First flown in 1935, the Norseman was designed for rugged Canadian bush country operations on wheels, floats or skis. Noorduyn supplied 769 to the USAAF by the end of WWII; it was abroad one of these that bandsman Glenn Miller disappeared on a flight from England to France, the aircraft never being found. Marked to represent a UC-64A operated in Alaska late in WWII, this example is actually 44-70296 civilianised in 1946 as N55860 and then CF-KVB in 1958. It was damaged by fire in 1962 but restored by 1969, becoming N57WS in 1980 and being donated to USAFM next year

TOS USAAF July 1944 with s/n 44-70296. Assigned to several units being sold in 1946. Passed through many owners in Canada and USA, including airlines. Last owner was Robert E. Purcell of Ft. Worth, TX, who acquired the plane in January 1980 and registered it N57WS. He donated it to the Air Force Museum in March 1981. It was restored by November 1984, marked as 44-70534 as it appeared in 1946 with Air Transport Command in Alaska.

This aircraft is actually 44-70296, but for display purposes is painted to represent 44-70534, which was stationed in Alaska in 1945-1946. Photo by David Menard.

Originally developed for rugged Canadian bush country operations, the Norseman's qualities were recognised by the USAAF and so Noorduyn produced 762 examples for the USAAF before WWII ended. On Dec. 15, 1944, a UC-64A disappeared on a flight from England to France with bandleader Maj. Glenn Miller on board. The aircraft was never found. This Norseman on display at the National Museum of the USAF is actually 44-70296 but marked as a plane based in Alaska late in WWII.