Acquired by American Airlines from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation on 7 December 1945 and modified as a flying test bed for airborne radar research. The print has a Kaiser-Fleetwings rubber stamp dated 'SEP 20 1946' on the back. That plus the inclusion of the company's Chief Engineer (R.W. Ayer) in the photo suggests their involvement in providing the strange-looking cupola. On 8 August 1947 the aircraft was wrecked when it stalled into the East River during a single engine missed approach at LaGuardia/NY.

Opened in 1937 as Harewood aerodrome. Used as a RNZAF base in World War II. International air services started in 1950. Since the 1950s Harewood has been an important base for aircraft heading to US bases in Antarctica. The airport is officially Christchurch Airport in line with a move away from using local names. Photo from: Whites Aviation Collection/Alexander Turnbull Library

PD328 was used for several long distance flights starting in 1944 initially in standard Lancaster configuration. It was modified along the lines of a Lancastrian for a series of polar flights. Its last epic journey was to New Zealand and Australia in 1946. In 1948 Aries was scrapped. Photo from: National Library of Australia

Became VH-AYU. Photo from: Civil Aviation Historical Society, Melbourne, Australia