HOBBY MASTER
HL2010 - Douglas C-54 USAF
Thunderbirds Support aircraft
If you arrived at this page
using a search engine or a
link from another site
please click on the home
button once during your
visit so my visitor counter
will add your visit.
Thank you.
1/200 scale die-cast metal with minimal use of plastic.
All markings are tampo (pad) applied, no decals to discolor or flake.
Free-spinning propellers.
Rolling wheels.
Landing gear can be removed or added.
Model comes with a display stand.
A brief history of the aircraft type and the airline is supplied with each model.
Known as the Douglas R5D by the USN or the C-54 by the USAF; both are military
versions of the DC-4 airliner. Due to the outbreak of WWII and before production had
started on the DC-4 the U.S. Government took priority and had the production lines set up
for the necessary conversion of the DC-4 to the R5D and C-54. The first flight of these
aircraft took place on February 14, 1942.


In 1955 the Thunderbirds were under command and lead by Captain Jacksel Broughton. It
was this year that the T-Birds received the new F-84F Thunderstreak and their first
support aircraft, a C-119, that carried the maintenance crew as well as spare parts. 1955
was a very demanding season with 91 performances scheduled. One of the support
aircraft the team used over the years was the Douglas C-54 Skymaster 0-272674. Since
the Thunderbirds were stationed at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada the aircraft was
named “City of Las Vegas”.



Manufacturer - Douglas Aircraft Company

Designation - R5D-3 (USN) C-54Q (USAF)

Nickname – Skymaster

Type - Cargo/Transport

Specifications
Length - 93 ft 10 in
Height - 27 ft 6 in
Wingspan - 117 ft 6 in
Flight Crew - 3
Gross Weight
Empty - 43,300 lb
Maximum takeoff - 73,000 lb

Engines
4 X Pratt & Whitney R-2000-11, 1350 hp/engine

Performance
Range - 3,100 miles
Cruise Speed - 203 mph
Maximum Speed - 275 mph
Ceiling - 22,300 ft
HOBBY  MASTER  COLLECTOR