Delivered to Eastern Air Lines as N5525 in 1959. To Reeve Aleutian Airways in 1977 then converted to a freighter for Hawaiian Airlines in 1978. Reregistered as N344HA in 1979. To Zantop International Airlines in 1980 then to TMC Airlines in 1998 who ceased operations in 2005. Stored at Detroit-Willow Run. To Air Spray as C-GKIL in 2011 then reregistered as C-FDTH in 2012.

Photographer: Clive Head. K64 slide scan. Built 1959 as N5525 for Eastern, Reeve Aleutian 1977. American Jet Industries 1978, converted to freighter for Hawaiian Air Cargo, reregistered N344HA 1978. Zantop 1980, leased to Channel Express January 1994 until July 1995, stored Willow Run 2005. Air Spray C-GKIL 2011 and ferried to Red Deer for tanker conversion. Entered service 2012 as C-FTDH.

Operator: Channel Express. Usual weekend-nightstop at CGN. N344HA / N284F changed rotation patterns fortnightly.

Showing the nose details of the Electra which is contracted to the Yukon Territory. This Electra was formerly with Zantop and came to Red Deer as C-GKIL in 2011

At the end of fire season, the Electras were coming back to Red Deer. C-FDTH was on contract to the Yukon Territory

Ex-N5525. Later C-GKIL, C-FDTH

Ex-N5525. Later C-GKIL, C-FDTH

Only 56 years old and being prepared for lots more of hard work. Most noticeable are the refurbished propeller blades, detached drop tank and the aircraft being on chocks for landing gear work. On the nose is the colourful badge of the Protective Services - Wildland Fire Management, Yukon, whose air attack program is provided by Air Spray and Conair.

Tanker 498 gets fire retardant stains removed while standing down during British Columbia's 2017 fire season. Originally delivered to Eastern Airlines (N5525) in 1959, the Electra spent another 30 years flying freight before Air Spray bought it in 2011. First registered C-GKIL, Buffalo Airways cancelled the registration on their DC-3 C-FDTH to make it available to Air Spray in 2012.

Wearing a crudely applied ferry reg, this aircraft would eventually be converted into an air tanker as C-FDTH with Air Spray.

Operated by Zantop International Airlines for Channel Express Air Services from Jun 93 to Nov 93 and again Jan 94 to Jul 95. No titles but the red cheatline was painted Channel Express green. The frame began life as an L-188A N5525 with Eastern Air Lines. Eventually converted to freighter and made its way to Hawaiian Airlines as N344HA. Joined Zantop Sep 80. To Air Spray (Canada) Feb 2011 as G-CKIL. Re-reg C-FDTH Mar 2012.

Still faintly showing its past as Zantop, it had been purchased by Air Spray. It was converted to a tanker, repainted in Air Spray colours and re-registered C-FDTH in March 2012.