One radial-engined 'propliner' with ATW Aviation was this Grumman HU-16B Albatross N85303. Its one time US Air Force serial was 51-5303 (c/n G-186). It was owned by Robert Carlson of East Walpole (Maine) during 1995-2003, but was registered on 03Nov04 to Surf Wing Inc. of Laguna Beach,CA and apparently a new tailnumber has been reserved for it: N7773B.

The Grumman HU-16 Albatross is a large twin-radial engine amphibious flying boat. Originally designated SA-16, it was renamed HU-16 in 1962.
The Albatross was designed to be able to land at sea in open ocean situations in order to effect the rescue of downed pilots. Its deep-V cross-section and substantial length helped make it possible for it to land in wavy conditions.
Since it weighs over 12,500 pounds, pilots must have a type rating in order to act as pilot or co-pilot on board the Albatross. There is a yearly Albatross fly-in at Boulder City, Nevada, where Albatross pilots can renew their type ratings.
The majority of Albatrosses were used by the U.S. Air Force, primarily by the Air Rescue Service. The USAF utilized the SA-16 extensively in Korea, where it gained a reputation as a rugged and seaworthy craft. Later, the HU-16B (long-wing variant) Albatross was used by the U.S. Air Force's Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service in the Vietnam conflict. The HU-16D Albatross was used for United States Navy Search And Rescue and "skunk runs" on Guam during the Vietnam War at NAS Agana. [More on Wikipedia...]

By googling I came across this info:
The Ugly Duckling...
In 1960, the Volitan and Parigon Corporations joined forces to form Volpar Inc. Volpar went into the business of converting standard Beech 18's to tricycle gear versions. Their conversion was successful and Beechcraft itself began installing tricycle gear based on the Volpar design. Volpar also began retrofitting various engines to the Beech and later versions included the Volpar "Super 18" and the "Turboliner", both of which were powered by 500 - 750hp Garret Turbine engines.
The tricycle gear conversion to the Model 18 gave the aircraft significantly better ground handling characteristics. Because the aircraft was now close to its in-flight attitude while sitting on the ground, a new doorway with integrated stairs was made to assist ingress and egress. It also meant greater passenger comfort while boarding and during ground maneuvers as the aircraft's floor was no longer on an incline, but level with the ground.
Volpar and Beechcraft modified other aspects of the aircraft as well. Improvements included such touches as increasing the head room by raising the headliner, adding "picture glass" windows and making the windscreen more upright. Its nose was also further lengthened to accommodate the new nose gear. All of these changes succeeded in extending the life and usability of the aircraft.
Source: www.ascendant-online.net/beech_history

Through the Beech 18 forum I received following additional information: "The Tradewind was a single tailed conversion done by PAC, Pacific Aeromotive Corporation. They used a horizontal stabilizer to create the vertical fin. It also had tri gear. Only a few were made. The tail mod didn't do much for the airplane but add a lot of weight as the structure had to be beefed up considerably. Beech wasnt involved."

More tired iron... This is C-54E N6816D (c/n 27368/314), airtanker 109.
During its military career, with the USAF, it carried serial 44-9142.

Delivery to US Army Air Force was on 29May45, but transferred to US Navy that same date and assigned serial 90412, C-54R (C-54E?). It also served the US Marine Corps.
It shows a similar history as N96451 above. In 1970 it was stored at Davis-Monthan AFB,AZ.
N96361 was assigned for Gerald D. Wilson on 12Dec75, bought by Int'l Air Leases 07Jan77, seized by US Customs 1977... See below.
N6816D was registered for Services Organized 02Jul82, to Central Air Services 2 years later. Maricopa Aircraft Services bought it Jul2000 and it has led a quiet life since then!

Matt Miller wrote me in Aug08: "This has been the subject of periodic debate on Air-Britain's AB-IX forum. N6816D is NOT N96361 !
Both existed at the same time. There are two separate airframes involved. Both are still on the register although neither is in operation.
N96361 is listed as C-54 90412 and N6816D as C-54D-DC 44-9142.
Note 44-9142 is a C-54E; I don't know if the discrepancy is significant."

SEE ALSO THIS ITEM ON N96361

N6816D on Airliners.net
Compare N6816D to Jürgen Scherbarth' image of N96361, taken at Arlington,WA. in Aug.1982.

Tanker 147 is Douglas C-54B N67040 (c/n 27232/178); it obviously had its left wing clipped: for ever?

Former 44-9006 (delivered 02Dec44) was also transferred to the US Navy (serial 90392) and converted to VC-54N. In Sep67 it was stored at Davis Monthan AFB.
Texas Truck Salvage Company bought it in 1975 and sold it to Robert B. Audiss Jr on 03Apr75, registering it as N67040. Central Air Services bought it on 11Oct76, it was stored at Avra Valley and Maricopa Aircraft Services became owner on 18Jun2000.
[Source for the DC-4/C-54 histories: 'Piston Engined Airliner Production List', TAHS - 2007]

James Douglas Scroggins wrote on Facebook (23Jan21):"N67040 is one of the three C54s we purchased at Marana Regional Airport, AZ.
As it reads on the data plate: C-54B, DAC 27232, Serial No. AF 43-90392, AC 361, ex-N67040 (tanker 147).
A reply posted by Bryn Tarasenka added: "BuNo 90392, originally 44-9006; used by the navy as an
R5D-2Z. Then as a Vip/staff aircraft, as a VC-54N."

