R5D-5 Skymaster

The Douglas R5D-5 Skymaster was the Navy’s designation for the final production version of the Douglas DC‑4, a four‑engine, propeller‑driven transport that entered service during World II. First flown in 1945, the R5D‑5 incorporated a strengthened airframe, upgraded Pratt & Whitney R‑2000‑10 engines, and a larger vertical stabilizer to improve handling on the carrier deck. A total of 211 aircraft were delivered to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, where they served as cargo haulers, troop carriers, and medevac platforms throughout the post‑war era, the Korean Conflict, and the early Vietnam campaigns. The aircraft’s spacious fuselage could accommodate up to 28 enlisted passengers or 9,000 lb of cargo, and its fully retractable landing gear allowed operation from both land bases and naval air stations. Notable features included a reinforced floor, a dual‑compartment galley, and a pressure‑vented hatch for airdrop missions. The R5D‑5’s reliability and long‑range capability—nearly 4,000 mi with a full load—made it a workhorse for logistical operations, helping to shape modern strategic airlift doctrine. Its legacy lives on in later Douglas transports such as the C‑54 and the iconic Lockheed C‑130, which inherited the emphasis on versatility and ruggedness first proven by the Skymaster.