A typically smoky start from "Big John" as it prepares for another cross-channel trip. In its later colour scheme with dark blue undersides. WFU in 1977 and stored at Southend. Scrapped in 1983.

slide scan from the NK collection. - Since 1974, "Big John" was operated in a revised BAF-colour scheme - single-tone blue cheatline, and a dark underside. It was withdrawn at Southend in 1977 and later broken up.

Taken from the much-loved viewing area in the Southend terminal with leased TAR machine F-BRPT behind. Named "Big John" later the same year. WFU in 1977 and stored at Southend. Scrapped in 1983.

Parked out of use outside the BAF headquarters. Registration cancelled as "destroyed" on 30th May 1984 after the aircraft was broken up at Southend in December 1983.

Passenger's car being loaded

Delivered to the USAAF as 42-72246 in 1944. To Douglas in 1946 and converted to a DC-4 for Pan American as NC88919 in 1947. To Twentieth Century Airlines in 1948 then to Alitalia as I-DALV in 1950, California Eastern Airlines as N1436V in 1954 and Air Charter as G-AOFW in 1955. Merged into British United Airways in 1960. Converted to a Carvair for British United Air Ferries in 1963. Name changed to British Air Ferries in 1967. Last flew in 1977 and stored at Southend. Scrapped in 1983.

Delivered to the USAAF as 42-72246 in 1944. To Douglas in 1946 and converted to a DC-4 for Pan American as NC88919 in 1947. To Twentieth Century Airlines in 1948 then to Alitalia as I-DALV in 1950, California Eastern Airlines as N1436V in 1954 and Air Charter as G-AOFW in 1955. Merged into British United Airways in 1960. Converted to a Carvair for British United Air Ferries in 1963. Name changed to British Air Ferries in 1967. Last flew in 1977 and stored at Southend. Fitted with nose doors from CF-EPV after its nose doors were damaged in a storm. Scrapped in 1983.

The unhurried climb-rate of the Carvair (and DC-4) were very convenient for photographers

A nice line-up of three Skymasters - two of Alitalia, and the farthest believed Avianca. I-DALT (c/n 10400), second in line, was an ex USAAF C-54A converted to DC-4 standard by Douglas and acquired by AZ in March 1950 for operation on their routes to Buenos Aires and Caracas. Sold in 1954. From AZ 60 years ago.

After withdrawal in the late 1970's there was a hope she'd be preserved but despite a campaign led by a BAF Captain, sadly "Big John" was broken up in 12.83, closing an important chapter of Southend history

Beginning life as a USAAF C-54 in 1944 then serving Pan Am and Alitalia among others after DC-4 modification, the airframe arrived in the UK as G-AOFW with Air Charter in 1955. Emerging as a Carvair in 2.64, she served Iberia and Aviaco briefly before her BUAF career