I have also started the 2013 "Beaver Hat" Campaign. Please help if you can. Be a patron/supporter ;-)

31 May 2013

At 18:23 EDT this evening the unmistakable roar of a DHC-2 leaving Kingston Harbour....damned trees around my house, no sign of the Beaver. So "Who was it?"

22 May 2013

It is with great sadness that I report the death of DHC-2 owner Harold Long. The accident happened yesterday at Bute Inlet, British Columbia. C-GBHJ (880) was discovered upside down in the water. My sympathies go to Harold's family at this sad time.

Photo: Bob Kobzey ©

20 May 2013

Could not resist a shot of our neighbour tonight. Today was Victoria Day, a major spring holiday here in Canada.

Photo: Neil Aird © 20 May 2013

18 May 2013

I had just been to the MarshalI Islands on Google Earth when I remembered that Danielle had seen the Google car once, so, off I go to cruise Union Street in Kingston. There, who should I see at the intersection of Beverly Street? So we have both been captured by Google now, at least until they update these sections of Kingston, Ontario. (note: Danie is reviewing her French lesson session as she walks to see her student!)

16 May 2013

Had a mini airshow outside my studio, I presume for the students at RMC. 130603 a Lockheed CC-130J -30 Hercules (5635) from 436 Squadron, CFB Trenton, spent some time doing orbits. The final shot shows the last jumper and one of our first Martins, which arrived the same day.

Photos: Neil Aird © 16 May 2013

We have a new contributor to the website. A collegue has sent some images from MASDC, aka Davis-Monthan AFB at Tucson. Taken in September 1974, the time when many U-6A Beaver aircraft were stored, row after row.

Photo: eLaReF © 23 September 1974

05 May 2013

Another perfect spring day here in Kingston, Ontario. Our front garden "lawn" . . . ;-)

Photos: Neil Aird © 04 May 2013

While I was out for a walk this morning I met a lad with his assistant and a Hex Flyer. He sent me the video he shot of my area, a test flight of sorts. Unlike me to miss an "aircraft" going by. Dezso Vaghy was the remote vehicle pilot / videographer, and my house is the one with the red roof!! You can watch Dez's short video at this link http://youtu.be/uSfqIPEU83o.

Photo: Dez Vaghy © 05 May 2013

I noticed N14NW a 1980 vintage Cessna 441 (4410171) doing some work far off to my NW, perfect conditions for a survey flight.

01 May 2013

Eight years ago on this day, I was here ;-)

29 April 2013

Last entry for the month folks. The April 2013 DHC-2.COM Calendar pages are ready for you. Thanks again to Danny Hoggard for the shot of "Miss Esther" Michelle Masden's sweet machine N1117F (1369) on finals for the water.

Photo: Danny Hoggard © 09 April 2013

20 April 2013

Photo: Ian Beatty © 19 April 2013

A nice touch, spotted by Ian Beatty, on the step tops of N2400F (958). Ian caught her on the ramp at Port Hardy, British Columbia, en route to her new home in Alaska. Bob Kobzey had sent me a shot of her after receiving the grand tundras. I thought that I had put up enough images of 958, but when Ian's image arrived...I just had to make it a banner image and add Bob's view from the front. Thanks to both Ian and Bob.

Photo: Bob Kobzey © 17 April 2013

17 April 2013

Well, the FAA must read my blog as they sent N80 (FF-15) to play around the area today. Somewhere over upstate New York. Not tracking this one, a 1988 vintage Beech 300 King Air. Now why could it not have been N81 ? ;-)

16 April 2013

Today while I was working, I noticed a Canadair CL605 Challenger of the FAA on my screen N89 (5815) "Check 89" about 14:00 EDT heading east over upstate New York. I think it is one of the first FAA machines I have seen tracking "live" using their ADS-B equipment. It brought back memories of a Douglas C-54 Skymaster N81 (35941) I saw at Anchorage on 14 September 1968. I always liked it when I "found" an FAA aircraft on my travels. We even saw them in Europe.

Photo: Neil Aird © 14 September 1968

12 April 2013

The empty weight of an airplane must be known, and, needless to say, is pretty critical. Here is N2400F (958) being weighed at Sealand in Campbell River. I once saw a Beaver being prepped for weighing, it was C-FZXD (1336). The restorer used borrowed scales from a nearby helicopter operator.

Photo: Bob Kobzey © 11 April 2013

11 April 2013

Photo: Steve McGinn © 09 April 2012

Photo: Gaetan Malette © 09 April 2013

What a difference in weather from year to year. Steve McGinn sent this snap of C-FMRN (480) taken 09 April 2012, his friend Gaetan Malette sent a picture taken this year on the same date. Lots of snow and Deep Lake is still frozen. Shows what a mild winter we had in Ontario last year.

