US Army 55-3282 was taken on strength June 26, 1956. Among five Otters supplied to the Fuerza Aerea de Nicaragua (FAN-1012) in 1971, it crashed in the 70s. Rebuilt in Duncan, BC, the aircraft was registered N8510Q in 1980 and sold privately as N58JH in 1981. Sold to Glacier Bay Airways in 1989, the aircraft was acquired by Ketchikan Air Service in 1990 and converted to a Turbine Otter. Chartered to Adventure Network International, it crashed in Antarctica on November 3, 1992. Currently registered to Kenmore Air at the time of uploading, but the main aircraft parts remain in Antarctica.

Sitting engineless at her homebase. Operated by Alaska West Air.

Accident on December 29, 2009 at Vomo Island. Withdrawn from use and returned to Canada as C-GHAQ. Peter Ricketts photo

Taxiing at its base, Kenmore Air Harbor, at the close of the working day. Delivered new to the Indian Air Force in 1958 as IM-1720, serving until 1991. Joined Kenmore Air in 1995 and was rebuilt and converted to PT-6A turbine engine power. In 2005, received the scenic windows conversion and was repainted into a special overall blue, with yellow and red, colour scheme promoting Seattle's King5 TV's Evening Magazine programme about news and events in the Pacific Northwest.

Formerly with Kenmore Air, now with Seawind Aviation, operating from Ketchikan. Seen taking off as we sailed through the Tongass Narrows on the cruise ship Volendam.

Originally US Army 58-1692, this Otter worked in Alaska as N90575 with Frontier Flying Service 1975 until an accident in 1979. Rebuilt, it emerged as C-GMDG in 1980 for Air Park Aviation to support mining, exploration and (during summer months) fly-in sports fishing camps. Acquired by Fort Frances Sportsmen Airways (Northern Wilderness Outfitters) in April 1985, this long serving aircraft had a Vazar turbine conversion in 1997.

Delivered new to the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1960 as 9406. Military service included deployment to Lahore, Pakistan in 1965 to support a United Nations operation supervising a cease-fire between Pakistan and India, returning to Canada in 1966. Began civilian life in 1982. When a sale to Colombia fell through, registered to Fort Frances Sportsmen Airways, a company associated with Northern Wilderness Outfitters, in 1984. After substantial damage in a takeoff accident in strong, gusty and variable wind conditions in 1998, rebuilt as a Vazar turbine conversion and re-entered service in 2000.

Delivered to the US Army as 59-2210 in December 1959, this Otter was struck off strength in 1973. Bought by Laurentian Air Services, the aircraft was refurbished and put into service as C-GLAB in August 1974. It flew around the province of Ontario until 1981 when it moved to Quebec with Air Schefferville. It remained in Quebec with several other bush operators until acquired by Wilderness Air in May 2000. Based in Vermilion Bay, C-GLAB was converted to a Vazar Turbine Otter over the winter of 2007 / 08.

Departing from Northern Wilderness Outfitters' base on Rainy Lake beside and to the north of Highway 11. Delivered new to the US Army in 1959 as 58-1692 and saw service in Vietnam. Joined Fort Frances Sportsmen Airways / Northern Wilderness Outfitters in 1984. Received a Vazar turbine conversion to PT-6A power over the winter of 1997/98. Later repainted into dark red/purple and silver colours, retaining Northern Wilderness Outfitters titles.

Seen here taxiing across Lake Hood. Delivered new to the Ghana Air Force as G307 in December 1961. Returned to Canada to be rebuilt and civilianised in 1974. Flew as C-GLCR in 1976. Became N2899J in 1986, joining Rust's in 1989. Vazar Turbine conversion was carried out in 2000 in Victoria BC, returning to Rust's service thereafter.

Leaving the commercial seaplane docks behind and crossing Victoria's Inner Harbour past the blue lifting structure of the Johnson Street Bridge, which is of bascule design.