Delivered to the USAAF as 37-29. To civil registry as NC52056 in 1945 then N52056 after 1948. Converted to a sprayer around 1956 then to a firebomber in 1960. Operated by Hawkins and Powers Aviation from 1969. Last flight from Greybull, WY to Castle AFB in 1981.

A former Hawkins & Powers airtanker (ex N52056, Tanker B20) on display at the museum in USAAC markings since 25 Oct 1981. It was initially displayed with code R-38 on the fin, but by 1995 this had been changed to BI-24. This aircraft is widely quoted as a B-18B, but that is wrong. A B-18B has a tail boom and a very distinctive bulbous nose which housed the B-18B's MAD gear. This aircraft has a regular B-18 nose and no tail boom, so it is not a B-18B anymore.

Photographer: Bob Shane.

Airtanker owned by Hawkins & Powers Aviation, note the belly drop doors. To Castle Air Museum, California in 1981 and displayed in USAAC markings.

Derived from the DC-2, the B-18 competed against the B-17 and even won, although the Flying Fortress was acknowleged to have a lot of potential.