Propliners by Martin Prince Jr

PAGE ONE | PAGE TWO | PAGE THREE

Vintage aviation photos by Martin ('JoeJoe') Prince Jr

H-Marker Lake, Alaska - JoeJoe Prince (24Jul21)

Martin 'JoeJoe' Prince Jr lives in Bethel,AK and in 2006 he started to send me some photos for use on my website.
Since they also an offer an insight in the planes that visit such a remote community in Alaska, I like to share them here for other propliner enthusiasts to enjoy.

Martin's introduction:
"I live in Bethel, Alaska (about 400 miles west of Anchorage). Here are some pictures of mine, mainly taken here at Bethel. I was looking at your website and saw some planes in there that I had photographed and thought you might like!"

DC-6 N747CE captured by JoeJoe on 21Oct2021 at Bethel,AK
"Hauling mail to Togiak."

This airframe was delivered to the USAF with serial 53-3290, transferred to the US Navy (serial 152689)
and went to 'civie street' for Hawkins & Powers (N233HP), reg'd 10Feb06 Everts Air Fuel (N233HP), in Oct.
2007 flown to Paine Field in Washington for overhaul and reg'd in June 2008 to Everts Air as N747CE.
It has been featured several times further down on this pages .

JoeJoe wrote: "Taken last night on H-Marker Lake. N734Q, N102SY, N77KZ and N55WE."
H-Marker Lake, Alaska - JoeJoe Prince
Date 24Jul2021

H-Marker Lake, Alaska - JoeJoe Prince
For N55WE's 2024 crash details see further down..

JoeJoe sent me these of Douglas C-118A N100CE (c/n 44662) at Bethel, 23Jul2021.
DC-6 N110CE at Bethel,AK - by JoeJoe Prince

The DC-6 / C-118 continues service with Everts Air Cargo & Everts Air Fuel, though their numbers decrease.
Their flying commercial careers end when they've reached the end of their FAR 121 lifetime.

JoeJoe sent me these 17Jul21, he wrote: "Departed yesterday from Bethel. I dug out my old 5D, charged the batteries and went for a drive after work. N55WE taking off of the Kuskokwim. Also, Yukon Aviation finally got their 1947 project flying yesterday, a 1947 PA-11."
DC-6 N747CE in style, by JoeJoe Prince
Big Doug N747CE seen here the way we like'em: four burning, four turning..
Further down this page is another photo of N747CE (with history), taken by JoeJoe at Bethel in 2019.

DHC-2 N55WE taking off of the Kuskokwim river, by JoeJoe Prince
On 18Jul2021 I noticed on FAA's N-inquiry N55WE was registered 24Aug2020 to Paklook Air Inc of Bethel,AK.
More details on this fine looking Beaver further down this page (JoeJoe's photo taken in 2020).
See also dhc-2.com

Robin Ford posted this on Facebook's deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver group, June 2022
N55WE crashed (June 2024)

"Another Beaver with serious damage crashed into lake on takeoff from Lake Aleknagik in Western Alaska. No one seriously injured. Happened June 21st."
No information on what cause this event.. And what signifies "into lake" here, it's obviously in wooded area.. Failed approach? Details welcomed.
EMAIL

1947 PA-11 N4526M of Yukon Aviation; by JoeJoe Prince
Piper PA-11 msn 11-31 was manufactured in 1947; N4526M reg'd 04May2005 to Thomas P. Ratledge of Bethel,AK.

JoeJoe wrote: "Desert Air made a fuel stop in Bethel this rainy afternoon." Date 01Jul2021.
DC-3 N44587 of Desert into Bethel,AK

DC-3 N44587 of Desert into Bethel,AK

N44587 is C-47A c/n 12857.
From my/RL files:
Former N353SA of RF Aircraft Services, as such reported sighting at Nanaimo,BC in Jan.'97. R08dec97 Alta Leasing Inc, Salt Lake City (N44587). Arrived ANC in May 2001, parked in grass near Northern Air Cargo with Desert Air titles. Was sighted frequently, operational.
Reg'd 16Jun10 to Desert Air Transport Inc. of Anchorage,AK.
Still going strong.

SEE ALSO MY PAGES ALASKA 2003 AND ANCHORAGE 2012

Renfro's Norseman N78691 waits for a break in the weather for a flight on 07Nov20 in Bethel.
Noorduyn Norseman N78691 at Bethel,AK 07Nov20 by JoeJoe

Noorduyn Norseman N78691 at Bethel,AK 07Nov20 by JoeJoe

Yes indeed, in Alaska the weather is a serious aspect of aviation!
The history of N78691 is detailed further down this page.

JoeJoe took this lovely shot in the evening of 20Oct20, N9056R landing at Bethel,AK
N9056R landing at Bethel, by JoeJoe Prince

Everts Air's DC-6 N9056R (c/n 45498)
'The DC-6A is a freighter-version with improved Pratt & Whitney R2800-CB17 radial engines, with water-methanol injection. With all this extra power, the DC-6 fuselage was lengthened by 5 ft. It was nicknamed 'the Liftmaster' and was meant to transport cargo.' The DC-6 further explained on my page HERE..
JoeJoe has more images on my website, my Alaskan correspondent of years! PAGE 1 | PAGE 2

JoeJoe came across this Beech 18 N9210, towed to this storage area at Bethel,AK hoping for a better future.
Beech G18S N9210 at Bethel, by JoeJoe Prince
Date of photo: 03Oct2020

Circa 1959 - Constructed as a G18S.
14 November 1959 - Certificate of airworthiness for N92D (G18S, BA-472) issued.
Same - To Lease Air Inc, Youngstown OH with new c/r N92D.
1963 - To Harbison Walker Refractories Co, Pittsburgh, PA keeping c/r N92D.
1963 - To Beckett Aviation, Youngstown OH keeping c/r N92D.
1964 - To Lease Air Inc, Youngstown OH keeping c/r N92D.
1969 - To SMB Stage Line Inc, Des Moines, IA with new c/r N9210.
22 April 1970 - Cert. of airworthiness for N9210 (G18S, BA-472) issued.
1979 - To Blackhawk Airways, Janesville, WI keeping c/r N9210.
7 February 1983 - To Methow Aviation Inc, Wenatchee, WA keeping c/r N9210.
Late 1984 - "The aircraft had recently had a new tail wheel tire installed and when it was on approach into Helena, the tail gear would not extend. The aircraft landed with the tail gear stowed."
From 28 September 1998 to 2006 - To Comanche Air, Winthrop WA keeping c/r N9210.
From 2000 to 2004 - Operated by Methow Aviation, Everett-Paine Field, WA.
3 September 2008 - To Aero Equipment Llc, Kenai, AK keeping c/r N9210.
30 September 2013 - To Michael Wade Renfro, Bethel, AK keeping c/r N9210.
1 January 2014 - Certificate of airworthiness for N9210 (G18S, BA-472) issued.
27 April 2016 - To Renfro Michael Wade, Bethel, AK keeping c/r N9210.
1 October 2019 - Decommissioned Beech 18 going to the boneyard at Bethel, Alaska.
6 January 2020 - Civil registration, N9210, cancelled.
[From: aerialvisuals.ca 04Oct2020]