31 March 2013

Photo: Rod Hall © 26 March 2013

What could be more appropriate for the"tail end" of another month on DHC-2.COM. Thanks to Rod Hall for this image of four Beavers at Vancouver South.

29 March 2013

Gotcha! Just over a year ago I thought I saw a Google car pass by, dismissed it as the NAPA car (with the baseball hat on top), then my wife mentioned she thought she saw the Google car earlier that April day. Well, I just happened to look up our area today, and after cruising around my block a few times, YIKES!, there I am!! I know I use the "stickman" a lot - now "I have really become a stickman!"

27 March 2013

Another day dawns on Lake Washington. "Oh Daddy look, a red Beaver!"

On closer inspection, it's C-FXUN (1299) en route from Renton to Kenmore Air Harbor, just coming abeam Seward Park, in Seattle. We've all seen the Beaver taking off from a dolly - but a barge landing? Safe sailing "XUN". I really know you are getting floats attached at Kenmore. Send more snaps soon. Thanks to George Johnson and Pete Killin for keeping us informed.

26 March 2013

Left : Bob Kobzey © 25 March 2013 - Right: John Hopton © 15 October 1969

The recent banner shot of CF-GRA (86) sparked memories in the gray matter of my Ozzie pal Pete Rearden in Canberra.

He wrote:

I have fond memories of this Beaver when it was VH-EPX operated by Savage Air and had a commuter service from Mittagong to Sydney several times a day with sister ship VH-EPY. I was doing my Flight Service AIR/GROUND field training in Sydney Flight Service Centre and it was great to have a Beaver active on my flight progress strips in late ’72. I used to give these guys priority service and get them a clearance into the Sydney terminal area via a ‘special’ waypoint at Helensburgh (not far from Wedderburn and not used by any other operators at that time).

Thanks Pete, that's what I love about DHC-2.COM - seeing what responses I get from my postings!

Photo: Cyril Fairbairn © November 1961 - via Stewart Fairbairn

An update (29 March 2013) from Tony Richardson in Switzerland.

Tony wrote:

Hi Neil,

I'd like to direct readers to a great eBook by my collegue Steve Hill in the "Nostalgic" category for anyone who was around during the 1964-1972 period watching planes. "The Good Old Days at Northolt - 1964-1972" has brought me a great deal of pleasure, via my iPad. The price was right and I know it will be well "thumbed". The book is also available in hard-cover form. Here is the link for a short "preview". Well done Steve!

Photo: Steve Hill © EMCS

25 March 2013

A little early I know, but I liked looking at this scene. Outside my home there is still some snow on the ground, although the snowdrops and crocus are up. My thanks to DHC-2 pilot Chris Roughan for the April 2013 DHC-2.COM Calendar image. It warms this heart.

Photo: Chris Roughan © 11 June 2012

21 March 2013

First day of Spring and only -5.0C this morning, sunny however.

Photo: Forsling Family Archives © June 1959

Yesterday I finaly dusted off a CD that has been on my desk for many years, sent by my friend Jan-Erik Forsling of Sweden (formally Newfoundland). It documents the recovery from the bush of CF-GYT (182). His Dad Bert Forsling was instrumental in that operationback in June 1959. You can see the images here. Thanks Jan- Erik - your patience is rewarded.

Jan-Erik wrote:

I don't remember much around the crash, other than how worried Dad was before they found the crash site. The pilot, Lee Frankham had tried a couple of approaches to Buchans but, just couldn't see to land. Finally the plane just got too iced down and Lee was forced to land in the brush near Hinds Lake. He had been to pick up the local hockey team but He was the only one injured. A sprained thumb.

Lee was quite well known around Vancouver Island as he later flew out of Campbell River. Ian Douglas has written an article called "From Tiger Moths to Turbo Otters--Flying with Lee Frankham" - Although I've never managed to secure a copy of it. Farley Mowat also mentions flying with Lee in "A Whale for the Killing".

18 March 2013

Recently I have been communicating with a lad in Australia, he has been collecting images of Beavers for a long time. He has offered us some of his "catches" in the form of Beavers not on the website. Jose Ramon Abad from Spain but living in Maroubra, NSW, Australia for 5 years. I have a whole bunch of images to sort through. Most come from the web, so copyright might be an issue, but since we are finding less and less New ! Beavers, we take what we can. Here is an example 52-1655 (552). Thanks Jose for getting in touch.

16 March 2013

Photos: Neil Aird © 26 October 2010

Photo: Lenn Bayliss © 26 October 2010

Back on 26 October 2010 I went for a ride with Pete Harding in a Griffin Ag-Air Cresco. Below is a link to Pete flying on 05 March 2013. This has got to be the most difficult, and exhillerating flying one can do on civvy street. Here is the YouTube link.

