Unknown photographer.

This Douglas A-26, C-GHLX, was imported from the US in 1975 and became by Conair Aviation's air tanker No. 32. The aircraft still wears its former US colour scheme, with the US history documented on this site by other photographers. On the far left of the photo is a gunbutt from there wartime RCAF Abbotsford (No. 5 OTU) base and on the right are the fuel pumps and fire retardant tanks of the old BC Forest Service air tanker base. This aircraft was later repainted in Conair's new red and white colours. It was de-registered by Conair in Dec 1985 and registered to Air Spray 1967 Ltd. in July 1987

This aircraft is now displayed in military markings in the Bay of Pigs Invasion Memorial Park at Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport, FL., USA.

Former US Air Force 41-39359 was registered N91281 by Aero Union in the 1960s and converted to a firebomber. The aircraft was Tanker 21 in Conair's fire fighting fleet 1970 - 85. Owned by warbird collector Jerry Janes 1985 - 87, it went to the USA as N26BP where it still current at the time of uploading.

Tanker 25 was grounded with an engine snag at the time I took this photo. It was retired by the end of 1987 and eventually found its way to the USAF Museum at Travis Air Force Base.

Sitting on the ramp with sister ship C-FBMR tanker 21

This tail section had been lying for years in the same yard, that was however cleaned out in May 2016. It was still visible how the paint was burned off by the scorching hangar fire that destroyed the aircraft.

Identified by the nose art on the other side, as registration and fleet number had been removed. This Invader had been for sale at Red Deer and was then apparently dismantled to be brought to Wetaskiwin airport, where it was seen in above state already in September 2012. As expected from that move, its ownership was transferred to the adjacent Reynolds-Alberta Museum, but only by March 2016.

"Silver Fox" (nose art just visible here) had been for sale at Red Deer and was then apparently dismantled to be brought to Wetaskiwin airport, where it was seen in above state already in September 2012. As expected from that move, its ownership was transferred to the adjacent Reynolds-Alberta Museum, but only by March 2016.

Together with C-GHZM/58 "Fire Eaters", two long-time Red Deer residents. It had been eleven years already since their retirement.

It appears its sale the previous year fell through, or at least the ferry flight was cancelled. Still looking impressive in the Red Deer storage area in Spring 2015.

Eight Invaders in a row. This will never be seen again. C-FPGF is still there, and eventually will be mounted on a plinth in front of the Air Spray Hangar. End of a fantastic era in fire fighting.

Built as serial 44-35524 then civilianized as N9401Z. Imported in 1979 for Air Spray then retired in 2016 and transferred to the Reynolds Albert Museum at Wetaskiwin/AB.

A-26C 44-35752 was delivered in 1945, but too late to see action in WWII. Retired by the Air Force in 1958, the bomber was purchased by Rock Island Oil & Refining Co in 1960 and registered N8627E. By 1963 it had been converted to a fire bomber and was sold to Kenting Aviation in 1972 as CF-KBZ. Added to Conair's fleet in August 1973, it flew another 15 years fighting fires in British Colombia. Sold in 1988 to Canadian Warplane Heritage as A-26s were replaced by Firecats, the warbird was again sold in the USA as N81797. It was donated to the Carolinas Aviation Museum Charlotte, NC in 2006.