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Aircraft · United States · 1942-1945

C-54 Skymaster

four-engine transport

The C-54 Skymaster was a four-engine military transport developed from the civilian DC-4 airliner, larger and longer-ranged than the twin-engine C-47 that formed the backbone of US airlift. It could carry up to 50 troops or roughly 32,500 lbs of cargo across oceanic distances, making it the mainstay of transoceanic supply and VIP transport, including flights for President Roosevelt and other Allied leaders. It flew the demanding "Hump" route over the Himalayas into China and later became the workhorse of the Berlin Airlift. Just over 1,000 were built during and shortly after the war.

Wikipedia

crew4-6
capacity26-50 troops or 32,500 lb cargo
top speed275 mph
range4,000 mi
produced1,170

Western Europe, Battle of the Atlantic, Pacific, China, Burma and India

An USAF C-54 Skymaster
An USAF C-54 Skymasteren:User:Signaleer first uploaded to English WP, User:Alaniaris re-uploaded it here · Public domain · source
c/n 10665. Full US military serial 42-72560. Although part of the Travis AFB Heritage Center collection, she is actually displayed at a roundabout on Skymaster Drive, some distance from the museum. Travis AFB, Fairfield,
c/n 10665. Full US military serial 42-72560. Although part of the Travis AFB Heritage Center collection, she is actually displayed at a roundabout on Skymaster Drive, some distance from the museum. Travis AFB, Fairfield,Alan Wilson from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
A U.S. Army Air Force Douglas C-54 Skymaster (s/n 41-37271, c/n 3057), circa 1943. This aircraft crashed near Wright Field, Ohio (USA), on 9 July 1943 after a midair collision with an Lockheed C-40A (s/n 38-546, c/n 1263
A U.S. Army Air Force Douglas C-54 Skymaster (s/n 41-37271, c/n 3057), circa 1943. This aircraft crashed near Wright Field, Ohio (USA), on 9 July 1943 after a midair collision with an Lockheed C-40A (s/n 38-546, c/n 1263USAAF · Public domain · source