The US Army Air Corps' staff Altair after repaint with light blue fuselage, and yellow wings and tailfin. The unit insignia is pale blue around the Capitol dome with a yellow and blue ring around it. Before and probably immediately after the repaint in 1935, the aircraft wore code 3. The front ring of the engine cowling was also for some time chequered yellow and blue. Photo from: National Museum of the US Air Force

This aircraft was originally the sole DL-2, a Sirius with a metal fuselage built in Detroit. By April 1931 it was converted to DL-2A Altair with retractable gear, and delivered to the US Army as the Y1C-23, a fast VIP transport often flown by Ira Eaker. Initially it still wore civil reg NR8494. Here it is seen wearing Bolling Field insignia and simplified designation C-23 just behind the cowling, which should date the photo between 1933 and 1935. On some photos the Secretary of War's flag is painted on the other side. Following a gear-up landing it was rebuilt and repainted in 1935. Condemned to ground instructional airframe following another belly landing with jammed gear in April 1938. Photo from: US Air Force