Airliner · Civil · United States
Douglas DC-4
- February 14, 1942
- First flight
- 1942
- Introduced
- In service
- Status
- 80
- Units built
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The Douglas DC-4 was an unpressurized four-engine transport whose production series first flew on February 14, 1942. Mass-produced during the Second World War as the military C-54 Skymaster, it became one of the workhorses of postwar commercial aviation.
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Three-view drawing
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History
The DC-4 grew out of Douglas studies for a high-capacity four-engine airliner, but the United States' entry into the Second World War changed its fate: the production series flew on February 14, 1942, and the aircraft went straight to the war effort. Between 1942 and January 1946, 1,163 C-54s (R5D in US Navy service) were built, crossing the oceans as strategic transports.
With peace, the DC-4 found its natural market. Douglas built another 79 new DC-4s after the war, joined by hundreds of surplus C-54s converted for civil use, with which many airlines opened or rebuilt their long-haul networks. The type also served in the Berlin Airlift, one of the largest air transport operations in history. Lacking pressurization it soon fell behind its successors, yet its simplicity and reliability kept it working for decades: the type's official retirement is dated to 1991, and even afterwards a few examples carried on as freighters.
Its importance was dynastic as well: the DC-4's fuselage and wing were the starting point for the pressurized DC-6 and DC-7, the piston-airliner family with which Douglas dominated air transport until the jets arrived.
Variants
| DC-4E | C-54 | XC-112A | DC-4M-1X North Star | Aviation Traders ATL-98 Carvair | AC-54D | AC-54E | B.L.3 | C-4 Argonaut | C-54A | C-54B | C-54D | C-54E | C-54G | C-54GM North Star Mk 1 | C-54GM North Star Mk M1 ST | C-54H (proyecto) | C-54J (proyecto) | C-54L | C-54M | C-54P | C-54Q | C-54R | C-54S | C-54T | C-5 North Star | DC-4-1009 | DC-4-1037 | DC-4A | DC-4M-1 North Star Mk M1 | DC-4M-2/3 North Star | DC-4M-2/4C North Star | DC-4M-2/4 North Star | DC-4 Swingtail | EC-54D | EC-54E | EC-54U | HC-54D Rescuemaster | HC-54E | HC-54G | JC-54D | JC-54G | MC-54A | MC-54M | North Star C-4-1C | North Star C-4-1 (Canadair Four) | R5D-1 | R5D-1C | R5D-1F | R5D-1Z | R5D-2 | R5D-2-2 | R5D-2F | R5D-2Z | R5D-3 | R5D-3P | R5D-3Z | R5D-4 | R5D-4R | R5D-5 | R5D-5R | R5D-5Z | R5D-6 (proyecto) | RC-54V | SC-54D | SC-54E | SC-54G | Skymaster I | TC-54D | VC-54C «Sacred Cow» | VC-54D | VC-54E | VC-54G | VC-54M | VC-54N | VC-54P | VC-54Q | VC-54S | WC-54D | XC-112 (proyecto) | XC-114 | XC-115 (proyecto) | XC-54F (proyecto) | XC-54K | YC-116 | ZC-54A | ZJC-54A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First flight | June 7, 1938 | February 14, 1942 | February 15, 1946 | July 15, 1946 | June 21, 1961 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Aircraft type | Long-haul airliner prototype | Military transport | Military transport | Long-haul airliner | Car-ferry airliner | Military navaid-calibration transport | Military navaid-calibration transport | Military transport | Long-haul airliner | Military transport | Military transport | Military transport | Military transport | Military transport | Military transport | Military transport | Military transport (project, not built) | Military transport (project, not built) | Military test transport | Military transport | Military transport | Military transport | Military transport | Military transport | Military transport | VIP military transport | Long-haul airliner | Long-haul freighter | Long-haul airliner | Long-haul airliner | Long-haul airliner | Long-haul freighter | Long-haul airliner | Long-haul freighter | Military navaid-calibration transport | Military navaid-calibration transport | Military navaid-calibration transport | Military search-and-rescue transport | Military search-and-rescue transport | Military search-and-rescue transport | Military test transport | Military test transport | Military medical transport | Military medical transport | Long-haul freighter | Long-haul airliner | Military transport | Military transport | VIP military transport | VIP military transport | Military transport | Military test transport | VIP military transport | VIP military transport | Military transport | Military photographic-survey transport | VIP military transport | Military transport | Military transport | Military transport | Military transport | VIP military transport | Military transport (project, not built) | Military photographic-survey transport | Military search-and-rescue transport | Military search-and-rescue transport | Military search-and-rescue transport | Military transport | Military multi-engine trainer | VIP military transport | VIP military transport | VIP military transport | VIP military transport | VIP military transport | VIP military transport | VIP military transport | VIP military transport | VIP military transport | Military weather-reconnaissance transport | Military transport (project, not built) | Military test transport | Military transport (project, not built) | Military transport (project, not built) | Military test transport | Military test transport | Military transport | Military test transport |
