Looking splendid, with the better nose art version, regained code and original serial on the tail. Built as a DC-3 for American Airlines but not taken up, became USAAF C-49J 43-1975 instead. To N87745 in September 1976, after a handful of US registrations and one Mexican. Operated by Southern Cross Aviaton for about two decades as a jump plane, until badly hurricane-damaged. Into the airshow circuit to regain funds spent on restoration; doing pleasure flights at the photo date. Registration modestly in black below the horizontal stabiliser, not visible from this angle.

Parked in front of the museum hangar. From 2008 until about 2012 this former C-49J was wrongly painted with nonsense serials 41-6315 and 41-6531 at the same time, on the left and right side respectively (both obviously based on the c/n). In the mid 2010s it briefly flew with fake serial "411973", but in about 2016 it was finally painted with its correct serial, 43-1975.

Photographer unknown

Built for American with Wright GR-1820-202A engines but went to USAF as C-49J 43-1975. Falsely painted as 41-6315 (from its c/n) on this side, and as 41-6531 on the other side. Not a bad way to start my trip to the States.

Painted as 41-6531 on this side, and as 41-6315 (from its c/n) on the other side.