Was the only Propliner I saw that day at YVR!

A spares aircraft for Kelowna Flightcraft. This was one of two CV340s converted to turboprop powered YC-131C in 1954 by the installation of YT-56-A-3 engines, thus becoming America's first multi-engine turboprop military transports. Assigned USAF serial 53-7886 where it served alongside 53-7887 as a testbed to prove the feasibility of turboprop engines for military operations. In 1955 the two aircraft flew a total of 3,000 hours and were later assigned to MATS. Was leased to General Motors in 1957 for development testing of Allison's civilian 501-D13 version of the T-56. It later served with the FAA and a host of civilian operators.

Former RCAF 109152 was one of five retired RCAF CC-109 aircraft parked on the Kelowna Flightcraft ramp in September 2014. Each aircraft had about 15,000 hrs and, while the engines had been removed, they all appeared to be in good condition. I was told that they all had glass cockpits installed just prior to be retired by the RCAF. Due to the difficulty in getting them certified for civilian use and a limited market for CV580/CV5800 freighters, by August 2017, only C-GLWF/109152 survived. It was selected for preservation because it reportedly once transported the Queen during a visit to Canada.

Former RCAF 109160 was one of five retired RCAF CC-109 aircraft parked on the Kelowna Flightcraft ramp in September 2014. Each aircraft had about 15,000 hours and, while the engines had been removed, they all appeared to be in good condition. I was told that they all had glass cockpits installed just prior to be retired by the RCAF. Due to the difficulty in getting them certified for civilian use and a limited market for CV580/CV5800 freighters, by August 2017, all but C-GLWF/109152 had been scrapped.

Former 55-4753 still in basic USAF colors. This aircraft was noted at Kelowna in August 2017.

Former RCAF 109157 was one of five retired RCAF CC-109 aircraft parked on the Kelowna Flightcraft ramp in September 2014. Each aircraft had about 15,000 hours and, while the engines had been removed, they all appeared to be in good condition. I was told that they all had glass cockpits installed just prior to be retired by the RCAF. Due to the difficulty in getting them certified for civilian use and a limited market for CV580/CV5800 freighters, by August 2017, all but C-GLWF/109152 had been scrapped.

Former US Navy and Rhoades International Convair still in basic US Navy colors with Rhoades titles blacked out. Aircraft was noted at Kelowna in August 2017.

Impressive lineup of five former RCAF CC-109's on the Kelowna Flightcraft ramp. Sadly, by August 2017, all but 109152/C-GLWF had been scrapped.

Former RCAF 109159 was one of five retired RCAF CC-109 aircraft parked on the Kelowna Flightcraft ramp in September 2014. Each aircraft had about 15,000 hours and, while the engines had been removed, they all appeared to be in good condition. I was told that they all had glass cockpits installed just prior to be retired by the RCAF. Due to the difficulty in getting them certified for civilian use and a limited market for CV580/CV5800 freighters, by August 2017, all but C-GLWF/109152 had been scrapped.

Former RCAF 109151 was one of five retired RCAF CC-109 aircraft parked on the Kelowna Flightcraft ramp in September 2014. Each aircraft had about 15,000 hours and, while the engines had been removed, they all appeared to be in good condition. I was told that they all had glass cockpits installed just prior to be retired by the RCAF. Due to the difficulty in getting them certified for civilian use and a limited market for CV58/CV5800 freighters, by August 2017, all but C-GLWF/109152 had been scrapped.

This aircraft was from the first batch of B-26 aircraft produced by Martin and carried serial 40-1464

Actual identity is 44-44272

This flying replica was built by Jeffrey M Eicher and Jim Kimball.

Replica aircraft