Loongana on its belly after the crew failed to lower the undercarriage. On 15 Nov 1954 the pilots of the Sydney-Brisbane flight were practising a new landing drill. The co-pilot was flying the aircraft and the captain handling flaps and gear. Despite warning horns, the captain was certain he had extended the gear and ordered the co-pilot to land. No injuries. The captain, with 23,000 hours in his logbook, was forced to resign from ANA. After minor repairs, VH-ANF ferried to ANA's Melbourne base for final repairs. During this work it was converted to freighter and remained in service until 1967. Sold to CAT in Taiwan as B-1811. Photo from: State Library of Queensland

Built in August 1944 for the USAAF as C-54A 42-72267. Bought by Air France in October 1948 and operated until leased to Air Maroc in December 1953. From Air France 60 years ago.

An aeroplane that had so many names during its life, in this shot showing "New Guinea Trader" at Sydney. Scanned from a duplicate slide from the late Clint Groves.

Ex 42-72273 and PI-C101 with Philippine Airlines. Served Icelandair from July 1948 until sale to Wenela as ZS-CJA on 22 March 1958. Photo in flight over Reykjavik obtained 60 years ago.

Converted to freighter in 1955, sold in Taiwan as B-1811 in August 1967

VH-TAC arrives in Melbourne.

The clearest shot I ever got of this interesting exhibit at the Aviodrome. After WWII KLM boss Albert Plesman was quick to obtain a number of C-54s. Initially they operated as government aircraft, including wartime orange triangle military markings, until things normalised along the airline's route to the East Indies. This airframe is not the real NL-316 / PH-TCD, which was c/n 10312. Being repainted in KLM colours in 2019 to celebrate the airline's 100th anniversary.

Painted as one of 17 C-54s acquired by the Dutch in 1945.

Colonial Airlines were based in New York and acquired its first Skymasters in 1946 to serve their long overwater route to Bermuda. "Skycruiser Bermuda" was bought on 29 May 1947 and served Colonial until their merger into Eastern Air Lines on 1 June 1956. Sold to Independent as G-APCW on 11 August 1957. Obtained from Douglas 60 years ago.

Delivered to the USAAF as 43-17194 in November 1944. Bought by AOA in 1946 and transferred to American Airlines om merger in 1950. Later to Eastern Airlines and other operators.

Just about the only way to get a decent picture with all the clutter gathered around this magnificent old bird - up the replica AMS tower!

Being replenished between firefighting sorties.

Taxiing away for another fire-fighting mission

Leased from Air France by Tunis Air retaining AF scheme. Re-registered TS-BLH in May 1961. Ex USAAF 41-37283 and American Airlines N90408.