Conair Tanker 21 on a practice retardant drop near Kamloops BC

Conair Aviation Douglas A-26, C-GHLK was photographed departing the Abbotsford air tanker base on July 6, 1975. Conair was operating a large firefighting fleet of Grumman TBM-3 Avengers, A-26 Invaders and Douglas DC-6Bs at the time, all of which would be parked on the grass at Abbotsford during the off season. For more information of the history of C-GHLK, see Gary Vincent's 1980 photo on this site.

This Douglas A-26, C-GHLX, was imported from the US in 1975 and became by Conair Aviation's air tanker No. 32. The aircraft still wears its former US colour scheme, with the US history documented on this site by other photographers. On the far left of the photo is a gunbutt from there wartime RCAF Abbotsford (No. 5 OTU) base and on the right are the fuel pumps and fire retardant tanks of the old BC Forest Service air tanker base. This aircraft was later repainted in Conair's new red and white colours. It was de-registered by Conair in Dec 1985 and registered to Air Spray 1967 Ltd. in July 1987

Marksman conversion #5 of just eight, a true gem saved by the Drakensberg Truck Manufacturers owners from further decay at the SAAF Museum, that lacked funding for this non-air force aircraft. High-speed civil executive Invader conversion, pressurized and fitted with DC-6 flat windshields and cockpit side windows. Originally A-26B 44-34567, to N9412Z in 1960 with On Mark Engineering at Van Nuys, CA. As ZS-CVD to the Iron & Steel Industrial Corporation (ISCOR), 1962 to 1976. To the SAAF Museum in 1977 after engines had been sold separately. Brought here in 2010 and reassembled in 2018, still in the same livery as with ISCOR.

Former Douglas A-26C 44-35938. This was destroyed in a crash landing at Zurich, on Feb. 23, 1973 and it was later burnt for fire practice there on July 5, 1973.

It started life as A-26C Invader s/n 44-35562 before re-manufacture as an On Mark Marketeer circa 1960, with lengthened nose, tip tanks, 11 pax interior and RH side entrance door. "Sexy Sue" nose art only applied to LH side. (Photo ID: 210822.)

'Planes impounded by US Border Patrol for illegal flights to Cuba.' These were combat flights by anti-Castro rebels. Registrations are N3686G (c/n ex 44-35439), N3683G (c/n 7011, ex 41-39298) and N3687G (c/n 6990, ex 41-39277), viewed from front to back. The fourth Invader, parked behind, was marked N8155G according to Geoff Goodall's website. Photo by: Hank Walker / Life

Sold in the civil market as N74830. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

This aircraft is now displayed in military markings in the Bay of Pigs Invasion Memorial Park at Kendall-Tamiami Executive Airport, FL., USA.

Sold in the civil market as N3485G in 1961. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Transferred to the French air force in Vietnam. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Passed to the French air force for use in Vietnam. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Aircraft returning from a mission over Germany. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Name previously used on a B-26 Marauder. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

Supplied to the French in 1954 for use in Vietnam. Photo from: National Archives at College Park, Maryland

K25 slide scan. Built 1945 as A-26A 44-34520 for USAAF, converted to B-26C in 1950. Civilianized as N94207 1963. Conair C-GHCF 1974. Hawkins and Powers Aviation N94207, reregistered N126HP 1988. Into preservation at Lauridsen Aviation Museum. Glendale, AZ in 2007. Flown to Buckeye, AZ by 2011.