C-54 Skymaster
Encyclopedia
The Douglas C-54 Skymaster was a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces
and British forces in World War II
and the Korean War
. Besides transport of cargo, it also carried presidents, British heads of government, and military staff. Dozens of variants of the C-54 were employed in a wide variety of non-combat roles such as air-sea rescue
, scientific and military research and missile tracking and recovery. During the Berlin Airlift it hauled coal and food supplies to West Berlin.
After the Korean War it continued to be used for military and civilian uses by more than thirty countries. This was one of the first aircraft to carry the President of the United States and to assume the callsign Air Force One.
, the C-54 Skymaster was derived from a civilian airliner (the Douglas DC-4
).
and 655 were manufactured at Orchard Place / Douglas Field, in unincorporated Cook County, Illinois
, near Chicago
(later the site of O'Hare International Airport
).
After World War II, the C-54 continued to serve as the primary airlifter of the new United States Air Force
and with the United States Navy
.
In late 1945, several hundred C-54s were surplus to U.S. military requirements and these were converted for civil airline operation, many by Douglas Aircraft at its aircraft plants. The aircraft were sold to airlines around the world. By January 1946, Pan American Airways was operating their Skymasters on transatlantic scheduled services to Europe and beyond. Trans-Pacific schedules from San Francisco to Auckland began on 6 June 1946.
President Harry S. Truman
signed the National Security Act of 1947
, which created the U.S. Air Force, on board "Sacred Cow", the Presidential C-54 which is preserved at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
. More than 300 C-54s and R5Ds formed the backbone of the US contribution to the Berlin Airlift in 1948. They also served as the main airlift during the Korean War
. After the Korean War, the C-54 was replaced by the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
, but continued to be used by the U.S. Air Force until 1972.
During World War II
, the C-54 was used by Franklin D. Roosevelt
, Douglas MacArthur
, and Winston Churchill
. The American delegates to the Casablanca Conference used the Skymaster. The C-54 was also used by the Royal Air Force
, the Armée de l'Air, and the armed forces of at least twelve other nations.
The last active C-54 Skymaster in U.S. Navy service (C-54Q, BuNo 56501, of the Navy Test Pilot School, NAS Patuxent River) was retired on 2 April 1974.
C-54
MC-54A
C-54B
VC-54C
AC-54D
EC-54D
HC-54D Rescuemaster
JC-54D
SC-54D
TC-54D
VC-54D
WC-54D
AC-54E
EC-54E
HC-54E
SC-54E
VC-54E
XC-54F
HC-54G
JC-54G
SC-54G
VC-54G
C-54GM
C-54H
C-54J
XC-54K
C-54L
C-54M
MC-54M
VC-54N
C-54P
VC-54P
C-54Q
VC-54Q
C-54R
C-54S
VC-54S
C-54T
EC-54U
RC-54V
R5D-1
R5D-1C
R5D-1F
R5D-1Z
R5D-2
R5D-2F
R5D-2Z
R5D-3
R5D-3P
R5D-3Z
R5D-4
R5D-4R
R5D-5
R5D-5R
R5D-5Z
R5D-6
XC-112
XC-112A
XC-114
XC-115
YC-116
Skymaster I
Netherlands East Indies
:
: United States Army Air Forces
, US Air Force, United States Navy
, US Marine Corps, US Coast Guard
: Sabena
, Avions Fairey, Belgian International
: Buffalo Airways
(14 registered as of 29 January 2011 with 4 in operation, 2 cargo
and 2 waterbombers
), former airlines; Canadian Pacific, Curtiss Reid Flying Services Canada, Kenting Aviation, Maritime Central Airways
, Pacific Western, Transair
: Avianca
Hong Kong: Cathay Pacific Airways
: Icelandair
, Loftleidir
: El Al
: Netherlands
KLM
: LANICA Lineas Aereas de Nicaragua S.A.
: Paraguayan Airways Service, Lloyd Aéreo Paraguayo S.A.
