Douglas C-54 Skymaster

The Douglas C-54 Skymaster was a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces in World War II. Like the C-47 Skytrain, the C-54 Skymaster was derived from a civilian airliner (the Douglas DC-4). C-54s began service with the 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, CA and 655 were manufactured in Chicago, Illinois.

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.

The USAF Strategic Air Command had C-54 Skymasters in service from 1946 through 1975.

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.

The C-54 was the personal aircraft of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Douglas MacArthur, and Winston Churchill (along with an Avro York). The C-54 was also used by the Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, the Armée de l'Air, and the armed forces of at least twelve other nations.

Variants

C-54E.

C-54

First production variant adapted from DC-4, 24 built.

C-54A

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.

C-54D

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.

C-54E

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 rescue, redesingated HC-54E in 1962.

VC-54E

C-54Es converted as a staff transport.

XC-54F

Proposed experimental paratroop version, not built.

C-54G

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 made 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-1820 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

R5-D2 redesignated in 1962.

VC-54P

R5-D2Z redesignated in 1962.

C-54Q

R5D-3 redesignated in 1962.

VC-54Q

R5D-3Z redesignated in 1962.

C-54R

R5D-4R redesingated in 1962.

C-54S

R5D-5 redesingnated in 1962.

VC-54S

R5D-5Z redesignated in 1962.

C-54T

R5D-5R redesingated 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.

R5D-3

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-2800 engines. None built.

XC-112A

As XC-112. One built. Developed into DC-6 / C-118 family.

XC-114

Stretched C-54E powered by Allison V-1710 engines. One built.

XC-115

XC-114 with Packard V-1650 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

•  Αργεντινή
•  Βέλγιο
•  Βραζιλία
•  Καναδάς : RCAF (DC-4M)
•  Κολομβία
•  Κούβα
•  Δανία
•  Αιθιοπία
• Γαλλία
•  Ονδούρα
•  Ισλανδία : Icelandic Coast Guard
• Ισραήλ: IDF/AF
•  Μεξικό
•  Νίγηρας
•  Περού
•  Πορτογαλία
•  Σαουδική Αραβία
• Νότια Αφρική ! 1928
•  Νότια Κορέα
•  Ισπανία
•  Ταϊλάνδη
•  Τουρκία
•  Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο : RAF
•  ΗΠΑ: USAAC, USAAF, USAF, US Navy, USMC, USCG
•  Ζιμπάμπουε

Civilian operators

• Αυστραλία: Trans Australia Airlines
•  Βέλγιο : Sabena, Avions Fairey, Belgian International
•  Καναδάς : Canadian Pacific, Kenting Aviation, Maritime Central Airways, Pacific Western, Transair
•  Ισλανδία : Icelandair, Loftleidir
• Ισραήλ: El Al
•  Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο : Invicta, Starways,
•  ΗΠΑ: Pan American, Trans World

Specifications (C-54G)

USAF C-54 Skymaster.

References

• Francillon, René (1979). McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Since 1920: Volume I. London: Putnam. ISBN 0-87021-428-4. 
• Yenne, Bill (1985). McDonnell Douglas: A Tale of Two Giants. Greenwich, Connecticut: Bison Books. ISBN 0-517-44287-6. 

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