Mark Evans wrote on JoeJoe's FB post:
"That's a sad sight. It was a good one while at SMB.
Years later, I helped Hugh Glassburn get a Twin Beech operation going in the Pac NW, when I went up there to finish college. Hugh lived over in the 'Methow Valley' on the east side of the Cascade Mountains, and had a military contract flying down the coast at night in a Cessna 411, out of McChord AFB.
He named the operation 'Methow Aviation'.
I helped bring the first Beech on-line with a fellow named 'Bill Bardell', which was E18S N42D, that we got off S.S. Airways out of Kansas City.
We started with one run that went SEA-YVR-SEA for Emery and Dewie-Hughey- & Louie (DHL). I flew it while going to school and simultaneously flying for a company called 'Airpac', at night.
In short order, we saw things were in an upward trend. So one night, Hugh, Bill and I , had a 'top-level' meeting at a old established watering hole just north of KBFI. I said, let me talk to Dick Wixom (whom I'd helped out in the past), at Blackhawk Airways, and see if we can get some more good ships.
Blackhawk always brought them up to speed after purchase, and then they'd go down to Goodner Bros. in Mena,AR for paint. Later on, always an overall white 'H' model paint scheme with different trim colors.
Cost to strip and paint a Beech back then: $5,500! My how times have changed..
Dick was all on board to help out, and the second ship we got was N9210, which shed an engine on climb-out from Janesville, when bringing it back to Washington... initially bringing my credibility with Hugh - about working with Wixom - into serious question.
Dick made it right, of course, hung another motor and away we went.
Eventually, we got more Beeches from Dick, and at another 'high-level' meeting at the bar, I talked them into getting Westwinds, and helped facilitate that. By then, the company was growing quickly, I finished college, and got called back to Mountain Air Cargo in NC again, to help out a Mr. Richard Flora.
Methow ended up becoming the last "large" Twin Beech operation in the world. We'd ended up with another Blackhawk plane (that we'd had @Mountain Air Cargo), N250RP, and unfortunately years later, Bill Bardell, that had helped start the whole thing with me, ended up plowing into a mountain on a scheduled run in Butte, Montana.
[Condolences also to Rob Farley ~ think that was his favorite].
Sad to see N9210 in such a sad state today. All you 'Beech People' know what I mean when I say they are not just an 'inanimate object'. Peculiarly, each one seems to have a soul of their own, like a living, breathing family member."

JoeJoe caught N55WE on 04Aug2020, on a beautiful day with the pilot looking down from his lofty office. JoeJoe wrote: "New to Renfro's Alaskan Adventures".
Good to see after its 2015 damage N55WE (c/n 273) has found a new home in Alaska!

DHC-2 N55WE at Bethel, Alaska - photo by JoeJoe Prince
When I checked FAA's N-inquiry on 06Aug20 registration was still 'pending', so a very 'fresh' addition indeed!
In 7-2021 I noticed it was registered 24Aug2020 to Paklook Air Inc of Bethel,AK.

Neil Aird's www.dhc-2.com as per usual provided the history of this fine look deHavilland Beaver: '51-16499 USAF #1087. Delivered 11-Jun-1952 ¬ N17392 Circa. 1962. Canx May-1973. P/E 23-Sep-1974 wearing this regn as stored at Davis Monthan AFB,AZ ¬ 51-16499 Stored at MASDC., Davis Monthan AFB,AZ ¬ Purchased at Davis Monthan auction sale 29-Jan-1976 for US$23,000.
C-GFDD Sandy Lake Stores Ltd., Winnipeg, MB. Regd Feb-1976. Canx prior to C of A renewal dated 24-Jun-1977 ¬ C-GFDD St. Andrews Airways, Winnipeg, MB. Regd Jul-1976. Regd Jun-1977. Canx Feb-1978 ¬ N688SF Reported as regd Dec-1978 (Posblys not taken up).
07-Dec-1978 Allotment of Registration C-GYHZ; DHC-2 s/n 273 for The Air Ranger Ltd., Winnipeg, MB. (A used aircraft dealer) ¬ C-GFDD Operator unknown. Regd Dec-1978. Canx 03-Jan-1979 ¬ C-GFDD Hyack Air Ltd., New Westminster, BC. On CCAR May-1981. Canx 06-Jul-1983 ¬ C-GFDD Staron Flight Ltd., Richmond, BC. Canx 05-Dec-1984 ¬ C-GFDD Hyack Air (1981) Ltd., New Westminster, BC. Regd 13-Feb-1985. Canx 25-Apr-1989 ¬ N44LU Lake Union Air Service, Lake Union Seattle, WA. Regd 26-Apr-1989. On USCAR at 29-Feb-1992.

N6784L Kenmore Air Harbor, Kenmore, WA. Regd Feb-1993 ¬ N6784L Howard O. Mills Jr. Bellingham, WA. Res’d 02-Nov-1993. Regd 27-Dec-1993 Canx 22-Sep-2006 ¬ N6784L H. R. Mills Electric Co., (Howard O. Mills Jr.), Bellingham, WA. Canx 10-Nov-2006 ¬ N6784L Ed Watson III, Mount Vernon, WA. Regd 18-Jan-2007. Canx 03-Oct-2008.

Accident: Kalispell, 23-Jul-2007. While in cruise flight over a wilderness area, the engine sputtered and then lost power. The pilot landed the airplane on a gravel/sand bar area near a river. The airplane sustained structural damage to the firewall, a wing strut, and leading edge damage to the horizontal stabilizer.

Rebuilt by Leading Edge Aircraft Services LLC., Smelterville, ID.
N55WE. Ed Watson III, Mount Vernon, WA. Canx 11-Jun-2010 ¬ N55WE WD Aircraft Investments, Anchorage, AK. Pending 18-Jun-2010. Regd 12-Jul-2010 ¬ N55WE Jeff Kruse, Fairbanks, AK. Regd 23-Dec-2013. Expiry 31-Dec-2016.

Accident: Arctic Village AK. 04-Sep-2015 00:40utc. ...failed to gain sufficient airspeed, and he aborted the takeoff. The airplane's main wheels sunk into the soft tundra-covered terrain, and the airplane subsequently nosed over, sustaining substantial damage to the wings.'

Robin Ford posted this on Facebook's deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver group, June 2022
N55WE crashed (June 2024)

JoeJoe caught DC-6 N151 at Bethel on 09Sep2019; this vintage propliner has almost reached the end of its useful life
but Everts Air Cargo has found a good home in Sola, Norway for preservation. Ferry flight is expected in spring 2020.
DC-6 N151 of Everts Air Cargo
Initially the planned date of the ferry flight to Norway was set on 01Oct19, but that date date has been portponed,
now more likely to take place at the end of that month. Maybe N151 was required to perform a few more flights.

Note: DC-6B c/n 45174 was the first to be registered N151 for Everts Air; on landing at Selawik-Mun'l all props
failed to go in reverse after touch down, overran icy runway, ended on frozen river with undercarriage collapsed,
declared damaged beyond economic repair). This 2nd N151 is c/n 45496/992 and was bought from Conair of
Abbotsford (Canada): C-GICD reported in Aug.'97 at Abbotsford while the airtanker equipment was taken out.

