Tucked away near Montekristo Estate at Rulina Fun Park, rests a brightly painted aircraft with a forgotten past. Delivered in 1983 to Widerøe, Norway’s largest regional airline, this de Havilland Canada DHC-7, more commonly known as a Dash 7, is not just any Dash 7. It is the exact same aircraft (former registration LN-WFG), that once played a vital role in Norway’s aviation history.
In the summer of 1991, Widerøe commissioned Norwegian photographer Tor Waageng to promote its modern fleet and to capture this Dash 7 in flight over Norway’s most dramatic landscapes. I spoke with Tor about the aircraft and its place in his memory.
“These photos were taken from a DHC-3 Otter, with the door removed to allow for unobstructed shots,” Tor recalls. “I was strapped to the floor,” he laughs. “A DHC-6 Twin Otter (LN-BNH) often flew in close formation with the Dash 7, providing dramatic compositions. There were no passengers in the other aircraft, just pilots flying for promotional purposes. The flights were smooth and fortunately I didn’t get airsick at all”, he adds.
“My roots are grounded in this subarctic environment, and I’ve always felt emotionally connected to the ever-changing conditions of the sea, the landscapes, the weather, the light and seasons. And this devotion is what I’ve always tried to express in my work”.
By 1986, the airline operated eight Dash 7s, flying between mountain-ringed fjords and Arctic villages. Widerøe incorporated the Dash 7 into its fleet for its STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) capabilities, crucial for serving remote airstrips across the country’s rugged north.
After serving Widerøe until 1996, LN-WFG changed hands multiple times, flying for operators in Egypt, Switzerland and Algeria. It arrived in Malta in 2001 for engine repairs but never left.
“The aerial shoots were carefully orchestrated to showcase Norway’s stunning landscapes. Wide blue fjords, jagged snowy peaks, remote hamlets clinging to the coastline,” Tor continues. “The route was specially created for me so I could photograph Norway’s natural beauty with the Dash 7 in frame. We flew past Lofoten, Meløy with the Engabreen glacier and the Salten region,” Tor explains.
“In Norway, the LN-WFG was more than just another plane. These photos appeared in print media. For locals, these images were more than marketing. They became symbols of mobility, modernity and national pride“.
In 2018, the Dash 7 underwent a transformation when Swiss artist Nicolas Bamert painted it in vibrant colors, with white clouds, earning it the nickname “The Rainbow Aircraft”.
Today, it mostly draws curious glances from families visiting the fun park. Its Norwegian legacy remained unknown.
When shown photos of the Dash 7 in its current state, Tor’s response was subdued. “It’s sad to see the aircraft in such a derelict condition. That plane meant something. It was part of our national fabric”, he said.
The Twin Otter with former registration LN-BNH, that once flew alongside the Dash 7 met a tragic end in Panama. It crashed into a mountain and claimed the lives of both crew members and all eight passengers.
The journey of Dash 7 LN-WFG from a symbol of Norwegian aviation heritage to a fenced-off fixture in a Maltese children’s play park underscores the multifaceted lives of aircraft and the stories they carry across continents.
Manufacturer: de Havilland Canada
Type: DHC-7-102
S/N: #91 (1983) out of 113 produced.
Registration History:
1983 Widerøe (Norway) [LN-WFG]
1996 DNK-National (Egypt) [SU-MAC]
1998 DNK Aviation (Egypt) [VP-CDZ]
1999 BenAvia (Switzerland) [HB-IVX]
2000 Tassili Airlines (Algeria) [HB-IVX]
2001 Arrived in Malta for engine repairs but was never returned to service.
This article has been contributed by Patrick van Schaik who initiated this interview with Tor Waageng. Van Schaik is known for highlighting unsung modern buildings in Malta on his Instagram page Limestonejungle.
With thanks to Tor Waageng. Now 83 years old, he began his career in 1968 as a professional photographer. Since 2000, he has worked exclusively on producing fine art photographs that express his love for the Nordland landscape.