The Skymaster was not a pressurized aircraft, requiring pilots to fly at cruising altitudes between 10,000 and 15,000 feet.
The Douglas C-54 was the military version of the four-engine Douglas DC-4 commercial transport developed in 1938. During World War II, the US Army
Air Forces utilized 1,084 Skymasters that included thirteen different variants. C-54 Skymasters impressively accumulated over a million miles transporting cargo across the North Atlantic during World War II, with a total of 79,642 ocean crossings. Skymasters also carried out conflict support missions in the Pacific Theater, where they participated in operations between India and China that required flights of supplies over the Himalayan Mountains. During the Korean War, C-54s shifted from their cargo mission and began providing medical transport, delivering 66,000 patients back to the United States.
During World War II, Hill Air Force Base’s depot was responsible for maintenance work on the Pratt & Whitney R-2000 engines used on the C-54 as well as propeller repair for the plane. Maintenance personnel also performed various repairs and modifications on C-54 aircraft after World War II.
In 1948, C-54s assisted in the Berlin Airlift. During this humanitarian operation, C-54s supplied coal, food, and clothing to the city of Berlin while it was under Soviet blockade. This C-54 resembles the C-54s that flew during the Berlin Airlift, particularly the aircraft flown by Utah native Lieutenant Gail S. Halvorsen. Halvorsen and his crew became famous for dropping candy tied to parachutes out of their C-54 for the starving children of East Berlin. Gail’s humanitarian effort to bring hope to the East Berlin children, unofficially known as “Operation Little Vittles,” gained in popularity and support. From this humanitarian effort, Gail earned the title of the “Candy Bomber.”
This aircraft is on loan from the U.S. Air Force Heritage Program.
Serial Number: 45-0502
Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Company
Primary Function: Military Transport
Crew: Six
Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney R-2000-9 radial piston engines; 1,450 hp each
Wingspan: 117 ft 6 in
Length: 93 ft 10 in
Height: 27 ft 6 in
Weight: 38,930 lbs (empty); 73,000 lbs (maximum takeoff weight)
Speed: 190 mph (cruising); 275 mph (maximum)
Range: 3,900 miles
Service Ceiling: 22,300 feet
Armament: None
Payload: Seats for up to 50 passengers; 14,000 lbs
Cost: $1,180,000 (actual)
Years of Service: 1942 – 1975
During World War II, the repair and overhaul shops at Hill Air Force Base were responsible for maintenance work on C-54 Pratt & Whitney R-2000 engines and propellers. Hill Air Force Base also supported Operation Vittles (Berlin Airlift) in several ways starting in 1948. Ogden supported the Berlin Airlift with engine cradles, pneumatic mattresses, vehicles, kits, parachutes, test equipment, telephones, ground radio equipment, airborne communications equipment and miscellaneous accessories. Hill Air Force Base personnel also repaired propellers for the C-54s during this operation.
The museum’s C-54 is painted to resemble the aircraft flown during the Berlin Airlift, particularly the “Candy Bomber” missions flown during Operation Vittles by Utah native Colonel Gail S. Halvorsen.
The C-54G was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft and delivered to the United States Air Force (USAF) in June 1945. It was chosen to serve the 10th Air Force in Karachi, Pakistan. It left for Pakistan in July 1945 and returned to the US in October.
The Skymaster was not a pressurized aircraft, requiring pilots to fly at cruising altitudes between 10,000 and 15,000 feet.
The C-124 Globemaster II would replace the Skymaster, although it remained in service until 1972.
The C-54 had a carry capacity of approximately 10 tons or 50 fully loaded troops.