Around-the-world tour with Air Challenger titles

US Army Air Force C-60A Lodestar 42-55899 was quickly sold after World War II via the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. Variously registered NC17092, N8008 and N600L in 1957 after Westinghouse Electric bought the aircraft in 1956. It was converted to a Learstar II in 1958. Re-registered N608L when bought by The Lincoln National Life in 1964. Later with United Founders Life insurance company, a series of owners followed until it was impounded for drug smuggling in 1975. Pictured with Vintage Aircraft Sales, the registration was kept current until 2013, but the eventual fate is unknown.

author unknown

Crashed near Stanwood, Washington during parachuting operations. Control lost due to exceeding the aft CoG limit. Three parachutists struck the tailplane trying to exit the aircraft, one fatally. 10 others died including both crew members. It had been carrying 24 jumpers

It had been withdrawn from use since Jan 79. I have also seen an entry stating that it was converted to a Gulfstar I in 1959. Was the Learstar II a further conversion?

Ex USAAF 42-55936. Crashed on approach to Oneonta, NY on 16 March 1984 (as N77777), with 3,000 lbs of marijuana found in the wreckage.

Named "Air Challenger" for a flight around the world.

Named "Air Challenger" for an around the world flight in 1974, which was not completed. Delivered to the USAAF as model 18-56-23, C-60A-5-LO 42-56027. Cvtd to Learstar in 1956. Other regns include NC88744, N88744, N14M, N1414, N505S and CP-2046.

This former C-60A Lodestar (ex 42-56027) was converted to Learstar Mk2 in 1956/1957. It was impounded for drug smuggling and is seen here in storage with the Sheriff's department. It was sold in Feb 1980 and eventually ended up in Bolivia as CP-2046.