* In reference to the Commander shown on home page. *

"The Commander in the photograph is, to the best of my knowledge, a Model 680,

serial 463-133 (i.e. the 463rd Commander ever built, and the 133rd of the Model 680). It has the short wing, as evidenced by the ailerons extending right to the wingtip, so is not a 560E or 680E. The only other possibility is a 560A or

560A(HC), but I cannot trace these Models being owned by Magnolia Pipe Line or Mobil.

I cannot make out the 'N' number on the rear fuselage, and although it seems to look like N24.., I'm hoping it actually reads N2604. That was certainly delivered new to Magnolia Pipe Line Co. (see their name on the fuselage

Under the rear of the nacelle) on January 11th 1957. They changed their name to Mobil

Pipe Line Co., via an Application for Registration dated November 1st 1966.

It was delivered with Lycoming GSO-480-A1A6 engines which had Hartzell

HC-83X20-2C/9333C propellers (3-blade, 93" diameter). The engines were up-graded

to GSO-480-B1A6 by March 1961, but my guess is that the photo was proudly taken

on arrival at their HQ from the factory."

Source: Barry Collman, TCFG

Designed and Maintained by ByDesign.

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Ahhh ..  those were the days!