As one can see this aeroplane has a distinct history in Norway, hence its upcoming preservation there.

History of DC-6B c/n 45496 (ADB.aero - 13Sep19); it was converted for aerial firefighting by Conair ('447')
In June 1996 it had been reg'd to Tatonduk Outfitters Ltd, when Cliff Everts' son Robert decided to start his own business: Air Cargo Express (which was changed to Everts Air Cargo on 01Sep02). See also on my Anchorage 2006.

Everts Air Cargo still has 'Sixes' flying cargo and fuel, as this photo by JoeJoe of C-118A N747CE (c/n 44661),
taken at Bethel 14Sep19, shows!
C-118A N747CE at Bethel Sep.2019 by JoeJoe Prince
This airframe was delivered to the USAF with serial 53-3290, transferred to the US Navy (serial 152689)
and went to 'civie street' for Hawkins & Powers (N233HP), reg'd 10Feb06 Everts Air Fuel (N233HP), in Oct.
2007 flown to Paine Field in Washington for overhaul and reg'd in June 2008 to Everts Air as N747CE.
Long may those piston engine trundle along the airways of Alaska!
Further up this page are a few more photos of N747CE, taken by JoeJoe.

JoeJoe sent me these photos of DHC-2 N734Q (c/n 1395) of Ptarmigan Air in take off on 09Sep2019
DHC-2 N734Q in take off on 09Sep2019; photo JoeJoe Prince
Bethel, Alaska.
JoeJoe informed me: "Ptarmigan Air is now owned by Aaron Osantoski & Justin Essain."

DHC-2 N734Q in take off on 09Sep2019; photo JoeJoe Prince
A brilliant day to fly!
Owned and operated by Ptarmigan Air / Karl R. Powers, based at Bethel and providing services to lodges and locations

JoeJoe Prince sent me this image, of N251CE fuel hauling at Bethel,AK (20Aug19).
Everts Air N251CE visiting Bethel (Alaska), by JoeJoe Prince

Douglas C-118A (c/n 44612/532). DC-6 variants C-118A and C-118B is explained on my DC-6 Info page.
Detailed history of N251CE can be read on my Fairbanks pages of 2003 and 2012.

JoeJoe Prince noted Everts Air N100CE grounded ('aog') at Bethel,AK in april 2018.
N100CE at Bethel, grounded due technical
On april 24th he wrote the aircaft had been sitting 'technical' at Bethel for a few days, requiring both
inboard engines to be changed. They were flown in on a DC-9 of Everts Air.
On april 24th he took this photo, engineers working to change the 2nd engine.
So C-118A N100CE (c/n 44662/629) should be soon in business again.
Cause of the requirement to change engines 2+3 I don't know, perhaps a severe birdstrike inbound into Bethel AP.

'JoeJoe' had a pretty good start of the new year: taken on 01Jan2018-
"They moved this Boxcar to the southside ramp"
C-119 N8504Z has been moved at ANC to the sout side ramp
N9027K, Fairchild C-119F (c/n 176)
John Will wrote me in Mar.2018: "This very plane pictured here used to sit on the North Ramp of Anchorage IAP
was the plane we were focused on for our Rolling Boxcar project, before it became unavailable. It was sinking in
the mud for approx. 25 years and is/was in very bad shape. It was moved to the South Ramp to make room for
ramp expansion in 2018. It sat approx. 10 yards from my office and I was there the day it was moved.
N9027K was owned by Brooks Fuel out of Fairbanks. Brooks turned it over to the Alaska Aviation Museum
where it may, one day, be on static display here in Anchorage." Alas, see below Oct.2024 update...

From www.proplinerinfoexchange.com/1-other_news.htm#APR21-2024: "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 Intl Airport for many years and on '09Jul2023 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."

UPDATE OCT.2024: This 20Sep2024 photo is going to hurt your eyes, shows how N9027K seems advanced in the process of scrapping! www.airhistory.net/photo/729452/N9027K It was probably inevitable, been stored for so long..

N19906 at Anchorage (ANC), Jan.2018 by JoeJoe Prince
Douglas DC-3 N19906 (c/n 4747; ex/ USAAF 41-38644) at Anchorage (ANC), Jan.2018 by JoeJoe Prince
At one time reg'd to R.D.Gerhardt (Majestic Airlines?), most recently to ALTA Leasing (R08Dec97, after Desert
Air had it for sale) but cancelled from ALTA in 11Jan2018 (per 'FAA Inquiry').
Parked at ANC South Ramp, noted April 2013. Rumours had it that N19906 was now owned by the Air Museum here.
A report, dated 15Jun16, reached me that 'none-oh-six' was noted with a damaged tail, sans titles and engines removed.
As it is here.

UPDATE 2023: The airplane was moved to the Desert Air ramp at Anchorage Int'l in June 2023.
Here the wings will be removed, and the airplane will be preserved for display in the Alaska Aviation museum, next door at Lake Hood (AK).
Reeve flew this airplane between 1946 and 1975.

'JoeJoe' Prince sent me this photo of Everts' N747CE landing at ANC in a storm
N747CE of Everts' at Anchorage IAP

'Taken 02Jan17 at Anchorage IAP, C-118A N747CE (44661/628) landing in the wind'

Joe Joe sent me a very nice winter update

N43872, ex/ VC-118A 53-3294 USAF (msn 44665)
It was moved (2016?) from the nearby Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum to this nearby motel
See also Photos by Friends & Guests #52

'JoeJoe' Prince shared these images of a recent visit to Big Lake,AK recently
Beech 18 at Big Lake,Alaska
Beech C-45 N888E (c/n AF-255), for many years stored now at Big Lake, Alaska.
Both (N888E & N8062H) were sighted again, in much of the same circumstance, in Jan.2020: photo below.

Beech 18 at Big Lake,Alaska
Beech C-45F N8062H (c/n 8386)

History is detailed Guestphotos #03 and Guestphotos #34

On 05Jan2020 JoeJoe Prince revisited Big Lake airport and came across these long-time stored residents once more.
Twin Beeches N888E and N8062H stored at Big Lake,AK

JoeJoe Prince posted this photo and wrote "They moved the old Fish & Wildlife Beaver inside Ted Stevens International Airport Terminal in Anchorage, Alaska."
DHC-2 N754 preserved

N754 c/n 1207 from www.dhc-2.com (click link for more photos)
• Delivered 19Jun58
• FAEC-29 Cuban Air Force / Fuerza Aérea Ejercito de Cuba
• Later, Fuerza Aérea Revolucionaria
• N754 Garrett AiResearch turbine powerplant
• Cvtd by Volpar Inc., Van Nuys, CA. modified with 2 add'l wing tanks, strengthened cabin floor, cockpit moved fwd
• US Department of the Interior, Anchorage, AK
• Noted by Neil Aird 14Sep68 @Anchorage, AK • Noted again 09/95 @ Anchorage, AK. and @Victoria,BC. in 1997
• The strangest looking Beaver ever ?
• Photographed again in May 2000 at Lake Hood,AK with small change in paint scheme.

More: www.fws.gov/news/blog/index.cfm/2017/11/7/N754-A-Piece-of-FWS-and-Aviation-History

Norseman N78691
JoeJoe Prince on the prowl again around Lake Hood (May 2017)!

