Canada Tour 2008
Vancouver
We continued exploring Vancouver International on the south side. Hawker and Pacific Coastal Airlines operate these ramps. We also spotted a Mexican bizjet. At the end of Agar Drive a stored Canadian Regional F-28 was seen. Another unique aircraft on these ramps is the HS-748 operated by Air North.
C-FYDY, HS-748
C-FCRZ, F-28
XA-JFE, CL-600
C-FLAD, DHC-8
C-FPCK, G-21
C-FDNG, DHC-8
C-FPCO, Beech 1900
C-GCPZ, Saab 340
The Pacific Coastal G-21 C-FPCK crashed two months after we’ve seen it at Vancouver, killing all aboard.
C-GFUR, A330
C-FMYV, ERJ-190
B-6076, A332
C-FIDL, DHC-8
C-FDYN, Do-328
C-FYJH, A319
C-GTAG, DHC-8
C-FUJZ, CRJ-705
C-GCMY, Beech 1900
RP-C3434, A340
N605QX, CRJ-701
ZK-OKG, B777
C-FACT, DHC-8
D-AIHB, A340
C-FLPC, Saab 340
In the afternoon we watched the landing, unfortunately not in the best of weather. Later we moved downtown for dinner, and watched the action at Vancouver Harbour Sea Plane Base.
C-FAXI, DHC-2
C-GHAS, DHC-3
C-FAXI, DHC-2
C-GVNL, DHC-3
C-FJFQ, DHC-2
Alberni Valley
Next day we took the ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. We drove north towards Alberni Valley, location Sproat Lake to be precise for the unique Marin Mars amphibious water bomber. One was present on shore, so we weren’t able to photograph it. The second was in California for the fire season. So we continued to location Alberni Regional and visited Coulson Aircrane.
-, S-61
C-FXEC, S-61
C-FXEC, S-61
Comox CFB
Further north on highway 19, next to Courtenay we visited the location museum at CFB Comox.
101057, CF-101
101030, CF-101
104731, CF-104
4038, MiG-21
114115, CT-114
10712, CP-107
Campbell River
Next was our primary objective of this trip, flying a Beech 18 on floats. So again we headed north to location Campbell River. At the end of Spit Road is the sea plane base were most tourists are transported towards the knight inlet for whale watching and bear spotting. So we did the same.
Our transfer to Minstrel Island was done in style. Vancouver Island Air flown us in 30 minutes to the island with there Beech 18 (C-FGNR) on floats. One of the few operational one’s left on the planet. What an experience to land with this beauty on the Knight Inlet next to our lodge.
C-GHAG, DHC-3
C-FGNR, Beech 18
C-FGNR, Beech 18
C-FGNR, Beech 18
Knight Inlet
For the next two days we would stay on a deserted island (location Minstrel Island), together with 10 others and one grumpy bear at the Knight Inlet Lodge. We spent most of our time on sea, chasing killer whales, humpback wales, sea-lions and so on. We also visited location salmon stairs and watched salmon fishing bears. a great experience!
Nanaimo / Victoria
After our days in the Lodge is was time to head back to the mainland. We headed for location Nanaimo, where a PBY-5 was seen next to the fence (now in museum McMinnville, Oregon). We also stopped in town, at the harbour location sea plane base. We continued to Victoria, with not much to see at location Victoria International. Interesting visitor though was an Air Canada A319, with Jack Layton titles. Used during the NDP elections. Just north of the airport we took the Ferry back to Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver.
C-FNJB, PBY-5
C-GHMI, DHC-2
C-GBIM, A319
Everett, WA
Next day we crossed the border again with the US and headed for Seattle. First stop was Everett north of the city. First stop was location Bellingham, where a MD-83 of Allegiant was seen. Further south we stopped at location Arlington Municipal with a beautiful restored crusader and a DC-3.
N868GA, MD-83
143769, F-8
N63440, DC-3
Paine field
Next stop Everett Paine field, well known for the massive Boeing factories. From the location Museum of Flight parking lot you have a view over the Boeing delivery grounds and can see aircraft lining up for runway 16R for first- or test-flights.
N576UP, B747
N576UP, B747
N580AS, CV-580
59-2584, B-52
N424UP, B757
-, KC-767
The KC-767 stored on one of the backlots was destined for the US tanker program. The airframe 33840/923 was scrapped in 2012 it had never flown.
Flying Heritage Collection
The hanger of the location Flying Heritage Collection is located on the south side of the airfield. It houses an amazing collection of fly-worthy warbirds. Unique aircraft from the World War 2 era and a recently added MiG-29.
N750N, Ki-43
N190D, FW-190
NX2689, P-40
NX342FH, Bf-109
NX614VC, Spitfire
NL723FH, P-51
Museum of flight restoration
The Museum of Flight located at Boeing field has a location restoration location which is lesser known, but can be visited. The restoration facility is located on the west side of the airfield at 100th street SW. The Boeing 247, is the last airworthy in the world, and featured in Indiana Jones.
N407V, Learjet 23
67-21363, O-2
N61SL, An-2
53-4329, CH-21
NC13347, B247
N7001U, B727
Seattle, WA
South of downtown, just next to highway 5 is Boeing plant 2, better known as Boeing Field. Driving around the airfield, we noted a brand new Air France Cargo 777. In the delivery area there were several 737 AEW&C Wedgetails (Turkish and Australian), which we didn’t photograph to prevent problems.
N5023Q, B777
Museum of Flight
location The Museum of Flight has a great collection with some unique aircraft like the M-21, a drone carrying SR-71 and the RA001, Boeings 747 prototype. In 2014 one of the 787 prototypes was added to the collection.
158977/WH, AV-8
7469, MiG-17
51-7066, WB-47
NC91008, DC-3
N626BL, Lear Fan 2100
N820NA, F-104
154180/4, A-4
5411, MiG-21
60-6940, M-21
G-BOAG, BAe-101
N515NA, B737
N874AA, B727
N7470, B747
58-6970, VC-137
160382/AJ-202, F-14
MM6244/10, G-91
158794/NH-502, A-6
NC13711, DC-2
Renton, WA
South West of Boeing Field, is Boeing’s third factory. location Renton Municipal houses the 737 factory. Because of the ultra short runway, finished aircraft have to leave with minimum fuel and re-fuel at one of the other field to continue their journeys.
N69F, Bell 407
N1786B, B737
N1786B, B737
N86BL, Learjet 36
N1053, DHC-2
Kenmore, WA
N87KA, DHC-3
Another interesting place to visit while in the Seattle area is location Kenmore Air Harbor on the north banks of Lake Washington. Lots of float planes were noted when we walked the grounds, which was no problem at all.
N1455T, DHC-2
N50KA, DHC-3
N9744T, DHC-2
N72355, DHC-2
N5827Y, DHC-2
N1018F, DHC-2
Seattle Tacoma International
Our last morning we spent at SeaTac. as Runway 16L was in use we parked at location spot 2, before heading back to check in.
N527VA, A319
N751SW, B737
N423QX, DHC-8
N178JB, ERJ-190
N792AS, B737
N914FR, A319
N569AS, B737
N345PH, DHC-8
N284YV, EMB-120
N3744F, B737
HL7597, B777
N587NW, B757
N570AS, B737
This concludes our trip through the Canadian west and the northern part the USA. A great trip if you want to combine aircraft, especially vintage ones, beautiful scenery and great wildlife experiences.