Dates

Event

By September 1951

Constructed as a R6D-1.

6 September 1951

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Navy with BuNo 128424.

6 September 1951

Transferred to Transport Squadron 5 (VR-5), NAS Moffett Field, CA.
First active R6D-1, flight delivered with Donald Douglas, Sr. on this flight.

From 1954 to 1955

Converted to a R6D-1Z.
Converted at Naval Air Rework Facility, NAS Corpus Christi, TX.

From 1955 to March 1977

Transferred to Transport Squadron 21 (VR-21), NAS Barbers Point, HI.

From 1955 to 1983

From NNAM site regarding duty from 1955 to 1983, including during the Vietnam War: the airplane served as a flag transport for the Commander in Chief Pacific and Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet. its passengers included admirals, ambassadors, and heads of state, with VR-21 and Composite Squadron 1 (VC-1).

18 September 1962

Redesignated as VC-118B.

10 June 1966

Photographer: Earl Hawk

From March 1977 to March 1978

Transferred to NAS Barbers Point, HI.

March 1978

Transferred to Fleet Composite Squadron 1 (VC-1), NAS Barbers Point, HI.

August 1980

Photographer: Geoff Goodall
Notes: The last Douglas C-118 to visit Perth was this highly-polished C-118B 128424 which arrived from Jakarta in August 1980.It had a VIP cabin and was carrying a US 7th Fleet Admiral on an inspection tour, leaving next day for Brisbane and Hawaii

October 1983

Ferry flight. Delivered to Naval Air Rework Facility, NAS Pensacola, FL.

1984

To National Naval Aviation Museum, NAS Pensacola, Pensacola, FL.
View the Location Dossier

28 February 1994

Photographer: Ewo van Houten
Notes: Skymaster, BuA # 128424, displayed on ground around museum

11 September 2003

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

27 March 2011

Photographer: Terry Fletcher
Notes: National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola NAS, Pensacola, Florida, United States

8 October 2012

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield