Quite an artist impression!
|
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 would like to share them on this page. Photos already online (personal websites, airliners.net, jetphotos.net, etc) are not meant to be included here. |
| Pierre Victor sent me these images in August 2008, taken that month at Kenora,Ontario. Quite an artist impression! |
 Beech D18S C-FTBX (c/n A479) |
 Cockpit of C-FTBX |
| Pierre also wrote: I was interested in John Hume's report about the 2 Beech 18 in Winnipeg, close to the 17 wing 'entrance base. I was also there and take some pictures, under the mobile shelter too (another Beech 18?!). In the background of CF-PJD I noticed a fuselage andafter looking closely (when reviewing the images on my screen): a Bristol Blenheim Bolinbroke ...... I guess?  Beech 18 CF-PJD and behind it...? |
|
|
| The webmaster made a visit to Brandon,Manitoba in 2007; I found a lot of Bolingbrokes there... I think this could be Bristol 149 IVT Bolingbroke 9869 (Source: Aviation Museums and Colections of North America, by Bob Ogden) |
| Gary published this photo, and some others, of DC-3 'Tooie' in the WIX Forum Sep.2008. He wrote: "Thought I’d share some photos of a DC-3 that has been recovered from Tennessee. She is N2312G and according to the FAA, the serial is 33216. This DC–3 came from one of Dave Tallichet’s Specialty Restaurants in Tennessee. She is now located in Thomaston, Georgia where she will be made airworthy and flown to the new owner in the Mid-West." 
An article from the local newspaper (The Tennessean) when it left KBNA: "WWII plane embarks on new mission Former restaurant attraction will fly rescue operations" By NATALIA MIELCZAREK . Staff Writer . July 13, 2008 When Charlie Walker looks at Tooie, a 1945 C-47 World War II plane with chipped paint, broken windows and loose wires dangling everywhere, he sees beauty. He calls it a "she" and admires "her" nose and 65-foot body as if Tooie were a person. Walker, an Indianapolis jeweler, spent Saturday with a handful of men taking the plane apart next door to Nashville International Airport and loading it onto a 16-wheel trailer. After it's restored and meets FAA requirements, Walker will use it on rescue missions for his nonprofit Indiana Air Search and Rescue. "She's a diamond in the rough, ready to be polished," he said. "This is history of America right here and deserves to be taken care of. We're a group of people that care about the history of our country and we also want to help others."  Tooie, which weighs about 18,000 pounds, may look familiar to some. The plane served as an attraction at Nashville's 101st Airborne Restaurant for years until it closed a couple of years ago. Walker said the local airport authority donated Tooie to him. It will 'help save lives' From making phone calls to assembling the volunteers who donated their time and equipment, it has taken Walker five months to make Saturday happen. The plane will be transported to Thomaston, Ga., to Mark McSwiggan's shop, a homecoming of sorts. McSwiggan's family used to run a freight plane charter business. They bought Tooie 30 years ago from the FAA when the model was phased out, he said. McSwiggan's father then sold it to the Nashville restaurant for display. Now, the plane will return to the family for at least a two-year makeover job. "I'm tickled to do it again, it's kind of a cycle," said McSwiggan, who was in charge of the Saturday project. "Structure-wise, it's great. I found just a few areas of corrosion. This project will take a lot of money and patience. There's nothing hard about it, just working with big things." The plane's engines will be replaced, as will the wiring and other equipment. When Tooie is fixed, it may be worth some $200,000, he said. "But it's not about the money for us," Walker said. "It will fly like a new plane and will actually help save lives again." I came across 'Tooie' myself, at that restaurant, in 2001: My Visit to the Deep South 2001 |
|
Gordon Reid sent me this photo in Sep.2008; Gordon is a faithful contributor to Propliner magazine for many, may years.
