The Douglas DC-4
Even before the first DC-3 had made it's first flight, Douglas Aircraft and United Air Lines were discussing a 4-engined aircraft with double the capacity, which led to the first of the great family of Douglas 4-engined airliners. In 1936 American, Eastern, Pan American, and TWA decided to join United and put up $100,000 towards the cost of designing and building the prototype DC-4. TWA and Pan American later withdrew in favor of the Lockheed L-049. When the prototype appeared, it was a very big aircraft, with four Wright R-1820 engines of 1450 hp each. It first flew on June 7, 1939, and was delivered to United for demonstration flights. However, it became apparent tht it was something of a maintenance nightmare, and was not attractive economically. Thus, the partners decided on a smaller, less complicated derivative, also to be known as the DC-4 (so the first DC-4 was renamed the DC-4E).
Thus, Douglas started over with a somewhat smaller (and much more attractive) design, using P&W Twin Wasp R-2000's. This resulted in the definitive DC-4, with all of the features found in all Douglas propliners from that point forward, except pressurization. The fuselage was a long cylinder (handy later for stretching into the DC-6 and DC-7), tricycle landing gear, and a tall single fin. Three of the 5 sponsors (United, Eastern, and American) placed orders totalling 60 DC-4's, but production and delivery were interrupted by WW II, and by the end of the war over 1000 had been produced. Over 500 of these were sold to the airlines after the war, and with Douglas producing 74 more, many airlines started long-distance routes with DC-4's in 1946-47.
After the much faster, larger, and pressurized DC-6 series became available, the DC-4's tended to be relegated to secondary routes and carriers, and were a mainstay of regional airlines on their premium routes. They were later converted to freighters, fire sprayers, and other configurations, and many DC-4's are still flying today.
FS2004 Flight model update available from FSAviator! Also includes updates for various models of C-54, often converted to airliners. (This version also available in PAA DC-4 by Jens Christiansen, below.)
FS2004/FSX Pan American World Airways DC-4. Now Version 2.1, for FS2004,
and FSX including SP2! Here's a new version of the DC-4 from Jens Kristensen,
in PAA and SAS liveries (among others), and has a panel too. It's complete with
updated flight dynamics from FSAviator. Pan Am used it on it's original
long-distance overwater routes. Thanks! Last updated on 3/17/08. FS-Berlin
version painted by Dale DeLuca. Last updated 11/4/03. FS5
version by Rich Boehringer. Last updated on 8/22/98.
FS2004
Western Air Lines DC-4 1950. Wayne Tudor has painted up Jens'
DC-4 in the early colors of Western, the only trunk carrier flying only in the
western US in the 1950's. The "Arrowliner" flew the major routes for Western,
complete with the first iteration of the famous "Indian Head" under the rear
fuselage. Requires the PAA
base file. Last updated on 1/19/06. FS2002 version.
Includes new DC-4 panel and Prop Sounds (9MB). Last modified on 3/24/03.
FS2000 version. Last modified on 9/16/01.
FS98 version. Last modified
on 12/25/00.
FS2004 Western Air Lines DC-4 1957. Wayne has
also painted up the DC-4 into the last colors it ever wore at Western, just
before further deliveries of DC-6B's pushed them aside. Requires the PAA
base file. Last updated on 1/19/06. FS2002
version. Requires the panel and sounds from the FS2002 1950 DC-4
(above). Last modified on 3/24/03. FS2000
version. Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98
version. Last modified on 11/25/00.
FS2004 1948 United Air Lines DC-4. Wayne has also painted
Jens' new DC-4 into the earliest colors of United. United was one of the
last major US airlines to fly the DC-4. Requires the PAA
base file. Thanks again! Last updated on 1/19/06.
FS2004 United DC-4. After the Mainliner scheme above, United
went with this bare metal scheme that (with the addition of a white top) lasted
until 1958. Wayne painted this one too - thanks! Requires the PAA
base file. Last updated on 2/3/06.
