Dunphy Airstrip, located in Upper Blackville, NB, was FPL’s long-time Air Tanker Operations Base until operations were moved to Chatham/Miramichi in 1994. The airstrip has been abandoned and ploughed up, but its location can be clearly seen in the eastward bend in the river, next to the highway, south of the area marked Upper Blackville.
Constructed
1956
Active in the aerial spray program
1956, 1957, 1960-1963 – no details
1964 – The sprayer fleet was arranged so that the two main contractors (Skyway and Wheeler) had equal TBM representation at Juniper and Dunphy Airstrips. During the early part of the program, the Juniper half was split between Fredericton and Juniper. Later, 14 TBMs operated from Juniper and 14 operated from Dunphy.
Source: Interim Report – 1964 Forest Spraying Program [FPL files]
1965-1971 – no details
1972 – The TBMs (total 44) were calibrated at Dunphy Airstrip then dispatched to the other airstrips (May 10-20). Four Stearmans conducted an experimental spray out of Dunphy.
1975 – May 24 to June 21 (TBMs); July 3 to 17 (small operational spray trial for moth)
1977 – May 23 to June 27 (TBMs)
Work Flow Example – 1977
- Over-winter services: four watchmen
- Mixing plant conversion to electric drive: April to early May
- Set-up of living facilities: April to early May
- Arrival of aviation gasoline: first delivery on March 9
- Arrival of insecticide: first delivery on April 18
- School for navigators: April 26 to May 21
- Arrival of TBMs: May 19
- Operational spraying: May 23 to June 27
- Washing out of aircraft spray systems: immediately after termination of spraying
- Storage of mobile living facilities: late June to early July
- Moth spraying: July 11-16
- Clean-up of systems, tanks, etc.: early July to early October
- Disposal of empty drums: sold, loaded in box cars October to mid-November
- Closing up camp: camp taken over by DNR on July 19
- Insecticide storage: (from Fredericton warehouse): late July to early August
- Over-winter projects: one watchman, one clerk and two carpenters re-finishing interior of two sleeping trailers
1979 – May 22 to June 14 (TBMs)
1980 – An experimental spray was conducted using two Stearmans, two AgTrucks, one helicopter and eight Pawnees, June 2 to 11, from 8 airstrips, including Dunphy.
1981 – May 20 to June 19 (TBMs)
1982 – May 27 to June 19 (TBMs); a Private Woodlot Spraying Program was conducted from June 5 to 15 from 6 airstrips, including Dunphy.
1983 – May 23 to June 12 (TBMs); a Private Woodlot Spraying Program was conducted from June 21 to 17 from 12 airstrips, including Dunphy.
1984 – May 27 to June 20 (TBMs); a small spray aircraft program was conducted from May 26 to June 21 from 14 airstrips, including Dunphy.
1985 – A small spray aircraft program was conducted from May 26 to June 24 from 12 airstrips, including Dunphy.
1986 – A small spray aircraft program was conducted from May 27 to June 21 from 7 airstrips, including Dunphy.
1987 – May 22 to June 18 (TBMs); a small spray aircraft program was conducted from May 27 to June 18 from 4 airstrips, including Dunphy.
Work Flow Example – 1987
- Arrival of insecticide: May 20 to June 10
- First arrival of TBMs: May 3
- School for navigators: May 1-14
- Arrival of new Cessna pilots: May 10
- School for Cessna pilots: May 11-14
- Calibration of TBMs: May 5-17
- First arrival of navigator crews: May 1
- Arrival of TBM pilots: May 16-18
- Operational spraying: May 22 to June 18
1988 – A small spray aircraft program was conducted from May 8 to June 18 from 4 airstrips, including Dunphy.
1989 – A small spray aircraft program was conducted from May 28 to June 17 from 4 airstrips, including Dunphy.
1990 – A small spray aircraft program was conducted from June 5 to 26 from 4 airstrips, including Dunphy.
1994 – Air Tanker Operations were moved from Dunphy airstrip to facilities at the Miramichi airport.
2000s – Airstrip rehabilitation surveys continued at site of former Dunphy airstrip.
I remember sitting on the fence watching the planes take off after fueling and laying in the hay as they would land that was my grandmothers house ahead of the airstrip as kids we spent every summer at grandmas and aunt she’s house and loved it.
I worked around the TBM Avengers as a load recorder for Forest Protection Limited 1975 – 76 out of Sevogle and Juniper. I also have fond memories of Dunphy air strip where I worked for the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources as an aerial observer 1977 – 79. During my time at Dunphy there were a couple unfortunate incidents involving TBM Avengers. In one, the pilot lost his life after his aircraft caught fire on the way back from a spray mission. In the other, the quick action of the TBM pilot likely saved the lives of the two occupants of the Cessna 172 that got in the way during taxiing.
i have tried several times to get someone to respond to my conments about Dunphy airstrip but nothing —it looks like this site is no longer available is too bad
I’m back to running site now, Art. Your comments are appreciated.
Used to see the activity while driving between Newcastle and Fredericton in the late 60’s.
Spent time at the strip in the 70’s visiting a Thrush driver friend. I was also brought in in the Cessna push-pull for a news piece one year.
I have some pictures from back then, and when I overnighted at Juniper one year during the budworm campaign. Let me know if you are interested?
Yes, I am interested, Paul. Contact me at cadam AT nbnet dot nb dot ca.
my first plane ride was at dunphy air strip the pilot was art Dunphy was 10 years old
i loaded planes in 1963 and 64 at dumphy air strip and I lived in upper blackville
would love to see more aerial pictures of Dunphy in the 60s
when I was a kid I worked for connnors that was at end of Dunphy air strip at hay time
Loved that Airstrip and everybody at it !!