Unknown photographer

Delivered to the USAAF as 44-9088 then to Douglas as NC88881 in 1945 and converted to DC-4 conversion #13. To Pan American in 1945 and reregistered as N88881 in 1949. To Japan Air Lines as JA6015 in 1958 then to Ansett-ANA as VH-INM in 1965. Converted to Carvair #21 in 1968. To Australian Aircraft Sales in 1974. Sold as N54596 then to Nationwide Air as ZK-NWB in 1978 then sold as N5459M in 1990. To Phoebus Apollo Aviation as 9J-PAA in 2002. Stored at Rand in 2005. Still there in 2022.

Delivered to the USAAF as 44-9088 then to Douglas as NC88881 in 1945 and converted to DC-4 conversion #13. To Pan American in 1945 and reregistered as N88881 in 1949. To Japan Air Lines as JA6015 in 1958 then to Ansett-ANA as VH-INM in 1965. Converted to Carvair #21 in 1968. To Australian Aircraft Sales in 1974. Sold as N54596 then to Nationwide Air as ZK-NWB in 1978 then sold as N5459M in 1990. To Phoebus Apollo Aviation as 9J-PAA in 2002. Stored at Rand in 2005. Still there in 2022.

Still surviving on the Phoebus Apollo apron, having not found a new owner since her withdrawal from use in 2005.

The final Carvair conversion (#21) for Ansett Airlines as VH-INM, delivered in 1968. later flew with Nationwide Air in New Zealand as ZK-NWB and Hawaii Pacific Air as N5459M. Flown to South Africa in 1996 and eventually bought by Phoebus Apollo in March 2002. Registered as 9J-PAA and used principally to fly cigarettes and general cargo between Johannesburg and Lusaka, the aircraft was withdrawn from use by 2005 and stored at Rand. Still present in 2021.

Ex N5459M, registered 20th May 2002, still present at FAGM (Rand Airport) at time of upload

Growing up in Southend when the Carvair was still an everyday sight, it was great to catch up with one of the two survivors, the last of 21 built. I remember seeing her being converted from DC-4 VH-INM in ATEL's hangar in 1968. Resuming service with Ansett-ANA, she later went to Nationwide in NZ and Hawaii Pacific Air before going to S Africa in 1996. Bought by Phoebus in 2002 ('Exclusive' titling was from a cigarette brand) and last flew JNB-QRA 25.6.05. Engines recently refitted and not looking too bad but has remained for sale in increasingly poor condition