Operated by Aero Union Corporation this aircraft is a water bomber. Much needed in California in the summer months for fire fighting duties. Delivered to the USAAF on 20Jul 1945 as 45-0535. WFU and stored at MASDC - Davis Monthan in Jun 1971. To N3303F on 13 Nov 1975 with Dross Metals Inc. Sold to Aero Union on 22 Apr 1976 for use as a water bomber. To Conair as C-GBNV in May 1981. To Buffalo Airways in Feb 1995. Stored at Red Deer Airport (YQF) since Jun 2011.

After retirement from USAF service, converted to a firebomber by Aero Union in 1976. Sold on in 1981 to Conifair, who reconfigured the aircraft as an anti-budworm sprayer. Bought by Buffalo in 1996 and reverted to a firebombing role for a few more years. Seen here in store at Red Deer as Tanker, "56" but with overwing spray bars fitted again.

Delivered to the USAAF as 45-535 in 1945. Renamed to USAF in 1947. Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB with park code CC194 in 1971. To Dross Metals as N3303F in 1975 then to Aero Union in 1976. To Conifair as C-GBNV 1981 and converted to a sprayer then to Buffalo Airways in 1995 and converted to a fire bomber. Withdrawn from use at Red Deer, AB in 2011 and fire bombing tank removed.

Later retired from military service and entered civil register as N3303F with Aero Union, then to C-GBNV with Buffalo Airways.

Post war C-54 45-0535 was retired to AMARC in 1971 after US Air Force service. Declared surplus, the aircraft was bought by Dross Metals and registered N3303F in 1975. It returned to flying in 1976 with Aero Union after fire bomber conversion. Registered to Conifair Aviation as C-GBNV in 1981, it was used mainly for spraying Quebec forests to control damage from Spruce budworms. Buffalo Airways bought the aircraft in 1996 and it remains current (at the time of uploading), but has not flown for some time.

Retardant tank is gone and it is now fitted out for spraying.

Most likely stored now at Hay River. Very nice artwork and info on the nose of this classic.

Buffalo Joe's Tanker 56 is undergoing maintenance at Red Deer.

Seen here in sprayer configuration. To Buffalo Airways in 1995 and converted to airtanker. Stored in 2006, then reconfigured to sprayer in 2011-2012.

Agricultural sprayer.

Seen here in sprayer configuration, with its under-belly tank removed.

Retired by Buffalo and stored at Hay River Airport. Still with under-belly tank.