North By Northwest

It's hard to forget Cary Grant's captivating performance in Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece thriller, North By Northwest. Yet while Grant's suave demeanor and sharp wit are unforgettable, its the presence of his co-star -- the iconic crop duster --that elevates the scene to legendary status in American culture and film history.  The crop duster, more than just a machine, became a symbol of unexpected danger in the vast expanse of the ordinary, perfectly encapsulating Hitchcock's genius for suspense. 

The N3N is historically significant for several reasons, particularly in its role within the United States Navy and its contribution to training military aviators. The N3N also holds the distinction of being one of the few aircraft ever directly manufactured by a U.S. military branch rather than by an external contractor. It was built by the Naval Aircraft Factory (NAF) in Philadelphia, which lends to its uniqueness among collectable aircraft. 

After World War II, some N3N's were converted to crop dusters. Hence the second life of this N3N a crop duster in North By Northwest.  

Now fully restored and returned to its original U.S. Coast Guard livery, the N3N is airworthy and flies regularly.