: China Airlines
: Air Charter, Eagle Airways, Invicta, Skyways, Starways
,
: Pan American, Trans World Airlines
, Aero Union
, Pacific Southwest Airlines
, Capital Airlines
, Eastern Airlines, Transocean Air Lines
disappeared during a flight between Elmendorf Air Force Base
(Alaska
) and Great Falls-Malmstrom Air Force Base
(Montana
) with a crew of 8 and 36 passengers (34 service personnel and 2 civilians). No trace of the aircraft or its occupants has ever been found.
, operated by Cathay Pacific Airways
, en route from Bangkok
to Hong Kong
, was shot down by Chinese Communist
La-7
fighters off the coast of Hainan Island, killing 10.
(about 1120km west of San Francisco - last reported position: 29.33°N 135.00°W) on an executive passenger flight from Honolulu International Airport
, Hawaii
to Los Angeles International Airport
, California
. The pilot reported a fire in No. 2 engine, which might make it necessary to ditch. Nothing more was heard from the aircraft, nor was any trace of it found despite an extensive search. Three crew and 6 passengers died in the accident.
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
and British forces in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. Besides transport of cargo, it also carried presidents, British heads of government, and military staff. Dozens of variants of the C-54 were employed in a wide variety of non-combat roles such as air-sea rescue
Air-sea rescue
Air-sea rescue is the coordinated search and rescue of the survivors of emergency water landings as well as people who have survived the loss of their sea-going vessel. ASR can involve a wide variety of resources including seaplanes, helicopters, submarines, rescue boats and ships...
, scientific and military research and missile tracking and recovery. During the Berlin Airlift it hauled coal and food supplies to West Berlin.
After the Korean War it continued to be used for military and civilian uses by more than thirty countries. This was one of the first aircraft to carry the President of the United States and to assume the callsign Air Force One.
Design and development
Like the C-47 SkytrainC-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
, the C-54 Skymaster was derived from a civilian airliner (the Douglas DC-4
Douglas DC-4
The Douglas DC-4 is a four-engined propeller-driven airliner developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company. It served during World War II, in the Berlin Airlift and into the 1960s in a military role...
).
Operational history
C-54s began service with the US Army Air Forces in 1942, carrying up to 26 passengers. (Later versions carried up to 50 passengers.) The U.S. Navy also acquired the type, under the designation R5D. The C-54 was one of the most commonly used long-range transports by the U.S. armed forces in World War II. 515 C-54s were manufactured in Santa Monica, CaliforniaSanta Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
and 655 were manufactured at Orchard Place / Douglas Field, in unincorporated Cook County, Illinois
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
, near Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
(later the site of O'Hare International Airport
O'Hare International Airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport , also known as O'Hare Airport, O'Hare Field, Chicago Airport, Chicago International Airport, or simply O'Hare, is a major airport located in the northwestern-most corner of Chicago, Illinois, United States, northwest of the Chicago Loop...
).
After World War II, the C-54 continued to serve as the primary airlifter of the new United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and with the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
President Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
signed the National Security Act of 1947
National Security Act of 1947
The National Security Act of 1947 was signed by United States President Harry S. Truman on July 26, 1947, and realigned and reorganized the U.S. Armed Forces, foreign policy, and Intelligence Community apparatus in the aftermath of World War II...
, which created the U.S. Air Force, on board "Sacred Cow", the Presidential C-54 which is preserved at the National Museum of the United States Air Force
National Museum of the United States Air Force
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is the official museum of the United States Air Force located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base northeast of Dayton, Ohio. The NMUSAF is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum with more than 360 aircraft and missiles on display...
. More than 300 C-54s and R5Ds formed the backbone of the US contribution to the Berlin Airlift in 1948. They also served as the main airlift during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. After the Korean War, the C-54 was replaced by the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
C-124 Globemaster II
The Douglas C-124 Globemaster II, nicknamed "Old Shakey", was a heavy-lift cargo aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California....