| Powerplant | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2180-S1A1-G Twin Hornet 14-cylinder radials, 1080 kW each | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-3 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34 Double Wasp 18-cylinder radials | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 620 liquid-cooled V-12s in Universal Power Plant nacelles | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7M2 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1080 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-3 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 626 liquid-cooled V-12s | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1080 kW each for take-off | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 620 liquid-cooled V-12s in Universal Power Plant nacelles | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 620 liquid-cooled V-12s in Universal Power Plant nacelles | — | — | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1080 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1080 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp 18-cylinder radials, chosen for running far quieter than the Merlins | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-2SD13-G Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1081 kW for take-off and 820 kW normal rating up to 4300 m, driving three-blade Hamilton-Standard constant-speed fully-feathering propellers | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-2SD13-G Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1081 kW for take-off and 820 kW normal rating | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-2SD13-G Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1081 kW for take-off and 820 kW normal rating | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 620 liquid-cooled V-12s in Universal Power Plant nacelles | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 622 liquid-cooled V-12s | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 624 liquid-cooled V-12s | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 624 liquid-cooled V-12s | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1080 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1080 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 626 liquid-cooled V-12s | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 626 liquid-cooled V-12s | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1080 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1080 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1080 kW each for take-off | — | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1080 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1080 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1080 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1080 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-22W Double Wasp 18-cylinder radials (project) | 4 × Allison V-1710-131 liquid-cooled V-12s with two-speed supercharger | 4 × Packard V-1650 liquid-cooled V-12s, the US-built Rolls-Royce Merlin (project) | — | 4 × Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9-cylinder radials, fitted to test an increase in range | 4 × Allison V-1710-131 liquid-cooled V-12s with two-speed supercharger | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder air-cooled radials, 1010 kW each for take-off |
| Powerplant | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2180-S1A1-G Twin Hornet | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-3 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34 Double Wasp | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 620 | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7M2 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-3 Twin Wasp | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 626 | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 620 | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 620 | 4 × piston | 4 × piston | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-2SD13-G Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-2SD13-G Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-2SD13-G Twin Wasp | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 620 | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 622 | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 624 | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 624 | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 626 | 4 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 626 | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp | 4 × piston | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-22W Double Wasp | 4 × Allison V-1710-131 | 4 × Packard V-1650 (Rolls-Royce Merlin) | 4 × piston | 4 × Wright R-1820 Cyclone | 4 × Allison V-1710-131 | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp | 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000-7 Twin Wasp |
| Power per engine | 1,448 hp | 1,354 hp | — | — | 1,448 hp | — | — | 1,354 hp | — | 1,354 hp | 1,354 hp | — | — | 1,448 hp | — | — | — | — | 1,354 hp | — | 1,354 hp | — | — | 1,448 hp | 1,448 hp | — | 1,450 hp Best value in this row | 1,450 hp Best value in this row | 1,450 hp Best value in this row | — | — | — | — | 1,354 hp | — | — | — | — | — | 1,448 hp | — | 1,448 hp | 1,354 hp | — | — | — | 1,354 hp | 1,354 hp | 1,354 hp | 1,354 hp | 1,354 hp | 1,354 hp | 1,354 hp | 1,354 hp | — | — | — | — | — | 1,448 hp | 1,448 hp | 1,448 hp | — | — | — | — | 1,448 hp | — | — | 1,448 hp | — | — | 1,448 hp | — | 1,354 hp | 1,354 hp | — | 1,448 hp | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1,354 hp | 1,354 hp |
