AirwaySim

Monthly FACT HUB in tandem with Airline Magazine

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CEO STARBEAM AIRWAYS - New Horzion Alliance -





Douglas DC-4

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The Douglas DC-4 is a historically significant aircraft, playing a crucial role in both commercial aviation and military operations. Here are some key facts about the DC-4:

1. Development and Introduction
The DC-4 was developed by the Douglas Aircraft Company in the early 1940s.

It made its first flight on June 7, 1938.
Originally intended as a commercial airliner, its production was accelerated during World War II when it was adapted as a military transport.

2. Military Use as the C-54 Skymaster
During World War II, the DC-4 was widely used by the U.S. military under the designation C-54 Skymaster.

It played a vital role in transporting troops, supplies, and equipment across theaters of war.
The C-54 also became famous for its role in the Berlin Airlift (1948-1949), delivering essential supplies to West Berlin during the Soviet blockade.

3. Commercial Use
After the war, many DC-4s were converted back into civilian airliners.

It became a popular post-war aircraft for airlines such as Pan American World Airways, American Airlines, and British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC).

The DC-4 lacked pressurization, limiting its operational ceiling to 10,000 to 14,000 feet, but it was known for reliability and durability.

4. Technical Specifications
Crew: 4 (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, radio operator)
Capacity: Up to 86 passengers in commercial configurations.
Engines: 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000 radial engines, each producing 1,450 horsepower.
Speed: Cruising speed of about 215 mph (346 km/h).
Range: Approximately 2,500 miles (4,000 km).
Wingspan: 117 feet 6 inches (35.81 meters).
Length: 93 feet 10 inches (28.6 meters).

5. Variants
The DC-4's most notable variant was the C-54 Skymaster.
It also had specialized versions like the DC-4M North Star, produced by Canadair, which used Rolls-Royce Merlin engines.

6. Post-War Legacy
Many DC-4s continued to operate long after their heyday, with some converted into cargo planes or used for specialized missions like firefighting.

It was succeeded by more advanced models like the Douglas DC-6 and DC-7, which offered pressurization and greater speed and range.
7. Significant Operators

Apart from U.S. military and commercial airlines, the DC-4 was used by airlines and air forces worldwide, including in countries like Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
The Douglas DC-4 remains an iconic aircraft, known for its ruggedness and versatility, bridging the transition between wartime aviation and the golden age of commercial flight.

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Martin 4-O-4 Skyliner  ...

  Fast Facts 

 

The Martin 4-O-4 was the first truly "modern" airliner with a pressurized cabin.

Designed to be a replacement for the Douglas DC-3, the Martin Skyliner was the first post-war airliner design to reach production.

In all 103 were 4-O-4s were built by Glenn L. Martin Company between 1951 and 1953, at its Middle River Plant in Maryland.

Eastern Airlines had the largest fleet, with 60. The Martins of Eastern Airlines were primarily deployed along their eastern seaboard routs, and in Florida.

TWA operated 40 of the 4-O-4s.

Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and the Doobie Brothers each used modified Martin 4-O-4s. Sinatra's plane had a lounge area with a piano, a curved bar, a bedroom, and for night flights, an artificial moon and twinkling stars built into the ceiling. The exterior was pink with brown trim.

Visitors to the museum often remark how much more leg room the passengers of a 4-O-4 enjoyed compared to a modern jet airliner.

The museum's Skyliner (S/n 14233/ N485A) has a manufacture date of October 15, 1952.  After its service with Eastern Airlines, the registration was changed to its current N259S.

It was delivered to Eastern Airlines on November 4, 1952.

In 2000 Mr. Manfred Leuthard of Classic Airways, agreed to donate his 4-O-4 to the museum. In turn, the museum covered the expenses of flying the 4-O-4 cross country; $30,000 was raised in four months for this flight. The arrival was covered by local TV and newspapers.


Martin 2-0-2

What is the difference between the Martin 202 and the Convair 240?

The 202 was a more basic aircraft than the 240, able to carry 52 passengers over longer distances but without pressurisation. But its prospects were to be all but destroyed when it was discovered the cause of a fatal crash was a serious structural problem in the wings.

Here are concise facts about the Martin 2-0-2 aircraft:

First flight: November 22, 1946.

Capacity: Up to 40 passengers.
Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines (2,000 hp each).
Cruising speed: 275 mph (443 km/h).
Range: 1,000 miles (1,600 km).
Wingspan: 93 feet (28.35 meters).
Length: 74 feet 8 inches (22.76 meters).
Unpressurized cabin, which limited its competitiveness.
Competed with aircraft like the Convair 240 and Douglas DC-3.
Mainly used by regional airlines in the late 1940s and 1950s.
Had structural issues that led to accidents, including the 1951 crash of Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 2501.
Successor: The improved Martin 4-0-4 addressed many of the 2-0-2's shortcomings.


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Here are some 1951 facts that may help airlines new and old with their ssimulation airline generation plans...





In 1951, several aircraft in the USA used Pratt & Whitney Wasp engines or similar radial engines from Pratt & Whitney. These planes were primarily used in both commercial and military aviation, and some were noted for their economical operation for short to medium-haul routes. Below are some of the most economical aircraft from that time using these engines:

1. Douglas DC-3
Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp radial engines.
Role: The DC-3 was widely used by airlines for short-haul flights. Its durability, low operating cost, and reliability made it one of the most economical aircraft of its time.
Capacity: Up to 28 passengers.
Range: 1,500 miles (2,400 km).
2. Convair 240
Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines.
Role: Popular with regional airlines, the Convair 240 was pressurized (unlike its rival, the Martin 2-0-2) and had better performance at higher altitudes, making it more efficient for medium-range flights.
Capacity: 40-44 passengers.
Range: Around 1,200 miles (1,930 km).
3. Martin 2-0-2
Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines.
Role: The Martin 2-0-2 was designed for short-haul routes. Although unpressurized and having some structural issues, it was economical for small airlines.
Capacity: Up to 40 passengers.
Range: 1,000 miles (1,600 km).
4. Beechcraft Model 18
Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior radial engines.
Role: Known for its versatility, the Beechcraft Model 18 was used for both cargo and passenger transport. It was economical due to its smaller size and lower operational costs.
Capacity: 6-11 passengers.
Range: 1,200 miles (1,930 km).
5. Curtiss C-46 Commando
Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines.
Role: Primarily used in military operations during World War II, the C-46 continued in civilian cargo service in the 1950s. Its high payload capacity made it economical for cargo operations.
Capacity: Up to 50 passengers (in civilian use) or large cargo payloads.
Range: 1,200 miles (1,930 km).
6. Douglas DC-4
Engines: 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-2000 Twin Wasp radial engines.
Role: A larger aircraft than the DC-3, the DC-4 was used by airlines for longer domestic and international routes. Though not pressurized, it was still economical for the time due to its larger passenger and cargo capacity.
Capacity: Up to 86 passengers.
Range: 2,500 miles (4,000 km).

These aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney Wasp and similar engines, were among the most economical in the early 1950s due to their reliability, ease of maintenance, and versatility for both short- and medium-range flights.


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- CEO STARBEAM AIRWAYS (New Horizon Alliance)