Army And Navy - OPERATIONS: Hangar Queen

In the Air Forces, "Hangar Queen" is not a proud title. It refers to any grounded plane which is being systematically "cannibalized" (stripped of its parts) so that other planes may fly. Last week airmen told of the career of one of the biggest hangar queens yet—No. 144, a huge, almost new four-engined Douglas C-54.

Few months ago, 144 put in at a Florida base for repairs. Another C-54 rolled up beside her, needing a new landing-gear nosewheel. Repairmen looted 144. Their idea was that a new parts shipment could re-equip 144 later....