 N156JR c/n 200 at Alice,TX
Gordon also wrote: |
| I have never been to the famous Reno National Championship Air Races myself, hope to go there one day, meanwhile I have to do with this Tigercat shot (Sep.2008) sent to me by Jim Babcock: The Reno Air Races take place each September at the Reno Stead Airport a few miles north of Reno, Nevada, USA. Air racing is billed as 'the world's fastest motor sport' and Reno is one of the few remaining venues. Begun in 1964, the Reno Air Races feature multi-lap, multi-aircraft races between extremely high performance aircraft on closed ovoid courses which range between about 3 miles (Biplanes and Formula One) and about 8 miles (Jet, Unlimited) in length per lap. [Wikipedia...] |
| Nigel Aylmer sent me these images and I have added his comments: I found on Joe Baugher's website a reference to a US military past... Three Jetstreams had been purchased by US Army: 85-24687 (c/n 224), 85-24688 (c/n 218) and 85-24689 (c/n 240). Further googling brought me to www.logbookmag.com, which offered following information: |
Nigel continued his report:
 |
More of Nigel's photos can be found on Vintage Jet Airliners, photos by Friends & Guests |
Geurt van den Berg sent me this image, taken during travels through parts of Canada and Alaska in 2008.This dehavilland DHC-2 Beaver has c/n 1407 and was delivered by deHavilland to the US Army in 1959 with serial 58-2074. It found a home in Alaska, with various owners, since 1992. One of these owners was Rustair of Anchorage, but presently it is operated by K2 Aviation and is photographed here at its homebase Talkeetna,AK. Rustair owns or has a large share in K2 Aviation. More on this DHC-2 Beaver on DHC-2.com |
Josh Zollo sent me this image, of him at work at Chico Air Attack Base (or CAAB) which is a CAL FIRE Air Base, also
Station 49. He wrote: "..our little base is sandwiched between two Aero Union hangers. We do have our own road access. When Aero Union P3's are in Chico, they have to come to us for retardant loads." I had visited Chico & Aero Union in May 2008, but had not gone over to the Air Attack Base. |
 Jason Pineau ('jspitfire') has his homebase at Yellowknife,NWT and he shows his images on Flickr.com. See MORE.. |
|
See also other Propliner Mysteries.. |
| I received an interesting request from Pekka Kauppi of Finland. He has purchased of what remained of DC-6 N90MA (c/n 43128), scrapped at Chandler Memorial (AZ) except for the cockpit... But someone has taken the door and Pekka is looking for a replacement.  The photo on the right, taken by Ralph Pettersen in 2000, shows N90MA in better days. Click on the image for a link to larger image on A.net Photos of N90MA on AIRLINERS.Net
Cut off at the hinges: In May 2008 I was myself at Chandler Gila River Memorial Airport, to see a remnant of stored propliner, see here MY REPORT. |
John Olafson sent me this image of Buffalo's C-FCUE, a Douglas C-47A c/n 12983.
C-FCUE was bought in 1992 and remained for a long time in its red/white livery, named 'Mel Bryan'. Evidently, it has been restored for passenger transport and looks splendid in Buffalo's current livery! Date of photo © J.Olafson: 19Jun08 (at Red Deer,ALB). |
Geurt van den Berg sent me some photos taken earlier this year at Skagway.
