On June 11, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC) paid tribute to tens of thousands of employees who designed and built its iconic aircraft built in Toronto since the company was founded on March 5, 1928. The event marked the departure of the last DHC employees and aircraft from Downsview which was sold by Bombardier in 2018. Ten historic DHC aircraft were displayed including this former Kenyan AF DHC-4. It's the 4th DHC-4 converted to PT6A-67 power by Pen Turbo Avn in Cape May, NJ. Delivered to Rampart Aviation in Dec 2020, it mostly flies on US military parachute training contracts in AZ.

N400NC taxiing back to the hangar after completing its "Maiden Flight," November 16, 1991. Note the aircraft is still in NewCal Aviation titles. Sadly, though, on August 27, 1992, the aircraft crashed at the Gimli Airport while on a test flight because an elevator gust lock re-engaged due to a design flaw.

While there to witness the event, I was able to capture this close up of N400NC, moments before the wheels left the ground for the first time as the aircraft departed the Gimli airstrip on its "Maiden Flight," November 16, 1991. Sadly though, on August 27, 1992, the aircraft crashed at the Gimli Airport while on a test flight because an elevator gust lock re-engaged. This was due to a design flaw.