C-54 Start Up and Take Off From Hagerstown MD

Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation's C-54 "Spirit of Freedom" start up and take off from Hagerstown Regional Airport, Hagerstown, Maryland. September

[@douglassalazar3522]

7:12 Many years ago I used to listen to those radio sounds when the planes passed by, I loved them when the ones with propellers flew like these DC-4 and C-54, or Rockwell commander, and others, and today I never heard them again, and now that I see this video gave me a lot of nostalgia when hearing these beautiful radio sounds. nice video and thanks for uploading it.

[@metroman747]

Bravo, no crappy music dubbed over those wonderful Pratt and whitney's. Well done

[@bazza945]

Pratt and Whitney Concerto.

[@timmoffat3182]

The engines provide their own music

[@synthfreakify]

What, you don't want to hear Kenny Loggins sing "Danger Zone"? 😆

[@ludwigsamereier8204]

I couldn't agree more!

[@pascalcoole2725]

Domeone who understands

[@frederikclaessen3184]

I'll never forget that beautiful noise...the incredibly nice smell when starting up... You really have to experience it...

[@mikeboies7161]

My mother, sister and I flew from La Guardia to Rhein Main in 1960 on a military chart flight. We landed at Keflavik Air Base in Iceland to refuel . We landed in the dark so I didn’t see any of Iceland except the transient terminal. We landed again in Shannon, Ireland for more fuel. I’m guessing we have very unfavorable winds requiring 2 refueling stops. Finally into Rhein Main. I was also fortunate, although completely unaware of the significance (I was 6 at the time), of flying on a TWA Super Connie coming back from Germany in 1954. I’m so glad a few of these iconic aircraft are still flying .

[@ChattahoocheeRiverRat]

There's something magical about the sound of the radial piston aircraft. Because I'm near the Yankee Air Museum, I see the Yankee Lady in flight occasionally, and always stop what I'm doing to admire her.

[@dalex03]

This reminds so much of childhood. Taking dad to Wright Patterson AFB to catch a flight out. I those days if you were civil service, you could fly military.

[@ralphcraig5816]

As an old Air Force brat, around these planes as a kid, the sound of those big ass Pratt & Whitney engines cranking is music to my ears, exquisite music...

[@mikearakelian6368]

Feel right at home with 4 R 2000s;... They drip alittle, but i would rinse'em down after every flight just like i did with my C 7 A! Still have my maintenance manuel...

[@mikearakelian6368]

Also fond memories o f KWA

[@USAIRFORCE621]

Seen DC-3's, B-17's, 29, 24 and 25's but never seen a DC-4 in person...yet.

[@tomframe2895]

Candy Bombers. Great book.

[@sherrysetliff2502]

I have to go to Hagerstown they have neat toys.

[@PeterNGloor]

excellent videography, professional.

[@pascalchauvet7625]

Leaves me speechless

[@sardu55]

I wonder how many pilots are certified to fly the C-54, or how you would go about getting qualified. In the old days you did it thru a stint in the USAF. Looks like a plane that is fun to fly.

[@smug8567]

Any landing you walk away from, is a successful landing.

[@kylegarcia4141]

Spirit of Freedom flew into KEZF which is 3,000 ft. I’m surprised it could land safely in that distance has to clear tree line before airstrip. Not sure what Short field capabilities are for the aircraft but impressive for an aircraft of that size.

[@bazza945]

I've watched this amazing and satisfying clip many times, but I've just noticed that it appears the navigation lights were not switch on?

[@atatexan]

The C-54 is beautiful but the best thing about this video is your camera actually recording proper prop speed. How did you do that, somehow varying shutter speed? I despair over the younger generations who were not alive when these beasts were in airline or military service. Most such videos make the props spin slowly and occasionally reverse direction! Bravo.

[@garethonthetube]

Many modern video cameras have high speed electronic shutters. On the simplest models this cannot be adjusted manually. Professional cameras allow the shutter speed to be set to match the frame rate, usually 1/50 or 1/60 second which results in the blurring you see here.

[@atatexan]

Thank you. Really nice work.

[@giljeep]

tres belle musique!!!! merçi pour la vidéo

[@GrahamSimons]

and...... you can count the blade rotations without them being deleted out! Thank you!!

[@tombrown6628]

Why so much smoke from the engines on startup?

