DOUGLAS DC-4

General The Douglas DC-4 is a four-engine

characteristics
(piston) propeller-
Crew: four driven airliner developed by
Capacity: 40 to 80 passengers the Douglas Aircraft Company. It
Length: 93 ft 10 in (28.6 m)
served during World War II, in
Wingspan: 117 ft 6 in (35.8
m) the Berlin Airlift and into the 1960s in
Height: 27 ft 6 in (8.38 m) a military role. From 1945, many civil
Wing area: 1,460ft² (135.6 m²)
airlines operated it worldwide.
Empty weight: 43,300 lb
(19,640 kg)
Loaded weight: 63,500 lb The DC-4/C-54 proved a popular and reliable type, 1245 being
(28,800 kg) built between May 1942 and August 1947, including 79 post-war
Max. takeoff weight: 73,000
DC-4s. Several remain in service as of 2014.
lb (33,100 kg)
Powerplant: 4 × Pratt &
Whitney R-2000 radial Douglas continued to develop the type during the war in
engine, 1,450 hp (1,081 kW) preparation for a return to airline use when peace returned.
each
Basic prices for a new DC-4 in 1946-7 was around £140,000-
Performance £160,000. In 1960 used DC-4s were available for around £80,000.

Maximum speed: 280 mph

(450 km/h)
Cruise speed: 227
mph/197kts (365 km/h)
Range: 4,250 mi (6,839 km)
Service ceiling: 22,300 ft
(6,800 m)
Wing loading: 43.5 lb/ft²
(212.4 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 10.9 lb/hp (6.6
kg/kW)
c/n 27370 is currently operating as a flying museum to the Berlin Airlift. Called the "Spirit of Freedom", it has
been touring the world for nearly 20 years.
Very few DC-4s remain in service today. The last two passenger
DC-4s operating worldwide are based in Johannesburg, South
Africa. They fly with old South African Airways (SAA) colours. They
are ZS-AUB "Outeniqua" and ZS-BMH "Lobamba" and are owned by
the South African Airways Museum Society and operated by Sky
class Aviation,a company specializing in classic and VIP charters to
exotic destinations in Africa. A 1944 built DC-4 is currently being
restored in New South Wales, Australia. Buffalo Airways in Canada
operates roughly a dozen DC-4s (former C-54s of various versions)
for hauling cargo and aerial firefighting. A 1945 built DC-4 (C-54E)

The DC-4 was used extensively for airmail service.