Everts Air, Fairbanks, AK

After all the traveling, it was finally time to get the camera out, for the real purpose of the trip. Everts Air are one of the companies synonymous with the operation of old prop liners in Alaska. The parent corporation for Everts air operations is Tatonduk Outfitters, run by Robert Evert, and serving Alaska since 1978. Tatonduk Outfitters consists of 2 companies - Everts Air Alaska (providing small scheduled and charter passenger and cargo flying) and Everts Air Cargo (exculsively cargo, flying larger aircraft).The main operation is based in Anchorage, with the maintenance facility and a smaller scheduled operation at Fairbanks Airport. In addition to these companies, there is also the closely related Everts Air Fuel, run by Clifford Everts (father of Robert) and responsible for transporting liquid fuel (gasoline, diesel etc) to remote communities throughout Alaska.

Everts operate a large fleet of DC-6/C-118s, together with a smaller fleet of C-46 Commandos. The aircraft are ideally suited for operating into the smaller, sometimes unpaved, airports in remote settlements in Alaska. In many cases, the only way to get supplies (including fuel) into and out of such settlements is by air, so Everts and companies like them play a vital role in life in the remote communities.

We arrived at Fairbanks Airport after flying from Anchorage, to find cloudy skies, poor visibility and some light snow. Undeterred, we met up with Rink Donahue, who was to be our very gracious guide at Everts. After signing in, we made our way out to the ramp to photograph some of the active fleet. Our arrival coincided with the departure of an Everts Air Fuel DC-6, airborne for a training sortie.

This was N451CE, a former US Navy R5D-1 (naval version of the DC-6A, later designated C-118B in 1962). The aircraft was sold by the military and acquired a civilian registration in 1990, but still wears its basic US Navy colour scheme. During the day of our visit, it was very active, and seen flying several times. We were lucky enough to witness it’s return from the training flight, turn-around, and departure on a fuel delivery mission.

We also caught the aircraft making this sprightly departure from Fairbanks on a later date.

We were able to photograph a number of active aircraft, in both the early morning hazy sunshine, then later with bright sunshine. Most were DC-6s - Fairbanks is Everts main maintenance base and several were present undergoing work.

There was also a single C-46 Commando, N54514 named Maid In Japan. This aircraft was delivered to the USAF as a C-46D troop carrier in 1944 as 44-77889. In 1955, it was supplied to Japan for the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) and given the serial 51-1122.

In 1978, it was sold to Wayne Craft of Jackson, MS and returned to the US, going through a variety of operators before ending up in Alaska.

Also seen at Fairbanks, on a later date, was N1822M, the famous Salmon Ella. Delivered to the USAF as a C-46F in 1945 (serial 44-78698). It has been in Alaska since 1959, and appears to have acquired its nickname due to an incident in Port Salmon, Alaska in 1983, where it blew a cylinder in its left engine, and caught fire. The fire caused a hydraulic leak and meant that the left main landing gear would not come down, and the right only partly deployed. Despite the emergency landing, the aircraft was rebuilt and still serves Everts Air Fuel today.

Along with the airworthy aircraft was a time expired DC-6, which continues to see use as an engine test bed for ground running. The aircraft is N7919C, delivered new to KLM as PH-DFM, a DC-6B. It was acquired by Reeve Aleutian in 1962, eventually moving on to flying with Northern Air Cargo. It passed to Everts as an engine test bed on retirement.

We were also given a tour of the hangar facility, containing 2 DC-6s at the time of our visit, and also the simulator, based on a DC-6 nose section.

One of the DC-6s in the hangar was equipped as a tanker, and we were able to photograph the flight deck and the tanks in the freight hold.

After photographing the active aircraft, we spent some time looking around the storage area, which holds many interesting aircraft, mostly DC-6s and C-46s, but with smaller numbers of other interesting types, including the C-119 and C-131. Most of these aircraft will never fly again, but are kept as a source of spare parts to keep the active fleet flying.

First the DC-6s:

Now, the C-46s. First up is N1837M, the former 44-78565, a USAF C-46F. Aside from 15 years in Canada, this aircraft has spent the years since 1955 in Alaska, operating with countless operators, and was flying recently with Everts Air Fuel, so there is hope for it to return to the air in the future.

Next up is a very interesting aircraft, N23AC, a former USAF C-46D, 44-78628. After its military career was over, it flew with a variety of companies such as Southern Air Transport, Air America, and Intermountain Aviation, along with countless others, most of them known CIA fronts. These operations took it to places such as China, Laos, Guatemala and Panama!

The aircraft has had a variety of identities, and no doubt has seen some very interesting operations. It was acquired by Everts in 2000.

The other C-46 in storage is the tail-less N1651M.a C-46F 44-78576, an aircraft which has also spent much of its life in Alaska. It flew with Alaska Airlines 1957-60, before a stint with Reeve Aleutian 1966-72. It was acquired from Fairbanks Air Services by Everts in 1998.

Other types in the storage area include this C-119 and these C-131s, the C-131s, being acquired for salvage of their engines, which can also be fitted to the DC-6s.

Newer aircraft being acquired by Everts include the Embraer Brasilia. Whilst this aircraft may lack some of the charisma of the older piston-engined aircraft, there is no denying it’s capabilities and usefulness. As well as the operational Brasilias, Everts also has several aircraft in the storage area for spares reclamation.

The modern Everts Air has a professional feel to it, but maintains a friendly, family atmosphere. They hope to continue operating their busy fleet for as long as possible. Certainly, there are few aircraft available on the market that possess the abilities to carry the required loads into such challenging destinations, so the classic types will have to soldier on for a while longer.

With sincere thanks to Rink Donahue at Everts, for his patience and hospitality.

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