The Found FBA-2 was a 1960s Canadian four/five-seat cabin monoplane produced by Found Brothers Aviation. The Found FBA-1 prototype first flew on 11 August 1960. It was a high-wing monoplane with a fixed tricycle undercarriage. The production version was to be the Found FBA-2B but the aircraft was produced with a conventional tail-wheel landing gear as the Found FBA-2C. The first production FBA-2C first flew on 9 May 1962. N570BC is a Found FBA-2C1, registered to Paul Swamstrom of Haines,AK on 23jan08. [Source: Wikipedia] |
 Skagway, not an airport you want to make a go-around in low visibilty... |
 DHC-6 Twin Otter N692AR (c/n 692) of Promech Air |
|
Pierre Victor wrote me in August 2008: "I made a recent trip in Kenora, Ontario, like you did. I had half an hour flight in Otter CF-CBA.... What a sound!!" |
 C-GAQJ approaching the dock |
 Cockpit of C-GAQJ |
 For more photos of floatplanes at Kenora,ONT see my 2007 report |
Peter Heeneman sent me this (Dec.2006) photo of a DC-3 at a remarkable location: Ushuaia! Dubbed the southernmost city on Earth, Ushuaia is the capital of the Argentinean province of Tierra del Fuego.This is a C-47A of the Argentinian Navy, serial 0172 / 5-T-22 with c/n 9578. A group of enthusiasts from the local aeroclub "Cabo de Hornos" have taken care of this restoration in recent years. A 2004 photo on AIRLINERS.NET shows progress. Peter Heeneman display his images at www.aviationphotos.net |
 "In 1955 my my Dad emigrated from Eindhoven,Nederland to South Africa, to a town called Sasolburg. My brother, myself and my Mom came in 1956 when I was about 2 years and 6 months old. It so happened that my Dad was planning to go back to the Netherlands in 1960, but he had to finish some contract. Problems at the company he worked for made him plan to return to Nederland. So we had to go and he was to follow later. After about six months back at Eindhoven, things changed for my Dad, for the better, in South Africa and we had to come back to SA and permanently stayed. We flew to SA with the "Connie", my most famous aircraft. We flew TREK Airways from Luxemburg to Johannesburg. I remember we had the three right hand seats in frond of the aircraft. The roar of the 4 fantastic 18 piston radial engines was the most beautiful noise and still gives me shivers if I hear a DC-3 or DC-4 flying over my house in Pretoria. As far as I can remember we had two refueling stopovers in Africa. In those early days my parents had often family coming over to visit and I know that my Mom’s sister came with a similar aircraft, from LUXAIR. The only difference was that the color of this aircraft was blue and white where TREK was red and white. I always remember when the news was out when it was flown to Warmbath. But this was far from where I grew up. Today I still have some old photos that I took when I worked in Warmbath in 1976 for two months. The photo shows the Luxair Connie when my Mom's sister arrived; the latter is waving at us from the door of the aircraft. Maarten. |
Kristof Vandermoere sent me these photos, taken on Iceland at the rather remote 'Egill Olafsson Folk museum' in Hnjotur. |
 Douglas R4D-5 17191 (c/n 12980); ex USAAF 42-93105. To storage May 1946. Converted to R4D-8 (C-117D) with new c/n 43379, returned to USN from Douglas December 1952. Retired from service 1973; in 1987 was on display at NAF Keflavik, Iceland. Moved Sept 2002 to Egils Olafssonair Minja-Og Fugminjasafn at Bjargtangar, Iceland. [Source: Joe Baugher] |
 |
 |
 |
|
I contacted Tómas Dagur Helgason, who in turn contacted Pétur P. Johnson and he provided the required information: |
 |
 |
While I have not been at Hnjotur myself, I did make an extensive Iceland trip, saw many planes, in 2007. |
 |
 |
 Geurt van den Berg sent me some photos in July; he shot these during a cruise along the Alaskan coast. He reckoned it was a good way to see floatplanes. I can testify to that, not having been on a cruiseship but I did visit destinations such as Ketchikan and Juneau 2 years previously. Geurt shot the above photo of DHC-3T N3952B (c/n 225) and I messed it up in Photoshop... |
 N338AK (c/n 262) & N337AK (c/n 418) |
 N753AK (c/n 7) |
|
The website OldProps has an extensive Census of the Beech18. The best book on the Beech 18 has been written by Robert K. Parmerter (sold through the Beechcraft Heritage Museum) and here are some titbits on the production of this little skytruck... The engines represented by the suffixes A,B,D and R had powered 27 pre-war production model 18s while 32 D18C's with the Continental R-9A engines were produced post-war. All other civil & military models (8.928 or 99.3 percent) had factory installed P&W Wasp Jr R-985 engines, designated by the suffix 'S'. |
| John Hume wrote: "I visited the museum at Winnipeg while on holiday in July (2008). After a visit to the museum I went to the Military Air Park and whilst there saw the museum storage compound where two of their Beech 18’s are at present... These photos show the current state of CF-AMY (the yellowish one, left) and CF-PJD (the metal one)." See also photos by Pierre Victor above |
 |
 |
| Of CF-AMY I know little more than its c/n: A-46, a very early Beech 18. And CF-PJD is A-380. Fortunately John had some to add: C/n A-46: NC44639 The State of Illinois, 1946 - N44639 The State of Illinois, reregistered N777V - CF-AMY Atlas Aviation - Western Canada Aviation Museum. C/n A-380: NC90515 - N90515 - CF-PJD Hooker Air Services - Western Canada Aviation Museum, 1980. |
 Willem Overtoom included this shot in his newsletter, which was quoted to me, while travelling in Cambodia in July 2008.
