Douglas DC-4/C-54 Skymaster family
At the end of the 1930s the development of all metal transport aircraft went fast. Much larger aircraft than the Douglas DC-3 saw the light, like the DC-4E and Lockheed Constellation. The DC-4 is in itself a smaller version of the three fin DC-4E, that proved too large at that time. Most DC-4s have four radial piston engines in the wing leading edges, with three blade propellers. On top of the nacelles are long oil cooler ducts. Some versions have V-shaped piston engines though with a different nacelle shape. The inner nacelles house the two wheel main gears when they are retracted forward. The single wheel nose gear retracts forward in the nose. The nose gear bay has a round shape at the ends and hence the nose gear doors have quarter circle curves. The nose itself seems an enlarged version of that of the DC-3, with six similar cockpit windows. The cabin windows are nearly round though. The vertical stabiliser looks like an unswept rectangle with rounded top corners, and a gradual, curved transition from leading edge to dorsal fin.
While developed just before the second world war, most aircraft were built as the military C‑54 Skymaster, or alternatively R5D in US naval service.
The nose of the DC-4 family has a nice rounded shape, with cockpit windows similar to those of the DC-3. Sometimes, it is more pointed due to the weather radar. Note the curved front and rear of the nose gear doors!
Different versions
How to recognise the different versions of the Douglas DC-4 and C-54 family will be added later.
Confusion possible with
Douglas DC-6
The main competitor in terms of possible confusion is from the same company, namely the DC-6. The DC-6 is significantly larger though and has rectangular cabin windows. Also the vertical stabiliser is taller, while retaining the same basic shape. Finally, the oil cooler ducts on top of the nacelles are smaller and shorter.
Douglas DC-7
The Douglas DC-7 looks more similar to the DC-6 than the DC-4, regarding the cabin windows and tail. However, the engine nacelles of the DC-7 have long oil cooler ducts like the DC-4. The engines power four blade props though and these props nearly always have large spinners.
Handley Page Hermes
The Hermes can be considered the British counterpart of the DC-4 (and DC-6). The Hermes has the same basic appearance as the DC-4, including the two wheel main gears and rounded rectangular vertical stabiliser. Most different are the seven cockpit windows (instead of six), the cabin windows (near squares with rounded corners) and the nose gear: the latter retracts rearward. (photo: RuthAS/WikiMedia)
