Douglas DC-4 and C-54

Modelled for Flight Simulator X And Flight Simulator 2004 (A Century of Flight) by Jens B. Kristensen Version 3.0, December 2010

Douglas DC-4 (and C-54)

Introduction
The DC-4 and its derivatives are well known, so we will not go into a lot of detail here! The DC-4 was originally planned in the middle of the 1930s as a large airliner to complement the smaller DC-3. A single prototype was flown and tested as the DC-4E, but this was abandoned in 1939 in favour of a smaller and simpler design. No DC-4s entered airline service before WW2, but large numbers were built for the USAF as the C-54 and the US Navy as the R5D. The designations ranged from C-54A to C-54G, although all C-54s were basically similar. 1165 military examples were built; many of them were sold to air forces of other nations after the war, or converted to airliners under the generic designation DC-4. In 1946-47, 79 C-54G airframes were completed as DC-4-1009s, the only DC-4s built from the outset as airliners. A pressurised version was planned, but never built. This finally led to the longer and heavier DC-6. A short specification says:

24 (!) liveries are included in this package, covering the period 1942-2006, and showing DC-4s from different parts of the world: You can fly planes from Pan American, Delta, SAS, South African Airways, Air France, Qantas and many other airlines, and also military transports of the USAF and the Royal Danish Air Force.

Buffalo Airways in Canada was still flying this C-54G in 2006! It is used as a freighter, and for water-bombing in the fire season.

New in this version

More accurate panel, and more detail in the virtual cockpit. Improved flight dynamics with no trimming for takeoff. Many improvements to the exterior model as well.

Credits
Please see detailed credits for gauges etc. in the Readme.txt file! The flight dynamics were originally made by FSAviator, and much of the aircraft.cfg and the engine-related sections of the *.air file is still based on his work.

References
H.A.Taylor: Skymaster Story, Air Enthusiast Fifteen, 1981 Ken Wixey: The Douglas Skymaster Family, Tempus Publishing Ltd 1999. Arthur Pearcy: Douglas Propliners DC-1 to DC-7, Airlife 1995 C-54G & DC-4 flight manuals acquired from www.flight-manuals-on-cd.com ltd. Internet sources such as www.airlines.net have been used as well.

Using the panel

The main panel
The panel represents the C-54G and the postwar DC-4-1009, but earlier models were generally similar. It is based on information from the actual flight manual. If you have a wide-screen monitor, it is best to zoom out a little (75% in FS2004, ca 60% in FSX) as shown in this view:

There is a 2D-panel included as well, but it is mostly for FS2004 on older computers with old-style monitors. Some gauges are by Microsoft or from various freeware sources, please see the readme.txt file for gauge credits. The Sperry autopilot is based on that of the Douglas DC-3. Please see the FS Learning Center for detailed instructions. The autopilot defaults to heading hold, so it is best to engage it with the keyboard: Press CTRL+SHIFT+H followed by CTRL+H. Additional autopilot functions: In the virtual cockpit, there are switches for altitude hold, NAV and ILS modes in a small panel on the pilots left side. Alternatively, you can use the usual keyboard shortcuts, but mixing the two is not usually a good idea.

Auxiliary panels
These are mainly for use in the 2D cockpit, in the virtual cockpit just look up to see the equivalent 3D panels. SHIFT+2: Lower overhead panel. This includes the magneto switches and a number of engine gauges.

SHIFT+3: Upper overhead panel .

Switches for radiator shutters, lights, de-ice etc. Note: If you turn on the beacon light after the panel lights, you may see some strange light effects in the virtual cockpit. Just turn the panel lights off and on again to reset things to normal. Starting the engines: Starting sequence is 3-4-1-2. Start the booster pump, click the Prime switch, and then the Start switch. Quickly switch on the magnetos. (You will probably find it easier to switch on the magnetos before starting the engine, although this is not completely realistic). Repeat for each engine, close the booster pumps when everything is running. SHIFT+4: Radios This is the radio panel of the FS2004 DC-3, very like the radio panel on the DC-4. Tune NAV and ADF radios, and select if the Radio Compass (dual-needle RMI) on the main panel should respond to the NAV or ADF radios. SHIFT+5: The GPS map Of course, GPS did not exist in the 1950s. Think of the GPS map as a substitute for the maps and instructions you would get from your second pilot and the navigator.