I have a seperate section of aircraft located Off-Airport... |
 |
|
Ron Mak has a dedicated webpage with more of his photos. |
 In a short span of time I received both images of N102SY (above) and N103SY (below)... More photos by Martin Prince Jr can be found on his dedicated pages- PAGE 1 and PAGE 2. |
| John Olafson wrote me on 08Aug08: "I went to Kelowna today, to visit STOLairus and see the two Otters they
recently acquired. I got to photograph them in their crowded ramp area. Martin Prince Jr sent me images of N103SY at Bethel,AK last year. |
 |
 |
| "C-FUKN (456) was last working at Selkirk, Manitoba
and has a nice paint scheme recently applied. It will be converted to the
Walter turbine. I got the understanding that one of these Otters is to be
leased out and the other put up for sale." 
|
Douglas sent me this C-119 photo, asking me to help with the identification. The tailnumber N801W has been painted on, rather crudely. The photo was made by Steve Robbins at Eloy,AZ on 12Apr1980. I hope someone can help me on its construction number and what happened to it. |
 |
|
I browsed to 1979 - 1983 (Vol. 1-18) of Propliner magazine, but found no images of this N801W. Bob Reid offered the following theory: |
|
Whilst on the subject of C-119's, I thought you might enjoy what Jay Carter wrote me: See N9027K |
Tom also wrote: |
| DC-3 N308SF for sale (but not sold) on eBay, July 2008
|
|
For sale (July 2008): Douglas DC-3C N583V (c/n 12369).
 Chris Austin of USA Aircraft Brokers Inc. wrote: "I am trying to get the word out that I have recently listed a 1942 C-47/DC-3 for sale in Fort Worth, TX, USA. Serial No. 12369/N583V has sat for many years at this location while undergoing work by a few different owners. Details may be found at www.usaaircraft.com I am doing my best to keep this aircraft from going to the "parts bin." Your help in getting the word out is greatly appreciated!" |
 Douglas C-47 43-15073 (c/n 19539) was abandoned at Rajlovac airfield (near Sarajevo) since 1994 since she was grounded by machine gun fire. Members of the Merville Battery Association and started in Nov07 on an adventure: to recover this C-47 Skytrain for preservation in Normandy, France. By June 2008 they could report 'mission accomplished'! Click on the image, or HERE, to learn more about this superb accomplishment! |
|
|
|
Both are for sale...  Phil Livingston wrote me on 30Jun08: "I have owned my Staggerwing since 1969. In fact, after trading a racing AT-6 Texan for the Staggerwing, I raced it in the only Staggerwing Race ever held at the Reno National Air Races...3rd place. Also flew it to the tip of South America in 1974 (and return) and then I flew N9885H across the Atlantic through Greenland in 1976... After recreation stops in Iceland and UK, we overflew the WWII Normandy Beach landing zone and finally touched down in Holland (just in case the French were not happy with our low level tour of their waterfront!). We then spent a week on one of your islands, Texel, before continuing the sojourn. The airplane has been based at my home in Girdwood,Alaska since 1979." |
 Phil continued: "The time has now come for the Staggerwing, and perhaps my Twin Beech, to return to Europe. At age 72 I am finally ready to part with these old friends. The Staggerwing is now completely rebuilt. The rebuild is better than the original manufacture of the airplane which was done in a tent for lack of manufacturing space in 1942. We corrected many manufacturing errors caused by the high tempo of work in those days. Originally, my airplane was delivered to the United States Navy. Thanks to Heritage Aviation Ltd., which primarily does work for the Reynolds Museum in Alberta and other air museums in Canada, it is now one of the finest Staggerwings in the world. The Twin Beech was not rebuilt 'ground up' but I have owned it for 13 years and must have replaced every moving part! It is also a beautiful specimen of its kind. They are both classics in the real sense. I am sure there are very few of either type in Europe. Considering that they were both designed in 1932, they have a competitive history with European aviation development. (I also owned a ME 108 at one time....that was a direct competitor of the Staggerwing). Considering the 'Euro' provides a huge discount on the dollar, I had just made up my mind to locate web sites in Europe and begin advertising both classics for sale. There is a picture of my Staggerwing that appeared in the a commercial publication by Jet Aviation Companies of Zurich. It was sitting on their ramp in 1976. However, I suspect it is no longer a part of their advertising. My website is www.livingstonalaska.com. It has 254 pictures of the Staggerwing during rebuild and a start on the picture file for the Twin Beech. I would appreciate your help identifying European sites that would find my buyer." |
 Beechcraft Staggerwing: an aircraft with finer lines is hard to imagine. Now for sale!! |
|
Phil wrote about this photo: "That was actually a picture with my mechanic and co pilot Doug Cashen (an Englishman originally from Liverpool) signing the bill...
