Unusual birds...

...visit Smithers

Imagine having a private plane that weighs 11 tons, goes 200 mph and carries 1700 gallons of fuel? This Grumman Albatross was originally used by the military to rescue pilots at sea. It's been completely restored by a couple from Idaho who recently flew it to a Babine Lake resort to do sport fishing. On the way, they landed at Smithers Airport where Bob Ells is the airport manager. Bob is an aviation buff and takes photos of many historical or one-of-a-kind aircraft. Here are a few examples of Bob's photo collection of unusual aircraft which have landed at Smithers Airport.

This Albatross was built in 1953 and served at US Navy bases in Maryland, California and Florida.

A Grumman Albatross. Don't let the markings fool you, this is a private plane.

Smithers Airport Facts

The Smithers Airport was started in 1929 by the local Chamber of Commerce. It was located closer to town than the present airport. A new grass runway was ready for the first landing in 1933. The first aircraft to land was piloted by Jimmy Mattern, a famous American aviator who was flying from Alaska. In 1941, the RCAF began construction of RCAF Station Smithers at the present airport site. The 4400 foot asphalt runway was completed by May of 1943. In August of 1945, the station was disbanded. During the War, Smithers was used mainly for the storage of Hurricanes, Harvards and Venturas and served as an emergency field for military aircraft flying to Alaska.

The Norseman will carry 8 passengers at 150 mph.

To the left is a Noorduyn Norseman, restored and owned by a group of Americans from California. Built in Canada from 1938 to 1959, Norsemen served the military as light transport, search and rescue and wireless-radio trainer. After the war, the Norseman was used as a bush plane across Canada, often equipped with floats for use on northern lakes.