FS2004 1955 United Air Lines DC-4. Wayne has painted a converted
C-54 into the later white top colors of United. Thanks! Requires
the PAA
base file. Last updated on 2/3/06. FS-Berlin
version by Dale DeLuca. Textures only - also requires the FS-Berlin
PAA
file above. Last updated 11/4/03. FS98
1950 version by Harry Follas. 1955 version.
Last updated on 3/5/00.
FS2004 1950
American Air Lines DC-4. American also started their transcon service
with converted C-54's, and Wayne has done up that scheme as well - well done!
Requires the PAA
base file. Last updated on 1/19/06. FS-Berlin
version by Dale DeLuca: Textures only - also requires the FS-Berlin
PAA
file above. Last updated 11/4/03. FS98
version by Harry Follas. Last updated on 3/5/00.
FS2004 PSA DC-4. Dave McQueen has painted Jens' DC-4 to represent
one of Pacific Southwest Arlines' early aircraft, the DC-4. PSA started
as a low-budget airline within California, and graduated from DC-4's to Electra's,
and on to 727's and DC-9's. It eventually became the dominant airline
within California, and after deregulation expanded all over the West. It
was absorbed by US Air, but most of it's routes have been dropped. Many
Californians will miss the humor and spirit of the airline that said "Catch
our Smile". Thanks! Requires the PAA
base file. Last updated on 2/3/06. FS2000/FS98
version by Kevin Trinkle. Last updated on 11/31/00.
FS2004 TWA DC-4. Wayne Tudor has painted Jens' DC-4 into the
early bare metal colors of TWA. Trans World used the DC-4 for it's earliest
domestic and international services after WWII, before the Connies arrived.
These would be their last Douglas planes until the DC-9's. Thanks - it looks
great! Requires the PAA
base file. Last updated on 1/19/06. FS-Berlin
version by Dale DeLuca: Textures only - also requires this base
file. Last updated on 10/7/03. FS2000/FS98
version by Harry Follas. Last updated on 3/5/00.
FS2004 British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines DC-4. The DC-4 inaugurated
service between Australia and the USA, and thus is an important part of airline
history. Wayne has painted Jens' DC-4 into the early colors of BCPA, a
real pioneer in Trans-Pacific flight (following Pan American, of course!). Requires
the PAA
base file. Last updated on 2/3/06.
FS2004 Riddle Airlines DC-4. Riddle Airlines began operations
in 1945 as a non scheduled carrier. Later as a mostly all cargo airline it began
scheduled operations and flew passenger/cargo flights for the US military. Riddle
flew C46s, DC-4s, DC-6s, DC-7s, DC-8s and Armstrong Whitworth Argosy turboprops.
The name changed to Airlift International in 1963. Airlift acquired Slick Airways
in 1966 and managed to survive several bankruptcies only to go under for good
in 1991. Riddle was founded by John Paul Riddle, also a founder of Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University of Prescott, Arizona and Daytona Beach, Florida. Dave
McQueen has painted up this beauty - thanks! Last updated on 5/5/06.
FS2004 Slick Airlines DC-4. Slick Airways was founded in San
Antonio, Texas in January 1946 by Earl F. Slick. It began operations in March
1946 using ten Curtiss C-46s. Slick became a scheduled freight carrier in 1949.
Slick nearly merged with the Flying Tiger Line in 1953 but the merger fell through.
Slick provided transcontinental service and also flew contracts for the US military.
But the airline failed financially and in 1966 Airlift International (Riddle)
took over the assets of Slick. Slick flew C46, DC4, DC6, L1049 and CL44 equipment.
Another great paint job from Dave McQueen. Thanks! Last updated on 5/5/06.
FS2004 Overseas National Airlines DC-4. Overseas National
Airways was one of the most successful of the non scheduled airlines. Beginning
operations in 1950 it operated DC-4 DC-6 DC-7 DC-8 DC-9 DC-10 and Lockheed Electra
equipment. The airline went bankrupt twice, the second time in 1978 when it
ceased all operations. It was used extensively by the military to transport
troops to Vietnam. Thanks to Dave McQueen for painting it! Requires
the PAA
base file. Last updated on 2/27/06.