, but continued to be used by the U.S. Air Force until 1972.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the C-54 was used by Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
, Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
, and Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
. The American delegates to the Casablanca Conference used the Skymaster. The C-54 was also used by the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, the Armée de l'Air, and the armed forces of at least twelve other nations.
The last active C-54 Skymaster in U.S. Navy service (C-54Q, BuNo 56501, of the Navy Test Pilot School, NAS Patuxent River) was retired on 2 April 1974.
Variants
- First production variant adapted from DC-4, 24 built.
- First military version with strengthened airframe, increased fuel capacity, provision for passengers or cargo, Navy equivalent R5D-1, 252 built.
MC-54A
- Optional designation for C-54As used for medical evacuation.
C-54B
- Increased fuel capacity in the wing, One was used by Winston Churchill, 220 built.
VC-54C
- One C-54A converted as Presidential transport version used by Franklin D. Roosevelt and later Harry Truman.
- Same as C-54B but with R-2000-11 engines, 380 built.
AC-54D
- Small number of aircraft modified with special electronic calibration and communications equipment. The aircraft were redesignated EC-54D.
EC-54D
- Redesignation of the AC-54D.
HC-54D Rescuemaster
- Redesignation of the SC-54D.
JC-54D
- Nine C-54Ds temporary converted for missile tracking and nose-cone recovery.
SC-54D
- 38 aircraft converted by Convair, as search and rescue aircraft. Later redesignated HC-54D.
TC-54D
- C-54Ds converted into multi-engine training aircraft.
VC-54D
- C-54Ds converted into VIP transport aircraft.
WC-54D
- C-54Ds converted for weather reconnaissance.
- Further revision to fuel tanks and provision for rapid conversion from passenger to cargo, 125 built.
AC-54E
- C-54Es converted for airways calibration, redesignated EC-54E in 1962.
EC-54E
- AC-54E redesignated in 1962.
HC-54E
- SC-54E redesignated in 1962.
SC-54E
- C-54E converted for air-sea rescueAir-sea rescueAir-sea rescue is the coordinated search and rescue of the survivors of emergency water landings as well as people who have survived the loss of their sea-going vessel. ASR can involve a wide variety of resources including seaplanes, helicopters, submarines, rescue boats and ships...
, redesignated HC-54E in 1962.
VC-54E
- C-54Es converted as a staff transport.
XC-54F
- Proposed experimental paratroop version, not built.
- Same as C-54E but with different version of the R2000 engine.
HC-54G
- SC-54G redesignated in 1962.
JC-54G
- C-54Gs used for temporary testing.
SC-54G
- C-54Gs converted for air-sea rescue, redesignated HC-54G in 1962.
VC-54G
- C-54Gs converted into VIP/staff transport aircraft.
C-54GM
- The designation of the DC-4 version with Merlin engines built by Canadair.
C-54H
- Paratroop transport. None built.
C-54J
- Staff transport project, none built. Navy designation R5D-6.
XC-54K
- Long range version, one aircraft built with Wright R-1820Wright R-1820|-See also:-References:* Bridgman, L, Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. Crescent. ISBN 0-517-67964-7* Eden, Paul & Soph Moeng, The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Amber Books Ltd. Bradley's Close, 74-77 White Lion Street, London, NI 9PF, 2002, ISBN 0-7607-3432-1), 1152...
engines.
C-54L
- One C-54A aircraft tested in 1947 with an experimental fuel system.
C-54M
- Specialized modification of C-54 to carry coal during the Berlin Airlift, 38 conversions.
MC-54M
- Specialized modification of C-54E for medical evacuation, 30 conversions.
VC-54N
- R5D-1Z redesignated in 1962.
C-54P
- R5D-2 redesignated in 1962.
VC-54P
- R5D-2Z redesignated in 1962.
C-54Q
- R5D-3 redesignated in 1962.
VC-54Q
- R5D-3Z redesignated in 1962.
C-54R
- R5D-4R redesignated in 1962.
C-54S
- R5D-5 redesignated in 1962.
