72-005 Thunderbird Models 1:72 Air BC DHC-6 Twin Otter decals

Air BC: Vancouver businessman Jim Pattison began buying aviation assets in 1979, these included: Air West, Pacific Coastal, West Coast Air and Trans Provincial Airlines. Although some companies maintained individual operating identities (such as TPA), Air BC began formal operations in 1980 and the first aircraft in the new colour scheme was DHC Twin Otter C-FIOH.

Air BC was headquartered in the old BC Air Lines hangar at the south terminal of Vancouver International Airport. The Twin Otters were used mainly on the Vancouver to Victoria, Nanaimo or Comox runs, using both wheels and floats. In 1983 an accord was reached with CP Air to take over the Vancouver to Victoria run and operations were moved to the main terminal. Several Twin Otters were then converted to wheel operations and flights to Nanaimo harbour were dropped leaving only seaplane flights to Victoria Harbour. 17 Twin Otters were operated by Air BC, all acquired from air outfits purchased by Pattison.

In 1986, Air BC was bought outright by Air Canada and this began a time of great expansion for the airline which became a major regional carrier.