A few C-74s were sold on the civilian market. In March 1959, 42-65408 was bought by Akros Dynamics 'for a Cuban party'. On 22 May, ten men and a 'shapely red-headed woman co-pilot' were arrested at MIA while loading the aircraft with guns and ammunition. This photo was published the next day. The arms smugglers were anti-Castro and had ties with the Dominican Republic government. Did they also operate that F4U Corsair? The USA had recognized Castro's government and didn't support rebels yet in 1959. N8199H to Aeronaves de Panama which operated three C-74s until the fatal crash of N3182G (c/n 13915) near Marseille in 1963. Photo from: The Miami Herald

This really was bad timing! Ex USAAF 42-65408. Sister HP-379 (13920) suffered the same fate at Turin after the demise of the operator. Third Sister HP-385 (13915) crashed in 1963. All three were named 'Heracles' and were operated by Aeronaves de Panama.