Ted Stevens International, Anchorage, AK; 17 Apr 08

During the course of our trip, we spend a lot of time on the outside of Anchorage International, looking in, but on our last day, we were lucky enough to be able to tour the airside areas in the company of one of the airfield operations managers. This gave us the opportunity to view and photograph many aircraft not visible from the outside. We were also able to get close to the normal airfield operations, which gave us some great opportunities.

Our tour commenced with the cargo ramp, where several Boeing 747s were being loaded and unloaded.

While we were there, one of Everts Air Cargo's DC-6s started up and and taxied past us, a lovely sight and sound.

Stored near the Everts ramp was a C-119 Flying Boxcar, which apparently belongs to Brooks Fuel of Fairbanks, but has not moved in many years, and was in fact partly surrounded by snow banks.

After watching the DC-6 depart, we headed down to the approach end of runway 22L, where we caught several aircraft landing, the highlight being an HC-130N from the Alaska ANG.

The fire service at ANC have 2 aircraft to practice on - a Boeing 727 formerly of Northern Air Cargo, and a Lockheed Electra, last used by Renown Aviation.

The highlight of the tour was being able to get up close to the mighty Douglas C-133 Cargomaster, which resides at Anchorage, in flyable storage. The magnificent aircraft is maintained in a potentially airworthy state, but is only allowed to fly within Alaska, and then only on state or military contract work.

Such charters are few and far between, and the aircraft has not flown for some time, but awaits the call to carry outsize cargo into difficult locations, and it is to be hoped that it will have the opportunity to fly once more.

Stored nearby are a DC-3 and Convair 240. The DC-3 formerly belonged to Reeve Aleutian, and other operators, but has been dormant for some time now.

The Convair belongs to Desert Air, who are unable to fly during Winter due to insurance issues. However, while we were at ANC, we saw their DC-3 flying on a number of occasions, so it is to be hoped that the Convair is stored only for the Winter, and will take to the air once Summer comes around.

With our tour complete, there was just time to photograph a Boeing 737-200, formerly operated by Alaskan Airlines, but now retained for future display. Interestingly, the aircraft is equipped with gravel deflecting equipment, to enable rough field landings.

Thanks to the staff at Ted Stevens operations for accommodating us and giving us such a superb tour. Even on the last day of the trip, it was an undoubted highlight.

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