Intended as a tactical transport for rough, short fields when introduced in 1948, the USAF soon found that it needs were well enough met by the C-123 and helicopters so only 23 C-125s were built. Most, this one included, went directly from the factory to technical schools for use as non-flying ground trainers and were sold to a Florida trader in the mid-1950s, several finding their way on to Latin America. Pima's example was originally 48-636 becoming N2753B and then XB-GEY when sold to Triplay y Maderas de Durango SA of Mexico in 1956. It was grounded in 1960 for lack of spares.

On display at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Ten of the Arctic rescue variants were ordered by the USAF and delivery started in 1950. The Arctic version could be equipped with RATO, a ski undercarriage and carry twenty stretchers. The STOL aircraft were found to be underpowered and retired by 1955. Most were sold to operators in Latin America.

Ex-48-636. One of two survivors, the other being in the USAF museum at Dayton, Ohio.

Ex N2566B, USAF 48-626, but painted as 48-622. This was the military version of the Northrop N-23 Pioneer. Twenty were built but were found to be underpowered, and were soon used as ground instruction airframes. They were sold off in 1955 to civil users, and this one went to Mexico as XA-LOU before going to the museum in the early 1990s.

A few YC-125Bs served briefly as Arctic rescue aircraft. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)

Painted as 48-622, but is actually ex 48-626.

Delivered to the USAF in April 1951 as 48-636. To a private owner in 1955 as N2573B, then to Mexico in 1956 as XB-GEY. Back to the US in May 1968, again as N2573B. Registration cancelled in Dec 1970, and donated to the Pima museum in 1973. The c/n for this airframe (ex 48-636) is widely quoted as 2520, but C-125s 48-628 to 48-640 are c/n 2513 to 2525, not c/n 2512 to 2524 as previously thought (because c/n 2512 was not built). This means that 48-636/N2573B/XB-GEY is in fact c/n 2521.

Certainly not the most beautiful aircraft on display here.

23 C-125 Northrop Raider STOL transports were acquired by the USAF in 1948. This example as a YC-125A 30-seat troop carrier 48-636. It later served as N2573B and XB-GEY. It is one of only two surviving Raiders.

Ex 48-636. This airframe widely quoted as 2520, but that is in error. C-125 c/n 2512 was never built, which means that USAF C-125 batch 48-628 to 48-640 are c/n 2513 to 2525, not c/n 2512 to 2524 as previously thought. So 48-636/XB-GEY is in fact c/n 2521.

The USAF ordered 10 'B' version Raiders intended for use as Artic rescue aircraft. However it was found to be underpowed and somewhat overtaken by the rapid rise in helicopter capabilities and so all were declared suplus by 1955. This example is in reality 48-626 but is painted to represent YC-125B 48-622, which was used for cold weather testing and based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH in 1950. It has been on display at the National Museum of the USAF since the early 1990s.

Ex USAF 48-636. Thirteen YC-125A's were produced for the USAF as light assault transports. An additional ten YC-125B's were produced for artic rescue duties. Deliveries began in 1950 and most were out of USAF service by 1955.

Stored in the as yet unopened Pima Museum's storage compound amongst other airframes awaiting restoration. This YC-125A is ex 48-636 and N2573B.