05 March 2013

My son sent me a couple of his montages back in January, I thought you might enjoy seeing them. Note the aviation content. He can do great things with a bunch of scans. How about asking him to do one or two for you? He'd appreciate the opportunity of that I'm sure. Drop him an e-mail if you are interested. anthonyaird "at gmail.com

27 February 2013

Another month is almost over. The March 2013 DHC-2.COM Calendar pages are ready on time yet again ;-) This month's image is courtesy of our regular Bob Kobzey. Taken on January 21, 2013, I just had to save this frosty morning shot. Thanks again Bob!! Interesting to note that there were 239 downloads of last month's pages - all taken for free.

Photo: Bob Kobzey © 21 January 2013

21 February 2013

Whilst trying to tidy up my archived images, a never ending, difficult job, I came across this slide with U-6A 56-4419 (1146) tucked away amongst some L-19 Bird Dog. Location is Korea, but I have misplaced date slide information.

16 February 2013

Another small enigma solved. I came across a slide of N12372 in rather strange markings. I did not have this registration in my main database, then "the penny dropped" - it was AF-409 (1663) ready for delivery, military markings masked over with the US civil registration for the journey. I'm now wondering if the others were so marked also?

14 February 2013

Buzzing Bell. Currently playing around runway 01 at CYGK Kingston, is Bell 429 N479UB (57111). It came by the studio at 13:24 EST and is still buzzing about. I had noticed it circling the other day about 55nm from here. It just passed by again at 13:42 heading home to St. Janvier I imagine.

On this Valentine's Day as we continue the "love affair" with the DHC-2 Beaver, I'm amazed at how many New ! ones I am finding in Mike Ody's Collection. Just how many more are lurking in there? I have completed scanning the Beavers now.

Photos: Sheldon D. Benner © 1967 - Michael J. Ody Collection

10 February 2013

I'm having a "Whale" of a time today (after removing snow) working on some of my pal "Eddy's" black and white images. Here's a teaser.

Photo: Robert A. Edwards © RAF Greenham Common 30 July 1976

09 February 2013

Second snow storm of the year has finished, snow still up to the hood of my car. A beautiful day and plus 4.5C! Quite the change from a wind chill of -20C yesterday. Completed some shovelling, but will await the sidewalk plow's passage before I tackle anything else.

Still playing with the scanner and have completed several "oldies" by the late Ken Marshall which I will add. Not Beavers however. Came across this quick sketch exercise (for class) done from a photo which is on the website already. Over the wall at Scottish Aviation, Prestwick, a group of cocooned Canadair CL-13B Sabres of the RCAF.

Ink wash sketch: Neil Aird © c.1964

07 February 2013

A nice item came in the mail today. Rob Mitchell bought this slide of 53-7908 (716) on eBay and mailed along to DHC-2.COM for us all to enjoy. Someone e-mailed me that it was on eBay. I looked at it there and made a bid (my first). Got way too expensive. Then I received an e-mail from Rob saying that he had secured it for us!! Many thanks Rob for your generosity. Cropped it and tweaked it and it is on the website already! Nice to have a shot of it early in military service. A recently purchased (16 March 1966) Martin's Air Charter Douglas DC-7C PH-MAK (45541) in the background.

05 February 2013

I'm still fiddling with the scanner and software. Trying a demo of a more sophisticated version. This is a time consuming and at times frustrating (ad)venture. I hope to add a few DHC-2 images today. I have scanned many black and white negatives to add to my pal R.A. Edward's section.

31 January 2013

Big expense for the website, just received a new Epson V700 scanner, to hopefully speed up my scanning and saving a few steps, as it is hooked up to the same computer I do my image clean up. Added six images to Fly Alaska section of Aird Aviation Archives. Doing a couple of test images today on the website, tweaking, so to speak.

30 January 2013

Got the February 2013 DHC-2.COM Calendar pages ready for you. This month we can thank Beaver Pilot Alex Penrose for the knock out "Glassy Water" image of VH-ZDA (803). Wow, easy choice Alex. Must have been something to set her down on that mate!

Photo: Alex Penrose © 10 January 2013

Not a very busy blog this month, but I did manage to "harvest" six New ! Beavers for the website. Only 458 more to "find" - see if you can help.

10 January 2012

Still "on the mend" here. I have been busy with a non-Beaver, Aird Aviation Archives section on the website. Finally got back to cleaning up photo scans of my visit to Gila River - Chandler in 1998. Not quite complete yet, but you are welcome to go poke around. Just watch out for the snakes in the grass!

Photo: Neil Aird © 17 April 1998

07 January 2013

A belated Happy New Year to you all from your webmaster. A very slow start I'm afraid as I have been hit with a very bad "bug" - I never get a cold/flu . . . Making up for that silly statement this time. I'll try and make up for the lack of additions later. Meantime dig in the old pages. Images have been coming in non-stop. I see 157 January 2013 DHC-2.COM Calendar uploads have been made, so I guess it is still popular with you all. I know I enjoy my one which hangs above me here in the cab. Stay well folks! Normal service as soon as possible.

