Rare photo showing the prototype Super DC-3 with its original fin shape. Within two weeks this fin was replaced with the taller and squarer fin that became a distinctive feature of this aircraft. Photo from: The Early Aviation Photograph Collection/The Museum of Flight

N number 30000 has been worn by five different DC-3s. NC30000 was issued regularly in 1941 to a DC-3A (c/n 4809) which the Douglas company decided to keep as a demonstrator and executive transport. Douglas kept the mark and used it for the first remanufactured DC-3C (old c/n 13825, new c/n 43073) and then for the first Super DC-3 (c/n 6017/43158). When that one was sold, the reg of the plane in the photo, the second Super DC-3 (c/n 4122/43159) was changed from N15579 to N30000. Another Super DC-3, VC-117D BuNo 17175 (c/n 12779/43301) also wore N30000 in the 1990s. Photo from: San Diego Air & Space Museum

Remanufactured from c/n 12779 for the US Navy as 17175 in 1951. Registered as N21270 in 1983, N175TD in 1986, N30000 in 1990, XA-TMR in 1998 and N32TN in 2002. Destroyed by a hurricane at LaBelle, FL in 2017.

A good comprehensive history is provided by R.A. Scholefield with his photo ID: 114454

Built in 03.44 as R4D-5 17175 c/n 12779 for USMC. Became the first rebuild to R4D-8/C-117D "Super Dakota" standard in 10.51, retaining its BuNo but receiving new c/n 43301. Retired to Davis Monthan in 04.77. N21270 with Hawkins & Powers from 01.83. Lan-Dale Co from 10.85 and reregd to N175TD and again to N30000 (6) from 04.90. XA-TMR. N32TN from 02.02 until wrecked in storm in Florida in 2017.