A very rare photo from the time that the well-known sole survivor of the Budd Conestoga at the Pima Air and Space Museum was still operational. This photo shows that this aircraft was in fact XB-QUZ, and not XB-DUZ as widely reported. As can be seen in this photo, the 'Q' was unusually square in shape. By the time this aircraft arrived at Pima in 1978, the registration had faded considerably, with the tail of the 'Q' almost entirely gone. The fading and the square shape made the registration appear to read as XB-DUZ. It's also worth noting that XB-DUZ was registered as a Vultee at the same time that XB-QUZ was issued to this Conestoga. Photo from: San Diego Air & Space Museum

This aircraft is widely quoted as XB-DUZ, but it was in fact XB-QUZ (see this photo). When this Conestoga arrived at Pima in 1978, the reg had faded considerably, with the tail of the 'Q' almost entirely gone. Also the 'Q' was very square in shape, making the reg appear to read as XB-DUZ. In this photo traces of the registration are still visible on the rear fuselage. Delivered to the US Navy as Bu39307 on 19 Oct 1944, but not operated by them. Sold to National Skyway Freight / Flying Tiger Line as NC33308 In Jul 1945, then as XB-QUZ in 1948. Impounded in the mid 1960s and stored at Douglas, AZ until sold to Ned Robinson on 23 Aug 1972. He donated it to the Pima Air Museum in Jul 1978.

Registration widely misquoted as XB-DUZ.

Ex US Navy Bu39307

All that remains of the 17 of these built is the fuselage of this machine.

RB-1 Conestoga steel transport aircraft interestingly seen with several Fairchild AT-21 Gunners. Photo from: Hagley Museum and Library

The Budd Company from Philadelphia was a leader in welded steel and its application in trains and cars. As a precaution against aluminum shortages, the US military awarded them contracts for a steel transport aircraft during World War II. The Conestoga was of modern configuration but unsurprisingly it was heavy and sluggish. Seventeen RB-1s were still completed for the US Navy and some of these saw use with civil operators. Photo by: Rudy Arnold / Smithsonian Institution

Ex US Navy 39303, one of 14 acquired by National Skyway Freight Corp. in June 1945. In February 1947 the company became The Flying Tiger LIne, but their fleet of Conestogas was soon phased out. At the time of the photo this example had been sold to the Tucker Motor Co. Fate unknown.

the aircraft entered service with the US Navy in October 1944 as 39307. the type was designated as C-93. To National Skyway Freight/Flying Tiger Line in July 1945 as NC33308. Not taken up by Aerovias Q as CU-C-495. To an unknown owner around 1948 as XB-QUZ (widely misquoted as XB-DUZ). Seized in the mid-1960's for smuggling at Douglas-Bisbee (KDUG). It was placed in open storage at Douglas for a long time before being sold at an auction. The buyer donated the frame to the museum. In March 2020 it was photographed in pieces in the restoration area.

The sole surviving RB-1 Conestoga twin-engined cargo transport. Built in 1944 for US Navy. Three prototypes and 17 production aircraft - this one as serial Bu39307. With increased US production of aluminium, the use of heavier stainless steel in aircraft became unnecessary and further large orders for the type by the USN and USAAF were cancelled. Flew as XB-QUZ postwar, but many source incorrectly mention it as XB-DUZ.

Being of stainless steel construction, this aircraft will never show corrosion.

BuNo 39307. Strange looking airplane at the Pima Air & Space Museum. Registration widely misquoted as XB-DUZ.

Former XB-QUZ (widely misquoted as XB-DUZ) at the Pima Air and Space Museum. All stainless steel aircraft produced in the mid-1940's