Vintage air ambulance visits its home in Saskatchewan

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of a Regina aviation company, a vintage air ambulance from the 1950s has returned to its former home.

A vintage Cessna that served as an air ambulance around 80 years ago has returned home for a visit.

The vintage Cessna 195 put on display at Regina’s International Airport over the weekend, flew hundreds of lifesaving missions throughout the province in the 1950s and 1960s.

Later it ended up derelict in Alberta until it was purchased for restoration.

“And with it, came all of the spare parts from the Saskatchewan Air Ambulance Service, and this airplane was wrecked, but that was all - all the parts were there,” explained Thomas Thomas, who restored the plane to working condition.

The aviation enthusiast spent 30 years rebuilding the plane in his spare time. The aircraft flew back to its former Regina hangar on the weekend, now occupied by Prairie Flying Service.

“It flew for the Saskatchewan Air Ambulance back in the 50s, so it is the first time it’s come home since that period of time,” Prairie Flying Service President Kevin Toth told CTV News.

Saskatchewan’s Air Ambulance Service was founded by the Douglas government in 1948 to bring emergency assistance to rural and remote areas.

“They have never lost a patient or a crew member due to an accident. They were doing what STARS does 70 years ago. It’s amazing,” explained Kevin Chabun.

The return of the air ambulance was part of a celebration marking the 80th anniversary of Prairie Flying Service.

Reg Watson shared his close connection to the vintage air ambulance.

“My father was one of the founders,” he explained. “They started their business in 1946, I came on the scene in 1953 and was actually a pilot here, starting in the early 70s.”

The weekend anniversary celebration was marked by a torrential downpour. Local artist Jeffrey Straker was performing for guests when water began gushing in.

“It got a foot from the stage, so that was pretty intense,” Straker said. “I’ve never seen anything like this, and I’ve made music as my full-time living. I’ve toured for 19 years, and I’ve never seen this.”

Organizers had to scramble to push back the flow of water.

“To have a torrential downpour like that, I don’t know what that means for an 80th anniversary, but it must be something for one way for us to end our celebration today,” Jonah Toth told CTV News.

Its proof the Prairie Flying Service can weather any storm, as it has for the past 80 years.