US Army Air Force 42-23951 was transferred to Qantas as VH-AFA in August 1944. Later VH-AEZ with Trans Australian Airlines, the aircraft worked it's way around the world as VR-NCO, 5B-AA, EI-ANK, G-ATBE before coming to Canada in 1970 for North Coast Air Services. Pictured with Ilford Riverton Airways (later Air Manitoba), the aircraft was last flying for Points North Air Service 1994 - 98, it was donated to the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum in 2014.

Aside from regular work, this Canso would also be an emergency spare engine source for the DC-3 fleet. It was sold in December 1983.

Imported in 1975 and exported as N7093L in October 1992. Cancelled as expired on 8 July 2013. The Cessna 402 suffered from age-related wing center section problems and so fell out of favor with commercial operators. The Piper Navajo Chieftain then filled the gap in the market.

Added to the fleet in 1973 and here flying as a dedicated cargo carrier. The bright lines on the nose are silver duct tape applied to exclude frigid air from entering the flight deck. On 11 May 1987 it was destroyed after a wing failed in flight near Pickle Lake/ON.

Built in 1966 as 9101(possibly JW-9101) for the Tanzania Peoples Defense Force, but not delivered. It was used instead as an instructional airframe to train Tanzanian personnel at Camp Borden/ON. Later it was dismantled and crated for shipment, but the deal fell through and it went to Winnipeg in January 1971 where it was assembled for Ilford-Riverton Airways. Converted to Vazar turbo in 2015 and current in Alaska as N636KT in 2021.

Built as 42-93432, this Dakota was delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force as 969 May 23, 1944. It served long enough to get new serial number 12953 when the Air Force re-organized aircraft aerials in 1970. Stored in Saskatoon, SK in March 1975, it was with Ilford Riverton Airways by October 1975 as C-GWYX. Last with Central Mountain Air from February 1989, the aircraft experienced an engine fire on approach to Bronson Creek, BC May 21, 1989. The fire would not go out and a forced landing was made. Both pilots escaped unhurt, but the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Photo by Udo Schaefer

A typical winter scene that could just as easily be taken in 1954 as 1984. During the period from 1970 operators in Winnipeg regressed from turbine equipment (B737/YS-11/HS748) to veterans like these. Ilford Riverton Airways' first C-46 after re-introduction of the type and shown here before the blue/red livery was applied.

As the registration suggests, this was built for the Manitoba Government Air Service in 1948. Current and based at Kenora/ON in 2020.

Newly imported here ex N81X. On 24 June 1972 it crashed shortly after take-off from CYWG and was destroyed by fire, causing the death of the pilot and eight high school students returning home for the summer holidays.

Built in 1947 and still registered as a private aircraft in 2020 to Wilson McBryan of Buffalo Airways fame.

Ilford-Riverton Airways' Beech C-45 sitting on the launching dolly. Bearing in mind the time of year, it has probably just landed on the in-field grass to be picked up by a crane and sat on the dolly. On 6 October 1973 the left wing spar failed while on approach to a water landing at Thompson/MB.

This was the flagship of Ilford-Riverton Airways until it crashed and burned on approach at Fort Severn/ON in 1975.

This DC-3 was originally 44-77020, a C-47B delivered to the RAF as KN655 in June 1945. To the Royal Canadian Air Force a year later, it received serial 12965 in 1970 before sold as surplus in 1974. With Ilford Riverton Airways and Northland Air Manitoba for ten years before going to France as F-GIAZ in March 1991. Presently registered F-GIDK and flying with Dakota Air Legend marked with it's original USAF serial number.

Originally delivered to the RCAF, this Canso went civilian in 1961. Shown here with Ilford Riverton Airways a few years before becoming a private warbird. Became N69RF in 1990 and N222FT in 2000.