Built in Atlin, B.C., in the early 1960s, CF-RKN, now at the Yukon Transportation Museum, was one of the first homebuilts to be constructed in the remote reaches of northwestern Canada.

Lovingly crafted by veteran bush pilot Herman Peterson, the Smith DSA-1 'Miniplane' first flew on July 15, 1967.

As both a pilot and licenced aircraft maintenance engineer, Herman had learned his craft well during the war years, flying thousands of hours out of Carcross, in the Northern Airways Waco and Fairchild aircraft on the Canol and Alcan projects.

In 1950, he and his wife, Doris, moved to Atlin and started their own air charter service.

During the latter years of operating their own air service, they decided to build the sporty little Miniplane, putting to work Herman's welding and mechanical skills, and Doris' abilities at fitting and sewing the fabric.

Herman christened the tiny airplane 'Suzy', his lifelong pet name for Doris.

For over 30 years, the little bi-plane was a familiar sight in the sky over Atlin, as Herman and a few of his friends, by 'invitation only', raced up a total of 191 hours and 50 minutes in the nimble little craft.

In 2003, Herman and Doris Peterson decided they would donate 'Suzy' to the transportation museum, where she proudly shows off the spirit and ingenuity of two of our aviation pioneers.

This item was submitted by Bob Cameron, a Whitehorse-based aviation historian.