The aircraft was built as USAAF C-53D 42-68701, and on D-Day 6th June 1944 it carried US Army paratroopers from RAF Folkingham in Lincolnshire to a drop zone in Normandy. Civilianised in 1946 as NC86588 it served with Penn Central, Capital, and Continental Airlines. It was re-registered as N87SA to Southern Airways in 1954 and to N8701 with Carolina Aircraft in 1967, operating for Florida Air Taxi before sale to Red Carpet as N700RC in 1975 and then to Key West Airlines in July 1980. Finally it was sold to Hill Air at Fort Lauderdale Int. in July 1988 and was last reported there in 1991.

Formerly operated with Red Carpet Airlines (hence the reg). To Hill Air in March 88.

Built as C-53D-DO for the USAAF, 42-68701. Other regns include NC86588, N87SA and N700RC.

Ex USAAF C-53D Skytrooper 42-68701 with small passenger door. Served Penn Central, Capital and Southern. N700RC with Red Carpet and then Key West Airlines from July 1980 until March 1988.