Photo By
Helicopter Historian & Photographer • 1945–2025
Airlift of Canada, STAR-1 • March 1990
A genuine, personally documented Jeff Evans photograph of a striking, bold red MBB/Kawasaki BK117, registration C-GDGP, marked "AIRLIFT," "STAR-1," and "AMBULANCE," parked on the ramp under a clear blue sky.
The reverse carries Evans's red "PHOTO BY: JEFF EVANS" stamp and his own handwritten note: "MBB BK117 'Airlift of Canada Star 1,'" dated March 1990. Canadian air-medical photographs like this one are less common than generic U.S. operator images, and the bold livery makes for an especially eye-catching collector print.
The BK117 was one of the most important twin-engine EMS helicopters of the 1980s and 1990s, combining compact size, good performance, rear clamshell doors, and a practical medical cabin. It was jointly developed by MBB and Kawasaki, merging design work from MBB's Bo 107 program and Kawasaki's KH-7. First flights occurred in Germany and Japan in 1979, with FAA certification following in 1983. Airbus has specifically noted that the Bo 105 and BK117 were among the most successful helicopters in HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Services) in the decades following the expansion of dedicated air ambulance programs.
Jeffrey C. Evans (1945–2025) was a respected helicopter historian, researcher, and professional helicopter photographer based in Southern California. A long-term member of the Vertical Flight Society and Vertical Aviation International, he is recognized as co-author, with Robert S. "Bob" Petite, of The Bell 47 Helicopter Story: Birth of the Commercial & Military Helicopter Industry.
This photograph was acquired by TreasuTiques as part of a 2026 purchase from Evans's California estate archive. This particular photo is directly attributable to Evans himself — his own stamp and handwriting appear on the reverse.
8x10 glossy color photograph with bold red EMS livery and clear tail registration. Light curl/edge lift and minor handling/corner wear visible. No major tears or heavy creases visible.
Please review all photos carefully, including the reverse stamp and handwriting, as they are part of the description.
| Subject | MBB/Kawasaki BK117, C-GDGP |
| Operator | Airlift of Canada, STAR-1 |
| Photographer | Jeff Evans (stamp + handwritten caption on reverse) |
| Provenance | Jeffrey C. Evans Helicopter Archive Estate |
| Size | 8 x 10 inches |
| Date | March 1990 |
Ships free with tracking, flat in a rigid photo mailer with cardboard stiffener to protect against bending in transit.
This is a genuinely photographer-attributed item: Jeff Evans's stamp, date, and handwritten caption are all clearly legible on the reverse and shown in the listing photos. Please review all photos closely before purchasing.
🚁 A genuine Jeff Evans original of a bold Canadian air ambulance.
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