Douglas C-54Q Skymaster, N44915 / 10854 , Biegert Aviation
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: N44915
Construction Number: 10854
Model Douglas C-54Q Skymaster
Operator: Biegert Aviation
Airport: Chandler - Memorial Airfield (L07 / KL07), USA - Arizona
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 10/05/1993
Date Submitted: 18/01/2009
Originally designated as a C-54D-10-DC for the United States Army Air Force as 42-72749. She was transferred to the US Navy as Bu.No. 56528 and designated a R5D-3. She was involved in Operation Deep Freeze and was the first aircraft to land on wheels at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica on 20 December 1955. Redesignated a C-54Q in 1962 she was retired to Litchfield Naval Air Facility, Arizona in December 1964 then stored at Davis Monthan in September 1966. She was bought by the Texas Truck Salvage Company on 21 February 1975 then registered N67035 by Robert B. Audiss Jr who bought it on 3 April 1975. Biegert Aviation Inc. bought her on 10 September 1975, she was registered N44915 and stored at Chandler Memorial from 1981. Nicknamed "The Admiral" she was scrapped in January 2006. The cockpit section was saved however, and was to be displayed by the Wingspan Air Heritage Foundation, Mesa, Arizona. Unfortunately, it was stolen from Chandler on 1 December 2007.
Picture ID:1153549