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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: Douglas DC-4 / C-54/R5D/C-112 Skymaster / Carvair ATL / Canadair DC-4M/C-4 North Star
    Latest Model:C-54D-5-DC Skymaster
    Last Military Serial:42-72596 USAF
    Construction Number:10701
    Last Civil Registration:XV-NUJ
    Compressed ID:Douglas C-54D-5-DC sn 42-72596 USAF...
    Latest Owner or Location:Air Vietnam

    EDIT THE HISTORY HERE    		 If you can add to the history or would like to submit a correction please use the editor to do so.

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    Dates

    Event

    Constructed as a C-54D-5-DC by Douglas at Chicago, IL.

    30 April 1945

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 42-72596.

    12 August 1945

    To 1379th AAF Base Unit, Dow Field, ME.

    22 August 1945

    Transferred to 1503rd AAF Base Unit, Hamilton Field, CA.

    24 January 1946

    Transferred to 591st AAF Base Unit, Stockton, CA.

    28 January 1946

    Transferred to 1503rd AAF Base Unit, Hamilton Field, CA.

    18 September 1947

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 42-72596.

    After 22 November 1948

    Transferred to 18th TCS, 5700th Composite Wing, Albrook AFS, Panama.

    11 March 1949

    Transferred to 1600th Maintenance and Support Group, Westover AFB, MA.

    18 March 1949

    Transferred to 317th Troop Carrier Group, Celle RAF Station, Germany.
    Flew missions during the Berlin Airlift.

    8 August 1949

    Transferred to 1600th Maintenance and Support Group, Westover AFB, MA.

    28 October 1949

    Transferred to 54th TCS (Heavy), Alaskan Air Command (attached to 57th Fighter Wing), Elmendorf AFB, AK.

    2 December 1949

    Transferred to 39th Air Division, Elmendorf AFB, AK.

    28 April 1950

    Transferred to 54th TCS (Heavy), Alaskan Air Command (attached to 57th Fighter Wing), Elmendorf AFB, AK.

    By April 1953

    Converted to a WC-54D.

    28 April 1953

    Transferred to 57th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium), 2142D Air Weather Wing, Hickam AFB, HI.
    Operated with markings: WEATHER

    March 1958


    Photographer: Unknown
    Notes: Written on the back of the original slide was: C-54 72596, Thule Mar 58.

    March 1958


    Photographer: Unknown

    By 1965

    Converted to a C-54D-5-DC by Douglas at Chicago, IL.

    By 1965

    Transferred to 2849th Air Base Group, Hill AFB, UT. To MASDC Dec 20, 1965.

    20 December 1965

    Transferred to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposal Center (MASDC).

    7 February 1966

    To GSA AID, US Department of State with new c/r N554.

    1966

    To Air Vietnam with new c/r XV-NUJ (Douglas C-54D (DC-4), 10701).

    12 March 1975

    Shot down.
    Shot down by a MANPADS shortly after takeoff from Vientiane-Wattay Airport (VTE/VLVT), Laos. There were 26 fatalities. The international scheduled passenger flight departed Vientiane-Wattay Airport, Laos and was destined for Saigon-Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN/VVTS), Vietnam. The accident occurred at 25 km (15. 6 mls) SW of Pleiku City (Vietnam) while en route.
    For a complete description of the event read the Aviation Safety Network Report.
    Credits
     Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...
    Internet Sources
     Air Force Historical Research Agency
    Airbus, Boeing, Convair and Douglas Production List
    Aviation Safety Network
    United States Military Services Serial Number Lists by Joe Baugher
    Wikipedia
    Individual Contributors
     Mike Henniger
    Max Sabin
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