Doug and I just liked adventures. In 1974 we flew the airplane from Seattle Washington to Ushuaia Argentina just for the fun of it. It was a memorable trip. Once home we got bored and with a couple days notice for Doug, we launched to Europe with the intention of going East until we got to Alaska.
Unfortunately, we had a landing gear collapse in Corfu Greece. Part of the damage was a broken lower wing spar, landing gear system, and prop. We weren't going to be able to fix these in Greece, so we loaded the wing onto a charter jet with a couple friendly pilots to take to Dunstable Gilder Port UK and then subsequently sent the rest of the airplane back to UK by container ship.
The work done on the wing was excellent but the ballance done with the insurance companies "lowest bidder" was unsatisfactory. We weren't quite dumb enough to continue the trip with the airplane in poor shape, so we shipped it back to the US and repaired the worst all over again. It was never right however so finally I had the airplane completely rebuilt at a museum shop in Alberta Canada. The Canadians did a spectacular job.
The Staggerwing design was flawless but because of the pressure of war during production a lot of short cuts were taken and mistakes made. These airplanes were destined for the elite of Hollywood and the Kings of Europe but ended up being produced for the military. This airplane was originally built in a tent because there was no space left in the plant in Wichita Kansas...!
Today N9885H is far superior to those originally manufactured during the war. We replaced many defective components which were thrown together in the war years (1942) and replaced them with remanfactured originals or more functional upgrades. "Rosey The Riveter" despite her claim to fame was not all that experienced when she stepped into the job while her husband served in uniform. However... God Bless. We wouldn't have won the war without her." |
Martin Prince Jr sent me this photo: "DHC-2 N734Q was out this morning [25Jun08] doing touch and goes on Hangar Lake."
Most recently it was registered 22Nov04 to the bros. Powers. Martin has a growing set of images here AT THIS WEBSITE.. |
| Photos © David B. Tanner
David took these photos on 22May08 at Lake City,FL
May 2008 found Florida suffering from many wildfires: Over 90 fires burned at some point in the Sunshine State... 44,000 acres had burned as of Monday May 19th, with the largest fire "The Mustang Corner Fire" consuming over 32,000 acres in the Everglades 15 miles SW of Kendall,FL. Tankers #00, #07, #45 operated out of Lake City,Florida. Tanker 07 arrived in Lake City on Saturday May 17th after a long flight from Missoula,Montana. T07 made one pit stop along the way in Springfield,Missouri. [Information courtesy Kit Robinson] |
 |
 |
Bart Nopper and Hans Wiesman went to Madagascar in May08 to salvage parts of some DC-3s which are rotting away on a dump there.Click on the image for more photos on Flickr.com |
|
Peter Skerry went to Alaska in May 2008... SEE MORE...  Curtiss C-46R Commando N7848B (c/n 273) of Everts Air Cargo in splendid Alaska scenery. |
 |
|
Rolf Larsson wrote me in April 2008: The full Il-14 production list, as compiled by Soviet Transports team, can be downloaded from Aad van der Voet's website (free of charge!). Several other types there as well: www.oldwings.nl Aad van der Voet wrote me in July 2008: "Today the Soviet Transports team learned the identity of Il-14 CCCP-61663, which is mentioned in the production list file, but without a c/n. |
 |
 |
