Alfred Fartknocker:
One of many ex CAF CP-121 Trackers in storage at Abbotsford, supporting the Fire Bombers based there.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This ex Canadian Navy CP-121 Tracker is in storage, with many others at Abbotsford in Canada.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Three Trackers lie near the main storage area at Abbotsford, Canada.
Alfred Fartknocker:
A visit to Abbotsford, near Vancouver produced 31 Trackers, including 12159, a CP-121 pictured here. A lot of these were scrapped & this one l/n in 2009.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This piston powered Canadair CL-215 is waiting on its new turboprop engines, I think at Abbotsford. For some reason, I don't seem to have logged it. C-GFSM/ 203 is c/n 1098. No mil' history with this one, but it flies on in 2021 as a 215T.
Alfred Fartknocker:
One of many CAF CP-121 Trackers put out to grass at Abbotsford seen in 2004. It's likely to be C-FKVP (ex 12183). , if so it was scrapped by 2011. Note the code 'P' on the nose wheel door.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This Conair Firecat is Tanker 66, C-FOPV and ex Canadian Navy CP-121 Tracker 1535. It's probably still stored here.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This de Havilland Beaver, is ex US Army U-6A 58-2049. N1018U seen taxiing in at Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, Canada.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, C-GHPG gets going at Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, Canada. This one is ex US Army U-6A 53-7905.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Another ex mil Otter, operated by Harbour Air is this former US Army U-1A, 57-6136. It's been converted to a DHC-3T by adding a PT-6 which has completely changed its appearance. Seen at Vancouver Seaplane base.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Beaver at full chat, taking off at Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. It's C-GHPG, an ex US Army U-6A, 53-7905.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This DHC-3 Otter has been converted to a Turbo Otter. C-GUTW is c/n 405 and started life as 9423 with the RCAF. A very useful machine. Seen here at Vancouver Downtown Seaplane base.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This Canadian Armed Forces CH-146 Griffon receives some attention at Langley Airport in British Columbia. 146490 became C-GNXC in 2010, but then rejoined the military again.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This CF-104D Starfighter is on show at the Museum of Flight at Langley in B.C. 104645 was built by Canadair.
Alfred Fartknocker:
One of the Firecat pilots gave me a guided tour of his Firebomber. "It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on" he said. Tanker 74 is an ex US Navy TS-2A Tracker, Bu.Aer 136451- now reg'd C-FEFK. It's at Abbotsford, British Columbia.
Alfred Fartknocker:
The hulk of this Tracker was at a Technical School, here at Abbotsford. It was Tanker 70, an ex US Navy TS-2A Bu.Aer 136515. Last noted here in 2014.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Some of the Trackers in store at Abbotsford were a problem to identify, but not this one. C-FKVG is ex CAF CP-121 12173. It survived and is preserved at Chilliwack.
Alfred Fartknocker:
US Navy Grumman US-2B Tracker Bu.Aer 136465 flew on in Canada as C-GHDY/ Fire 73. Seen here active at Abbotsford, but now in store here with a few others as of 2021. It's sitting in a puddle of fire retardent.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Ops Normal as this Turbo Otter picks up the pax in Vancouver seaplane base. C-GHAS is an ex US Army U-1A Otter, 57-6136.
Alfred Fartknocker:
This looks like a Canadian Piasecki H-21B 'Flying Banana', but it isn't. It is ex US Army CH-21B 53-4366 in false marks as "9641" at Comox AFB on Vancouver Island.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Tanker 74 is a Conair Firecat, C-FEFK but ex US Navy TS-2A Bu.Aer 136451. Great looking aeroplane but vicious in the stall. It has tiny ailerons but huge roll spoilers, and in the stall the nose goes 'through' the vertical. The pilot showed me a pic of a
Alfred Fartknocker:
This is a Canadian built CT-133AN Shooting Star, preserved in the Museum at Langley, British Columbia. it's 21487 (or 133487 in the new money) / ML 487.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Bit of a gloomy day when we visited the museum at Comox AFB on Vancouver Island. This Canadian CP-121 Tracker is preserved there, 12188.
Alfred Fartknocker:
Continuing todays Grumman Tracker theme, here's another at Abbotsford, Canada. Many had a C- reggo on the tail which can just be seen, but I'm not sure which one this is now.