With the expansion of the USAF into the 50s, and it's total reliance on only the C-47 in IL2, this is a suggestion for an AI C-54, possibly a frankenplane; this is a heavily used AC beginning in 42 and going into the 70s.
This one is making a low pass over Chinese laborers circa 1944.
This one is currently on the airshow circuit in the US, in the markings of those used in the Berlin airlift in 48. The 54 was the primary air-lifter during that epic defiance, and were shot at by AA, harrased by Soviet fighters (props and jets), and several were lost in bad weather beign limited to the designated corridor, unable to avoid the weather at times.
Another view of this AC. They were heavily used in Korea as well, basically taking over most of the airlift from C-47, assisted by smaller numbers of C-119s. The opening scene of "The Hunters" has one delivering Robert Mitchum to his squadron in Korea.
This is a common scene from the Berlin Airlift in 48. I was wanting to make a small scenario with alternate history involving F-80s/84s, F-51s, Spit mkIVs etc escorting the transports into Berlin, often having to fight their way in.
Hungry Berliners probably never thought they would be cheering American and British transports keeping them alive. Some real drama, as well as some great scenes and object use possibilities.
A very nice model in 48 period markings.
I would suggest somethign like this as a default skin, postwar markings. The history of this machine was vast, in many colors.
The Navy used them also, into the 70s. The aircraft could also be used to pass for the nearly identical C-118s (DC-6s) that they used into the 80s in the reserves.
The 54 entered service in 1942, and became more common as the war progressed.
A good subject for WW2 scenarios, some neat skins.
And if one wants to make this a flyable plane (which would be really cool
) I have found quite a few cockpit shots; I found several color one of the one on the airshow circuit.
Of course, the most famous (or infamous) use of a C-54 was as the "Polk County Pot Plane", which as featured in an incredibly cheap movie in 1977. The plane landed in an incredibly small patch of woods that had been cleared by a bulldozer, loaded with weed. Yes they got nabbed by the local cops. In 77, somebody bought the plane, restored it, and extended the runway. Some yokels made a "movie" about it.
If we ever did get a player flown version with a more accurate FM, it would be a great misn.
The plane only appears at first; the shot with the car in front of it was done with a telephoto lens. I just had to put this as another reason to have this amazing plane.
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Topic: Douglass C-54; USAF badly needs an AI. (Read 5737 times)