31 December 2012

Last day of the year and just a brief note to mention that the January 2013 DHC-2.COM Calendar pages are ready for you to grab. Thanks to our regular Ian Beatty, British Columbia Beaver pilot and photographer, we have a fine shot of C-GASF (1202) at Ocean Falls, BC.

On 12 December 2012 Ian wrote;

Photo: Ian Beatty © 07 December 2012

28 December 2012

The other day I recieved a link from my friend Silvio Giannini of Switzerland, he had just posted a video of a flight he made with Jvan Aeberli in N930AJ (1286) during the Swiss Seaplane Pilots Association meet at Morcote this year. Thanks Silvio, brings back happy memories for me of similar flights I made with Jvan. I'm sure your wife and visitor also enjoyed the flight.

Photo: Neil Aird © 03 July 2011 - Video frame capture: Silvio Giannini © 2012

24 December 2012

My sincere thanks to everyone who sent their greetings to DHC-2.COM. Good wishes go out to you all for Happy Holidays.

23 December 2012

Pete's Progress. Just a brief note to mention that C-GNBA (958) is at Calagary - Springbank for attention to some R.985 issues. Pete will return from Vancouver Island to complete the flight when a suitable weather window makes it possible. Crossing the Rockies needs a finely tuned engine, as well as mountain flying skills!

18 December 2012

DQ-GWW (124) after cyclone Evan. Looks like some time in the shop is required.

Photo: Screen capture from www.abc.news.net.au © 18 December 2012

16 Decenber 2012

An update on Pete's Adventure, after a three day layover in Brandon - CYBR, Manitoba due to ice fog, he reached Red Deer - CYQF, Alberta yesterday afternoon.

I thought I'd include an image from our sister website www.twinotterarchive.com it just hit the 21,000 unique hits. happy with the progress. Check it out sometime. I was tempted to give the Twotter the fake registration M-XMAS, but resited! the Manx Civil Register is doing very well btw.

12 December 2012

Pete Killin is ferrying C-GNBA (958) west this time from North Bay - CYYB, Ontario to Campbell River - CYBL, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Tonight it is one "Exposed Beaver" as you can see in this shot by Rich Hulina, as it awaits the morning on Pelican Lake, at Sioux Lookout. Hope it is still there in the morning Pete!

Photo: Rich Hulina © 17:00 12 December 2012

04 December 2012

An e-mail today brought with it a scan of an old print from John A. Jones, of CF-OCD (24) serving with OPAS.

Photo: John A. Jones © 06 July 1954

John wrote:

hi Neil I have been looking at your great website.....thought that you would be interested in a picture ...I took..of CF-OCD back on July 6 1954.....on Lake Kenogami... Pilot was Ralph Stone.....i was working for the summer with Lands and Forests and had my first plane ride in this aircraft.......have been hooked on DHC-2's ever since......no round rear window on this aircraft ......one of the "yellow birds "...keep up the great work ......Regards John A. Jones, Thornhill, Ontario.

29 November 2012

December looms! Fear not, the DHC-2.COM December Calendar pages are ready to grab and print - on Photo Matte paper for best results. This month's Beaver image C-GACK (711) was supplied by our regular west coast correspondent Dirk Septer. I've had this image waiting in the wings for many a month. Thanks again Dirk, and congratulations on your recent "Picture of the Year" award from DHC-2.COM (see current banner page photo!)

Photo: Dirk Septer © 29 February 2012

15 November 2012

On a lighter note, I just scanned a slide of a very beautiful airliner. OE-LCE SE-210 Caravelle (156) Austrian Airlines departing Zurich - LZRH. I took this when I was on my honeymoon with Danie. A larger image will be added to Aird Aviation Archives at some point, when I do a section on Early Jet Airliners.

Photo: Neil Aird © May 1970

12 November 2012

It is with such great sadness that I report that my young friend Bill Hann passed away yesterday after a brief stay in hospital. It was only in July 2011 that he found out he had a brain tumour. He fought hard, Maureen with him all the way. A finer young man I have yet to meet. A consumate pilot of the very best caliber, with everything going for him and his wonderful young family. Life deals some very unfair blows.

Bill Hann 1975 - 2012

Continuing my foray into the Michael J. Ody Collection, what treasure trove. Splitting my time between the DHC-2 Beaver and DHC-6 Twin Otter. What an honour this is. I trust you are enjoying the images as much as I am.

31 October 2012

Another milestone recently.

30 October 2012

Another month comes to a close, I know because the November 2012 DHC-2.COM Calendar pages are now ready. My thanks to Maureen Neilsen for her fine image of the Neilsen family DHC-2 Beaver Mk.III lifting off Quiet Lake, in Northern Yukon. Her husband Rick at the controls.