[@truettneathery4358]

Oil draining into lower cylinders !! Gotta burn !!!!!!!!

[@gpiano88]

I'd get on a DC-4 before I would board a 737 Max 8!

[@richhoule3462]

At start-up, I'm guessing it takes some time for all cylinders to fire?

[@WAL_DC-6B]

If you're referring to the engines at first slowly turning over, that's just the way these engines were started. Aircraft radial piston engines use a fair amount of lubricating oil (look at the amount of blue smoke emitted by each engine upon firing up). Consequently, after sitting for a while with engines off this oil can collect at the bottom of each engine. Rotating the engines/props with the starter slowly with ignition off circulates this oil and prevents a possibility of a cylinder blowing. Usually around 8 or 9 prop blades are counted while turning the engine over before switching to ignition on for that particular engine.

[@richhoule3462]

@@WAL_DC-6B Thanks!

[@edwardcoady9226]

Rich Houle p

[@brentdykgraaf184]

Dang nabbit.....i was born 75 years to late! what sounds and smells( was at Osh this year)... gas oil and music...

[@fokkerwokker]

Exceptionally well filmed and no music......just the music of the engines! THANK YOU - it really took me back to my boyhood!!

[@p38lit1]

hate air shows with music

[@SidB94]

Those round engine's is all the music needed

[@piearm1271]

That must have been some boyhood!!

[@chuckeberth4370]

Love the sound of four radial engines.

[@frederikclaessen3184]

Not only the sound but also the smell of the fuel and oil mix...imagine...after a transatlantic flight refilling the oil...50 l per engine😅

[@markdonovan2475]

My Father in Law flew in C-54's pretty much all over the Pacific during WW 2 and after. Loved the aircraft. He was a Master Navigator. I have many of the maps he used time and time again. Those maps are full of erasure marks of trips taken from Hawaii to far flung places that included Kwajalein, New Guinea,The Solomons and Japan. He brought US troops into Japan and brought out Allied POWS. Greatest Generation...

[@markjohnson4053]

Thanks for posting this. Our young have forgotten the greatest generation, as have our politicians. A real tragedy.

[@williamgraves2009]

Did your father fly from Kwajalein to Roi-Namur and back again. I ask because I lived on Kwaj 2 yrs and 8 mos as a kid, and was a passenger aboard the C-54 on such a flight in 1966

[@markdonovan2475]

No, My Father in Law mustered out in 1946 but continued to fly in the reserves, but not in the Pacific. Thanks!@@williamgraves2009

[@marryellen7713]

I hated working on the 54s in the Air Force. The radios were under the Cockpit floor. You had to crawl in through a hatch near the nose. Lay on your back and work off your right side. Then you had to pull the radio onto your stomach. Then pull your self out by your heels.

[@goring19]

God those Pratt & Whitney radials. No sound like it in the world. Absolutely mechanical music.Thank you for posting this!

[@frederikclaessen3184]

In that time I was airplane engineer and I'll never forget the sound of those enginnes,the smell of the oil and fuel...and the good life...I often went to Congo,US etc with those planes...life was easy...

[@Warhorse500]

#2 sure seemed like it was running rich there for a bit. On the plus side though, every mosquito for about a mile and 1/2 behind the airplane died. :) And #3 was definitely acting temperamental...

[@craigpennington1251]

That C-54 is an awesome looking craft. Perfect lines everywhere. Everything in proportion. Very nice. Thankyou.

[@MrR2185]

While the engines are sitting there idling.... I could almost play that in an audio loop for white noise while I sleep...it is so relaxing for some reason(to me).

[@goring19]

I hear ya. I also like the droning sound of the flyby. I could fall asleep to that, as if I'm in the aircraft drifting off to sleep from those wonderful radials.

[@ronasaurus74]

There is a video on KZbin for precisely that. Four hours of B17 bomber engine noise- to fall asleep to.

[@joepoole4922]

no what you mean ,I crewed on C- 54 in AIR FORCE

[@arthurkallansrud1950]

I worked C 54 C 118 C 124 C231 while in the Air Force. These are real planes that worked hard .

[@arthurkallansrud1950]

That is C131 not 231

[@johneddy908]

The C-54 Skymaster became "civilianized" after World War II as the DC-4.

[@mikeboies7161]

I have another funny story to add about C-54’s. My dad told me this one. He had an Army tour as an advisor to Saudi Arabia in ‘57/‘58. The Americans stationed there got mail, supplies, etc, delivered by USAF C-54’s flying out of Libya I think. No alcohol was allowed in Arabia at the time. And as soon as a C-54 landed, it was boarded and inspected by Saudi customs officials. But as soon as the doors opened, 4 airmen would jump out with fire extinguishers to stand by each engine. God forbid an engine ever caught fire. One extinguisher was filled with rum, one with vodka, one with whiskey and one with gin.

[@williammckenzie1941]

Man that sounds good.

[@choochoo3985]

;OVBE THE C54 AS I CREWED A HC54H MODEL AT GOOSE BAY CANADA IN 1965-1966. MADE SEVERAL TRIPS IN THE HC54'S INCLUDING SUPPORTING THE GT-5 MISSION AS A SECONDARY RECOVERY POSITION OVER THE SOUTH ATLANIC FROM RIO IN BRASIL. LOVE THE OLD BIRDS.

[@number8485]

Lovely to hear these amazing old aircraft that moved the way for modern passenger flights.

[@miller4th502nd]

I Love this Bird. I saw it so many times standing here in Berlin Tempelhof. The sound is magic, and the look is a climax for the eyes. Thx for all the people who made the BerlinAirlift possible.

[@ViniciusLacerda768]

Douglas DC-4 Have A Engine Pratt & Whitney R-2000?

[@johnkrag6]

My dad worked on those on Okinawa ATC during WWII. R-2000 Twin Wasp engines

[@jamesdewan5834]

I was mechanic and flt. engineer on C-54's during the Korean War, 1950,51. Never a worry, loved the plane. Flew all over the Far East and in and out of Korea many times. Even North Korea once. TDY several times, Kimpo, Suwon, Taejon. Even remember the tail no. of my plane: 4272681. I'm 94 now. Wonder how many oil changes I have left. Don''t forget the Down Locks.

[@sardu55]

K-6?

[@b3j8]

My Dad and I would go to Baer Field Airport in Fort Wayne and watch the action in the 1960's. Quite a few old birds used for Regional flights/and of course hauling freight. No terrorists or hy-jackers...yet. You could stand right there at the gate or up on the roof observation deck.

[@desertbob6835]

This was a great aircraft. A paper written by Douglas engineers explains how precision testing calculations pared the weight of structural components used on the DC4 airframe to give far more payload and capabilities rather than the "guess and pray" methods used on the DC2/3, probably the most overbuilt aluminum airframe ever built. Despite reductions in safety factor, the DC4 airframe proved to be as reliable as it's two engined predecessor.

[@andrewdonohue1853]

they are both still good aircraft, but today far more flyable examples of the DC3/C47 exist with many still involved in revenue service of some type. of all the vintage airplanes many things have come and gone but the DC3 still remains

[@DeplorableBitterClinger]

@@andrewdonohue1853 true. but look at how many of each were built. It's fairly obvious why you see more c-47s today.

[@j.w.perkins6004]

He counted at least 20 props before hitting the ignition switch. Not many type rated in the 54 left. My dad was a test pilot on the 54. He'd sneak my mom on board and she would tell us stories about looking out the window on several occasions to see engines burning before dad would get them shut down. Different life back then...

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

Nothing like the sound of smokey old radials coming to life. Great video.

[@d.haroldangel241]

They sure built gorgeous planes in the 1940s.

[@edugranfone1439]

Beautifull! If only I could smell the smoke from those engines

[@randalldunkley1042]

Those R-2000 Pratts are smooth running engines.

[@patrickporter6536]

Talking to people who fly and maintain them, not so much

[@kevinkearney1277]

I dont know, Ive maintained this very airplane from 1996-2020, it ran pretty good over most of that time. Unfortunately, it was caught in a tornado at Walterboro, SC in April of 2020, and we had to replace it with a C-54D. @@patrickporter6536

[@dalecomer5951]

The audio is good but the video is great. The camera shutter was just right to capture the spinning props. Too many videos have a problem with strobe effects from an excessively fast shutter not to mention the rolling shutter effect distorting the shape of the props. My dad worked for Slick Airways in 1951-2. Earl Slick had the capital to buy brand new DC-4 freighters in 1946. There often was one parked close to N. Hollywood Way on the east side just north of Empire Ave. at the Lockheed Air Terminal where Slick and the Flying Tiger Lines were co-located. They usually had a prop under the tail since an unloaded DC-4/C-54 was light on the nose gear (like a B-24D or E) and could be blown back on the tail skid by a strong gust. Slick or FTL also serviced a beautiful CNAC DC-6 combi which made a weekly round trip between Taipei and Burbank.

[@ThatGuy-te9wh]

I don't know how I feel about the C-54/DC-4. It seems like the moment that transport & passenger planes went from "look at that little DC-3." to "Look at that monster."

[@demartin5366]

Thank you so much for this well done video. Its just like being there on the ramp. The sound is music to my ears. So glad you posted this for others to enjoy, especially our younger generation that have never observed or heard a piston aircraft.

[@marryellen7713]

Soon after I was station there Wiesbaden GR. The C-54s were replaced by C-118s. There the radio rack was on main deck just behind the pilot. Directly across from the main hatch.

[@devilliers123]

Aah, the nostalgia

[@mikecarpenter5544]

such a great aircraft

[@daveelliott5855]

Just bought the Revell 1:72 scale kit of this beautiful bird, and piece of aviation history, love the clag and tune of those engines ❤ although I will say that the union Jack is upside down on the left side of the fuselage, the broad white of St Andrew saltire cross is always above the red cross section of St Patrick's saltire cross in the canton as England and Scotland were unified before Ireland joined. But many thanks for uploading

[@davidlashley1205]

When I was in the Navy I flew om a C 54 from Norfolk Virginia to Sigonella Sicily Naval Air Facility where I was stationed for two years once a week they would fly into the base and bring troops and supplies very reliable aircraft

[@Willysmb44]

My uncle (who passed in a light airplane crash in the 50s) flew these in WW2 and postwar. I'd sure love to see one in the air someday

[@calebmumby5803]

Beautiful plane great video my friend

[@mosessackrider8666]

In 1960 and 61 i was in a squadron at Cherry Point, NC that had 3 C54s and 2 C47s. There was 2 squdrons of C119s next door.

[@jlong0w]

Gave me goose bumps to hear those engines......Beautiful. Thanks for posting. Great memories of growing up in front of an Airport NE Ohio. My Brother now lives near you and is half way there, to finally living his dream. He is dying to get his airtime now. Whatever it takes, right?. Well worth it.

[@jasonlieu5379]

I used to be a volunteer for this organization my neighbors friend Kevin got me in used to go to the hanger in NY where they kept it for maintenance seeing this Im going to give him a call and hey back to some volunteer work last time was 2003 about 17 years ago

[@victorduncan3254]

With the modern fuels and newer engine components, such as gaskets, valves and even carburetors, should the engines still smoke so much?

[@garypmarquis]

...this reminds me of, ME...trying to get up in the morning, shaking a bit, getting fuel to the needed parts, sparking up the motor, winding up a bit, gathering heat and smoke ( don't anymore since 2000), moving slowly, the taxiing out of the slot (bed), down the taxiway, (stairs) and into the kitchen. ( EOR) prior to takeoff ( breakfast). Liftoff consists of gear up and level out. ( no need to explain these moves). S,S and shave. Just a humorous take on myself, for this reading. Hello to all of my prior comrades.400th sq Kadena AB, Okinawa , 58 EMS Luke AFB, AZ and 103rd TFW, E Granby, CT. Thanks for reading. USAF TSG (ret) GP, "Frenchy" Marquis. 400th MMS, 58 EMS, 103rd TFW. 1980-1999. 461x0,45472' 462x0.

[@bobnoblesjr.465]

Whenever I see this video it makes me think of the Twilight Zone episode "Nightmare at 20,000 feet."

[@bobherrmann1510]

The soundtrack of my childhood is the sonorous roar of piston-engine aircraft gently sailing the sky, slicing the clouds with their silver glory. Not mere aircraft they were masterpieces of technology, art, sound and glory. My memories are gilded with these magnificent beauties!

[@demartin5366]

Well said, Bob. This is an exceptionally well done video. Definitely in my favorites for many a replay. I hope our younger generation can now appreciate these wonderful aircraft as we do.

[@thomashulsey97]

Just what i said.

[@thomashulsey97]

Just what I said.

[@michaelcolios8056]

What a beautiful plane in par with a connie! !!

