Dates

Event

Constructed as a C-59.

Circa 1941

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Corps with s/n 41-29631.

From 11 April 1942 to 1 January 1947

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Air Force with s/n EW984 as a Lodestar II.

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Ejercito de Aire.
Exact Serial used by Spanish Air Force not confirmed.

22 October 1942

Crashed.
Summary: The airframe was a loss. There were 13 fatalities. The international non-scheduled passenger flight departed Bilbeis RAF Station, Egypt and was destined for Lydda Airport (TLV/LLBG), Israel. The accident occurred at Bilbeis RAF Station (Egypt) while in the initial climb. Narrative: The Lodestar took off from Bilbeis, Egypt, on a passenger flight to Lydda, Israel. Shortly after becoming airborne the pilot began to perform passes over Bilbeis Camp. He made a run at the Officers Mess tent at a reported height of 8 feet...
For a complete description of the event read the Aviation Safety Network Report.

Editor Note: The Aviation Safety Network has the c/n as 18-2139, but this is believed to be an error.

25 January 1955

To Minnesota Airmotive Inc, Minneapolis, MN with new c/r N9930F.

1957

To Fieldair with new c/r ZK-BUV.
Converted to Topdresser aircraft.

19 February 1958

Civil registration, N9930F, cancelled.
Exported to New Zealand.

1965

Photographer: Graeme Mills - Allan Wooller
Notes: At Palmerston North

By 1967

To Airland keeping c/r ZK-BUV.

7 July 1970

Photographer: Graeme Mills - Don Noble
Notes: At Gisborne NZ

28 November 1972

Permanently withdrawn from use.

1 August 1973

Placed on display.
On poles at placed at the entrance to Gisborne Airport.

11 January 1983

Photographer: Danny Tanner
Notes: Displayed at Gisborne Airport, New Zealand

Taken down from poles and moved in the Museum at Gisborne.

To Gisborne Aviation Preservation Society, Gisborne Airport, Gisborne, Gisborne, North Island.
View the Location Dossier

30 September 2015

Photographer: Graeme Mills
Notes: Outside at Gisborne NZ