XA-RPO (Huatulco Airport, Huatulco, Mexico) c/n 1953 DST-3A-207 (ex/USAAF 42-56100) History: NC18105 'State of Ohio' UA, Del 16Jul1937 - C-48B USAAF 1942 -'San Diego' UA 1944 - TTA 1954 - Tradewinds 1968 - Air Mid America 1970 - Air New England 1971 - Cryderman Air 1977 - Century Airlines 1978 - N43PB PBA 1979 - Huatulco,MX Source: www.dc3pub.com/filename18.html From my own files I can add: 'N18105 1980 sold by Century Airlines to Provincetown Boston Airlines'. N43PB was seen at Miami IAP in 1983, no exact date noted on the slide I have. And that it was reg'd to Peter D.Graff, as N43PB, on 15jul97 (ex/ XA-RPO), but possibly not taken up and XA-RPO remained in Mexico. Requesting help from fellow propliner enthusiasts on Yahoo's 'Classic-Propliners' forum, I was advised as follows- My compilation of some of Mrs Rubin's images: |
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Dan O'Connor published this (in fact the compilation is mine -Webmaster) on the Facebook page of WIX (Warbirds) in july 2016: "My Dad dragged home another one, not every day you come home and find a PBY sitting there!" Dan's father owns O'Con Aircraft Supplies in Uxbridge,Ontario (Canada) and he managed to transfer a hobby and collection to a business!  As Dan wrote: "just a few pics, he has 10 acres of it!" Canso A 'RCAF 9825/Z-DB (c/n CV-259) was traded in from Canadian Warplane Heritage. Dylan Lenko wrote on that same FB page: "This is from the Canadian Warplane Heritage museum; they removed the front turret to put on their flying Catalina. I saw this being put on a trailer just after it was used on a movie set a couple weeks ago." Some historic info on this airframe: www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=40658 Perhaps something for the propliner enthusiast who doesn't mind to steer away from the beaten track once in a while..? |
Dirk Septer wrote me on 01Jul16: "A surprise find at Trondheim (Norway) a few days ago:
SeaBee specialist Steinar Saevdal provided the following in response to this photo:
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A few more 2015 images sent Terry Fletcher. He wrote: "..making our way back to Boston for our flight home to the UK, we diverted into the New England Air Museum on the northern perimeter road of Bradley International Airport. A wonderful , large Collection of all types of aviation - over 60 aircraft on display - in three covered halls, plus outside displays. They are shown in large thumbnails at www.neam.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1151 Sadly , the unique Burnelli-Canada Car and Foundry CBY-3 Loadmaster, c/n CAM-1, c/r N17N was locked away in the Restoration Hangar: www.neam.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1337
Difficult to pick out highlights, because there were so many!
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Starting on this Page 46 is a good opportunity to share some images Terry Fletcher sent me a while back.  DC-3A N61981 (c/n 2216) at Cape Cod Airport (Marston Mills,MA) on 01Oct2015.
Ken Swartz shared photos from his visit to Baslers at Oshkosh on 27Jul12 and also included an image of this DC-3: Photos by Friends & Guests (36). Terry: "At our Aerial Visuals website we have its history documented." |
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Michael Prophet recently made me aware of this image, of an 'unknown' (to us) plane wreck in the Guyana region. Michael
also chased the identity.
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