FS2004 Alaska Airlines Douglas C-54/DC-4 NC9044

Alaska Airlines (founded in 1944) was involved in the Berlin Airlift 1948/49. With FS Design Studio 2.20 complete reworked and improved model. Features fully animated moving parts with rolling wheels, suspension, steerable nose gear. FDE reworked for FS2004 by Guenter Kirschstein. Base design and textures by Arik Hohmeyer, complete design rework by Chris Grabow (FS-Design Berlin).

The Douglas C-54/DC-4 was developed under the darkening clouds of World War 2, and upon USA's entry into the war all DC-4s then on the production line were requisitioned for the US military. The result was that the 1st DC-4 off the production line flew in 1942 wearing olive drab camouflage as the C-54 Skymaster. The C-54 admirably fitted into the USAAF's long range transport role and 1162 were built through the war years.

Post war many surplus C-54s were available for airliner conversion. The type initially formed the mainstay of most long haul passenger carriers. An additional 78 additional DC-4s were produced by Douglas to new orders. Eventually the type was replaced by faster, pressurized DC-6s and Constellations. DC-4s eventually filtered down to third level operators and freight operators.

Notable developments of the DC-4 include Aviation Trader's much modified Carvair freighter while Canadair built a number with RollsRoyce Merlin engines and pressurized fuselages. The DC-4 also formed the basis for the larger DC-6 and DC-7. The C-54/DC-4 was the first airliner to introduce a circular section, constant diameter fuselage which made stretching the basic aircraft relatively simple).

The C-54 was the workhorse of the Berlin Airlift 1948-49. More than 240 C-54 of the U.S. forces came here to use.