VC-54S
- R5D-5Z redesignated in 1962.
C-54T
- R5D-5R redesignated in 1962.
EC-54U
- R5D-4 redesignated in 1962.
RC-54V
- R5D-3P redesignated in 1962.
R5D-1
- 56 C-54As transferred to the United States Navy.
R5D-1C
- R5D-1s modified in US Navy service, with a fuel system based on the one used in the C-54B.
R5D-1F
- Naval staff transport conversions of the R5D-1, redesignated R5D-1Z then VC-54N.
R5D-1Z
- Interim designation of the R5D-1F.
R5D-2
- 30 C-54Bs transferred to the United States Navy, redesignated C-54P in 1962.
R5D-2F
- Naval staff transport conversion of the R5D-2, redesignated R5D-2Z then VC-54P in 1962.
R5D-2Z
- Interim designation of the R5D-2F.
- 95 C-54Ds transferred to the United States Navy, redesignated C-54Q in 1962.
R5D-3P
- Photo survey conversions of the R5D-3, redesignated RC-54V in 1962.
R5D-3Z
- Naval staff transport conversions of the R5D-3, redesignated VC-54Q in 1962.
R5D-4
- 20 C-54Es transferred to the United States Navy, redesignated EC-54U in 1962.
R5D-4R
- Passenger only conversion of the R5D-4, redesignated C-54R in 1962.
R5D-5
- R5D-2 and R5D-3s re-engined to approximate C-54G standards, redesignated C-54S in 1962.
R5D-5R
- Passenger only conversion of the R5D-5, redesignated C-54T in 1962, 86 conversion.
R5D-5Z
- Staff transport conversion of the R5D-5, redesignated VC-54S in 1962.
R5D-6
- Proposed USN version of the C-54J with passenger interior, not built.
XC-112
- Pressurized variant of the C-54B with Pratt & Whitney R-2800Pratt & Whitney R-2800The Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp is a two-row, 18-cylinder, air-cooled radial aircraft engine with a displacement of 2,804 in³ , and is part of the long-lived Wasp family....
engines. None built.
XC-112A
- As XC-112. One built. Developed into DC-6 / C-118 family. Later redesignated YC-112A.
XC-114
- Stretched C-54E powered by Allison V-1710 engines. One built.
XC-115
- XC-114 with Packard V-1650Rolls-Royce MerlinThe Rolls-Royce Merlin is a British liquid-cooled, V-12, piston aero engine, of 27-litre capacity. Rolls-Royce Limited designed and built the engine which was initially known as the PV-12: the PV-12 became known as the Merlin following the company convention of naming its piston aero engines after...
engines. None Built.
YC-116
- XC-114 with thermal de-icing rather than rubber boots for testing, one built.
Skymaster I
- Royal Air Force designation for 22 C-54Ds.
Operators
Military operators
- Argentine Naval AviationArgentine Naval AviationThe Argentine Naval Aviation is the naval aviation branch of the Argentine Navy and one of its four operational commands...
- Belgian Air ForceBelgian Air ForceThe Air Component, formerly the Belgian Air Force, is the air arm of the Belgian Armed Forces. Originally founded in 1909, it is one of the world's first air forces, and was a pioneer in aerial combat during the First World War...
- One former R5D1 from 1950–1971, also operated one DC-4.
- TAM – Transporte Aéreo Militar - one former USAF VC-54D and one C-54G both bought in 1973.
- Força Aérea Brasileira - Twelve C-54G's serialled FAB 2400 to FAB 2411, flown by the "1º/2º Grupo de Transporte" between 1960-1968
- Royal Danish Air ForceRoyal Danish Air ForceThe Royal Danish Air Force is the air force of Denmark with the capability to undertake homeland defense and homeland security roles as well international operations.-History:...
- Six C-54D/G, 1959–1977
- Ethiopian Air ForceEthiopian Air ForceThe Ethiopian Air Force is the air arm of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces and is tasked with protecting the air space, providing support to the ground forces as well as assisting during national emergencies.- Early years :...
