I used to work at that airport before they de-activated it in the late ’80s. There were many stories of early misadventures that were told by the old timers that I knew. If it did ever happen, my guess is that it occurred post-war when Lancs were operating in the area. I have comprehensive lists of wartime crashes for the area but what happened after remains unknown.

Here’s another animal that was stored there during my time. Guess what it is.

Port Alberni?

I heard a rumour many years ago of a Lanc fuselage that was located at the end of the runway at the old Port Alberni airport – supposedly an emergency landing that resulted in the aircraft overshooting and the remains winding up out on the tidal mud flats. Any truth to that one?

Flight Manual?

I have an original copy of a DeHavilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Flight Manual – dated March 31, 1956 – in my library. If he cannot access what he needs, send me a PM and I will try to give him some support.

Hawaii & Phillipine Mars

These are the two remaining Mars in service. As we speak, the Hawaii Mars is fighting fires in Northern Mexico. The Phillipine is sitting on shore in Port Alberni, British Columbia (my home town) – its fate is not so certain. Rumours of it being sent to a museum in the U.S. have been circulating for years. The primered nose is from the 8th ship from the assembly line – it was never completed. It has now been painted and sits on a stand at the base on Sproat Lake.

In my previous career, I had the pleasure of fighting forest fires and watching the efforts of these two gentle giants as they performed their duties. Their effectiveness was never in question – unlike their small helicopter counterparts.