Douglas DC-4
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Douglas DC-4 Skymaster (1946)
SAA operated a total of seven DC-4 aircraft, the first joining the fleet in 1946. SAA’s Skymasters took over the “Springbok Route” to London in 1946 and operated extensively in Southern Africa until 1967. When they were withdrawn from international service they were used on the domestic and regional routes, eventually they were used to inaugurate the “Skycoach” services in 1959. Withdrawn from SAA service in 1967 they were on passed on to the SAAF. Eventually the SAAF retired the DC-4 from service in 1992 and ZS-BMH and ZS-AUH returned to civilian life. These two aircraft are now operated by the SAA Museum on charter and special flights.
Normal passenger load: up to 61
ZS-AUA, AUB, AUC, BMF, BMG, BMH, BWM
Douglas DC-4 Skymaster (Total 7 aircraft) |
ZS-AUA ZS-BMH ZS-BWM |
Tafelberg Outeniqua Drakensberg Amatola Magaliesberg Lebombo Swartberg |
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Modelling
The following kits have been produced over the years that will allow the modeller to build a model of this aircraft.
Many years ago there was a modeller named Gordon Stevens. He is one of the grandfathers of the vac-u-form genre of manufacturers for which the modern modeller should be eternally grateful His range of Rare-Planes included a 1/72nd scale vac-u-form kit of the DC-4/C-54/Argonaut. Eminently buildable as I have seen a couple of exquisite models built from this kit. Sadly this kit is no longer available on general release.
Some modellers’ have based their DC-4/C-54 on a heavily modified Heller DC6. This would entail shortening the fuselage and changing the engine cowlings at an absolute minimum.
Mach2 from France have a 1/72nd scale full injection moulded kit of the DC-4 kit available although it is debatable as to which would be less work, back dating a Heller DC-6 or beating the Mach2 DC-4 into submission.
Revell eventually a mainstream model company put us out of our misery when revell relased ma 1/72 injection moulded kit. It is very nice and comes in both military and civilian configuration. there is a hightech version (expensive) with photo-etched parts as well as a chrome finish. Take note which version you are depciting when modelling a SAA aircarfty, most of them were military versions.
Minicraft has a number of 1/144th scale DC-4 kits (numbers 14530 and 14523) as well as a C-54 in their range.
Colours
Scheme One
The initial operating colours of the DC-4 were natural metal overall with a Dark Blue trim on top of the cowlings with a pin stripe and a fuselage cheat line below the windows. The tail fin had a blue band on it. SAA logo carried on nose and the aircraft had SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS (right) /SUID AFRIKAANSE LUGDIENS (left) struck through by a blue band with wings enclosing the airlines name. This band had a black pin stripe to it. There was no national flag carried on this scheme and the aircraft registration was carried in large letters on the rear fuselage as well as above and below the main wings.
Scheme Two
The initial delivery scheme of the DC-4 was natural metal overall with Dark Blue trim on top of the cowlings with a pin stripe and a fuselage cheat line through the windows was modified with the addition of a fluttering national flag being carried on the vertical tail fin below the blue band. The tail fin had a blue band on it. SAA logo carried on nose and the aircraft had SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS (right) /SUID AFRIKAANSE LUGDIENS (left) underlined with a blue band with wings enclosing the airlines name. This band had a black pin stripe to it. There was a flying national flag and the aircraft registration was carried in small letters above the fin band.
Scheme Three
The basic delivery scheme of the Dc-4’s of natural metal overall with Dark Blue trim on top of the cowlings with a pin stripe and a fuselage cheat line through the windows was modified by the addition of a white top to the fuselage and central tail fin. SAA logo carried on nose and the aircraft had SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS (left) /SUID AFRIKAANSE LUGDIENS (right) struck through by a blue band with wings enclosing the airlines name. This band had a black pin stripe to it. The tail fins had the blue band on with a fluttering national flag below it.
Scheme Four
During 1960 the DC-4 acquired her final colours. The aircraft was finished as per scheme two but the vertical tail fin was painted orange with the Swoosh with the Flying Springbok in the high position.
Decals
Draw decals 72 DC-4