This Stratofreighter N39178 (msn 16577) shows misleading identification marks. It is ex USAF 52-0883 (with some difficulty '0883' can be seen below the faded U.S. Air Force titles on the nose), but the tail clearly shows '0237'. This is because the original tail fin was damaged, and it was replaced with that of 53-0237 (msn 17019). The missing engine cowlings of engine #3 may indicate that this aircraft had already been taken out of service. It was slowly reduced to scrap here during 1994-1996. (27 May 1990 - Anchorage, AK)