22 October 2012

Photo: Chip Porter © 13:00 21 October 2012

Received the above image from my pal Chip Porter in Ketchikan, Alaska yesterday. Chip knows I spend an unusual amount of time staring at the sky. He had this formation pass by heading southeast at 13:00 local, and wondered what it was all about. After I got the close up, I was able to confirm my suspicion that it was a Mother Hen (Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker) and her Chicks (8 x F-16 Viper) heading south like geese. Not sure what the northbound airliner was, but they must have had a great view of the USAF formation passing below them!! Thanks Chip.

Still have some leaves on the trees here in Kingston, but soon to fall.

Photo: Neil Aird © 15 October 2012

16 October 2012

Time for another blog entry. You may have noticed a run on Beavers on the website over these last few days. On Sunday I spent four hours scanning 150 more slides from the collection of Mike Ody. I am now up to c/n 1204 in his collection.

My favourite images invariably are taken by Sheldon D. Benner. Sheldon always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. Almost every photo warrents inclusion as a "banner shot". Many thanks Sheldon for your work. I even managed to "find" a New ! Beaver for our collection. Here is another image of a colourful US Army visitor to Toronto International - CYYZ, some forty-two years ago.

11 October 2012

I'm always weighing priorities - should I write a blog item or add something to on of my websites? The blog usually looses out I'm afraid. However, today I wanted to add these two images. It shows what a delight it is to receive submissions from enthusiasts around the globe, who encourage me to add their items to the website. Case in point is Bob Cameron. Bob and his son Kyle have both sent images through the years. I was not sure of the location of these pictures. I took Google's "Stickman" for a walk at Whitehorse Airport (my educated guess) and found three hangars and a distant building that matched. I spun him around and the hills and trees were also right. Bob then sent a confirming e-mail. A pleasant diversion for me on Google Earth ;-) Thanks again Bob for the images taken for the website.

XX

Photos:  Bob Cameron © 06 October 2012

Photo: Stickman © Google Earth

03 October 2012

Photo:  Keith Morris / NZCIVAIR © 29 September 2012

On 28 September 2012 an event at Ardmore in New Zealand, brought two Beavers together. ZK-AZB (156) joined the resident ZK-CKH (25) to celebrate the recent completed restoration of DH 98 Mosquito FB Mk 26 ZK-MOS/KA114. Here are a few images from that great celebration. Thanks to Keith Morris / NZCivair blog for the images.

Photos:  Keth Morris / NZCIVAIR © 29 September 2012

Anther recent image received was of the almost completed work on N877MG Douglas DC-3C by Sealand Aviation at Campbell River. Thanks to Bob Kobzey for this photograph. It will soon head back to the Seattle area for the Historic Flight Foundation. Thanks to Ruud Leeuw website for the complicated data on N877MG!

29 September 2012

Finally the leaves are starting to show some colour in Kingston. Here is the tree out front, as viewed from our balcony this evening.

Photo:  Neil Aird © 29 September 2012

27 September 2012

Not too much on the blog these days, but I have caught up with the Beavers. Now it is time once again to get the Calendar pages ready for October 2012.

Photo:  Brian Madsen ©

16 September 2012

"The Wright Stuff" - On Friday 14 September 2012 C-GTTU (1467) made her test flight in Canada after reassembly by Sealand Aviation of Campbell River, British Columbia. Pete Killin made the flight, and by now C-GTTU should be en route to her new owner in Calgary, Alberta. Frank Wright was the restorer of this much tavelled Beaver. They sure get around.

09 September 2012

Today I had an e-mail from Dave Carty of Kenora, and originally a Kingston native. He is a very talented artist and here is a sample of his skill. Dave is not afraid of larger projects either!

Image: © Dave Carty

Good to hear from you Dave.

I also received an e-mail today from publisher Bob Baglow / Canaero books to let us know he has posted Robert A. Grant's story on Lakeland Airways and their Beaver, C-FJKT (1023). Thanks to both Bobs.

06 September 2012

Good news for "Kiwibeavers" fans, Graeme Mills has the website back up for us all to enjoy. Welcome back Graeme, thanks for your welcome e-mail! Here's a shot of the two of us "working" at Gisborne back in 2010.

Photo: Lenn Bayliss © 24 October 2010

03 September 2012

The sound of the school bell across the street reminds me that the kids all go back tomorrow. Summer for them is over. Labor Day Holiday here in North America, and another glorious day here in Kingston, Ontario.

01 September 2012

Brand new month, and happy to report another brand new re-engined Beaver takes to the skies. Simon Slater of Valdor Aircraft Inc - Avionnerie Valdor just sent me an e-mail and some images of C-GUGQ (400), merci Simon.

>>>>>>>

Good morning Neil,

Mark this day in the history of the Beaver. The first Vazar-Valdor Aircraft Turbine DHC-2 Beaver C-GUGQ (400) flew yesterday (August 28 , 2012) afternoon in Vancouver!

The Beaver was piloted by Mr. Eric Scott, chief pilot at Harbour Air.

