Douglas VC-54C "Sacred Cow" (1:200)

WWII in Europe had only ended a few months earlier when Overseas Airlines introduced the first commercial North Atlantic DC-4 service. Another first took place on March 7, 1946 when American Airlines introduced U.S. DC-4 domestic service between New York and Los Angeles. During the late 1940s and early 1950s the DC-4 and converted C-54s carried more passengers than any other four-engine transport. Amazingly many of these aircraft are still operating more than 60 years after they were first manufactured.

To accommodate the special needs of President Franklin D. Roosevelt the USAAF had Douglas Aircraft construct an aircraft that would meet these requirements. Douglas came up with the VC-54C that was nicknamed the 'Sacred Cow'. The aircraft was equipped with a conference room and bulletproof picture windows. The most unique feature was an elevator located behind the passenger cabin to lift President Roosevelt and his wheelchair straight up into the plane. In 1947, on board this plane President Truman signed the National Security Act that created the USAF.

Specifications for Douglas VC-54C

Nickname ' Sacred Cow

Serial number - 42-107451

Crew ' (7) + up to 15 passengers

Dimensions
Wing span - 117 ft. 6 in.
Length - 93 ft. 5 in.
Height - 27 ft. 7 in.

Weight - 80,000 lbs. loaded

Performance
Engines ' (4) Pratt and Whitney R-2000, 1,450 hp each
Speed
Maximum speed - 300 mph
Cruising speed - 245 mph
Range - 3,900 miles
Service ceiling - 30,000 ft.

Armament - None