- One former USAF C-54D from 1966 and one former US DoT C-54G in 1969.
- French Air ForceFrench Air ForceThe French Air Force , literally Army of the Air) is the air force of the French Armed Forces. It was formed in 1909 as the Service Aéronautique, a service arm of the French Army, then was made an independent military arm in 1933...
- One C-54E donated in 1945 and transferred to the Navy in 1960. One C-54A 1961-1975. - French Naval Aviation - One C-54E transferred from the Air Force in 1960, destroyed in 1982. One C-54B 1962-1969.
- Icelandic Coast GuardIcelandic Coast GuardThe Icelandic Coast Guard is the service responsible for Iceland's coastal defense and maritime and aeronautical search and rescue. Origins of the Icelandic Coast Guard can be traced to 1859, when the corvette Ørnen started patrolling Icelandic waters...
- Israeli Air ForceIsraeli Air ForceThe Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
Netherlands East Indies
- Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air ForceRoyal Netherlands East Indies Army Air ForceThe Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force was the air arm of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army in the Dutch East Indies from 1939 until 1950...
- four C-54As operated in 1946.
- Nigerian Air ForceNigerian Air ForceThe Nigerian Air Force is the air arm of the Nigerian Armed Forces.It is one of the largest in West Africa, consisting of about 15,000 personnel and aircraft including 15 Chengdu F-7s, and 24 Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jets, armed helicopters, and military transport aircraft. However in recent years...
- One C-54B 1968-1974.
- Peruvian Air ForcePeruvian Air ForceThe Peruvian Air Force is the branch of the Peruvian Armed Forces tasked with defending the nation and its interests through the use of air power...
- Nine delivered in late 1966.
- Portuguese Air ForcePortuguese Air ForceThe Portuguese Air Force is the air force of Portugal. Formed on July 1, 1952, with the Aeronáutica Militar and Aviação Naval united in a single independent Air Force, it is one of the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces and its origins dates back to 1912, when the military aviation...
- Four C-54Ds operated from 1952 supplemented in 1961 by four former C-54As that had been modified to DC-4 standard. In 1965 ten former USAF HC-54Ds were obtained with an additional four as spares.
- Chinese Nationalist Air Force - former USAF aircraft 2 × C-54D (one bought in 1965 and one in 1966), and 1 × C-54G (bought in 1968)
- Royal Saudi Air ForceRoyal Saudi Air ForceThe Royal Saudi Air Force , is the aviation branch of the Saudi Arabian armed forces. The RSAF has developed from a largely defensive military force into one with an advanced offensive capability...
- one former SaudiaSaudi Arabian AirlinesSaudi Arabian Airlines is the flag carrier airline of Saudi Arabia, based in Jeddah. It operates domestic and international scheduled flights to over 90 destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and North America...
C-54A from 1960 and now preserved.
:
- Spanish Air ForceSpanish Air Force-The early stages:Hot air balloons had been used with military purposes in Spain as far back as 1896. In 1905, with the help of Alfredo Kindelán, Leonardo Torres y Quevedo directed the construction of the first Spanish dirigible in the Army Military Aerostatics Service, created in 1896 and located...
- Four former C-54Ds given to Spain by the USAF in 1959 were later supplemented by another 13 second-hand aircraft which included C-54, C-54A, C-54B, C-54E, C-54G and 5D-3s.
- Turkish Air ForceTurkish Air ForceThe Turkish Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the Turkish Armed Forces. It ranks 3rd in NATO in terms of fleet size behind the USAF and Royal Air Force with a current inventory of 798 aircraft .-Initial stages:...
- three C-54Ds from 1966-1976.
- Royal Air ForceRoyal Air ForceThe Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
- 10 C-54Ds transferred from USAF under lend-lease in 1945 and returned in 1946. One special fitted C-54B for the use by Winston ChurchillWinston ChurchillSir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
transferred in 1944 and returned in 1945.- No. 232 Squadron RAFNo. 232 Squadron RAFNo. 232 Squadron of the Royal Air Force was active in both World War I and World War II in a variety of roles, having seen action as an anti-submarine patrol, fighter and transport squadron.-In World War I:...
