C-118 and C-54 Cargo Plains

[Vrenn]

I worked on both the C-54 and the C-118. Or also known as the Douglas dc-4 and the dc c-7.

The C-54

This Aircraft was used for long range cargo transport during WWII and Korea. It was also used during Vietnam.


The c-118

The difference between these two is the C-118 is an upgrade from the C-54.

The C-118 is slightly larger and uses the R-2800 engines with prop spinners. The C-54 used the R-2000 Double wasp engine. The C-54 was not pressurized while the cabin of the C-118 was.

The C-54 was used strictly for cargo while the C-118 was used primarily as a Generals Bird. I spent some time hopping a ride on the Generals bird and found it well insulated and smooth. The C-118 was introduced with airliner seats and then modified for a Generals plane. The C-54 was introduced with cargo mat seats.

Here is a tidbit. In a hangar, a C-140 Jet was parked but he Generals all like the C-118 which was about 100 mph slower.
The C-140 had a whine that was loud and annoying. On a long flight, the C-140 had to land and refuel while the C-118 had the range to fly almost any reasonable distance without refueling. Because of this, the 100 mph difference was made up in spades with the C-118. It took an act of congress to get the Generals to start using the C-140 and retire the C-188.

 

[EdwinAMartin]

Once in a while we still see a C118 landing or taking off from Carswell. We always assumed it was a general or somebody flying in. It's a Navy Reserve base now, but used to be a SAC base, but the C118's have Air Force markings, not Navy, so they must be flying pilots in for training.