Norseman N78691 is regularly featured in JoeJoe's pictures but this one is also meant to shed some light on
his Facebook page 'Bush Planes Alaska'! The history of N78691 is a few pics down on this page here.

Here's another one, May 19th I think (late in the day); N774AE hasn't been in Alaska for long.
DHC-2 N774AE by JoeJoe Prince Jr
From Canadian Registry (C-FYNZ) c/n 793 was reg'd 02May2014 N108RL for Rainbow Bay Resort LLC
of Nashville (TN), but based at Pedro Bay in Alaska, AK. Regd 02-May-2014. Its AoC was issued May 16th.
It was then rereg'd on 26Mar2016 for the same owner and still based in Alaska. [- DHC-2.com]

Next is Palmer (28May2017): C-119 N8501W (history on my Alaska report 2003)
C-119

This is N1394N, some parts have been removed; does not look good...
C-119 N1394

Winter 2017 in Bethel,AK!

C-46 N1822M Everts Fuel, at Bethel
JoeJoe wrote on 07Mar17: "A couple days ago in Bethel Alaska, hauling diesel to Pilot Station."

History of N1822M has been described on my page Alaska 1995, when I first came across it

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!" See HERE..
Noorduyn Norseman N.. at Bethel,AK 2016
The owner is Michael W. Renfro, both of DHC-2 Beaver N77KZ (c/n 950, see DHC-2.com) and Norseman N78691
Norseman UC-64A N78691 (c/n 637) was registered to Mr Renfro of Bethel,AK on 02Aug16 (FAA N-inquiry website)
My files show N78691 was previously owned by N78691 Forrest L. Klies of Basin,MT (Reg'd 17Oct01).
This fabulous bushplane was manufactured in 1944, designed by Robert Noorduyn who originated from the Netherlands.

Have a look at Renfro's Alaskan Adventures: www.renfroalaskanadventures.com

UPDATE!!!
'A couple Norseman in the USA have come back on the market. One of these, N78691 is in Alaska and the owner is switching to a turbine powered airplane.' [¬ www.norsemanfestival.on.ca/blog/ 6-2023]

Martin 'JoeJoe' Prince Jr published this fine image of deHavilland DHC-2 N39303 (c/n 1221) on Facebook's 'Bush Planes Alaska'.

Taken on 22 or 23Apr2016 at Bethel, Alaska.

May 2015 saw JoeJoe visiting Lake Hood again; one of the many DHC-2 Beavers he noticed included
N343WB (DHC-2 c/n 1644), on wheels.
N343WB at Lake Hood
N343WB was registered on 25Jul14 to Sportsman Leasing LLC here at Anchorage,AK.

Here is another one:
N9260Z at Lake Hood, Alaska (2015) by JoeJoe Prince
This DHC-2 (c/n ..) was registered to Brown Helicopter Inc on 01Jul2014. That firm is reg's Pensacola, Florida!

October 2014 saw JoeJoe at Fairbanks, at the Everts storage yard:
Everts C-46s storage Fairbanks

See my 2012 report on an extensive visit to the propliners & skytrucks of Fairbanks

May 2014 saw Joe Joe driving along Palmer and noticed the recent 'new guys on the block', Alaska Air Fuel, and some airtanker reinforcements from Alberta; he was able to record C-GFSK.
DC-4 N3054V at Palmer, Alaska
Douglas C-54Q N3054V (c/n 10547/278)
UPDATE N3054V-- Crashed (both occupants fatal) Tuesday 23 April 2024.
From ASN: This Douglas C-54D-DC Skymaster N3054V, operated by Alaska Air Fuel, was destroyed when it
crashed and burned shortly after takeoff from Fairbanks Int'l Airport, AK (KFAI). Both pilots perished.
See my Photos by Friends & Guests #61

Canadair C-GFSK at Palmer, Alaska
Canadair CL-215 C-GFSK, Tanker 201 (c/n 1085), recently converted to turbine engines and dressed in
a new coat of paint.

Kenneth Swartz explained to me (Aug.2017): "All the Government of Saskatchewan CL-215s converted to CL-215T's were modified by Cascade Aerospace of Abbotsford, BC - which was originally established as a sister MRO company of Conair Aviation and later sold to IMP Group of Halifax.
Cascade also did the CL-215 conversions for the Government of Alberta.
Some of the CL-215T conversions for Spain were done in Toronto by de Havilland Canada (after its purchase by Bombardier in 1992) and others by contractors in Quebec and perhaps others.
Only later CL-215s, built after the mid-1980s, can be converted to CL-215T's.
There are about two dozen suitable aircraft, including the aircraft purchased by Viking Aircraft in the US and those recently retired by the Government of the Northwest Territories (and earlier by Manitoba and Newfoundland?)
Viking Aircraft now owns the Type Certificate for the CL-215, CL-215T and 415.
About 100 truckloads of CL215/415 parts and tooling were transferred from Montreal, Quebec and North Bay, Ontario to Calgary in the last year."

Everts Air dropped into Bethel, Alaska 14May2014 and Joe Joe was there to record it!
C-46 N1822M Everts Air in Alaska

Curtiss C-46F Commando N1822M (c/n 22521) "Salmon Ella" of Everts Air Fuel.

Martin 'JoJo' Prince Jr visited Lake Hood last summer (2013) and photographed deHavilland DHC-2 N68073 (c/n 1005) sitting pretty at the dock:

DHC-2 Beaver N68073

More photos by 'Jojo' HERE and HERE

During 2012 N68073 underwent modifications, which you can see on the authorative DHC-2.com website

Jojo sent me these images in June 2013 and wrote: "We had a Centennial of Flight here in Bethel last month; they had a couple of AT-6 Texans and a Stinson L-13."

Stinson L-13 in Bethel, Alaska

The Stinson L-13 (sometimes known as 'the Grasshopper') was a U.S. military utility aircraft, first flown in 1945. Developed when Stinson was a subsidiary of Consolidated Vultee, rights to it were not included in the 1948 sale of Stinson to Piper.
Mass production was therefore undertaken by Convair, which built some 300 of them.
Wikipedia..

Martin 'JoeJoe' Prince Jr sent me this, dated 22Apr13: DHC-2 N2749 at Lake Hood.
N2749, a Beaver waiting to get in the water

N39303 is back in Bethel hauling bypass mail for Alaska Hovercraft this spring, with new Alaskan Doors / extended baggage compartment.
Photo taken May 19th, 2011.

Listen to the Beaver Song

Martin sent me this update from Lake Hood; photos were all taken on 25JUL2010.

N1785R DHC-2 c/n 83 - registered Sportsmans Lesing LLC 18Sep09

N9877R DHC-2 c/n 1180 - registered Laughlin Acquisitions LLC 15Aug05 (operated by Regal Air)

N2740X DHC-2 c/n 579 - registered Rust's Flying Service 26Mar90

Clockwise:

N777T DHC-2 c/n 859 - registered Thomas Henry Wilson III 20Jun07

N93E DHC-2 c/n 1149 - registered Timothy I. Cohen 03Oct2000

NC13822 Stinson SM-2 Junior c/n 8774 - registered Frederick W. Walatka 19Jan81 (see HERE..)

