Very nice nose art on this Everts DC-6, with Howard Hughes staring down at you. The aircraft is named after the 2004 biographical movie about him, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as "The Aviator".

Fairly recent acquisition for Everts Air Fuel, taken over from Northern Air Cargo the year before. It's named "The Aviator", after the 2004 biographical movie about Howard Hughes.

Previously an EMB-120RT for Comair and United Express, and still in basic UE colours. Converted to EMB-120FC full cargo version for Everts in Feb 2005.

At Nenana Airport at 22:45, "Maid in Japan" is watching the horror of the raging Parks Highway Fire that approaches it from the south. The fire started only 7 hours earlier and at the moment of the photo it is still about 16 km (10 miles) away. But two days later it would burn the trees in the background, and the airport and part of the city needed to be evacuated. The fire's massive smoke plumes are still lit by the setting sun.

It was getting really late at 22:41, a bit too late for good photography even in Alaska, but there was still just enough light to capture Aero-Flite's Tanker 264 as it overflew Nenana Airport on its way south to deliver another load of water on the flames 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.

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.