- No. 246 Squadron RAFNo. 246 Squadron RAF-In the World War I:The squadron was formed at the former Royal Naval Air Station Seaton Carew, England on 18 August 1918 to provide coastal patrols. It was the only RAF squadron to operate the Blackburn Kangaroo...
- Metropolitan Communications Squadron
- No. 232 Squadron RAF
: United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
, US Air Force, United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, US Marine Corps, US Coast Guard
- Venezuelan Air Force - One C-54A 1949-1955.
Civilian operators
: Trans Australia AirlinesTrans Australia Airlines
Trans Australia Airlines or TAA, was one of the two major Australian domestic airlines between its inception in 1946 and its sale to Qantas in May 1996. During that period TAA played a major part in the development of the Australian air transport industry...
: Sabena
Sabena
SABENA was the national airline of Belgium from 1923 to 2001, with its base at Brussels National Airport. After its bankruptcy in 2001, the newly formed SN Brussels Airlines took over part of SABENA's assets in February 2002, which then became Brussels Airlines...
, Avions Fairey, Belgian International
: Buffalo Airways
Buffalo Airways
Buffalo Airways is a family-run airline based in Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada established in 1970 by Joe McBryan, also known as "Buffalo Joe". It operates scheduled passenger, scheduled cargo, charter passenger, charter cargo, firefighting and fuel services...
(14 registered as of 29 January 2011 with 4 in operation, 2 cargo
Cargo aircraft
A cargo aircraft is a fixed-wing aircraft designed or converted for the carriage of goods, rather than passengers. They are usually devoid of passenger amenities, and generally feature one or more large doors for the loading and unloading of cargo...
and 2 waterbombers
Aerial firefighting
Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft and other aerial resources to combat wildfires. The types of aircraft used include fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Smokejumpers and rappellers are also classified as aerial firefighters, delivered to the fire by parachute from a variety of fixed-wing...
), former airlines; Canadian Pacific, Curtiss Reid Flying Services Canada, Kenting Aviation, Maritime Central Airways
Maritime Central Airways
Maritime Central Airways was a predecessor of Eastern Provincial Airways and was founded by Prince Edward Island native Carl Burke and Josiah Anderson in 1941 out of Moncton, New Brunswick and provided standard passenger, cargo, and charter flights throughout the Maritimes and Newfoundland and...
, Pacific Western, Transair
Transair
Transair was an airline based in Canada. It was purchased by Pacific Western Airlines in 1979.- History :Transair had its origins as Central Northern Airways in April 1947 and based in Manitoba, Canada. In 1956 the name was changed to Transair...
: Avianca
Avianca
Avianca S.A. is the flag carrier airline of Colombia since December 5, 1919 when it was initially registered under the name SCADTA. It is headquartered in Bogotá, D.C. with its hub at the El Dorado International Airport...
Hong Kong: Cathay Pacific Airways: Icelandair
Icelandair
Icelandair ehf is the flag carrier airline of Iceland, based on the grounds of Reykjavík Airport in Reykjavík. It is part of the Icelandair Group and currently operates scheduled services to 31 cities in 13 countries on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean out of its hub at Keflavík International Airport...
, Loftleidir
: El Al
El Al
El Al Israel Airlines Ltd , trading as El Al , is the flag carrier of Israel. It operates scheduled domestic and international services and cargo flights to Europe, North America, Africa and the Far East from its main base in Ben Gurion International Airport...
: NetherlandsNetherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
KLM
: LANICA Lineas Aereas de Nicaragua S.A.
: Paraguayan Airways Service, Lloyd Aéreo Paraguayo S.A.
: China Airlines
China Airlines
China Airlines is both the flag carrier and the largest airline of Republic of China . Although not directly state-owned, the airline is owned by China Airlines Group, which is owned by the China Aviation Development Foundation...