| Length | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 31.3 m Best value in this row | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.5 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m | 28.6 m |
| Wingspan | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m Best value in this row | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m Best value in this row | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m Best value in this row | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m | 35.8 m |
| Height | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 9.1 m Best value in this row | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m | 8.4 m |
| Wing area | 200 m² Best value in this row | — | — | — | 136 m² | — | — | — | 135 m² | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 136 m² | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Empty weight | 19,307 kg | — | — | — | 18,763 kg | — | — | — | 21,243 kg | — | — | — | — | 17,658 kg Best value in this row | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19,641 kg | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MTOW | 30,164 kg | — | — | — | 33,475 kg | — | — | — | 37,331 kg Best value in this row | — | — | — | — | 33,112 kg | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 33,112 kg | 33,112 kg | 33,112 kg | — | — | — | — | 33,112 kg | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Top speed | 394 km/h | — | — | — | 402 km/h | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 443 km/h | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 450 km/h | 451 km/h Best value in this row | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Max speed altitude | 2,134 m | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4,270 m | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cruise speed | 322 km/h | — | — | — | 333 km/h | — | — | — | 523 km/h Best value in this row | — | — | — | — | 306 km/h | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 365 km/h | 365 km/h | 365 km/h | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cruise altitude | — | — | — | — | 3,048 m | — | — | — | 7,681 m | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3,048 m | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Service ceiling | 6,980 m | — | — | — | 5,700 m | — | — | — | 8,992 m Best value in this row | — | — | — | — | 6,797 m | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6,800 m | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Initial climb rate | 6 m/s Best value in this row | — | — | — | 3.3 m/s | — | — | — | 4.3 m/s | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4.6 m/s | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Range | 3,541 km | — | — | — | 3,701 km | — | — | — | 6,212 km | — | — | — | — | 6,437 km Best value in this row | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5,311 km | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Ferry range | — | — | — | — | 5,560 km | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 6,840 km Best value in this row | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Combat radius | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row | 0 km Best value in this row |
| Endurance | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 883 min | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Range conditions | — | — | — | — | 3701 km with maximum payload at 3048 m; 5560 km with a 4500 kg payload and full fuel | — | — | — | 6212 km range at a 523 km/h cruise, the North Star's edge over the radial-engined DC-4 | It could fly 2000 miles with a 22000 lb load; radius was traded against the auxiliary cabin tanks | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5311 km at economical speed and 6840 km in ferry configuration with the inner wing fuel cells; with maximum useful load the published range falls to 3959 km | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Armament | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| Max weapons load | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row | 0 kg Best value in this row |
| Payload | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14,515 kg Best value in this row | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8,600 kg | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Cargo capacity | A far larger and costlier prototype with a triple fin and 42 seats; abandoned in favour of the definitive DC-4 | First production batch adapted from the civil DC-4: four auxiliary cabin tanks cut seating to 26 | Stretched, pressurised fuselage with rectangular windows; the seed of the DC-6/C-118 family. Later redesignated YC-112A | North Star prototype, later folded into the Trans-Canada Air Lines order | Five cars loaded through the side-opening nose plus 22 passengers in the rear cabin; alternatively two or three cars and 55 passengers, swappable in about 40 minutes | A small number fitted with special electronic calibration and communications equipment; redesignated EC-54D | C-54Es converted for airways calibration; redesignated EC-54E in 1962 | Royal Thai Armed Forces designation for the C-54 | Built for BOAC, which named them Argonaut; 55 seats | Strengthened floor and a cargo door with hoist and winch: 14515 kg of freight or 50 troops | Integral outer-wing tanks; removing