now on display at this lovely museum

A Convair 340 for United Airlines as N73129 Mainliner Toledo in March 1953. To Frontier Airlines in 1962, the aircraft was converted to a CV580 in 1964. Acquired by Gem State Airlines (N117GS) in 1979, merged with local carrier Air Pacific to form Golden Gate Airlines (N73129) in 1980 only to shut down in 1981. Next with ERA Helicopters / Jet Alaska / Era AViation 1981 - 2003. Bought via Kelowna Flightcraft, Conair converted it to an air tanker, finally retiring in 2021. Stored at Red Deer, AB for Buffalo Airways in August 2021, who bought three Conair CV580s for their engines and propellers.

Returning from a sortie and about to touch down on Runway 31 at High Level Airport. Part of a bomber group deployed at the Airport's Fire attack Base.

Seen arriving at Anchorage to clear customs and refuel before heading north to assist in fighting wildfires in the Alaska interior.

Undergoing maintenance while on deployment at Manning Fire Attack Base.

One of a pair of Provincial Government of Saskatchewan Convair 580 firebombers, together with C-GVSK "473", deployed to the Fire Attack Base at Meadow Lake Airport. Built in 1954 for the USAF as a VC-131H, 54-2815, and converted to a CV-580 firebomber when transferred to civilian duties in the mid 1970s.

One of a pair of Provincial Government of Saskatchewan Convair 580 firebombers, together with C-GSKQ "475", deployed to the Fire Attack Base at Meadow Lake Airport. Delivered to the USAF in 1955 as a VC-131D, 54-2825. Rebuilt as a CV-580 by Kelowna Flightcraft in 2006.

Nice to see a retired fire bomber preserved complete with its retardant tank. Prop work was happening at the time.

Bomber "471", in fresh Saskatchewan Government colours, one of a group deployed at La Ronge's Fire Attack Base. Delivered to the US Navy in 1958 as an R4Y-2T, 145968.

With bombing number "475", one of a group deployed at the Fire Attack Base in La Ronge, Saskatchewan. Delivered new to the USAF in 1954 as C-131H Samaritan 54-2815.

Now a permanent fixture out front of the KF Center for Excellence here in Kelowna. All that is missing is to have a CV5800 or a 737-200 here.

Appropriately sombre weather to mark the last flight for this 1955 built Convair 580. It has just arrived at the B.C. Aviation Museum from its former base at Abbotsford (CYXX). I first saw it as Convair 440 OO-SCS of SABENA on 1 February 1964. Behind is Douglas Invader CF-BMS which is also an ex Conair fire bomber.

The end of the road for the Conair Convair fleet as this was the last season for the aircraft. After serving the province for over 20 years, Tanker 55 will either end up as scrap or in a museum somewhere.

Originally a Convair 340 with Delta Airlines (N4810C) delivered in 1953, C-FKFA was previously with Kelowna Flightcraft Air Charter. The aircraft was acquired by Conair in 2000 and converted to a tanker for fire fighting. Though current at the time of uploading, Conair is retiring the Convairs in favor of newly converted DHC-8-400s.

Previously with Conair of Abbotsford, BC. Now stored at Buffalo Airways for use of the engines.

This group of three CV580's have been assigned to Penticton for the fire season and it is likely to be the last year for them to be contracted to the British Columbia Forest Service as they are said to be retiring at the end of the season. They have been very effective in fighting fires for well over 20 years.

Tanker 49 and Tanker 55 left on a routine training mission