Originally built for the US Navy as Lockheed PV-1 BuNo 34964 it was scheduled for transfer to the the RAF as FP681 but passed to the South African Air Force as 6454 . In 1960 it was acquired by Howard Aero and, following conversation to Howard 500 status, was operated by a number of corporate owners. Its ultimate fate is unknown but it is rumoured to have served for the CIA in support of Nicaraguan rebels during the period of the Iran/Contra scandal. The registration was cancelled in April 2013 due to the expiration of its certificate.