In service with NGAT (Netherlands Governent Air Transport) and NEIAF.

In service with Netherlands Government Air Transport.

The NGAT was in fact the successor of no. 1316 (Dutch Communications) Flight. Autumn 1945 fourteen C-54s were acquired from the USAF by the Dutch Government.

These aircraft were completely overhauled and modified for transport of 28 passengers and 2000 kg freight.

Initially the orange triangle was applied as national insignia and also "military" serials were added. The aircraft were property of the Dutch Government and flown by KLM crew. One of the reasons was that in those days it was forbidden for civil aircraft to use several (military) airfields along the route to Netherlands East Indies. Spring 1947 the situation has changed and the aircraft were officially handed over to the KLM and received a civil KLM colour scheme and also civil registrations.

See also the site of Herman Dekker for more information about this subject.

Douglas C-54 Skymaster in Nederlands-Indië in de kleuren van Netherlands Government Air Transport (omgezet in KLM in 1945).
Douglas C-54 Skymaster in Netherlands East-indies in the colours of te Netherlands Government Air Transport.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Staart van een Douglas C-54 Skymaster in de kleuren van Netherlands Government Air Transport (omgezet in KLM in 1945) tijdens onderhoud in de open lucht. Met oranje driehoeken.
Tail of a Douglas C-54 Skymaster in Netherlands East-indies in the colours of the Netherlands Government Air Transport during maintenance .
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Douglas C-54 Skymaster in Nederlands-Indië in de kleuren van Netherlands Government Air Transport (omgezet in KLM in 1945). Met oranje driehoeken.
Douglas C-54 Skymaster in Netherlands East-indies in the colours of the Netherlands Government Air Transport.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 

In service with NEIAF.

The four Skymasters arrived in November 1946 and entered service with no 19 squadron NEIAF. The aircraft flew mainly for NIGAT, Netherlands-Indies Government Air Transport.
The aircraft were meant for exploitation by the KNILM (Koninklijke Nederlands-Indische Luchtvaart Maatschappij).
As this came to nothing, the aircraft were sold to KLM in August

Douglas C-54 Skymaster van het 19e Squadron.
Douglas C-54 Skymaster of squadron 19, NEIAF.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]