Delivered to British Commonwealth Pacific Airways as VH-BPG in 1948. To Tasman Empire Airways as ZK-BFB in 1954. Reregistered as ZK-BGB in 1956. To the Royal New Zealand Air Force as NZ3632 in 1961. Sold as N254N in 1964. To Pacific Western Airlines as CF-PWP in 1965 then to Mercer Airlines as N80MA in 1971. To Aerial Applicators in 1972 and converted to a fire bomber. To Sis-Q in 1981, Macavia in 1975 then T & G Aviation in 1991 but remained in Macavia colours. Sold as 9Q-CPL in 1994 then EL-WNH in 1997. Fire bombing tank removed. Stored at Lanseria in 1998. Still there in 2022.

Delivered to British Commonwealth Pacific Airways as VH-BPG in 1948. To Tasman Empire Airways as ZK-BFB in 1954. Reregistered as ZK-BGB in 1956. To the Royal New Zealand Air Force as NZ3632 in 1961. Sold as N254N in 1964. To Pacific Western Airlines as CF-PWP in 1965 then to Mercer Airlines as N80MA in 1971. To Aerial Applicators in 1972 and converted to a fire bomber. To Sis-Q in 1981, Macavia in 1975 then T & G Aviation in 1991 but remained in Macavia colours. Sold as 9Q-CPL in 1994 then EL-WNH in 1997. Fire bombing tank removed. Stored at Lanseria in 1998. Still there in 2022.

Delivered to British Commonwealth Pacific Airways as VH-BPG in 1948. To Tasman Empire Airways as ZK-BFB in 1954. Reregistered as ZK-BGB in 1956. To the Royal New Zealand Air Force as NZ3632 in 1961. Sold as N254N in 1964. To Pacific Western Airlines as CF-PWP in 1965 then to Mercer Airlines as N80MA in 1971. To Aerial Applicators in 1972 and converted to a fire bomber. To Sis-Q in 1981, Macavia in 1975 then T & G Aviation in 1991 but remained in Macavia colours. Sold as 9Q-CPL in 1994 then EL-WNH in 1997. Fire bombing tank removed. Stored at Lanseria in 1998. Still there in 2022.

The southernmost aircraft at the fire dump, still identifiable by the remains of the text 'A Step Ahead' on this side of the forward fuselage. An HS125, already missing its tail, is hiding behind the propliner.

Sold in the US as N254N in April 1964. Photo from: Des White/Air Force Museum of New Zealand

At the Pan American terminal across the field from the main terminal near the Coast Guard Air Station at San Francisco.

Ex 9Q-CPL, registered Aug 1997 and withdrawn from use from then at FALA (Lanseria). Used by airport fire services

Ex 9Q-CPL, registered Aug 1997 and withdrawn from use at FALA (Lanseria) for use as a fire trainer.

Last seen derelict at Lanseria (South Africa) as EL-WNH in 2014.

Sold in Zaire as 9Q-CPL in 1994.

In 2022 not on its legs anymore, but not scrapped yet either.

Delivered new in 12.48 as VH-BPG for the Trans-Pacific service. Converted to tanker in 05.72 and operated by Macavia from 05.85 until 02.91. Later to 9Q-CPL and EL-WNH.

Note that although still with Macavia titles, the aircraft was by this date in the ownership of T&G Aviation.

Taxiing into the Pan Am Terminal area at San Francisco.

Hard to imagine this DC-6 in its glory days with Tasman Empire Airways and Pacific Western Airlines amongst others. Now carrying "Vusumzi - I Am, We Are" titles, Vusumzi apparently means "one who restores and builds the family". It has 'A Step Ahead' and 'Odysseus' titles on the other side under the fire practice scorch marks. The (ex) Westwind in front is (was) N89XL

A very old DC-6 (delivered Dec 1948), now converted to firebomber. The signs of frequent use of red fire retardant are clearly visible. Macavia's ship 20 does carry titles, almost unreadable just below the logo on the nose.
This aircraft was sold as 9Q-CPL in 1994 and became EL-WNH in 1997. By 2007 it was in use as a fire trainer at Lanseria, South Africa, and it was still there in derelict condition by 2015.