N424KT DHC-3T (Turbo) Otter c/n 338 - registered Rust's Air Service 30Jun08 (Rustair Inc)

N30PL DHC-2 c/n 1554 - registered Madura Family LLC 04Aug04

N10JX DHC-2 c/n 1036 - registered NLC 25Nov03 (for sale)

Martin Prince Jr wrote me in June 2010:
"They painted the DHC-2 Beaver N720 last summer into the original colors of the first Fish & Wildlife paintscheme."
The FAA N-inquiry website shows this DHC-2 MK.1 (c/n 247) was registered as N720 to US Dept of the Interior on 19Nov2007."
I think it is a heck of a colourscheme, well done!

Before 2007 it was registered N5146G, and as such I saw it at Lake Hood in 2006.

Joejoe wrote me in March 2010 and sent me these images:

"Bethel's newest old plane...Renfro Alaskan Adventures!"

N233H is a Beech G18S c/n BA-481, registered for Michael W. Renfro of Bethel,Alaska on 12Feb2010.

From www.renfrosalaskanadventures.com
"If you’re thinking of planning a dream wilderness adventure, forget about the rest of Alaska, plan a trip with Renfro’s Alaskan Adventures and you WILL experience what a true wilderness hunting and fishing trip really is."

"With access only by plane, we offer a variety of guided and unguided hunting packages, including brown bear, sheep, trophy caribou, Alaskan moose or black bear and we strive to tailor each hunt to our client’s individual needs. We also offer exceptional remote fishing adventures for Rainbow Trout, Arctic Char, Lake Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling and 5 species of salmon on the world famous Wood Tik Chik Lake and the numerous drainages of the Kilbuck Mountains."

"If you are planning a dream hunting or fishing adventure – think Alaska; and before you book your trip do your research. We are confident that you will find our pricing, trip packages and overall experience far exceeds everything else you’ve looked at or experienced in the past."

N233H is featured among a number of webpages of mine: Photos by Friends & Guests #24 |Page #38 |
Page #39 | Page #58

Martin wrote: "Bethel received a new Beaver this past fall, I finally got a shot of it this evening near sunset.
N95DG belongs to JP Air and is seen landing Runway 18R, 12Nov09."
N95DG was registered 09Apr2009 to Aircraft Marketing and Leasing LLC (Fairbanks,AK).

deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver N9877R (c/n 1180) of Regal Air in take off, scaring the waterfowl away, with an external load.
[28Oct09].

DHC-2.com

See also my LAKE HOOD 2012 PAGE

Rust's Beaver N2740X (c/n 579) at rest... [27Oct09]

See also Neil Aird's comprehensive DHC-2.com

N68083
Beaver on the dry... DHC-2 N68083 (c/n 1253) [27Oct09]. See also DHC-2.com

N68083 was substantially damaged 19Jul19 when it overturned on take off from the Tutka Bay near Homer,AK. There were 7 people on board including 4 children; one of the occupants was killed,
most others suffered injuries.

When a Beaver hits the water, waterfowl make way!
Martin caught DHC-2 N734Q (c/n 1395, for its history see DHC-2.com) while landing at H-Marker Lake (Bethel,AK) on 23Aug09, carrying an external load.

"Here is a sequence of DHC-2 N102SY taking off from H-Marker Lake in july (2009). And caught N102SY again, landing on H-Marker Lake, on 10Aug09."

"Also shot N151 of Everts last night, 22Jul08, at the airport."
DC-6 N151

Further up this page is an update on N151's career with Everts Air Cargo!

James M Jensen is the owner of DHC-2 Beaver N6LU, registered 13Apr1999.

Making its departure from Lake Hood is de Havilland U-6A Beaver N111EB (c/n 1173), registered to Wolf Trail Lodge on 27Aug1990.

DHC-2 Mk.1 Beaver N9877R (c/n 1180) was registered to Laughlin Acquisitions LLC on 15Aug2005.
These planes are actually operated by Regal Air, based at Lake Hood.
See also my visit to Lake Hood in 2006

DHC-2 N9878R Lake Hood
This de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver N9878R (c/n 1135, former L-20A designation) was registered to Laughlin Acquisitions LLC on 15Aug2005.

The best website on the venerable de Havilland Beaver is DHC-2.com

This Stinson 108-3 N957C was registered to 'Stinson 957 LLC' (Anchorage,AK) on 15Apr09.
C/n 108-3957 was manufactured in 1947.

Beaver N39303 on final for the gravel runway at Bethel (AK), 13dec08. Note the protection against gravel damage to the fuselage, fixed to the maingear.

DHC-2 N39303 (c/n 1221) was registered to DHC2 LLC of Chugiak,AK on 27Aug08.

Martin Prince Jr sent me this photo, taken at Bethel,Alaska on 08Nov08, he wrote:
"I'm glad I went to the airport during sunset this evening! Turbo Otter N361TT took off to the north this evening, I'll go find out what they are doing here tomorrow at some point. Everts is out here hauling fuel with the Curtiss C-46 Commando to the villages that are low on supplies from a early freeze up."

I had come across N1822M myself in 1995, see HERE..

N361TT is a turbine-configured DHC-3 Otter; its history is described on PAGE 1 of Martin's photos.

Unfortunately it suffered a fatal crash on 23Sep11, from Aviation Safety Network (ASN) the following: "DHC-3 Otter (Garrett TPE-331 powered Texas Turbine conversion) N361TT crashed near Heitman Lake, near Mile 14 of the Chiniak Highway, Kalsin Bay, AK, six miles south of Kodiak, AK, when approaching Kodiak Aiport (PADQ).
The pilot was killed and the two passengers suffered serious injuries."

N361TT Turbine Otter

Martin sent me in Oct.2008: "Civil Air Patrol Beaver landing on the Lake Hood gravel strip on 30Oct08" N31522

N31522 c/n 535
I came across N31522 at Campbell River, Vancouver Island in Oct.2019 - for sale?

DHC-2 N93E. Owner: Timothy I Cohen of Anchorage
Reg'd 03Oct200. More: www.dhc-2.com

N67112 Alaska Safari Inc of Anchorage
Reg'd 11Apr97. More: www.dhc-2.com/id532.htm

Zooming past on take off from Anchorage's Lake Hood, is deHavilland DHC-2 N310NR (c/n 396).
This 1952-vintage Beaver operates for Trail Ridge Air and has been registered to
James M. Jensen since 07Jun99 as a co-owner.
Martin took this photo in Sep.2008.

Martin also witnessed N995SP in take off here; this DHC-2 (c/n 995) has been registered to Joseph S. Schuster of Anchorage,AK since 27Jan97. This 1956-vintage bushplane is one of many that can be found at Lake Hood.
More info and photos of this former CF-JMQ can be found on DHC-2.com

Martin wrote: "Caught the Norseman in action today (16Aug08) on the river strip in front of town. It was a dark overcast windy day. The plane now belongs to Renfro Alaskan Adventures who also has a couple of Maule aircraft, one on wheels and the other on floats. "

Glad this Noorduyn Norseman (c/n 542) is operational again; saw it myself in 2003 at Lake Hood.
N225BL

deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver N102SY (c/n 1367)

"Ruud, I biked up to the lake today (04Aug08) and snapped a few shots of the Ptarmigan Air Beavers..."

deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver N734Q (c/n 1395)

Alaska may be bleak (?) and white in winter, but in summer it is blue and green!

