This aircraft was one of ten Model 6000'a operated by the legendary Johnson Flying Service of Missoula, Montana from 1929 to 1969. NC9038 was acquired as a wreck in 1944. It was rebuilt and served J.F.S. in McCall, Idaho hauling freight and passengers to wilderness airstrips and dropping smoke jumpers on forest fires. NC9038 crashed again in 1964. The wreckage was acquired by Hank Galpin of of Kalispell, Montana in 1992. Restoration was completed in 2002. The aircraft participated in the 2003 National Air Tour, commemorating the Golden Age of Aviation and the Centenary of Flight.