Wing views

In FSX: Press A a couple of times. In FS2004: CTRL +9 Rear view of the right wing CTRL +7 Rear view of the left wing CTRL +3 Front view of the right wing (as shown) CTRL +1 Front view of the left wing

Flying instructions DC-4-1009 and C-54G

Highly detailed information from FSAviator is available during your flight, just press F10 to call up the electronic kneeboard, and select the checklist or the reference tab. Here is a summary of normal flying procedures: Note: In previous versions of this model you had to set a fairly large amount of elevator up trim for take off. This is no longer necessary.

Before Takeoff
No Smoking/Seat Belts ON, Nav Lights, Beacon: ON, Flaps to TAKEOFF - 20 degrees. Cowl Flaps: MID.

Takeoff
Throttle to Takeoff Power (full throttle) Rotate at 105 kts @ MTOW: 73,000 lbs Gear UP @ positive rate of climb ( 500 fpm) Flaps UP > 120 kts At 140kts, 300 ft AGL, 500 fpm: METO Power (43" MAP, 2550 rpm)

Climb
>140 kts, 1500 ft AGL: Climb Power (40" MAP, 2300 rpm) Climb @ 135-145 kts, 500-1000 fpm Maintain MAP with throttle as you climb Seat Belts: as required

Cruise
Cruise Power - typical: 33" MAP, 2000 RPM Cowl Flaps: CLOSED/CRACKED

Descent:
Do not exceed 218 KIAS

Before Landing
Cowl Flaps: 4 deg. Seat Belts, No Smoking: ON Pattern: 145 kts, Flaps 1 (10 deg.), 2050 RPM Landing Lights ON Slow to 135 kts approaching descent Begin final descent: Flaps 2 (20 deg.), Gear Down, slow to 125 kts @1000 ft AGL: Flaps 3 (40 deg.), slow to 110 kts @700 ft AGL, Full Flaps (50 deg.), slow to 97 kts

Landing
At 50 ft AGL: 87 kts (@ 63,500 lbs) At contact: ~71 kts

Flying instructions C-54B, D and E and civilian conversions (DC-4s)

Highly detailed information from FSAviator is available during your flight, just press F10 to call up the electronic kneeboard, and select the checklist or the reference tab. Here is a summary of normal flying procedures. Important - This aircraft has a gear limit of 125 KIAS. Note: In previous versions of this model you had to set a fairly large amount of elevator up trim for take off. This is no longer necessary.

Before Takeoff
No Smoking/Seat Belts ON, Nav Lights, Beacon: ON, Flaps to TAKEOFF - 20 degrees. Cowl Flaps: MID.

Takeoff
Throttle to Takeoff Power (full throttle) Rotate at 100 kts @ MTOW: 71,800 lbs Gear UP @ positive rate of climb ( 500 fpm) Flaps UP > 120 kts At 140kts, 300 ft AGL, 500 fpm: METO Power (40" MAP, 2550 rpm)

Climb
>140 kts, 1500 ft AGL: Climb Power (39" MAP, 2300 rpm) Climb @ 135-145 kts, 500-1000 fpm Maintain MAP with throttle as you climb Seat Belts: as required

Cruise
Cruise Power - typical: 31" MAP, 2000 RPM Cowl Flaps: CLOSED/CRACKED

Descent:
Do not exceed 218 KIAS

Before Landing
Cowl Flaps: 4 deg. Seat Belts, No Smoking: ON Pattern: 145 kts, Flaps 1 (10 deg.), 2050 RPM Landing Lights ON Mixture: AUTO RICH Slow to 120 kts approaching descent Begin final descent: Flaps 2 (20 deg.), Gear Down, slow to 120 kts @1000 ft AGL: Flaps 3 (40 deg.), slow to 110 kts @700 ft AGL, Full Flaps (50 deg.), slow to 97 kts

Landing
At 50 ft AGL: 87 kts (@ 63,500 lbs) At contact: ~71 kts