Delivered to United Air Lines as CV340-31 N73153 in 1954. To Frontier Airlines in 1959 and converted to a CV580 in 1965. To Mountainwest Aviation who were renamed to Sierra Pacific Airlines in 1978. Leased to other operators. To Kelowna Flightcraft as C-GEVC in 1999 then to Conair as C-FFKF in 1990 and converted to a firebomber. Cancelled from the register in 2023. Flightaware shows its last flight to Pitt Meadows. CYPK.

To United Air Lines 18 May 1954 as a Convair 340-31 N73153. To Frontier Al on 18 Jun 1959. Converted to a Convair 580 on 24 Sep 1965. To Mountainwest Aviation on 19 May 1977. To Sierra Pacific Al by 07 Oct 78 when I saw it. Various short leases to Golden Gate, Wings West and Express Al. Back permanently with Sierra Pacific in Mar 1990. WFU at AVW Feb 96. To Kelowna Flightcraft as C-GEVC in Apr 1999. Reregistered to C-FFKF on 02 Nov 1999. To Conair Aviation on 26Jul 2000 and converted to a water bomber number 44. Still current at least early in 2023.

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.

Sold in Canada as C-GEVC in 1999.

Nearing the end of another busy fire season.

On the ramp and at the ready with C-FEKF/45. They will be busy soon if the warm weather continues.

Tanker 44, minus its retardant tank waiting for fire season.

Conair's Tanker 44 was originally delivered as a Convair 340 to United Air Lines in 1954 as N73153. It would keep that registration with various operators for more than 40 years, until it was purchased by Kelowna Flightcraft in 1999 for conversion to airtanker, and registered C-GEVC, then C-FFKF. It came to Alaska today to battle the Parks Highway Fire and is seen here in the evening light, arriving at Fairbanks to satisfy the customs people.