Martin wrote about these photos: "DHC-2 N734Q was out this morning [25Jun08] doing touch and goes on Hangar Lake. Here are a few shots showing the new extended baggage area."

Most recently it was registered 22Nov04 to the bros. Powers.
Check out their website: Pa Pa Bear Adventures. They are based in Bethel (aprox. 400 miles west of Anchorage) and their website tells all about hunting- and fishing trips and all kind of other adventures they can help you with.

Someone wrote me it is normally seen operating from "H" Marker Lake or from the river.

Past few years Martin sent me photos of N734Q too: HERE...

In this shot (taken in 2006) you can see it has only one cabinwindow, while since its restoration from the flip-over on 08Aug07 it now has two..
N734Q in Sep06

"You can see the extra windows behind the passenger doors. If you look at the cover photo or old photos of the Beaver, it has two extra window's in the back. They put "Alaskan Doors" in to make loading easier.
Look at the this photo, and notice the two extra windows above the star now in the top photos.."

Martin Prince took these photos on a visit to Lake Hood, Anchorage in May08.

N98EL has been registered to Alaska Enchanted Lake Lodge (King Salmon,AK) since 30Mar90; that is what I call a faithful service!

Left: N1785R Sak Air LLC, Anchorage,AK R02May07
Right: N900NL NewHalen Lodge Inc, Anchorage,AK R21Oct97.

Aviation Letter (no.516, nov.2009) reported N900NL's doom when on 03Oct09 it flipped over and sank on take off near Kokhanok,AK. Both occupants were reported ok.

Martin wrote me on 05may08: "I went over to the Alaska Airmen's Association Trade Show today and snapped a few pictures of some of our favorite planes...
I also stopped by Lake Hood for a couple of shots."
Move you rmouse over the image for info on the aircraft shown (some I have not been able to identify, help appreciated).

Top: Douglas C-47A N777YA (c/n 14189/25634) of Bush Air Cargo
Below: A Beech 17 Staggerwing! Beech D17S N9885H is detailed HERE, seen arriving (no date) in Girdwood, AK from Heritage Aviation in Alberta, after a complete rebuild. N9885H has c/n 3091 and was registered to P K Livingston Alaska Inc (Girdwood,AK) on 02oct96; it was originally manufactured in 1942. Information on the Beech Staggerwing can be found on WIKIPEDIA.
The owner, Phil Livingston, sent me an email and more photos, which can be seen HERE..

Harvard Mk-IV N421QB of the CAF - ALaska Wing

N754 "Ugly Duckling". See DHC-2.com

The Grumman J2F-6 Duck '8583' has been reported for sale; it sure is a unique survivor.

Above: N205RC c/n 201
Karl E.Hayes, authority on the DHC-3 Otter and writer of an excellent monograph on the DHC-3, offers the following info (reproduced in part)-
Ex/ C-FAPQ. Arrived at Vernon, BC on a truck on 30Mar05, having made the long road journey from Hemet, California. The previous day its Canadian registration had been cancelled. It was still in the all-white colour scheme and showed evidence of its long period of storage, with birds nests visible in the engine cowling. At Vernon it received a major refurbish by Kal Air, was converted to a Texas Turbine (conversion no. 17), was put on Wipline floats and received a new paint scheme.
On 11May05 marks N205RC were reserved for Rapids Camp Lodge Inc with an address in Dallas,TX and these marks were painted on the aircraft. The fishing lodge itself is situated on the Naknek River Rapids, 7 miles up river from King Salmon,AK.
The Otter was registered N205RC on 23Jun05 and left Vernon,BC 2 days later for Alaska, for the next phase of this aircraft’s long career.
It services the fishing lodge, flying guests in from Anchorage and also from the lodge to remote fishing sites in the Bristol Bay area of Alaska.

Boeing A75NI Stearman/Kaydet,
owner Dr Trygg Ramstad, tailnumber?

DHC-2 N104RL c/n 498,
Rainbow Bay Resort

This is N225BL (c/n 542) and I saw it at Anchorage in June 2006, parked and for sale at that time; this photo shows it has found a buyer!

The FAA Registry had at time the following info on this UC-64A Norseman: "Registered 27Jan04 to Thomas J.Gayer & Steve L.Ingram, Cooper Landing,AK; manufactured 1943". This was still current when Martin sent me this image (June 2008), but....
I sent a message on 11Jun08 and immediately received a reply from Barbara Gayer (of Ingram’s Base Camp) which read:
"We recently sold the Norseman to a company in Bethel. That is why your friend saw it flying around. I think it arrived in Bethel only a couple of weeks ago."
Martin caught N225BL, while on wheels, on 02Jun09; it was inbound into Bethel during the evening.. HERE...

A nice website for the Noorduyn Norseman is www.norsemanfestival.on.ca

N225BL suffered substantial damage on 11Jul09 when its engine failed and a forced landing needed to be executed at Akiachuck Village (near Bethel,AK); the pilot did not suffer any serious injuries.

In 2016 I came across a note that it was being rebuilt by Jeff Brooks. But 2016 photos show scrapped remains in open storage at Bethel, that situation was confirmed to me in May 2018 by a Bethel resident.

'Lamadriver' wrote this in 2012 online: 'I bought CF-GUE for export to Alaska in 1999. It is now N225BL. Too bad, it was such great airplane and had a long notewirthy history.
I enjoyed seeing it in the movie, 'Grey Owl' with Pierce Brosnan.
I brokereed it to Bear Lake Air in Seward AK. They flew it a couple years and sold it to a fishing guide service on the Kenai River. They flew it a few years and sold it to Renfrow's Wilderness Lodge in Bethel, AK. Renfrow operated it for a couple years.
I converted it to Goodrich wheels and brakes, similar to an Otter, but they were off a Sikorsky S-58 helicopter. It was the first time in many decades 'GUE had been on wheels.
Renfrow was making good money with it on wheels but had an engine failure on take-off and flipped it over. Someone in Fairbanks bought it and is rebuilding it.
Eric Boyce, Kenai AK.'

Photos on www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=2961 show scrapped remains in open storage at Bethel in 2016. In May 2018 it was confirmed to me by local Bethel resident, JoeJoe, that those remains are still there.
I did find a part with CF-GUE registration on it at Yanks Air Museum in april 2018; perhaps that was the only thing they could use of N225BL for their restoration of a Norseman..?

