While battling the Parks Highway Fire, Evergreen's Bell 212 N16973 has just reloaded its Bambi bucket for the umpteenth time, this time in a small pond beside the road, just north of the fire area. This fire eventually became a major wildfire, raging intensely for more than four weeks, during which it consumed 467 km² (115,500 acres) of forest south and east of Nenana. It wasn't until 1 Nov 2006 before it was officially declared "out". It was by far the largest wildfire in Alaska in 2006.

Ecureuil N68CQ made several passes at a low altitude over the beginnings of the Parks Highway Fire. It carried the incident commander who was checking out the fire, and flew along the fire's perimeter to map its size using GPS equipment. This fire eventually became a major wildfire, raging intensely for more than four weeks, during which it consumed 467 km² (115,500 acres) of forest south and east of Nenana. It wasn't until 1 Nov 2006 before it was officially declared "out". It was by far the largest wildfire in Alaska in 2006.

Tanker 51 preparing to drop a load of retardant on the beginnings of the Parks Highway Fire. This fire eventually became a major wildfire, raging intensely for more than four weeks, during which it consumed 467 km² (115,500 acres) of forest south and east of Nenana. It wasn't until 1 Nov 2006 before it was officially declared "out". It was by far the largest wildfire in Alaska in 2006.

An Era Bell hauling its filled Bambi bucket to protect a structure while battling the beginnings of the Parks Highway Fire. This fire eventually became a major wildfire, raging intensely for more than four weeks, during which it consumed 467 km² (115,500 acres) of forest south and east of Nenana. It wasn't until 1 Nov 2006 before it was officially declared "out". It was by far the largest wildfire in Alaska in 2006.

Thanks to the long Alaskan days, we were able to continue our photography until the very last moment. Aero-Flite's Tanker 267 gave us a wonderful opportunity at 10 pm, with the setting sun reflecting in its prop blades. It had just made a drop on the raging Parks Highway Fire and is passing low overhead, on its way to Minto Lake, to scoop up another load of water to drop on the rapidly-growing wildfire.

The four Pratt & Whitney R2800 radials make a wonderful noise as Tanker 46 is making a left turn, preparing to drop its load of retardant on the first beginnings of the Parks Highway Fire. This fire eventually became a major wildfire, raging intensely for more than four weeks, during which it consumed 467 km² (115,500 acres) of forest south and east of Nenana. It wasn't until 1 Nov 2006 before it was officially declared "out". It was by far the largest wildfire in Alaska in 2006.

Only two weeks before this photo was taken, on 26 May 2006, this nice Widgeon landed on a lake near Willow, AK with extended landing gear. It immediately nosed over and sustained significant damage to nose and cockpit. It was salvaged and trucked to the airstrip at Willow, AK, and it is seen here with the damage hidden under a tarpaulin and the registration taped over. Later in 2006 it was dismantled and trucked to Victoria, BC, Canada for repairs by Victoria Air Maintenance. With the repairs completed, N141R was flown back to its owner in Alaska on 17 Feb 2009, still in Royal Navy markings.

Docked at Willow airport's seaplane base, on the west side of the Parks Highway (the airstrip is on the east side).

Docked at Willow airport's seaplane base, on the west side of the Parks Highway (the airstrip is on the east side).

Ex USAF 51-11698, became N7499C in Oct 1957 and reregistered to N888E a month later. This Beech was operated by Alaska Aeronautical Industries from 1961 until 1969 and still carries their titles, albeit very faded. It was later acquired by the Upper Valley Aviation Group and restoration was attempted at Big Lake, AK. Work on it had been halted by early 2002 and the aircraft was abandoned as seen here. By 2017 it was still at Big Lake, in much the same condition.

This Tracker is ex US Navy BuNo 144725. It was stored at MASDC in 1980 and sold to Terrance Cosgrove in 1995 as N8115V. It is said to have sustained damage in a landing accident (brake fire?) at Wasilla, AK. It was moved to Big Lake in late 2000 or early 2001 and was stored there as a restoration project with props and fin missing. It was still there in similar condition by May 2012, but its current status is unclear.

Ex USAAF C-45F 44-87128, became N8062H in 1961. Withdrawn from use circa 1972, current owner unknown. Has been in storage at Big Lake, AK in this condition since at least 2000. Was still there by 2017, in same condition.

Delivered to the USAF as 55-4558 and converted to C-123J with Fairchild J44 booster engines on the wing tips, for operation in the arctics. To the CAA/FAA in May 1957 as N123, reregd to N98 in 1973. Withdrawn from use in 1983, and donated to the Alaska Historical and Transportation Museum near Palmer, AK in the mid 1980s. Officially registered as N3144W, but never painted as such. In 1992 the museum became the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry (MATI) and moved to its current location at Wasilla Airport, taking this C-123 with them. Although not visible in this photo, it still has its C-123J wing tip booster engines.

This C-47A was delivered to the USAAF in Feb 1944. Later struck of charge and transferred to the United States Air Force Museum in Apr 1961. It has been on display in Alaska ever since, initially on loan to the Alaska Air National Guard Museum at Kulis ANGB, and since the early 1980s to the Alaska Historical and Transportation Museum near Palmer, AK. In 1992 this museum changed its name to Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry (MATI) and moved to its current location at Wasilla Airport, taking this C-47 with them.

This C-47 served with the USAAF from Jul 1942 until transferred to the CAA/FAA in Oct 1945. Initially registered as NC5, then N5 and since 1973 as N99. In Jul 1977 it moved on to the US Forest Service as N101Z, but they never used it. The registration was cancelled in May 1982, and by 1989 it was stored at Palmer, AK in complete condition and still in full FAA markings with FAA logo. In the mid 1990s it was acquired by the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry (MATI) and moved to Wasilla, AK for display. Unfortunately its current condition leaves much to be desired.

Crashed at Caslav Air Force Base, Czech Republic, 2012. [Nikon D50 + Nikkor AF 18-55mm]

[Nikon D50 + Nikkor AF 18-55mm]

John Reffett bought this Flying Boxcar in April 1989. A failing engine resulted in an emergency landing at Port Lions, AK in July 1989, and the aircraft was abandoned there for many years. In 2002 it was restored to flying condition and flown to Palmer on 4 Nov 2002. It is seen here in storage with engine #1 missing and still fitted with a Westinghouse J34 jet pod.

Owner John Reffett flew this Flying Boxcar from Anchorage to Palmer on 12 Oct 2001, with the intention of using it for cargo flights. However, the aircraft never flew again, despite John's efforts. On 10 Dec 2014 this aircraft did three high-speed taxi runs at Palmer, and at the time the first post-restoration flight was expected "very soon". But by 2018 it still hadn't materialised...