The floatplane Beaver is equipped with PT6A34 engine and of course with our BX Wings. The flight went exactly as we expected.

We had issues with Transport Canada’s bureaucracy, but we are very proud of the work have done. We put countless hours and millions dollars were invested in the project. The next step is to finalize flight test to receive FAA-TCCA STC.

I’ll send pictures today. Pass this information on the dhc-2 forum.

Continue your excellent work Neil!

Merci beaucoup!

>>>>>>>

31 August 2012

Last day of August, time for you to download your September 2012 DHC-2.COM Calendar pages. This month, the image is from Danny Hoggard of Ketchikan. Many thanks Danny.

Photo: Danny Hoggard © 21 October 2010

27 August 2012

A milestone for the Twin Otter Archive website. 10,000 visitors since launch. Meanwhile, DHC-2.com just hit 1,081,000 !

25 August 2012

What's he up to now? Well, here's a tease for you. Somthing to expect in Aird Aviation Archives in the not too distant future.

I think a New ! Beaver warrents an entry in the blog! The other day I got an e-mail from Bernie Haberle with the offer of some photos taken during his military tour of duty in Vietnam, back in 1971/72. As I was cleaning up the images, I noticed that 58-2067 (1399) was not present in my files. So a little research and this one is now added. Thanks Bernie.

Here are the photographs. 

Photo: From the book "The Most Secret War" by James L. Gilbert

Operators position view of "Black Virgin Mountain" Tay Ninh Province (note dipole antenna on wing).

Below shows an air strike.

Typical view.

Photos: Bernie Haberle © 1971

Some days are just plane fun! Yesterday was one of those. As I type this, the DHC-6 Twin Otter shown below, C-FOPG (232) of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR) is at FL90 en route to Bromont - CZBM - Aéroport Régional des Cantons de l'Est in Québec.

Photo: Neil Aird © 18 August 2012

18 August 2012

Some of you who know this website well, may have noticed that I have updated "Monthan Memories" with some 14 new, old images from my pal Tom Baillie. Here is a snap he took of yours truly at work on the Davis-Monthan ramp back in 1968. I was taking a photo of a Grumman S-2D Tracker that once served on USS Essex. I actually was on board this carrier when she was anchored on the River Clyde in Scotland on 02 December 1961.

Photo: Tom Baillie © 10 September 1968

Photo: Neil Aird © 10 September 1968

17 August 2012

Every day I receive e-mail and images. Today a grand one in the form of N6535D (1514) parked outside the Cameron Iron Works Corporate hangar at Houston, Texas.

Jim Greene wrote me a bit about his Grandfather. Here is the e-mail and a snap of his Grandfather in AME garb.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

My Grandfather’s name was Jim (Smitty) W. Smith. He was one of Cameron’s (Jim Abercrombie) corporate pilots for many years, and later chief mechanic over their Houston aircraft. By the time I was born in 1963, the two primary aircraft for many years was the Lockheed Jetstar (N3E) and the Fairchild (N172C). I remember the Beaver in the hanger for some time. I never got to fly in the Beaver.

Good talking with you

Jim Greene, Houston, TX.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Mars has been in the news recently, so here is an idea of the scale of another Mars, the aircraft. DHC-2 Beaver N72355 (1164) departs Sproat Lake, British Columbia, passing the larger Flying Boat. Thanks to Mars driver Pete Killin for the image.

Photo: Pete Killin ©16 August 2012

16 August 2012

Happy 65th Anniversary of First Flight of the de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver.

Photo: Kenmore Air © 16 August 2012

Another Beaver had a first flight today, N87807 (1209) the future C-GZTY after an extensive rebuild by Kenmore Air for her new owner. Soon she will have the taped on U.S. registration removed and she will head to her new home in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Another superb job by Kenmore. Here is a link to photo documentation of the rebuild.

Yet another special event on this special Beaver day. ZK-BVR (1467) arrived at Campbell River, British Columbia and the Sealand Aviation hangar, where she was carefully extracted. A long sea voyage from New Zealand, back to the land of her birth. My thanks to Bob Kobzey for the snaps.

Photos: Bob Kobzey © 16 August 2012

14 August 2012

A Beaver Blitz today. Playing catchup, just so happens a bunch of images arrived into my in box. Thanks to all who supplied them. Without your field reports and photographs, this site would be pretty dull and repetitive. Thanks today to Glenn Chatfield, Mike Masden, Bob Efford and Richard Stoker.

11 August 2012

More behind the scenes work done on the DHC-2.COM website today. Changing type face and date format. A long, thankless task. Lets me catch some typos however!

10 August 2012

Solo here for five days, so hope to catch up on a few items on my websites. I really hope to add some non Beaver and Twin Otter items as well. Getting a crave for some "Aird Aviation Archives" additions. At least that's the plan, I still have some family duties. House exterior is also being painted, weather permitting.