Information from: http://www.mts.net/~donmag/Aircraft.htm
'Delivered to the USAAF as aircraft No. 44-70277. Sold as war surplus to Kansas City Southern Skyways, Kansas City, Missouri and registered as NC54316.
Reported as sold into Newfoundland and registered as VO-ABX.
Bought by Queen Charlotte Airlines, Vancouver, BC. and registered as CF-GUE on 02Dec1950.
Re-registered to Pacific Western Airlines in 1956, when they bought out Queen Charlotte.
Reg'd to BC Airlines, Vancouver, BC. in 1961 and then in 1965 to M. Murchison and M. Rowley, Edmonton, Alberta.
On 14May65 it was registered to Tyee Airways Ltd., Sechelt, BC. and then on 06Jun1968 to Geri Johnson (Gimli Air Service) Arnes, Manitoba.
Registered to Northway Aviation Ltd., Arnes, Manitoba on 06Sep74.
Next registered to Mid Manitoba Air Ltd., Norway House, Manitoba on 05Jul1993.
Registered to Sioux Lookout Fly-in Camps, Sioux Lookout, Ontario on 08Aug94 and then to Dennis Perry, Soldotna, Arkansas on 19May99 as N225BL.
Later in Alaska with Bear Lake Air.'

Richard Filiatrault posted this on Facebook (26Feb20), in the Noorduyn Norseman group, "Sandspit BC. Hanging in the terminal yesterday!"

Noorduyn Norseman CF-GUE hanging in terminal of Sandspit,BC

Al Wakefield commented (FB) "I repaired it after it wrecked in Seward Alaska, installed the Vista windows from Gordie Hughes ' STC."
Gordon Olafson (FB) commented "It had a three bladed prop when I flew it in early-'70s. No ropes hanging off the wings either."
From my (RL, webmaster) files: '...in Alaska last operated by Renfro's Alaskan Adventures, as N225BL. Due engine fail on 11Jul09 forced landing @Akiachuck Village (near Bethel), substantial damage but pilot ok. CF-GUE part (rudder?) @Yanks, Chino (California) in April 2018 but most (a.o. fuselage) parts still at Bethel in open storage.
Well, it certainly ended up well, all things considered!
(Note that C-FGUE is a Beech C18S, c/n 8107 | LINK )

Here is Everts' N151 (Douglas DC-6B c/n 45496/992) on a snowy/foggy/freezing drizzle day getting ready for an offload in Bethel.
Note the angle of the nosewheel while makeing the tight turn..
Taken 09Dec07.

Further up this page is an update (Sep.2019) on N151's career with Everts Air Cargo!

Martin Prince Jr sent me these photos in October 2007, showing DC-6A N7780B a victim of vandalism... of a good-natured kind:
"These were taken October 3rd: it is what mechanics do when they want to mess with the pilot's head!"
Martin was here at Bethel to record this jest for posterity..
No worries about the 'artwork': the mechanics used black electric tape on Mr Howard Hughes...

Fellow enthusiasts, on the Classic Propliner forum, added the following information:
"I worked at Hughes Aircraft during the 1980s and ran into a lot of old timers who worked with and even flew with HH himself. They had lots of stories, and who knows what were myths and what were based on facts?
I was told that HH had the cockpit of that low time DC-6 reworked for better ergonomics, then just forgot about it.
They said he had sort of abandoned other planes too including a reworked Douglas Havoc. He did want the Flying Boat (Spruce Goose to others) maintained in flight-ready condition long after its useful days were past. They spent a fortune maintaining it and fighting moisture incursion into the laminated structure.
Some who claimed to have flown with HH said he was a superb stick-and-rudder man, but ignored flight manuals and thorough checklists. They said he often put flaps or gear down at way above the max airspeeds indicated in the manuals."
'Boeing377'

During my visit to Anchorage in 1995 I saw this DC-6A N7780B with Northern Air Cargo; it flew as a fuelhauler. Later it was reported also to carry titles "Northern Air Fuel".
During my visit I was told this Douglas Six was formerly owned by Howard Hughes, but he stored it with only 9hrs.50 min. on the airframe! As such it was bought by NAC in 1973.
Northern Air Fuel was taken over by Everts Air Fuel during 2005 and the deal included N7780B and N7919C (which was doomed to be scrapped for spares). Everts put the Howard Hughes artwork on it, a tribute to a remarkable figure in US aviation and well played by Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2004 movie The Aviator (see IMDB).

Fellow enthusiast Dave, on the Classic Propliner forum, added the following information:
"The story about the Howard Hughes DC-6 that had been stored for many years is in fact true.
The story was that it had been stored, almost new, in a hangar at Opa Locka Airport in Miami, FL. It really had NOT been stored -- it was put in the hangar and simply forgotten about for years while the Hughes Estate was in probate, et al, in the Florida courts... Hughes empire was large, and records, paperwork, and so on, were scattered across the US at the time Hughes died.
The DC-6 was only 'found' when the hangar was needed for other purposes!
The hangar at the time, was leased by the folks who put the DC-6 in it. The lease had long expired, but no one came to claim the DC-6 inside. For whatever reason, the DC-6 never showed up on Huges Estate inventory either, so there were no formal ownership records (at least not readily available locally).
The DC-6s ownership had to be traced back to Douglas Aircraft sales records, which is how they eventually found out that Hughes was its owner. Hughes flew it one time. FAA registry records also confirmed expired registration info, and the FAA had long written the original registration off the books.
This story appeared in the Miami Herald newspaper long ago, probably in the late-1970s, complete with a photo of the DC-6. It had been stored well, stored 'dry', and the only damage was that its tires had dry-rotted in place in some spots. All fuels, oils, lubricants and battery had been removed at the time of parking in the hangar. The fuel tanks had also been fogged (to prevent drying, cracking and having to be condemned. Aircraft windows were sealed and covered, as were all doors (to prevent mildew, rodents, and other forms of deterioration). Tire rot could have been prevented if the DC-6 had been on jacks.
Who ever placed this plane in storage did so with the intent of long-term storage, and knew what they were doing. It was not parked haphazardly."
Dave F

Here is a foggy shot of Arctic Circle Air's Skyvan N1906, on a misty morning October 10th, 2007.
N1906 is a Short Brothers SC7 Skyvan Series 3, c/n SH.1906. It was registered to Arctic Air Group 20Mar98. This ugly-duckling was manufacured in 1972.

Arctic Circle Air Service recently made -sad- headlines when their SC7 Skyvan N2088Z (c/n SH.1963) failed to climb and hit trees on departure from a gravel strip at Mystic Lake Lodge, Amos Lake,AK... N2088Z was being ferried to Anchorage for repairs, after sustaining damage on landing there on 01Sep07. On that fateful 20Sep07 it crashed through trees and came to rest in the lake, with considerable nose damage, writing off the aircraft and one person fatally injured.

On that same foggy morning, Martin went out to make this superb shot of DHC-2 Beaver N39303 (c/n 1221).
It is a good thing Martin is not easily discouraged by the weather...
Click on the image for a large photo, which could serve as a nice decoration to someones desktop! [size 1024 x 768].

It was registered to DHC2 LLC of Chugiak,AK on 27Aug08.

Martin sent me these in Sep.2007:
"Turbo Otter N87AW is here in Bethel to back haul mining supplies that were shipped up this spring."

From the Karl Hayes DHC-3 Otter CD:
Otter 52 was delivered to the RCAF on 16th November 1954 with serial 3686. After delivery it was initially retained by No.6 Repair Depot, Trenton as a reserve aircraft and it returned to DHC at Downsview in January 1956 for incorporation of All Up Weight modifications. On completion of this work in August 1956 it was allocated to 121 Communications & Rescue Unit, and crossed the country to join the unit at its Sea Island, Vancouver, BC base.
With this busy unit, 3686 was heavily tasked on marine searches and rescues along the Pacific coast, as well as on medevacs. On 01May59 it escorted the Flight's H-21 Vertol helicopter 9611 to the Norwegian cargo vessel 'Ferngulf' which was on fire after an explosion. The helicopter could not winch down a doctor as its rotors fanned the flames, so the Otter landed alongside the vessel and transferred the doctor to the ship...

