Very rare photo of ex USAAF 42-72334, which was converted by Douglas to C54B-DC, and delivered to Pan Am as NX88892 in August 1946. For some reason the aircraft was registered with the NX prefix, denoting "experimental". It was reportedly never taken in service and remained unnamed (note it only carries the word "Clipper", without an actual name). Instead it went to Avianca Colombia as C-114 in September 1946, but on February 15, 1947 the aircraft crashed into Mount El Tablazo en-route from Barranquilla to Bogotá, killing all 53 people on board - which at the time, was the worst commercial airline crash in history.

Scanned from a print with no info recorded, so Christchurch location is surmised. First flown on 28 August 1950 and loaned from the Ministry of Supply for the London-New Zealand Air Race. Used for various trials, then stored in 1958, the fuselage was cut and finally used for BAC 111 engine installation tests in 1961 before final scrapping. (Photographer Unknown)

(De Havilland Photo - DHA LDK.1)

Built in July 1934 as part of an order for launch customer TWA, it was soon disposed of as the DC-3 became available to them and was purchased by Braniff. Photo taken at what is probably the site of the current Oklahoma City airport. It then passed to the US War Department as 42-61096 but was deregistered on 4 May 1943. It was operated by Aerovias Brazil until a landing accident at Lagoa Santa on 5 February 1947 damaged the aircraft beyond repair. (Unknown Photographer)

First registered to Western Airlines in April 1946 as N10203, it was sold to Australian National Airways (ANA) in July 1947 as VH-ANG. Then to British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines (BCPA) in April 1948 as VH-BPD before being purchased by QEA in May 1949 as VH-EBM. After being with them for ten years it was sold to Zantup Air Transport (N600Z) and probably converted for cargo operations. In April 1962 it was purchased by Trans Mediterranean Airways (OD-AEC) but crashed on 9 July 1962. (Photographer Unknown)

Prototype Drover fitted with the problematic variable-pitch propellers. (Milton Kent Photo)

Delivered on July 2, 1935, to Braniff at what is probably the site of the current Oklahoma City airport. A few years later it was sold to Boston & Maine Airways re registered as NC242. By the late 1940s, "1030" had been sold to Wisconsin Air Central re-registered NC842. "1030" was then sold to Cordova Air Service in Alaska and registered N842 on 6 February 1952. At some stage it passed to a private owner. It was damaged beyond repair at Anchorage (possibly in 1960). (Unknown Photographer)

The prototype Viscount on display to the press on a wet day - 2 September 1948 - at Brooklands Airfield, Weybridge, UK, now painted after its first flight on the 16 July 1948. The aircraft was written off after the right undercarriage collapsed during tropical climates tests at Khartoum, 27 August 1952. (Aircraft Photograph)

From a 1937 image showing one of the Braniff Airlines fleet at what is probably the site of the current Oklahoma City airport. Although the registration letters are mostly obscured, this is also most certainly Lockheed Vega NC12288 (later N12288). Constructed in March 1933 by ex-employees of the bankrupt Detroit Aircraft who had purchased a majority interest in Lockheed in 1929. The aircraft was originally owned by Morrell Meat Packing Company but was modified for Braniff use. It later passed to other owners and was later wrecked. The remains were recovered and restored to flying condition.

First of an eventual fleet of twelve for TAA, VH-TJJ "Edmund Kennedy", first flew on 12 March 1967. Ferried to Essendon, Australia, arriving on 13 April 1967, it carried out its first revenue flight three days later. Initially WFU in February 1982 and sold, it was leased back and recommenced operations one year later, renamed "Hamilton Hume". Final revenue flight in Australia was on January 18, 1987. The aircraft was then operated in the US and South America, being finally scrapped in the early 2000's. Image taken near Catalina Island. (McDonnell Douglas Corporation - Neg. No. GC367-197)

Why this aircraft was in New Zealand then is unrecorded, but TEAL - New Zealand's national airline - did later lease TAA DC-4s for services when Sandringham flying boats were grounded and for services from Christchurch. Ordered new by TAA and entered service on 4 November 1946. Leased to British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines from April 1948 to February 1949 and registered as VH-BPB. Returned to TAA and registration renewed as VH-TAB but name changed to "John Gilbert". Later converted to a freighter in 1959. Renamed "David Collins". Sold in 1970. (Whites Aviation, Auckland Photo No. 5563)

First flown in August 1964, the aircraft arrived in Essendon on 16 October 1964 and commenced revenue operations on the 2 November 1964, its last revenue flight being on the 14th of February 1976. The aircraft was sold and operated in the US until 1991 and finally scrapped in 1993. (Original Photo by Boeing - No. P36501)

The prototype Comet emerges from the De Havilland Experimental Shop at Hartfield, UK on 25th July 1949 - two days before its first flight. (De Havilland Photo 4222)

Built for Eastern Airlines and delivered on 31 August 1941 and remained with them until 1953. Has had a long career and is still apparently airworthy as of date of posting. Also listed as a version DC-3-201 G. (Photographer Unknown)

Purchased new by ANA and entered service on the 10 June 1946. Crashed on landing at Sydney on 16 October 1952. The aircraft was recovered and transported to Melbourne but was declared beyond economical repair. (British Columbia Government Travel Bureau Photo - 1947)

Departing Whenaupai Airport - Auckland's International Airport from 1945 to 1965 - probably on March 8th,1946 during Sydney-Auckland-Sydney demonstration flight. The aircraft operated its first revenue flight on 11 February 1946 but was lost in a crash shortly after take-off from Perth, Western Australia 26 June 1950 with the loss of all on board. (Unknown Photographer)

Vickers v.747 G-ANXV. Delivered to Butler Air Transport "RMA Warral" registered as VH-BAT in October 1955. To Ansett-ANA September 1958. Re-registered VH-RMO May 1963. Leased to MMA (Western Australia) April to Sept 1968. WFU December 1968. Prepared for sale to Pan Indonesian painted in a blue paint scheme, but the sale did not eventuate. Scrapping commenced in 1972 with remaining sections finally scrapped in July 1976. (Ivan Wilson Photo)

An early production Airtourer constructed in 1962. Operated by the Rockhampton Aero Club but crashed on 22 December 1964. (Ivan Wilson Photo)

Trans Australia Airlines second Boeing 727-76, entering service on 29 November 1964. Operated its last revenue service 29 January 1980 after being used intermittently since August 1977. (Photo by I Wilson)