C-54GM North Star

The Canadair C‑54GM, known as “North Star,” was a Canadian‑built derivative of the Douglas DC‑4/C‑54 series that entered service in the early 1940s. Canadair acquired a licence to produce the airframe and, to meet Royal Canadian Air Force specifications, fitted it with two powerful Pratt & Whitney R‑2800 Double Wasp radial engines instead of the original twin‑propeller configuration. This change gave the North Star a markedly higher cruise speed—around 300 mph—and a greater payload capacity, allowing it to transport up to 44 passengers or 10,000 lb of cargo across trans‑Atlantic routes. First flown in 1943, the aircraft saw extensive use in World War II for troop and supply movements, and later became a workhorse for civilian airlines such as Trans‑Canada Air Lines, where it linked remote northern communities with major hubs. Its rugged airframe, four‑engine reliability and ability to operate from short, unpaved runways earned it a reputation for durability in harsh climates. The North Star’s blend of military robustness and commercial versatility helped bridge Canada’s vast geography, influencing subsequent Canadian transport designs and cementing its place in aviation history. Production ended in 1947, but many North Stars remained in service well into the 1960s, leaving a lasting legacy among pilots and historians.