Our regular coontributer Danny Hoggard is still posting awesome images on a regular basis on the de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver Facebook pages. Great work Dannny! Here's a shot of N67671 (489) in action.

Photo: Danny Hoggard © 06 August 2012

Here's an image that arrived the other day from Mark Stevens, taken by his Dad, Major D. G. Stevens in 1979. Don't know which Beaver this was (yet!). Thanks Mark. Location was Aldergrove, Northern Ireland. Aircraft probably from 655 Squadron 5 Regiment AAC. A very dangerous venture, the Beaver might well "go for a fly" . . hope it was just a short "lift" with handlers in tow! RAF SA.330E Puma HC.1 coded "DM".

Photo: Maj. D. G. Stevens © 1979 - Mark Stevens Collection

07 August 2012

Today also marked a small milestone with the TwinOtterArchive website. We crossed 8,000 unique visitors. Mind you, quite a few of these have been the editors checking things. With that counter, I can't exclude our own visits.

Yesterday, our regular contributor Ben Cogger was able to meet and greet the latest beautifully crafted Viking DHC-6-400 C-GVAQ (859) as she fuelled up at Anchorage - PANC. So forgive me if I add a few images taken by Ben of this fine aircraft. Thanks Ben. After Anchorage this aircraft will continue on to Papua New Guinea where it will become P2-BFW with Tedi Mining. More details here of her travels.

Photos: Ben Cogger © 06 August 2012

03 August 2012

Another 75,000 unique visits since we hit the million, a while back!

Here you can find a link to Ron Carlson's bushpilotexplorer blog update. Interesting adventures to say the least. N888BH (110) his wonderful winged chariot.

Photo: Ron Carlson © July 2012

31 July 2012

34C Humidex as I type this, it has been the driest summer I can remember since I came to Canada (44 years ago this very day!). Making do with fans. Can't imagine how folk in India are managing in their heat without electricity due to the massive power outages.

Just when I was commenting about the heat, thinking snowy scenes, in comes this image from Danny Hoggard of Ketchikan, Alaska. Thanks Danny, I needed that ;-) N92AK (1031) back on 14 January 2012.

Photo: Danny Hoggard © 14 January 2012

Just added our DHC-2.COM Calendar pages for August 2012. My thanks to Robbie Shaw for use of his image of N103TE (1441) landing on runway 15 at PANC.

Photo: Robbie Shaw © 14 May 2012

27 July 2012

The other day I heard that Fred W. Hotson passed away at age 98. A fine gentleman. I was fortunate to met him on numerous occasions, always a pleasant event. He was one of the advisors when I created the de Havilland DHC-8 Dash-8 and DHC-6 Twin Otter coins for the Royal Canadian Mint in 1999. I have several well thumbed books of his in my library, especially his "The de Havilland Canada Story", published by his close friend Larry Milberry. RIP Fred, thanks for your great writing legacy. My sympathies to your loving family.

Fred Hotson 1913 - 2012

22 July 2012

Well, another fine Beaver is coming back from a total rebuild in New Zealand to Canada. ZK-BVR (1467) is currently on the high seas heading for British Columbia and eventually, around August 15th, to Sealand Aviation for reassembly and certification. Frank Wright's latest "creation" has found a home with a gentleman from Calgary, Alberta. Frank & Kay will be here to oversee the process.

Update: Registered C-GTTU on 30-May-2012 to Thomas M. Thomas, Bottrel, Alberta.

Last night, just before retiring for the day, Danielle showed me something on TV she had recorded on French TV for me that she said might bring back some memories. Well the program certainly did, and this morning, I received an appropriate e-mail from enthusiast Pierre Gillard. The connection you ask? Here is a clue.

• CH-05 Lockheed C-130H Hercules MSN 25D-4470 & CH-12 Lockheed C-130H Hercules MSN 25D-4483 seen from

CH-04 Lockheed C-130H Hercules MSN 25D-4467, COMOPSAIR (Belgian Air Force), 15 Wing, 20 Squadron - Brussels •

Photo: Pierre Gillard © 21 July 2012

Today is all sevens. Llucky for the website. First off, I had selected N777T (859) to be added as Ben Cogger sent me some taken at Anchorage back on 27 March 2012. Then an e-mail from regular correspondent Tom Hildreth ,who found this shot on Google Earth. On checking my index, wow, a New ! Beaver. No way to connect with the photographer (?) Than-Nguyen Xuan, so a bit of retouching work and I added RU-6A 53-7956 (777).

Photo: Than-Nguyen Xuian Archives © Google Earth

11 July 2012

Looks like my pals, Jvan and Cyrus, and their Beavers made it to Scalaria last weekend again !

Photo: Unknown - via Scalaria Facebook wall.

