This C-54 was once owned by Central Air Service and operated as fire fighter in the 1970s. Code 102 and the fire retardant drop tank located on the underside of the belly are a remainder of that time. This drop tank however was later removed but the aircraft remained stored at the Dempsay farm airstrip.

Missing engines and parts and looking a bit forlorn parked in the high grass.

This former fire fighter was parked in the high grass in a corner of Dempsay farm airstrip, Rantoul (KS)

If you look closely you can just make out the faded registration on the rear fuselage of this Lockheed Lodestar. This perticular aircraft was built in 1940 and is owned by D&D Aero since 1976 and based out of this airstrip ever since.

Officialy registered as N37737 for D&D Aero the only identification found on this aircraft was the faded registration HB-ITD. What I personally found interesting, as a former employee of Martinair, that this DC-3 ones flew for Martin's Air Charter as PH-MAA.

Like many surviving DC-3s N200MX had a long career, built in 1941 for Penn Central Airlines the aircraft saw brief military service between 1942 and 1943 before being returned to Penn Central. Up until the time this picture was taken the DC-3 had mostly flown within the USA for various operators. Between 1968 and 1984 though, the aircraft flew for a company from Ecuador as HC-AOP, the colour scheme (?) and name is also from this time. Tariri, Chief was later added, was a leader of the Indian Shapras Tribe during the 1950s and 1960s who lived in the border area of Peru and Ecuador

This former USAF Convair C-131B can be found at Dempsay Farm near Dodsons yard in Rantoul (KS). Although it is officially registered as N43941 to D&D Aero the civil registration is nowhere to be found but part of its former USAF serial (37801 / 53-7801) can be seen peeking through the paint on its tail.

Operated by D&D Aero Spray. Originally delivered to the US Navy as 69472.

Operated by D&D Aero Spray. Originally delivered to the US Navy as 26912.

Parked at Bill Dempsay's farm airstrip. Note the Jetstar "on a stick" across the street at the entrance to Dodson International Aircraft Parts

Literally in the tall weeds at Bill Dempsay's farm airstrip in Rantoul

Remnants of registration HB-ITD remain from service with Balair in the 1960s.

Awaiting an uncertain future at Bill Dempsay's farm airstrip.

Under restoration at Bill Dempsay's farm airstrip in beautiful Rantoul, Kansas.

Missing two of her four engines, this air tanker appears to have flown its last mission.

Former Central Air Service aircraft, now stored in the tall weeds at Bill Dempsay's farm airstrip in Rantoul.