The North Star was a Canadian development of the Douglas C-54/DC-4, with some features of the DC-6. This airframe was manufactured in 1948 by Canadair Limited in Montreal, Quebec and was delivered to the RCAF in March of that year. It spent its entire career with No. 426 Squadron. It is the only surviving North Star. The plane is still undergoing renovation, but so far it doesn't look any better than in previous photos.

Former HZ-AAH

Delivered to the USAAF as 42-72294 in September 1944 this C-54 had an interesting post-war career. To American Airlines as N90442 in February 1946, then Braathens SAFE as LN-HHK February 1954, to Loftleiðir as TF-IAL July 1955, leased to Braathens during 1958, sold to Interocean Airways as LX-IAL July 1960. Operated by the UN peace keeping forces in the Congo 1960-1961, returned to Interoceacn and sold to Riis Flyrederi May 1966. Parted out at Oslo-Fornebu during 1969. Photographer unknown

PH-TAR was registered on 25 April 1946 and cancelled on 11 February 1948 when it started operating as PJ-TAR untill 3 December 1948 when it was reverted to PH-TAR. It was cancelled ten days later and exported to Spain as EC-AEK, later on it became HI-169. The airframe was withdrawn from use in 1975. ( Scanned from an original KLM photo)

Sold in Indonesia July 1975. Seulawah Air Services collapsed and the aircraft was recovered by the owner who flew it to Singapore. Fred Harris photo

Delivered to the USAAF as C-54B 43-17188 then transferred to the US Navy as R5D-2 90389 in 1944. Redesignated as a C-54P in 1962. Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB with park code 3C091 in 1971. To Biegert Aviation as N44906 in 1975 and converted to a sprayer. Spray bar can be seen on the wing. Stored at Chandler-Gila River Memorial by 1987. To Brooks Fuel in 2001 and used for parts. Remains had been burnt by 2023.

Delivered to the USAAF as C-54D 42-72749 then transferred to the US Navy as R5D-3 56528 in 1945. Redesignated as a C-54Q in 1962. Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB with park code 3C033 in 1966. Sold as N67035 then to Biegert Aviation in 1975. Reregistered as N44915 in 1976. Used for parts at Chandler-Gila River Memorial. Nose only left by 2006. Nosewheel door appears to have been swapped with the one from N44912.

Ansett acquired VH-INL from JAL specifically for cargo. It was sold in South East Asia as N32AC and ended its days in Cambodia where the Khmer Rouge destroyed it. Fred Harris photo

This is the only VC-54C built, 42-107451, the first dedicated presidential aircraft. It had the fuselage of a C-54A with the wings of a C-54B for extra fuel capacity. Known as "Sacred Cow' in view of its highly sensitive security profile, for President Roosevelt's only flight aboard it to the Yalta Conference in February 1945, it was marked with false serial 42-72252 belonging to a C-54 which had been lost in the Pacific. Roosevelt's successor, Harry S. Truman signed the 1947 National Security Act aboard, creating the USAF. Retired from regular transport work in 1961, it went to the USAFM 1983

Delivered to the USA Air Force as C-54G 45-636 in 1945. Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB in 1973. Sold as N54577 in 1978. To Aero Union as N2742G in 1982 and converted to a firebomber. To Buffalo Airways as C-FBAP in 2005. Withdrawn from use at Hay River, NT in 2014. Still there in 2025.

Unknown photographer

Unknown photographer

Tony Lloyd image

Ex USAAF ordered as 44-9126. Now preserved in Australia at Shellharbour as VH-EAY.

This DC-4 was on overhaul with Fields and departed to Djerba on 17Apr73. Credit to Tony Lloyd collection.

This former Buffalo Airways DC-4 (hence the green fin) was always equipped with tanks and booms, initially for agricultural work with Conifair Aviation and later with Buffalo Airways. In 2011 they based the aircraft at Punta Gorda (FL) and placed it on the US register as N55CW to allow it to operate under contract with the US Coast Guard for oil spill dispersal work (using the same spray gear), mainly in the Gulf of Mexico. In Apr 2013 it returned to Red Deer (AB) for the removal of all spray gear, then returned to Florida in 2014, where it was stored at Keystone Heights. It remained there until 27 Apr 2022. On that day it was flown to St. George (UT) on delivery to the Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum for static display, as seen here.