Douglas DC-4
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| Type | Airliner, Historical aircraft |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Low wing aircraft |
| Propulsion | Four-engine aircraft, Piston aircraft, Propeller aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Douglas |
| Author(s) | Syd Adams, Ron Jensen, Martien van den P. |
| FDM | YASim |
| --aircraft= | dc4 |
| Status | Unknown |
| Download |
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| Forum |
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The Douglas DC-4 was a four piston engine airliner. It was based on the DC-3, and in a similar way it was produced in both civilian and military versions from 1942 to 1947. The military version is known as C-54 Skymaster, many of these were converted to civilian use after WWII. 80 DC-4s and 1,163 C-54s were built.
The C-54 was the most commonly used aircraft in the Berlin airlift.
The FlightGear model is based on Syd Adams and Ron Jensen's Douglas DC-6, modified by Martien van der P.
Specifications
| Max Take-Off Wt. | 72,995 lbs. |
| Max Landing Wt. | |
| Empty Wt. | 43,299 lbs. |
| Max payload | 31967 lbs. (5.37 times more than a DC-3) |
| Vne (never exceed) | 243 kts |
| Max Cruising Speed | 214 kts |
| Normal Cruising Speed | 197 kts |
| Vfe (max flaps speed) | 125 kts |
| Approach Speed | 105 kts |
| Landing Speed | 95 kts |
| Stall Speed | 90 kts |
| Service Ceiling | 22,310 feet 6800 m |
| Landing Distance | at least 3500 ft recommended |
| Take-off Distance |
Before flying
The model is in developement, as of 23/8/2021 two files need to be fixed:
- in Aircraft/dc4/Sound/dc4-sound.xml, search for the string "Aircraft/dc6/" and replace all instances with "Aircraft/dc4/" (otherwise the sound will not work) ;
- in Aircraft/dc4/Models/flightdeck.xml, do the same (otherwise the instruments will not show).
The problem will stay unnoticed if you have the DC-6 installed.
Online manual
Thanks to archive.org and its contributors, a premium source of information is available: the actual pilot training manual for the C-54 Skymaster. It is in the public domain and can be freely downloaded here: [1]
You will find a detailed description of the aircraft, explained procedures and ckecklists from pre-flight inspection to after landing, emergency procedures, etc, in fact almost all you need to fly the DC-4.
Basic procedures
--- Takeoff ---
- Flaps: 15-20°
- Throttle: 50" Hg, prop: 2700 RPM (always reduce in that order)
- Lift nose at 85-95 KIAS, liftoff at 100-115 KIAS
- Gear UP immediately
- 40" Hg, 2550 RPM, climb at 135-139 KIAS
- Flaps up at ~500 ft AGL (remember Vfe=125 kts)
- 35" Hg, 2350 RPM
--- Descent ---
- 300 fpm recommended, 175 kts max
- Reduce speed early to below 125 kts
--- Before landing ---
- Autopilot OFF, blowers LOW, mixture RICH
- Check magnetos
- Flaps typ.10-20°, 2250 RPM, gear LOW
- 105 kts, 500 fpm, 20" Hg
- Flaps 30°, 95 kts short before threshold, flare progressively
- IDLE as soon as you are on ground
--- After landing ---
- Props HIGH RPM
- flaps UP
- Cut No 1 and 4 engines
--- General ---
- Max RPM 2700, max MP 50" Hg
- Do not stay between 1600 and 1700 RPM
External links
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