Built in 1944 for the USAAF as Beech AT-7C Navigator 43-33533 but transferred to the US Navy as SNB-2C BuNo 23829, it was later upgraded to SNB-3 and then -5 before re-designated C-45J in 1962. Transferred as serial 0-23829 to the US Army, who had it converted to Volpar Tri-gear configuration, it was re-designated again as NC-45J. Retired to the Davis-Monthan AFB "boneyard" in 1974 it was acquired by the US Dept. of Agriculture before sale to the Confederate Air Force in 1978, but appears to have been little used and the registration was cancelled in 1986.

This aircraft is now exhibited at the Minnesota Air National Guard Museum at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

At the time the aircraft had only recently been acquired by the CAF and the titles of a former operator, Ortner Air Service, can still just be discerned under the paint on the upper fuselage. Subsequently restored in USAAF markings and named "China Doll", it was for many years a common sight at US airshows, but in recent times it has been stored outside the premises of the CAF Southern California Wing at Camarillo Airport, CA. However, according to the Wing's Facebook page, it has now been moved inside and will be restored to static display condition.

The aircraft, which originally served with the Republic of China Air Force/RoCAF, was on loan from the USAF Museum. When the CAF moved to Midland, TX., in 1991 it was relocated to Warfield Air National Guard Base, Martin State Airport, Middle River, MD., where it was refurbished, and is now displayed painted in Maryland ANG markings with the false serial "10004" and can be seen there on Google Maps street view.

Unknown photographer - picture acquired around 1979/80. A rare visit to Heathrow in the 70's by a CAAC aircraft. Probably a VIP visit. Delivered new to CAAC as B-2406 on 15 Apr 1974. To IAI in 1992 as 4X-BYN and converted to an EC707. To the Israeli Air Force on 19 Feb 1993 as 260 / 4X-JYN. Still operational in 2024.

When the Confederate Air Force, as it was then styled, moved its headquarters to Midland, TX., this aircraft was relocated to the Museum of Aviation at Warner Robins, Georgia, but only the nose section exists there now.

Recently acquired by the Confederate Air Force and the titles of a former operator, Ortner Air Service, can still just be discerned under the paint on the upper fuselage.

Preserved with the Confederate (as it then was) Air Force; when they transferred their headquarters from Harlingen to Midland, TX., the aircraft was reportedly returned to the USAF, but it is feared to have been broken up on site.

When photographed it was still wearing partial TWA livery for whom it served as N806TW; it was flown to Mojave, CA., for further storage the following year and finally broken up there circa 2000.

The aircraft was flown to Mojave, CA., for further storage the following year, but in 1991 it was acquired by the FAA and ferried to their William J. Hughes Technical Center at Atlantic City Airport, NJ, for fire resistance testing. It was finally broken up there in 2004, but in 2007 its nose section was recovered and transported to the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey at Teterboro Airport, NJ., where it can be still be seen on Google maps at location 40°51'9.25"N 74° 3'19.58"W.

Still wearing basic Trans World Airlines, with whom it served as N828TW, livery with the tail logo removed. The aircraft was flown was flown to Mojave, CA., for further storage the following year and last noted there in October 2022. It is owned by Scroggins Aviation whose web site says that the company specialises in providing, "Aerospace Mockups, Miniatures and Effects to the Motion Picture and Television Industry.".

The aircraft was flown to Mojave, CA., for further storage the following year but in September 1991 it was acquired by the FAA and ferried to their William J. Hughes Technical Center at Atlantic City Airport, NJ, for fire resistance testing; it was finally broken up there in 2004.

Ex N812TW with TWA whose logo has been blocked out on the fin, it was flown to Mojave, CA., the following year and eventually scrapped there in December 1999.

This design was developed from the earlier P&W Wasp powered, and Stearman inspired, MA-1 Paymaster of which 25 were built, the MA-1B variant was powered by a 900hp Wright Cyclone and 45, (sources vary), were built at the Harlingen factory before production ceased in 1980.