: Air Charter, Eagle Airways, Invicta, Skyways, Starways
Starways
Starways was a British airline from 1948 to 1963.-History:The airline was formed in 1948 to undertake freight and passenger charters from Liverpool Airport...
,
: Pan American, Trans World Airlines
Trans World Airlines
Trans World Airlines was an American airline that existed from 1925 until it was bought out by and merged with American Airlines in 2001. It was a major domestic airline in the United States and the main U.S.-based competitor of Pan American World Airways on intercontinental routes from 1946...
, Aero Union
Aero Union
For the Mexico City based cargo Airline see AeroUnionAero Union Corporation is an aircraft operation & maintenance company based in Chico, California, United States...
, Pacific Southwest Airlines
Pacific Southwest Airlines
Pacific Southwest Airlines was a United States airline headquartered in San Diego, California, that operated from 1949 to 1988. It was one of the first large discount airlines in the United States and is considered a precursor to Southwest Airlines...
, Capital Airlines
Capital Airlines
Capital Airlines was an airline serving the eastern United States that merged into United Airlines in 1961. Its primary hubs were National Airport near Washington, DC, and Allegheny County Airport near Pittsburgh. In the 1950s it was the largest US domestic carrier after the Big Four . Its...
, Eastern Airlines, Transocean Air Lines
Disappearance (1950)
On 26 January 1950, a C-54D operated by the United States Marine CorpsUnited States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
disappeared during a flight between Elmendorf Air Force Base
Elmendorf Air Force Base
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is a United States military facility adjacent to Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. It is an amalgamation of the former United States Air Force Elmendorf Air Force Base and the United States Army Fort Richardson, which were merged in 2010.-Overview:The...
(Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
) and Great Falls-Malmstrom Air Force Base
Malmstrom Air Force Base
Malmstrom Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base and census-designated place in Cascade County, Montana, United States. It was named in honor of World War II POW Colonel Einar Axel Malmstrom...
(Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
) with a crew of 8 and 36 passengers (34 service personnel and 2 civilians). No trace of the aircraft or its occupants has ever been found.
Shoot Down (1954)
On July 23, 1954, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster civilian airliner, registration VR-HEUCathay Pacific VR-HEU
VR-HEU was a four-engined propeller-driven Douglas C-54 Skymaster airliner, the military version of the Douglas DC-4, c/n 10310, operated by the Cathay Pacific Airways from August 1949 to July 1954...
, operated by Cathay Pacific Airways
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, with its head office and main hub located at Hong Kong International Airport, although the airline's registered office is on the 33rd floor of One Pacific Place...
, en route from Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, was shot down by Chinese Communist
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
La-7
LA-7
LA-7 or LA 7 can refer to:*Television series L.A. 7*WW2 Soviet aircraft La-7*Italian Television channel La7*Louisiana's 7th congressional district*Louisiana Highway 7...
fighters off the coast of Hainan Island, killing 10.
Disappearance (1964)
On March 28, 1964 a C-54A disappeared over the PacificPacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
(about 1120km west of San Francisco - last reported position: 29.33°N 135.00°W) on an executive passenger flight from Honolulu International Airport
Honolulu International Airport
Honolulu International Airport is the principal aviation gateway of the City & County of Honolulu and the State of Hawaii and is identified as one of the busiest airports in the United States, with traffic now exceeding 21 million passengers a year and rising.It is located in the Honolulu...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
to Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The pilot reported a fire in No. 2 engine, which might make it necessary to ditch. Nothing more was heard from the aircraft, nor was any trace of it found despite an extensive search. Three crew and 6 passengers died in the accident.
Specifications (C-54G)
See also
External links
- Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation - Operates C-54 "Spirit of Freedom" as flying Berlin Airlift Museum
- Air Force Association page on C-54
- Air Force Museum page on the VC-54C
- Warbird Alley: C-54 page
- Cockpit View of C-54 During Landing/Taxi