FS2004 Matson Lines DC-4. Matson Lines steamship company in
1946 was a cruise ship line sailing between the west coast of the United States
and Hawaii. They entered the air carrier market with DC-4s and flew between
the West Coast and Honolulu from 1946 to 1948. Dave McQueen has painted up this
elusive bird - thanks! Requires the PAA
base file. Last updated on 2/15/06.
FS2004 California Eastern DC-4. Dave has also painted up this
one too. California Eastern Airways aka California Eastern Aviation was headquartered
in Burbank, CA and Washington DC. Operating from 1946 until 1961 it was a contract
carrier with the US military overseas and also provided non scheduled charter
operations within the USA. They operated DC-4 and L-1049 equipment. Thanks!
Requires the PAA
base file. Last updated on 2/15/06.
FS2004 North American DC-4. Dave has painted up Jen's great
DC-4 into the early colors of charter operator North American. It was the largest
low fare airline in the 50's doing business under several names to avoid the
charter airlines restrictions. Transcontinental fares were typically $99
US, quite inexpensive compared to the scheduled airlines. The CAB and
the scheduled airlines put them out of business, but the public's thirst for
their low fares lead to the Coach Class revolution. Requires the PAA
base file. Last updated on 2/15/06.
FS2004 Resort Airlines DC-4. Resort Airlines of Washington
DC, and Oakland, CA was a charter and tour operator between 1945 and 1960. They
performed LOGAIR services for the US government. This aircraft was converted
to an ATL.98 , and flew for Channel Air Bridge after 1961. Dave McQueen did
a great job - thanks! Requires the PAA
base file. Last updated on 2/3/06.
FS2004 Transocean DC-4. Transocean Airlines of Oakland, California
operated more DC-4s in commerical service than any other airline over a 14 year
period. They flew mostly over the Pacific, but also around the world. This is
one of Dave McQueen's favorite airlines - thanks! Requires the PAA
base file. Last updated on 2/3/06.
FS2004 TOPAC DC-4. This repaint depicts the fictional Trans
Orient Pacific DC4 from the motion picture The High and the Mighty. At least
two aircraft were used in the film. This one represents the one in scenes taxiing
and in flight without de-icing boots. Dave McQueen has also done the honors
painting this one! And the other
plane has been painted by Wayne Tudor! Requires the PAA
base file. Last updated on 2/3/06.
FS2004 California Hawaiian DC-4. California Hawaiian was a
non-sked carrier that flew between California and Hawaii with L049, L1049, and
DC-4 equipment. It operated under a parent company called Airline Transport
Carriers who also operated California Central Airlines. Thanks Dave! Requires
the PAA
base file. Last updated on 2/3/06.
FS2004 Great Lakes Airlines DC-4. Great Lakes Airlines, a Nonsked
of Burbank, California operated between 1946 and 1962 providing irregular scheduled
service across the USA. Thanks Dave for another interesting one! Requires the
PAA
base file. Last updated on 2/3/06.
FS2004 Flying Tigers C-54. A new C-54 from Arik Hohmeyer and Chris
Grabow from FS-Berlin! Flight dynamics
are by Guenter Kirschstein, based on Brian Horsey's. Dale DeLuca has painted
it up into Flying Tigers paint. Thanks again! Textures only - also requires
this base
file. Last updated on 10/7/03.
FS2000/FS98 North American Airlines DC-4. North American
was the largest low fare airline in the 50's doing business under several names
to avoid the charter airlines restrictions. Fares were typically $99 US,
quite inexpensive compared to the scheduled airlines. The CAB and the
scheduled airlines put them out of business, but the public's thirst for their
low fares lead to the Coach Class revolution. Thanks, Harry! Last
updated on 4/16/00.
FS98 QANTAS DC-4. Harry Follas has painted his new animated DC-4 into
a later paint job for the BCPA DC-4, the first paint job it wore at QANTAS.
Thanks, Harry! Last updated on 8/21/99.