A little update from Gila River (C-54 42-72496/N44910)

[Chris Brame]

My brother passed along this story from the Daily Herald of Arlington Heights, IL. (You'll have to disable your ad blocker.)

Reading between the lines, it looks like the end may be near for the aircraft at Chandler/Gila River:

https://www.dailyherald.com/news/202002 ... flyer-home

If you still have trouble reading it, Google has the images here:

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=2C1VA ... 80&bih=629

From the 1945 Maine Township High School yearbook:

Kind of poignant to see Mr. Johnson adding the nose art slogan one last time before she goes. Baugher notes that 44-72496's tail was previously removed to repair a damaged fire bomber; anyone know which one?

[Mick G]

A quick Google Earth search appears to show they are not longer in place. The DC7 inside the compound still shows, but the 4 C54s appear to be gone?

[XL446]

Baugher notes that 44-72496's tail was previously removed to repair a damaged fire bomber; anyone know which one?

Hi Chris,

Ruud Leeuw says it went to N460WA (44-9133), cf. http://ruudleeuw.com/guestphotos-43.htm (scroll down almost to the bottom). I remember reading about it at the time, but can't find the reference to corroborate his claim. Anyway, the timelines fit, so I don't think there is a need to doubt him.

All the best,

Roger

[Chris Brame]

A quick Google Earth search appears to show they are not longer in place. The DC7 inside the compound still shows, but the 4 C54s appear to be gone?

Still there as of now on GE, or whenever this was taken:

Ruud Leeuw says it went to N460WA (44-9133), cf. http://ruudleeuw.com/guestphotos-43.htm (scroll down almost to the bottom).

Thanks Roger! Good to see a piece of Maine's Flyer is still... flying.