Dates

Event

Constructed as a DH-4M-1.
The only American Built DH-4 type specifically for non-military duty.

From 26 September 1924 to 1927

To United States Postal Service, Washington, DC.
Markings added: 489
Aircraft declared surplus in 1927.

1927

To United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC.
Markings added: 489

1927

Modified to Department of Agriculture type 4 (DA-4). A second seat was added. Bug traps were fixed between wings. Plane painted olive drab.

1929

Operated by Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, Talulla, LA.
Used for studying flying insect migration at high altitudes.

1929

First record of the plane on the civil register but author of article did not give the c/r.

Circa 1931

To E. Cecil Smith and R. T. Campbell.
1931 or 1932. Smith was possible pilot for Departmemnt of Agriculture.

1932

To A. K. Miller, NJ with new c/r NC489.
Operated with markings: 489
Traded an experimental SS-1 biplane, several extra engines and wings for this aircraft.

Circa 1935

To Mr... Vilsmeier keeping c/r NC489.
Markings added: 489
Traded for a Pitcairn Autogyro.

Circa 1936

To W. Lenahan, Jr, Walden, NY keeping c/r NC489.
Markings added: 489

From 1937 to 1944

To A. K. Miller, NJ keeping c/r NC489.
Markings added: 489
Millers Flying Service.

1938

Markings Applied: U.S. Mail 67, N 489
Aircraft was recovered and painted silver and marked as the DH-4B flown by early air mail pioneer Jack Knight.

1938

Mr. Miller flew the plane for United Airlines in commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the U.S. Airmail service.

1944

Mr. Miller was serving with the RCAF and given leave to fly this plane to a War Bond drive in Detroit. The aircraft needed much maintenance to make it airworthy due to long period of non-flight.

1944

To Thompson Products Museum, Cleveland, OH keeping c/r NC489.
Purchased in Detroit after the War Bond drive.

21 March 1946

To Thompson Products Inc, Cleveland, OH keeping c/r NC489.

21 May 1960

Civil registration, NC489, cancelled.

To Frederick C. Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, Cleveland, OH.
Thompson Products Museum renamed.

1965

Loaned to United States Air Force Museum, Patterson Field (East Side), Dayton, OH.
Dislplayed in mail plane configuration.
View the Location Dossier

July 1971

Loaned to United States Air Force Museum, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.
Moved by ground to the new site.
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From July 1971 to Circa 1998

Loaned to National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.
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Photographer: National Museum of the USAF
Notes: Scanned from a post card from NMUSAF ca.1977

Photographer: National Museum of the USAF
Notes: Scanned from NMUSAF Museum 1977 souvenir book.

From January 1982 to 1984

Restored.
Repainted to appear as a DH-4 used as a personal aircraft by the Commanding General of the US Air Service in 1923.

January 1984

Photographer: NMUSAF

Circa 1998

Loaned to Ohio History of Flight Museum, Port Columbus International Airport, Columbus, OH.
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From 2001 to 2006

Returned from loan to Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum, Cleveland, OH.

2006

To 1914-18 Heritage Trust based, New Zealand.

2006

Placed on display with Omaka Aviation Heritage Center, Omaka Aerodrome, Blenheim, Marlborough, South Island.
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