Delivered in 1956 as L-20, (re-designated U-6A in 1962), 54-1708 for the US Army, it was civilianised as N5342G for the Civil Air Patrol in September 1976. On 20th February 2009 at Kenai, AK., the aircraft was substantially damaged during a training flight when, after a touch-and-go landing on a frozen snow-covered lake, it failed to climb away and collided with tree-covered terrain. The remains were subsequently offered up to tender for scrapping / destruction only in 2012. (With thanks to the excellent dhc-2.com)

Fuselage skins likely replaced due to corrosion in service.

After a long career with the Civil Air Patrol this Beaver was sold in 2016 and after a fresh new paint scheme was applied by Sealand it is now operating with Sheldon Air Services.

Six weeks after this photo was taken, the pilot of this aircraft lost control during step-taxi training on Seven Mile Lake due south of Big Lake, AK. This lovely little Beaver collided with the lake shore and some trees, and was substantially damaged. The aircraft was repaired but soon thereafter transferred to the US Department of the Interior. In June 2008 it was reregistered as N720. Note the "Civil Air Patrol - USAF Auxiliary" logo on the door.

Note the "Civil Air Patrol - USAF Auxiliary" logo on the door. The Civil Air Patrol was formed in December 1941 as a non-profit volunteer organisation, serving as the civilian auxiliary of the USAF. Among other services they provide disaster relief and search and rescue flights.

One of many resident Beavers on Lake Hood.

Part of an interesting CAP fleet at Lake Hood.

Delivered to the US Army January 7, 1956, this Beaver hit the civilian market in 1976 going to the Civil Air Patrol. CAP would later replace the two port hole windows with 6 enlarged cabin windows. N5342G suffered major damage February 20, 2009 crashing into trees on take-off just outside of Kenai AK. In 2012 the wreck was tendered for sale with the stipulation the aircraft remains be scrapped.