Originally built in December 1943 as C-47A c/n 12088 and allocated USAAF serial 42-108824, the aircraft was diverted to the US Navy as R4D-5 BuNo 17122. In 1952 it was re-manufactured as R4D-8, (C-117D after September 1962), c/n 43335 but retained the same BuNo. On 2nd February 1998, whilst parked at Opa Locka, it was wrecked by the tornado that damaged or destroyed 140 aircraft at that airfield, although it's hulk was visible there well into the new century.

Rebuilt as R4D-8 17122 from c/n 12088 in 1952. Redesignated as a C-117D in 1962. Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB with park code 6C049 in 1977. Registered as N2121U in 1983, HI-521SP in 1992 and YV-505C then N505C in 1993. Destoyed by a hurricane at Opa Lockas in 1998.

Photo via Lionel Paul.

Hit by tornado about a month earlier.

Sold as N2121U 1983.