History of CF-SAM – an eventful life!
Registered to Saskatchewan Government Air Ambulance Service, Regina, Saskatchewan on September 19, 1946 as CF-SAM. Re-registered to Saskatchewan Government Airways, Prince Albert, Sask. on June 14, 1950. It was one of three aircraft modified with a belly exit to allow the dropping of the Saskatchewan Smoke Jumpers when on floats, the other two being CF-SAH (c/n 21) and CF-ECF (N29-37). In 1962 the aircraft was swept over a set of rapids above Nistowiak Falls, Saskatchewan. The wings were removed and a road cut through bush in order to move the aircraft back to safe water. Here it was reassembled, the floats repaired and flown out. Later the same year, departing Pinehouse, Sask. with a load of fish on board, the engine failed and the aircraft crashed in bush. It suffered substantial damage and pilot Wally Homersham received minor injuries. It was salvaged the following winter, transported to Prince Albert Sask. for rebuild and returned to service. Re-registered to Saskair, Prince Albert, Sask. (Company name change) in 1964. Registered to Norcanair, Prince Albert, Sask. on September 3, 1965 when they bought out Saskatchewan Government Airways. Registered to Dolphin Airways, Lynn Lake, Manitoba on December 17, 1965. Re-registered to La Ronge Aviation, La Ronge, Sask on January 4, 1967 when they bought out Dolphin Airways. Registered to Nipawin Air Service, Nipawin, Saskatchewan on December 20, 1967. Registration cancelled on July 15, 1976. Bought by Ag Air Company, Latah, Washington and was destined to be stripped for parts. The Saskatchewan Tourist Association and the Western Development Museum stepped in and purchased it. It has since been restored, painted in the original Air Ambulance gold and green colors and is displayed at the Western Development Museum, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. In 1982 the aircraft, in Air Ambulance colours, was featured on a Canadian sixty cent postage stamp. As of April 29, 1974 total flying time was 12,908 hours.
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