photographer Gerhard Schütz

The titles are "Merv Griffin's Paradise Island Airlines". Merv Griffin had a long and varied career which included singing, game shows and hosting talk shows. This airline was one of his smaller business ventures.

Air BC leased this Dash 7 from De Havilland Canada from May 1985 to March 1988. Pictured in previous owner Henson Airlines' Piedmont Commuter colors with an Air BC Tail, the aircraft would get full Air BC colors on the fuselage before return to DHC. Later operated by Paradise Island Airlines 1989 - 93 as N780MG, it was sold to AirKenya Express (5Y-BMP) in 1997. Transferred to subsidiary Regional Air Services (5H-BMP) of Tanzania 2008 - 11, it is current back with AirKenya at the time of uploading.

Delivered new to Henson Airlines (N904HA) in May 1982. Over to Air BC in May 1985 (C-GHSL). Returned to De Havilland Canada in March 1988 and stored. In January '89 delivered to Paradise Island Airlines, until wfu in June 1994. In October 97 to Airkenya Aviation (5Y-BMP) and current at date of upload.

Just arrived from Nairobi, note that engine 3 & 4 are still running. Departed for Mombasa soon after the picture was taken.

Henson Airlines was an Allegheny Commuter airline when it got this Dash 7 (N904HA) in May 1982. It became a Piedmont commuter when Piedmont airlines bought the carrier in 1983. The aircraft was sold back to DHC in May 1985 as the airline took deliveries of Dash 8s. Leased to Air BC by the end of May 85, it's pictured with remnants of the Piedmont colors on the engines. Returned to DHC in March 1988,. The airliner is current with Airkenya Express as 5Y-BMP at the time of uploading.

Lining up for the short roll on runway 14 for another run to Diani and Mombasa. Good to see a Dash 7 in action in 2010. One other was wfu and kept at Wilson for spares