resting in front of a similar colored Aviateca B720 - went to serve with Aero Caribbean as CU-T113, then Aerotaxi as CU-T127. Now preserved at Havana - photographer unknown

This is a former Eastern Airlines Martin 404 delivered January 23, 1953. Later with Southern Airways, it came to Florida Airlines via subsidiary Shawnee Airlines in 1977 as Southern ran into financial difficulties. Florida Airlines ran into financial problems itself as deregulation allowed majors to fly secondary routes, declaring bankruptcy in 1980. They flew their Martinliners during restructuring until the final shutdown in 1981. With Pro Air from 1983 - 89, the aircraft has been stored at Flying Tigers Airport outside Paris, TX since 1990.

Although stored when photographed it was later restored to flight until finally being withdrawn from use at Sarasota, FL., in 1987.

Delivered to the USAAF as 43-15967 in 1944. Sold as NC53596 in 1946, N53596 after 1948. In fatal crash with six killed in 1953. Rebuilt and registered as N77B. Operated by Florida Airlines from 1974 to 79. Remained in their colours Withdrawn from use at Sarasota, FL by 1987. Front fuselage seen in a scrapyard in Denver in 2005.

Cockpit section was seen at the Punta Gorda-Shell Creek Airpark in Florida in 2017

In 1975 Florida Airlines took over both Air South and Shawnee Airlines, because their route networks supplemented that of Florida Airlines perfectly. The two airlines continued to operate under their own names as Florida Airlines subsidiaries, but their combined routes were marketed as "The Connection". Some aircraft carried large "The Connection" titles, and often also the actual airline's name in smaller size. DC-3 N79B for example is seen here carrying small "Florida Airlines" titles on the nose and below the reg.

Back with Florida Airlines from a lease to Air South with their titles removed.

The Captain popped the window open to give me a smiling pose! The aircraft went to Ocean Airways in Jan 80. It also later operated with Southern International Airways and Systems International Airways. To Federal Leasing Co Jun89 and stored Bartow FL in Systems Intl cols minus titles. Reported purchased by Save-a-Connie in Oct 95. Presumed broken up.

In 1975 Florida Airlines took over both Air South and Shawnee Airlines, because their route networks supplemented that of Florida Airlines perfectly. The two airlines continued to operate under their own names as Florida Airlines subsidiaries, but their combined routes were marketed as "The Connection". Some aircraft carried large "The Connection" titles, and often also the actual airline's name in smaller size. The reg was cancelled in Apr 77. I saw a photo of it still at Sarasota in 2013 albeit in a more derelict state.

In 1975 Florida Airlines took over both Air South and Shawnee Airlines, because their route networks supplemented that of Florida Airlines perfectly. The two airlines continued to operate under their own names as Florida Airlines subsidiaries, but their combined routes were marketed as "The Connection". Some aircraft carried large "The Connection" titles, and often also the actual airline's name in smaller size. DC-3 N79B for example is seen here carrying small "Florida Airlines" titles on the nose. The Shawnee Airlines subsidiary was shutdown by the FAA in Oct 1977 and sold to Air Miami in 1978.

The sun was shining here and there but, on this trip, never where I was standing it seems! This aircraft was originally delivered to Eastern Air Lines in Apr 52. It went to Southern Airways in Aug 62 and Florida Airlines sometime in 1978. It ended up with the Holiday Investment Corp in Aug 83. By Jul 92 it was seen in a very derelict state at Saipan.

Photographer: Donnie Head.

The name "The Connection" was used to market Florida Airlines services. Carries small Florida Airlines titles on the nose.

This Martin didn't fly again!

Originally Eastern's N484A delivered in October, 1952. Seen about to land on 9L at MIA.

Delivered to Eastern during November, 1952 as N485A. Later desplayed at the Glenn L. Martin Museum.

Another example of the nose down attitude of the 4-0-4 when landing.

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

Built as C-47A-20-DK, as USAAF 42-93160 and on the civil register as a DC-3C. Other regns include CF-HGD and N8820.

Built for the USAAF as 42-93189. Other regns include NC88823, N35F and N86B. It is currently preserved in Salzburg, Austria.