The Little World

The Canadian civil registration codes for airliners has changed over time – in the period depicted by this Friendship the CF prefix was used. The AC portion of the code defines Alberta Central Airways and the final A was given by the then Department of Transport but has been incorporated into Alberta Central advertising.

To promote a provincial theme, this aircraft is known as the Spirit of Airdrie. Appropriate, as Airdrie had a wartime airfield that was quite busy on the Northwest Air Ferry Route. It was also the site of many post-war surplus auctions of ex-RCAF gear. People were able to buy all manner of items including aero engines in running order, and if they were enthusiasts these could be set up in the basement of suburban houses in Calgary and then started. You may trust me on this…

The aircraft has proven to be a delight. I decided not to open the baggage compartment for now – if it becomes necessary the seal can be knifed and the hatch lifted. At present it is so sleek that I don’t want to disturb it.

The whole exercise has been a tribute to the quality that Italeri can pack into one of their less expensive kits. The colour scheme and civil registration organisation will also be extended to other aircraft owned by Alberta Central. Let us hope the decal paper holds up and the printer behaves itself.