Douglas C-54D
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