Northrop's first postwar civil design was a three-engined STOL passenger and cargo transport named the Northrop N-23 Pioneer, which was intended to replace the Ford Trimotors of the Central American airline Transportes Aéreos Centro Americanos (TACA).

The aircraft was powered by three 1,200 hp (890 kW) Wright R-1820-99 Cyclone radial engines.

These aircraft did not serve long as they were underpowered and they were soon sent to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas and relegated to be ground instructional trainers until retired in 1955 and declared surplus.

Most of the surplus aircraft were purchased by Frank Ambrose and sold to bush operators in South and Central America.

[3] Data from National Museum of the US Air Force YC-125B Factsheet[7] & American Military Transport Aircraft Since 1925[8]General characteristics Performance