DC-4, C-54 Skymaster, derivatives, and what-if ideas

[dy031101]

Watching today's Ice Pilots, I realized that the DC-4 has a shape rather similar to that of Lockheed Electra (L-188), just a tad smaller.

Then I was reminded that Argentine Navy used converted L-188 for maritime patrol.

Makes me wonder if the Skymaster also has the potential for such a modification (adding a few under fuselage sensor radomes and such)...... but in any case, a DC-4/C-54 clad in maritime-related camouflage has got to look cool......

If re-engining with turbo-props is desired, which engine would have been good candidates?

[GTX]

If re-engining with turbo-props is desired, which engine would have been good candidates?

RR Dart, T-56.

Regards,

Greg

[kitnut617]

Comparing my 1/72 Britannia 310 to a DC-6 (which is slightly longer than the DC-4) I find they're about the same size.  And the Canadair CL-44 (which was basically a Britannia 310 [just a tad longer]) was powered by Tynes --- some engines from a Transall or Atlantic would work I think.

[apophenia]

Before the Argus (and CL-44) came along, Canadair proposed a maritime recce version of it CL-4 Northstar version of the DC-4. The MR Northstar would've been stretched (DC-6 style) and used Turbo-Compounds instead of Merlins.

BTW: there was also a proposal to put Darts on the Northstar (apparently the mounting points for the Merlin and Dart were all but identical). So, there's RW potential for both turboprops and maritime patrol 

[Jschmus]

During the Korean War, the Air Force flew SC-54s in the SAR role, though I imagine their part was limited to search, and maybe air-dropping rafts or supplies.