Douglas C-54 Skymaster (DC-4)

History

Derived from the DC-4 commercial airliner, the C-54 Skymaster is the transport workhorse of the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy.

The earlier DC-4 design, planned as the technically superior successor to the DC-3, went through the growing pains of emerging supercharging technology, proved too bulky to handle, and was way ahead of its time. As a result, the DC-4 design evolved into a simplified, non-pressurized version that would serve as the basis for the C-54 used by the Army and the R5D used by the Navy.

The design of the DC-4, which consisted primarily of a slender airframe, began as early as 1935, but production elements were not delivered until 1942. Even then, early models for civilian transport were transferred and drafted into the army. Four Pratt & Whitney branded meridians are mounted on the wing assembly of a low-slung monoplane. A single ventral vertical surface was added to the tail in place of the twin fins on earlier DC-4E models.

There are 4 crew quarters in total, accommodating up to 86 civilian passengers and an additional 4 flight attendants.

The system is widely used in both U.S. branches and in many forms, varying in engine usage and number of passenger seats. There were some special troop and cargo transports using US President Roosevelt's own VIP version, known as the "Sacred Cow," which was used as a personnel carrier throughout the war.

Post-war service included heavy use during the Berlin Airlift, and use in other models as a civilian airliner in later years.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes