After the introduction
of the Douglas C-54 Skymaster to USAAF service in 1942 one possible problem was
evident. In the planned island hopping campaign against Japan the use of forward
airbases would be needed quickly, but the Skymaster’s nosewheel arrangement,
while no
problem at most bases, was a distinct disadvantage for front-line personnel who
would often be required to ‘hand-bomb’ material on and off. Without the
luxury of fork-lifts and other equipment the use of the otherwise very capable
aircraft could be limited, so research was conducted into producing a tailwheel
version which would bring the rear cargo door closer to the ground. Small
modifications to the airframe resulted in a sufficient rearward movement of the
center of
gravity, and one test aircraft was produced, but without the installation of a
rear door.
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Initial testing revealed
no difference in handling in the air, and pilots trained on conventional gear
aircraft had no problems with ground-looping on landing. Ground crews who were
used to the C-47
indulged in the predictable grumbling about having another larger monster to
load and unload, but the concept had been proven. It was a low priority however,
and those higher in command were slow to implement production of the new design.
Their reasoning became obvious on August 6, 1945, when even more impressive
scientific developments halted any island hopping and led to Japan’s
surrender.
After the war the
aircraft sat for several years until American Airlines bought it surplus and
used it on some routes where passenger embarking equipment was non-existent, and
although it was useful with the implementation of small steps the destinations
themselves did not prove profitable, and the aircraft was resold. After serving
in a cargo capacity for a few years it disappeared on a flight from Miami to
Cuba, and as a result few people have ever heard of this variant.
Dave Bailey, aka "The Rat
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