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Yukon Airways & Exploration Co.

In early 1927 a Dawson -based RCMP corporal named Any Cruickshank left the police force and joined an American prospector named Clyde Wann, to pursue a dream - to establish the first commercial air service in the Yukon.
By spring they had formed the Yukon airways and Exploration Company, and placed an order for a Ryan B-1 Brougham airplane, arriving in Mayo on October 26, 1927 with Andy Cruickshank at the controls, the "Queen of the Yukon" was wrecked in a landing accident at Whitehorse.
For the next 15 months, until a second Ryan could be purchased, a three-place open-cockpit bi-plane was used to serve the growing demand for air service.
On August 17, 1929 the Company took delivery of their new Ryan, the "Queen of the Yukon II" crashed on take-off at Mayo, killing the pilot. Less than four weeks later the faithful old bi-plane had an engine failure and was wrecked in the forced landing near Carmacks. The Yukon's first commercial air service was out of business permanently.

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History of the Queen
1927
Whitehorse, Yukon Canada
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Taking delivery of the Queen of the Yukon
1927
San Diego, California USA
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Taking delivery of the "Queen of the Yukon" at the Ryan factory in San Diego CA. (L to R) J.E. Smith (mechanic), Bill Marday (Ryan check pilot), Andy Cruickshank (Yukon Airways pilot), and Clyde Wann (president, Yukon Airways).
R.B. Cameron Collection

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Queen at Sand Diego factory
1927
San Diego, California USA
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The first commercial airplane to operate in the Yukon was Ryan B-1 Brougham, purchased new at the factory in San Diego, CA. by Yukon Airways and Exploration Company Ltd. Purchase price was $10,260.00. A stock version of Charles Lindbergh's highly modified Ryan, she was touted as the sister ship to the famous "Spirit of St. Louis".
R.B. Cameron Collection

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Whitehorse STAR article on the Queen
29 April 1928
Whitehorse, Yukon Canada


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Whitehorse STAR article
"Queen of the Yukon visits Carcross & Atlin"

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Whitehorse STAR article First Visit from Airship!
29 April 1928
Whitehorse, Yukon Canada


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Whitehorse Star Article
"Carcross and Atlin have first visit from airship!"

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Queen in Atlin
13 April 1928
Atlin, BC, Canada
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Atlin residents greet the "Queen of the Yukon", the first airplane to visit the gold rush town. Pilot was T.G. Tommy Stephens
Atlin Historical Society Photo

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Queen arrives at Engineer Mine
14 April 1928
Engineer Mine, BC, Canada
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The "Queen of the Yukon" arrives at Engineer Mine, after a short hop from Atlin, with mail on-board. Grouped here for the historic occasion are (L to R) Dan McKay, Bill Roxborough, Piercy Powell, Clyde Wann, Mrs. Brook, and pilot Tommy Stephens.
Reg Brook Sr. Photo