[@williammoses6232]

the civilian version of this plane the venerable DC-4

[@Tillerman56]

I miss that sound....

[@hughcapetien]

Reminds me of the days in the 1950's and early 60's when United, American, and Braniff widely used this wonderful aircraft for commercial use. Was a passenger many times and loved every flight.

[@gokceralp]

I have 2 questions. Anybody inform me please... 1 - Why aren't all 4 engines started up at the same time? 2 - When taking of, nose angle was really low wasn't it? I mean, jet airliners take off with a higher nose angle. Is it about take off speed?

[@wyattwilliams2457]

1. It would be too much on the fuel system, and the brakes, as well as just dangerous, since radials have a tendency to shoot flames 2. Yes

[@bluetopguitar1104]

I've seen this plane at 3 or 4 airshows. A tribute to the awesome magnanimous greatest generation. They saved Europe.

[@Spartan117JMC]

thats originally a McDonnel Douglas DC-4, right?

[@contact4mwy7]

I dread the day the radial engined aircraft sing no more.

[@ayuthtaechasukij5512]

Beautiful

[@irpat54]

These Aircraft are so sweet...

[@triplanelover]

marvelous video, always love the mellow sound of the radials

[@davidholmes5440]

Watch this video and tell me that the aircraft isn't mankind's greatest invention. I dare you.

[@mickboakes7023]

Beautiful sound. Excellent video.🇬🇧

[@DerekDtj]

My classmates and I flew in many of these old beauties while going through advanced ECM training at Keesler AFB, MS.. We flew up and down the Mississippi and Louisiana Gulf coast, intercepting and jamming various ground based search radars. Most of us went on to become EWs on the B-52 or RC/EC-135s, and a few actually flew in the F-89s. Nothing like the sounds of a really neat piston powered aircraft, even for myself after 4000+ hours in the B-52D! What great times they were for military aviation.

[@johnanderson3173]

Derek Detjen first , thank you for your service. And I don’t hear much if anything mentioned about F-89s , my father flew F-89s in the late 50s in the air guard in Wisconsin

[@sillyone52062]

I worked in the control tower at Hagerstown for three years. Working these birds would have been wonderful!

[@oldbaldfatman2766]

Dec. 26, 2019---Boy, do I remember this aircraft. Our family was stationed at Bitburg AFB, Germany and when we flew back to the states around 1960, we flew on one. And I remember throwing up with no time to use the air sickness bag.

[@anonymike8280]

What do you C? I see 54. 54 what? C-54.

[@luizmaia4984]

Máquina voadora.

[@williammoses6232]

song of the sky.

[@fatalerro4893]

Авиационная классика.Этим всё сказано.Отличное видео и звук!

[@Sabastian2035]

Wr8gn

[@p38lit1]

Johnathon Hager would be happy my great great great grand paw .

[@Liberator74]

Love the sound!

[@Grifiki]

"Rogers 'Corrupt' Cable, interfering again with my Audio."

[@mitchellmaerz8429]

Keep them flying

[@romanbotero8734]

Hermoso

[@jamesbracken4618]

I flew in one of these when I was 6 years old in 1961 and remember every minute of it, except when I was asleep. Takeoff from London, England, fly over postage stamp fields to the coast, a walk up to the cockpit, back to my seat then my dad said they were deiceing the wings, seeing the the ice fly off the wing, circling McGuire airport in New Jersey at night and a taxi ride to the hotel. The plane I flew in was a DC-4. GOD BLESS YOU! GOD BLESS AMERICA!! GLORY BE TO GOD!!!

[@jamesstephenpeyton3305]

I flew these old birds out of CYYZ in the 70’s. Grand fun.

[@olafeklund6200]

Takes me back to my boyhood also. Flew on DC-4's many times back then, across Botswana just below the cloud base with a stupendous thunder storm in the distance... that was FLYING! South African Airway Historical Flights still operate two of thes queens of the air on charter flights and flips around Johannesburg and Pretoria!

[@richardwarfield7386]

Beautiful aircraft

[@fidelnavarro6746]

Todo un clásico!!!

[@flashesofblack4128]

"The High and The Mighty"

[@wyattwilliams2457]

Wonder if n708z will ever be in this condition again

[@davecrupel2817]

R-2800s?

[@kevinkearney1277]

2000's

[@RobertMayfair]

smoky!