Although this Lodestar survives in Finland, its early history is not easily found. Just before the fall of France in 1940, F-ARTF was delivered to French state company Air Afrique. In July 1940 it flew from Morocco to Dakar, carrying personnel of a Curtiss Hawk 75 squadron. Turned from Vichy to Free French, it is seen at Algiers - Maison Blanche in 1944. It wears Air France titles plus an illegible text above the cabin windows, and the Air France winged seahorse on the nose. To Aéro-Africaine after the war. To OH-VKU in 1953. Photo by: Robert Moisy / ECPAD

'Flying over Cairo before landing at Heliopolis.' Built in 1940 as NC33617 for Catalina Air Transport of Long Beach, California. Impressed in July 1941 as a C-56C, serial 42-53503. Transferred to UK as a Lodestar Mk I, AX759, in September 1941, and to BOAC as G-AGCM that same month. To RAF as VR955 in August 1946. Withdrawn from use in April 1947. Photo by: N S Clark / Imperial War Museums

Built in 1940 and registered as NC25601. To the USAAF as C-56C 42-68690 in 1942. Back to NC25601 in 1943, reregistered as N25601 after 1948 and N141C in 1958. Stored at Mesa-Falcon Field by 1984, with faded "Vistas Unlimited. Ltd." titles still visible. Later moved to Ocotillo Wells, CA.

Delivered new to Mid Continent Als as NC25601 in May 1940. Impressed by USAAF as C-56C 42-68690 in 07.42. Returned to Mid Cont. N141C from 09.58 and Vistas Unlimited from 10.69. Shown stored still wearing the latter's faded titles in 07.86.

Mid-Continental publicity photo. Photo from: Civil Aviation Historical Society, Melbourne, Australia

Delivered Mid-Continent A/L as NC25601 on 1 May 1940. Impressed into service by the USAAF as C-56C-LO 42-68690. Seen here in the livery of a real estate development firm.