3686 was also involved in a number of aircraft rescues, on 16Jan60 searching for a Piper PA22 missing over the Strait of Juan de Fuca; on 05Jun60 investigating the forced landing of Tri-Pacer CF-HMF at Nanaimo and a week later searching for crashed Sea Bee CF-EJN.
This Otter was one of a number of aircraft in the search and rescue effort for Martin Mars CF-LYJ, which crashed near Parksville on 23rd June '61 while fighting a forest fire. On 12Jul61, during a maximum performance take-off and climb in the course of a proficiency flight, the check pilot retarded the throttle at 100 feet to simulate engine failure. At that point, the Otter was in a maximum climb attitude, with take-off flaps and an indicated airspeed of 56 knots. A steep dive was established, resulting in the airspeed rising to 62 knots. On roundout, the aircraft fell through and landed hard. The lower fuselage skin, ribs and stringers were buckled. The Otter was taken to the Canadian Pacific Airlines repair depot at the Lincoln Park, Calgary RCAF base and fixed, returning to its unit at Sea Island that same month.

On 20th September 1961 3686 was involved in the rescue of a vessel which broke up at sea, as were Canso 11015, Dakota 485 and Albatross 9306. On 13Feb62 the Otter flew to Hanson's Lagoon to pick up an injured hiker, but became grounded on a sandbar by a receding tide... It was refloated the next day and returned to base. On 21Feb62 it transported a mine disposal team to deal with a mine and on 24Jun62 was engaged in the search for Cessna 180 CF-FWF of Trans Provincial Airlines, which had crashed near Terrace.
The Otter continued to fly with 121 Communications & Rescue Unit until Oct62 when Otter operations by the Unit came to an end. It returned to the Canadian Pacific Airlines depot at Calgary, as did the other Unit's other Otter 3680, and was placed into storage as a reserve aircraft. The amphibious floats which 3686 had used were removed and transported back to Sea Island for use by the Otters of 443 Squadron.
In Feb64 the Otter was ferried from Calgary to Saskatoon and put into storage there, pending disposal.
The Otter was transferred to the RCMP, to whom it was registered as CF-MPO in October 1964. At that stage, it had 1,691 hours on the airframe. For the first ten years of its police service it was based at The Pas, Manitoba. On 30Oct72 it suffered an accident at Kawinaw Lake,Manitoba, summarised as: “Engine failure; fatigue fracture; substantial damage”.
It was repaired and then based at Thompson, Manitoba from 1974 to 1976, and then at Ottawa from 1976 to 1978. It arrived at its new base at the RCMP's hangar at the Edmonton Municipal Airport, Alberta in 1978 where it would be based for the next 14 years, although it was deployed to Inuvik from time to time.
While based at Edmonton as C-FMPO the Otter suffered a number of minor incidents. On 15Mar85 at St.Paul, Alberta while taxying after landing the tail wheel assembly failed. On 24Apr85 at High Prairie,Alberta the propeller tip touched the runway on take-off. At Edmonton Municipal Airport, its base, on 13Nov87 the pilot lost control on take-off from runway 16 and the Otter skidded across the grass onto the apron. Finally, on 13Feb90 at Steen Tower airstrip, Alberta during a touch-and-go on a snow-covered runway, the engine hesitated and during the initial climb the Otter struck some trees. Damage was not great and the Otter was repaired and continued in service until September 1992.

After nearly 30 (!) years of service with the RCMP, the last Otter in police service in Canada, MPO was flown from Edmonton to Yellowknife,NWT where it arrived on 1st Oct92, on delivery to 825 Elks Air Cadet Squadron, by which stage it had some 18,000 hours on the airframe. The Otter was acquired to provide enhanced training to the cadets and for use by Yellowknife schools and community organisations. According to a local report at the time: “When the Otter is finally retired, it will be donated along with its logs to the Northern Heritage Centre in Yellowknife, where it will be permanently displayed”. This proposal somewhat overlooked the value of an aircraft such as the Otter, and having sat at Yellowknife for three years, during which time it was little used, C-FMPO was sold.

It was registered to its new owners, Alaska West Air Service Inc of Kenai, Alaska in Jan96 as N87AW. They purchased it from Direct North Airways, Yellowknife, who had somehow managed to acquire title to the aircraft. With Alaska West Air Service it replaced Otter N8510T (307) which they had flown up to then.
The Otter was flown from Yellowknife to Vancouver, arriving 16Jan96, where it was converted to a Vazar DHC-3T turbine Otter by Aeroflite Industries. It was rolled out of their hangar as a turbine on 05Mar96 and delivered to its new base at Kenai - Island Lake from where it operates on floats.
Alaska West Air Service is the aircraft operating part of Alaska West Guides & Outfitters and as well as the turbo Otter flies two Beavers, a turbo Beaver and two Piper Super Cubs. The aircraft are used on a variety of fly-out fishing and bear viewing packages as well as flightseeing trips over the Kenai Peninsula and Lake Clark National Park. The Otter is used for the larger groups as it seats ten passengers. The company is active during the summer months only, with N87AW going into storage during the winter.
On 04Nov04 the Otter was registered to Summit Leasing LLC, Kenai, Alaska but leased to and operated by Alaska West Air Service, as before.

Martin sent me this photo of Douglas DC-6A N6174C (c/n 44075), taken on 10Oct07.

"NAC came out this morning with a DC-6, pretty rare thing nowadays. I got N6174C while on short approach to Runway 18 of Bethel this morning. This is a 1954 DC-6, on a foggy 35 degree morning."
I have written an extensive history on my page Propliners at Anchorage, 2006.

Northern Air Cargo retired its last 2 DC-6 cargo aircraft on 26Sep08 with a ceremony at Ted Stevens Int'l AP (ANC). N6174C operated the final revenue flight, flying mail to Emmonak and returning with a load of fresh fishto ANC. The crew consisted of Capt Becky Wilbur, F/O Jim Foss and F/E Ron Valentine. <br>
The DC-6 has been the backbone of the NAC fleet for 39 years and has played a significant role in the development of rural Alaska. NAC added its first DC-6 in 1969 and ended up acquiring 15 Sixes over a period of 25 years. One DC-6 will be donated to the Alaska Heritage Museum.

JoeJoe Prince Jr caught N9056R (c/n 45498) on finals into Bethel Airport on 01Jan2016

Links:
Bethel airport (PABE) on Airnav.com
Bethel Seaplane Base (Z59) on Airnav.com
Bethel Hangar Lake Seaplane Base (Z58) on Airnav.com
Location of Bethel,Alaska
Martin's photos of Bethel,Alaska: www.bethelak.com/photos look for joejoe prince or jojo.

To email me, click on the image and write the correct adress as given below
(replace -AT- by the @ symbol).

Sorry for the inconvenience, but this is because spam has increasingly become a problem.