| A.H. (name withheld on request) sent me this: "Here is a picture of a Convair 440, owned by Highline Airways of Saskatoon (Albert Ethier), taken in July 1981 at Key Lake, Saskatchewan. Plane was used to transport workers to the Key Lake Uranium mine under contruction. I recall the plane being absolutely in mint condition - basically a new airplane. It was purchased from the U.S. military and had been stored in Arizona. The old piston engines gave a lot of grief and the plane was used for only a few months. The owner later acquired two Convair 640 aircraft for the northern runs." [The name Albert Ethier also features prominently on Stored CL-66B's at Saskatoon.]  |
 In final preparations which should bring Lockheed Constellation N749NL back in the air, a gearswing test was performed on the 'Dutch Connie'. After having been raised on jacks, the gear was retracted and lowered several times. This went well and the wheeldoors closed as they should do. A final test was the emergency procedure to lower the undercarriage in case of loss of hydraulic pressure, provided by the 4 engine pumps. With a handpump the gear can be lowered (the DC-2 lowered its undercarriage that way, a task for a fit co-pilot...) and this takes some strength to perform. All tests were concluded brilliantly and the next step would be a test flight! The Aviodrome would welcome donations to make this Constellation fly again., which would be a unique feat as only 2 have that ability at the moment: 1 in Switzerland and 1 in Australia! MORE ON THE AVIODROME AND ITS AIRCRAFT (even BY NIGHT) |
 |
 |
 Martin Prince took these photos on a visit to Lake Hood in May08.N98EL has been registered to Alaska Enchanted Lake Lodge (King Salmon,AK) since 30Mar90; that is what I call a faithful service! More photos of Alaskan Martin Prince Jr HERE... |
| Fred Barnes wrote me: "Thought that you might be interested in some aircraft seen during my vacation in the US in June 08..." And indeed I was and I bet I am not the only one, so here goes... |
 On standby for the summer fire fighting season: Lockheed Neptune SP-2H N4235T s/n 150282, Neptune Aviation. Missoula,MT 08Jun08 |
| Sadly, Tanker 9 crashed on 01Sep03. This is what Kit Robinson wrote on Yahoo's airtanker forum: "Tanker #09, operated by Neptune Aviation, has crashed shortly after takeoff from Reno/Stead airport. Witnesses report the aircraft was already on fire just after takeoff and was trying to return to the field, but the fire consumed the aircraft and it fell from the sky in a ball of fire. The aircraft hit powerlines on its way down, cutting power to many areas Northwest of Reno. Sadly both crewmembers parished in the crash. Tanker #09 had been working a fire in the Hope Valley area over the last couple of days. Tanker #09 was loading out of Minden/Tahoe on Sunday along with Tanker #25 and SEAT #440. Today (Monday) Tanker #09 continued to work the fire in Hope Valley with Tankers 22(25 returned to Chico) and 440. Tanker 22 had just departed Reno/Stead ahead of #09 between 18:15 and 18:45. Let us keep the families of these brave aviators in out hearts and prayers." |
John Olafson wrote me in July 2008: "I visited Red Deer again last month and was welcomed at the Air Spray hangar
and allowed to take myself on a self-guided tour of their facilities and aircraft..."
"I was pleased to see that they have acquired another L188C which is now in the hangar and will be converted for air tanker use, so will likely be operational in that role next fire season. This one is registered C-FLXT and is c/n 1130. Its last owner was the National Science Foundation where it was registered N308D. I like the colors it is painted in and probably it will remain that way. As usual the hangar was full of other aircraft including helicopters." I walked the ramps of Red Deer myself in 2007 and photographed C-FLXT outside the hangar, awaiting its turn. Click HERE for photos and the aircraft history (scroll abou tmid page). |
|
Stephen Cos sent me this in Aug.2008, with the question:
Pekka intends to restore it as a flight simulator in Finland and anyone who has a lead to a DC-6 door is welcomed to 
Antonov An-2 RA-50502
on 
