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Ansett-ANA Carvair VH-INK departs Mascot, in November 1966, one of three such aircraft modified from standard DC-4 configuration during the mid-sixties.
In Australian Service – DC-4
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The Douglas Dc-4
Part Four In A Series Examining The Airliners That Established Civil Aviation In Australia
The Douglas DC-4 can trace Its origins back to 1935. In that year initial discussions between Douglas and United Airlines took place regarding a project to develop a four-engined aircraft with twice the capacity of the DC-3. Other major US airlines, American, Eastern, Pan American and TWA also showed Interest In the design. What eventually evolved was a larger more complex aircraft than was really desired. When the prototype DC-4E made its maiden flight on 7 June 1938 It proved Itself a pleasant machine to fly. Unfortunately, the performance was below expectations and many of the Innovative systems Installed created teething problems. These systems included pressurisation, air conditioning, powered controls and an auxiliary power unit. All things considered, the design was probably too ambitious.
The DC-4E (“E” for experimental) registered NX 18100 was Also quite different in appearance from the later DC-4. It had three fins and rudders, a wing span of 138’3″ and a length of 97’7″. Power was provided by the Pratt and Whitney Twin Hornet development. 1,400 hp and gross weight was 66,500 lb. The various sponsoring airlines who had each contributed $100,000 to the project. Agreed with Douglas that continued flight testing was not justified. What was wanted by was a simpler aircraft with better performance. Now registered NC18100, the sole DC-4E was sold to Greater Japan Airlines and crashed in Tokyo Bay in 1940.
Back at the Douglas plant at Santa Monica work was underway on a completely fresh design to be known as the DC-4. This aircraft was somewhat smaller than the DC-4E with a span of 117′ 6″ and a length of 93′ 11″. The powerplant was changed to the Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp developing 1,450 hp. Events overtook the development of the DC-4 and the United States War Department assumed all orders for DC-4A as it was then known in June 1941. Deliveries were to be made to the USAAF using the designation C-54 Skymaster. The first flight subsequently took place on 14 February 1942, the aircraft being USAAF C-54 serial 41-20137.
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