two cabin tanks allowed 49 seats or 16 stretchers | The most numerous variant: a C-54B with more powerful R-2000-11 engines, in service from August 1944 | The last two cabin tanks moved into the wing: more freight or 44 seats, with quick passenger-to-cargo conversion | As the C-54E but with a different R-2000 version; 400 ordered, 162 completed before the 1945 cancellation | Unpressurised military transport for the RCAF; the first six were modified DC-4s | North Star Mk M1s converted into passenger transports | Paratroop transport; none built | Staff transport; none built. Navy designation R5D-6 | One C-54A used in 1947 to test an experimental fuel system | Specialised modification to haul coal during the Berlin Airlift | R5D-2 redesignated in 1962 | R5D-3 redesignated in 1962 | R5D-4R redesignated in 1962 | R5D-5 redesignated in 1962 | R5D-5R redesignated in 1962 | Sole example, an RCAF VIP transport; it served 17 years carrying the Canadian prime minister and the Queen | Unpressurised post-war passenger model: 44 seats in the standard layout and up to 86 in high density, with 8600 kg of useful load and two underfloor holds | Post-war freight model | Civil designation for surplus C-54 Skymasters sold to the airlines | Six aircraft operated by Trans-Canada Air Lines on loan from the RCAF | Pressurised civil transport for Trans-Canada Air Lines, also known as the North Star M2-3 | DC-4M-2/4s converted to freighters between 1954 and 1961, also known as the North Star M2-4C | Civil transport for Trans-Canada Air Lines, also known as the North Star M2-4 | One C-54B converted by Sabena with a swing tail for Air Congo | Redesignation of the AC-54D | AC-54E redesignated in 1962 | R5D-4 redesignated in 1962 | Redesignation of the SC-54D | SC-54E redesignated in 1962 | SC-54G redesignated in 1962 | C-54Ds temporarily converted for missile tracking and nose-cone recovery | C-54Gs used for temporary testing | Optional designation for C-54As used for medical evacuation | Specialised C-54E modification for medical evacuation | North Star C-4-1s converted into freighters | Four aircraft identical to BOAC's Argonauts, built to Canadian Pacific Airlines specification | C-54As transferred to the US Navy | R5D-1s modified in service with a fuel system based on the C-54B | R5D-1 staff transport conversion | Interim designation of the R5D-1F | C-54Bs transferred to the US Navy | R5D-2 converted into a radar and radio testbed with a dorsal mast and wingtip pods | R5D-2 staff transport conversion | Interim designation of the R5D-2F | C-54Ds transferred to the US Navy; redesignated C-54Q in 1962 | R5D-3 photo-survey conversion; redesignated RC-54V in 1962 | R5D-3 staff transport conversion; redesignated VC-54Q in 1962 | C-54Es transferred to the US Navy; redesignated EC-54U in 1962 | Passenger-only R5D-4 conversion; redesignated C-54R in 1962 | R5D-2s and R5D-3s re-engined to approximately C-54G standard; redesignated C-54S in 1962 | Passenger-only R5D-5 conversion; redesignated C-54T in 1962 | R5D-5 staff transport conversion; redesignated VC-54S in 1962 | Proposed Navy version of the C-54J with a passenger interior; not built | R5D-3P redesignated in 1962 | Aircraft converted by Convair for search and rescue; later redesignated HC-54D | C-54E converted for air-sea rescue; redesignated HC-54E in 1962 | C-54Gs converted for air-sea rescue; redesignated HC-54G in 1962 | Royal Air Force designation for 22 C-54Ds | C-54Ds converted into multi-engine trainers | C-54A fuselage with four cabin tanks and C-54B wings for maximum range; the first aircraft built to fly the US president, with a stateroom and a wheelchair lift | C-54Ds converted into VIP transports | C-54Es converted as staff transports | C-54Gs converted into VIP and staff transports | One MC-54M converted into a VIP transport | R5D-1Z redesignated in 1962 | R5D-2Z redesignated in 1962 | R5D-3Z redesignated in 1962 | R5D-5Z redesignated in 1962 | C-54Ds converted for weather reconnaissance | Pressurised C-54B version with R-2800 engines; none built | Stretched C-54E re-engined with Allison V-1710s; one built | XC-114 with Packard V-1650 engines; none built | Proposed experimental paratroop version; not built | Long-range version: a single aircraft re-engined with Wright R-1820s | XC-114 with thermal de-icing instead of rubber boots for testing; one built | Redesignation of C-54As declared obsolete | One ZC-54A converted for flight testing |
| Crew | 3 Best value in this row | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 Best value in this row | 4 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Passengers | 42 | 26 | — | — | 55 | — | — | — | 55 | 26 | 49 | 49 | 44 | 50 | 55 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 86 Best value in this row | — | 86 Best value in this row | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Units built | 1 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 21 | — | — | — | 22 | 252 | 220 | 380 Best value in this row | 125 | 162 | 24 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 38 | 30 | 95 | — | — | 86 | 1 | 79 | — | — | 6 | 20 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 20 | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | 30 | — | 4 | 56 | — | — | — | 30 | 1 | — | — | 95 | — | — | 20 | — | — | 86 | — | 0 | — | 38 | — | — | 22 | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 |
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