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Designation: C-54D

Douglas C-54D

Douglas C-54D Skymaster

A picture of the Douglas C-54D Skymaster

The first four-engine transport in Army Air Force service the C-54 is a militarized version of the DC-4 airliner.  The first 24 Skymasters had been started as airliners for United and American Airlines and were commandeered by the Army early in 1942.  Additional orders for a version capable of carrying heavy cargos quickly followed.  Production was moved to a new factory in Chicago.  The C-54 is best known for its participation in the Berlin Airlift during 1948 and 1949.  In an attempt to force the Western Allies out of Berlin the Soviet government cut off all supplies of food, medicine and fuel to the western half of Berlin.  In the largest humanitarian airlift ever the United States, Britain, and France delivered over 2.3 million tons of cargo, the vast majority in C-54s, between June 26, 1948 and September 30, 1949.  Known as “Operation Vittles” the airlift was the first major confrontation of the Cold War between the Western Allies and the Soviet Union.

Wingspan 117 ft 6 in.

Wingspan

Length 93 ft 10 in.

Length

Height 27 ft 6 in.

Height

Weight 62,000 lbs (loaded)

Weight

Max. Speed 265 MPH

Maximum Speed

Service Ceiling 22,000 ft

Maximum Altitude

Range 3,900 miles

Range

Engines Four Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 radials with 1,290 horsepower each

Engines

Crew 3, with 50 passengers

Crew


Manufacturer
Douglas

Markings
313th Troop Carrier Group, Fassberg AB, Germany, 1948-1949

Serial Number
42-72488

Designation
C-54D