04 July 2012

A heads up to let you know Avialogs has just issued PDF's of all the Beaver manuals they could get their hands on. Free to view on-line, but for a very low annual fee of C$14.00 you can download the PDF files. A not-for-profit company.

My self employed Graphic Designer son Anthony Aird is open to receiving commisons for logos. Here is a small sample of his work. Neat url, easy to remember - b.eauti.es

01 July 2012

29 June 2012

As I close out June 2012, I'd like to thank Danny Hoggard of Ketchikan, Alaska, for his great image of N6782L (820) currently operated by the Kamm Family as Seawind Aviation. Grab your July 2012 DHC-2.COM Calendar pages here. Many thanks Danny.

Photo: Danny Hoggard © June 2012

27 June 2012

The new de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter website TwinOtterArchive.com dedicated to our pal Mike Ody, is now on-line. Please go and have a look. My sincere ongoing thanks to my collegues Ian Macintosh and Erik Johannesson for their untiring efforts. We've been working on this project since January 2012! This is just the beginning . . . .

Logo: Anthony Aird © 2012

26 June 2012

A CD packed with DHC-2 / L-20 images arrived from author / researcher Dave Stern of Renton, Washington. Thanks Dave! Amongst the photographs I found one "New !" Beaver. Well, not really new as I have seen the rear fuselage of this machine many years ago. Must try and dig up the image. c/n 444 belongs to my friend Dave Younger, who also has c/n 135. They are stored in the Vancouver area.

Photo: USAF © via Dave Stern Collection

25 June 2012

George Kent 1932 -2012

I received this e-mail last night. I'd like to add my condolences to George's family and his friends. He was a great help to this website over many years and, although I never met him, we became good online friends. Many of his wonderful historical images are proudly displayed on this website. RIP George.

>>>

Hi Neil,

My name is Ryan Wittenberg and I am the grandson of George Kent. It is with great sadness I report to you that he has taken his
final flight this morn. I myself being a pilot, ( nowhere near his 26,000 hours ) and so very close to him, that I write this letter to
you. He was the biggest lover of the Beaver I think that ever lived or flew them for over 20,000 hours. Just the sound, and the little puff of
smoke on start up was enough to make him smile to his fullest. His last wishes were for his ashes to be dropped from a Beaver into the
Fraser River, which I think Gord McLeod is going to do.

Photo: George Kent © 1961

22 June 2012

It has been a while since I did a blog entry. Noticed a strange arc in the sky a little while ago, looked on my radar and noticed "AAL24" N385AM Boeing 767-323ER (27059) was doing an orbit near me at FL34,900. I waited, and it came out of the clouds and headed off to JFK, I presume? Here's the view to my east.

12 June 2012

A long absense from your "blogger" it seems. I watched the whole of May vanish and that was a shock, got it back on the site after some sweat and grief. Still managing to keep up the pace of a Beaver-a-Day, but have been working steadily on the Twin Otter Archive with my collegues. We are tying to have aircraft msn 1 to msn 135 well populated with images, since we have about 6,000 to choose from, it is quite a bit of work to select a few to start with. Sometime in the future it will be well populated like the Beaver site. I noticed that I had 25 images on the one I updated yesterday. The data page is very complete for these first 135 DHC-6 Twin Otter airframes. We did not want to launch with a site that was only in "beta" format. We have now created our final form, if there is ever such a condition! I even had to change every heading and replace our normal small arrows with nice big and ones. I found that the small ones were almost impossible on an iPad or iTouch!! At some point I might change them on this site too...but right now the thought of doing 1,500 pages and make all the links work is..well, daunting and out of the question!

30 May 2012

What a busy month, still, I managed to get the June 2012 DHC-2.COM Calendar pages ready in time. Thanks to Robbie Shaw for the great action shot of N31357 (1126) on the step at Lake Agnes in Florida.

Photo: Robbie Shaw © 29 March 2012

20 May 2012

A military type day today. Events at the Royal Military College meant some fly by activity, my studio/cab being the target as usual. First a CP-140 Aurora 140103 "Pathfinder 03" which put in a very low and over while I was without camera. He had been on my screen for about one hour. I "knew" that something "fast" was coming later. I was on station to catch the two RCAF Hornets. Enjoy.

14 May 2012

Always very difficult for me to report the loss of another DHC-2 with crew and passengers. C-GCZA (1667) crashed yesterday in British Columbia with three on board. My sympathies go to the families and associates of those lost. Here is an image taken by Dirk Septer at Campbell River, excactly one month before the accident.

12 May 2012

The Trace/Sealand de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver takes to the air at Midland, Texas. Video link. Congratulations to everyone involved. Looks like a winner to me.

Photos: Bob Kobzey © 12 May 2012

03 May 2012

Here we are into May. I have been neglecting the blog yet again. Meant to add this great image of the progress Peter Krause is making on his DHC-2 Flight Simulator model. Awesome Peter. (Link)

Image: Peter Krauss © 2012