Background information on the Douglas DC-4 / C-54

SCROGGINS AVIATION. The company was founded by its namesake, James Douglas Scroggins III. Initially the company operated in the aircraft dismantling, crash recovery and recycling industry, taking apart decommissioned airplanes and supplied aviation mockups. The company changed its name in 2015 to Scroggins Aviation Mockup & Effects, and began to focus on the restoration and modification of airframes and cockpits for use in feature film and television productions. This has included both the interior and exterior of various aircraft and helicopters, fabricating both airplane parts and fuselage sections for filming. [¬Wikipedia]

It was operated by Pan American as N9907F (named "Clipper Fortuna") and served on special assignment to the Government of Thailand from May to June 1955.
Returned to the 1254 ATW/89 MAW, it flew VIP missions for the remainder of its USAF career (retired & stored at Davis Monthan AFB in April 1968).
It was one of 5 VC-121A's sold to Christler Flying Service at DoD auction on 05May70 and registered N9463 (10Jul70).
But it was never converted to an agricultural sprayer, but used as a source of spares for Christler's other 4 aircraft. Former 'Clipper Fortuna' thus met disgrace: stored and derelict, it was reported at Desert Air Inc by the early 1980's.
Recovery was at hand when (using parts from sister-ship N608AS) it was restored to flying condition by Mel Christler and Harry Oliver in 1989-90.
Sold to the 'Columbine II Corporation' in Jan90, it made its first post-restoration flight on 05Apr90 and participated in a few air shows during 1990-91. Then it was stored again, at Santa Fe,NM.
In Oct98 N9463 was flown to Scottsdale,AZ and offered at an auction for $1.5 million. But no acceptable bids were received and the 'Connie' returned to Santa Fe.
Columbine II was flown to its present location at Avra Valley Airport on04May03 and once more advertised for sale in May 2005: for $3.2M... [Source Connie Survivors]

A february 2009 report on 'Connie Survivors' reported work being done in order to ferry this Constellation to the Eisenhower Presidential Museum & Library in Abilene,KS... But no timeline or schedule...
See www.conniesurvivors.com/1-connie_news.htm#FEB28

Mike wrote an update on LockheedConstellation Yahoo forum early April 2009:
"Columbine II at  Marana is being readied for a one-time-only ferry to the Eisenhower museum in Kansas, It hasn't flown for at least 7 (maybe 10?) years and was ground run briefly 3 years ago whilst I was working at ATW next door. The rudders and surfaces are all being recovered at the moment. Will let you know when I know more."
Mike Pannell
(VC-121A 48-610/N9463 has been parked here since May 2003 -Webmaster)

Then followed a long period of deadly quiet...

Ken Stoltzfus wrote me 04Feb2015 about a plan to revive 'Columbine II': yes, she may yet fly again! See my page Photos by Friends & Guests (41).
This was followed by a 01May2015 update:
"Columbine II, the first presidential Air Force One, will be under new ownership this summer as a restoration process gets under way in Arizona. Dynamic Aviation of Bridgewater, Virginia completed its due diligence this week and decided to proceed with the purchase of the 1948 Lockheed C-121A Constellation used by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Owners Harry Oliver and Lockie Christler — son of the late Mel Christler, who had owned it for years — will sell the Connie to Dynamic founder Karl. D. Stoltzfus Sr.
Among the project’s other supporters are Mid America Flight Museum of Mt. Pleasant, Texas.
Dynamic wants to make the aircraft airworthy and fly it home as a certificated aircraft rather than on a ferry permit. No completion date has been set."

And then it finally flew! On saturday 19Mar2016 Columbine II took to the skies again, its first flight since the recent restoration started!
"In the stifling, mid-day heat of Saturday, March 19th the hard-earned dreams of a year-long effort saw the first post-restoration flight of the Lockheed VC-121A Constellation known as Columbine II. As the graceful, silver bird rumbled into the sky, a huge cheer rose up from the small crowd gathered to watch at the Marana Air Park in Marana, Arizona.
The Connie was in the air for roughly an hour on that first flight as the crew evaluated her performance."

"Until early last year, she had been slowly fading away into the Arizona desert, but Karl Stoltzfus, founder of Dynamic Aviation, decided she had a better future, back in the air. So he and a dedicated team of his engineers, local volunteers and a similar contingent led by Scott Glover from the Mid America Flight Museum in Mount Pleasant, Texas have set about the task of resurrecting this majestic aircraft over the past year." Text and pics on www.warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/columbine-ii-flight.html

Columbine II then departed Marana Regional Airport monday morning (21Mar16). Accompanied by Mid America Flight Museum B-25J 'God and Country' and a Dynamic Aviation King Air she flew to Mt. Pleasant,TX. From there she will continue to Bridgewater,VA for further restoration.
For more information, check out www.conniesurvivors.com/1-connie_news.htm#MAR21

23Mar2016: arrival at Bridgewater,VA VC-121B

From www.conniesurvivors.com : Columbine II Completes Final Leg of Flight to Bridgewater, Virginia – March 23, 2016.
Delayed at Mt.Pleasant for a repair on a fuelleak it arrived early afternoon at its destination, and its new home, at Bridgewater,VA. Well done!

Due to financial difficulties at Dynamic Aviation staff had to be layed off while others had to be reassigned from this project to more commercial tasks. So the project was paused late-Dec.2020.

Thanks to the staff of ATW Aviation who made my day

The Road Goes On... back to US Southwest 2008