We circled over Pinal Airpark on our letdown to Avra Valley.

In the early Intermountain livery.

Seen soon after removal of Evergreen paintwork and prepartion in USAAF insignia - my Oct 1979 photo gives the intriguing earlier history of this aircraft. Displayed inside the Evergreen Aviation Museum, McMinnville, OR from 2002, although potentially still airworthy

This well-known Marana inmate began life with Aloha as N5095A back in 5.59 and became CF-QBE with Quebecair in 12.67. TAC leased her from 12.70; to LN-BSD 11.83 and later OY-MUF with Muk then Newair; broken up at Billund 2002

Looking superb in Evergreen's full colours, this is a Douglas-built B-17 with an interesting history. Flew as a CB-17G then VB-17G and became N809Z, used by the CIA with Skyhook Surface to Air Recovery System gear fitted in the nose for Project Coldfeet. This involved the dropping and air retrieval of agents with Soviet ant-submarine warfare intelligence from a polar ice station abandoned by the Russians in 5.63. After fire bomber service, restored to original military identity as per my 1988 photo

Universal bought PH-LLL from KLM in 9.68 and converted her to a freighter. Later operated by Saturn, Trans International (renamed Transamerica 10.79), Galaxy, JBQ and TPI, latterly as N359WS and finally N354Q. Broken up at Opa-locka 11.96

Western were the first owner of this 1959-vintage Electra, here showing the distinctive paddle-blade props to advantage as she rests under the desert sun. Acquired by Johnsons International in 1972, merged into Evergreen 1975 and after being re-registered N5558, wfu and used for spares after 1983

Now that is one sharp looking Convair. Sold by Sierra Pacific to Laredo Air in 1.91 but remained stored and broken up a few years later. Began life as a United CV-340 in 1952, to Frontier in 1963 and converted two years later

Unlike most Skycranes built for the US Army as CH-54s, this one was delivered in 1968 for civilian service and has been used over recent years by Evergreen on fire-fighting duties

Glory days behind them, a group of AA 707s sit in the blazing sun awaiting their fate, only to end up being used for parts in the KC-135E programme. N7576A made the short hop to Davis-Monthan AFB four months later

New to Delta as N819E in 12.65, this Eight had only been with PAL for a couple of years when placed in storage during 1980. Broken up in 3.86 with just 35,790h on the books

This is the former AP-AYW flown by PIA until 2005, surrounded by a sea of Northwest aircraft. Arrived via Prestwick in 09.05 and was originally TAP's CS-TJD in 2.75

Still looking good at the end of her Ethiopian career, this 720 first served Continental as N57201 between 4.62 and 11.74. To Davis Monthan for KC-135 spares reclaimation and eventually broken up

This convertible DC-8, new with AZ in 4.68, had only been in store for a few weeks when caught here and escaped as F-GDJM for Minerve in 11.82. To Cargo Lion 8.92 and registered LX-TLA 4.95; impounded at Greensboro, NC in 2.00 and b/u 3.04

Starting out as N8077U, this DC-8 was converted to Srs 71 in 1983 while still with United, joining Jet Fret (F-GNFM) in 10.92 after modification to freighter by Aeronavali, then Cargosur in 11.93 becoming EC-FVA. To Tampa as HK-4176X in 11.98 and having hauled her last cargo of flowers, into store at Marana in 2006. Since b/u