This former Buffalo Airways DC-4 (hence the green fin) was always equipped with tanks and booms, initially for agricultural work with Conifair Aviation and later with Buffalo Airways. In 2011 they based the aircraft at Punta Gorda (FL) and placed it on the US register as N55CW to allow it to operate under contract with the US Coast Guard for oil spill dispersal work (using the same spray gear), mainly in the Gulf of Mexico. In Apr 2013 it returned to Red Deer (AB) for the removal of all spray gear, then returned to Florida in 2014, where it was stored at Keystone Heights. It remained there until 27 Apr 2022. On that day it was flown to St. George (UT) on delivery to the Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum for static display, as seen here.

This was a bitter sweet moment, as it would be the final take off roll for this beautiful aircraft, as she unfortunately came down shortly after this photo was taken, during climb out from Fairbanks with the loss of both crew. Blue Skies.

Photographer: Karl Krämer.

A Biegert Skymaster line-up at Chandler Memorial airfield. N44904, N44906, N44908, N44910, N44914 and N44915.

Photographer: Karl Krämer.

Photographer Karl Krämer.

Credit: Ton van der Kleij.

Delivered to the USAAF as a C-54D on 08 Feb 1945 as 42-72449 but immediately transferred to the US Navy as BuNo 50874. Converted to a C-54Q in 1962. WFU and stored at MASDC in Feb 1970. Bought by Mercy Airlift on 29 Sep 1975 and operated until Jun 1980. Bought by Aero Union on 03 Jun 1985. WFU and stored at Chico, CA. Painted up as 272449 in US Army colours and loaned Aerospace Museum of California, McClellan AFB, Sacramento, CA. Registration cancelled on 14 Jul 2004.

Photo by M. Vogel

Operated by Bierget Aviation Inc. Delivered to the USAAF as a C-54D 42-72757. To the US Navy as a R5D-3 with BuNo 56530 in 1945 and redesignated to a C-54Q in 1962. Stored at Davis Monthan in Apr 1971 with inventory code 3C093. To Bierget Aviation on 28 Oct 1975 as N44904 for conversion to an agricultural sprayer. To Brooks Fuel in Fairbanks, AK on 07 Jul 2004. Cancelled on 29 Nov 2012. Noted derelict at Chandler, AZ in 2019.