Canadair C-54GM North Star
Canadair · Canada · first flew 1946 · transport aircraft
The Canadair North Star (C-54GM) is a Canadian derivative of the Douglas C-54 Skymaster, re-engined with Rolls-Royce Merlin inline engines rather than the original Pratt & Whitney radials.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 28.6 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Canadian-built C-54 with Merlin engines replacing Twin Wasp radials
- Distinctive exhaust stacks from inline Merlin engines
- Operated by RCAF, TCA, and BOAC in Canadian colours
Shares the DC-4/C-54 wing and fuselage shape but instantly recognisable by the in-line exhaust stacks of the Merlin engines rather than the broad cowlings of the original radials.
Specifications
- The Canadair C-54GM North Star has a length of 28.6 m (94 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 35.81 m (117 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 507 km/h (315 mph).
- Typical crew: 4 + up to 40 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Canadair licence-built the C-54 airframe but substituted liquid-cooled Merlin engines, producing an aircraft with significantly different noise and performance characteristics. Trans-Canada Air Lines and BOAC operated civil North Stars, while the RCAF used it as the C-54GM transport through the 1950s and into the early 1960s.
Variants
The North Star Mk.1 and Mk.2 were the principal variants, differing in pressurisation and interior; the RCAF C-54GM designation covers the military version.
Where you'll see it
Operated by Trans-Canada Air Lines, BOAC, and the RCAF; BOAC retired them after complaints about the Merlin's distinctive exhaust noise disturbing passengers.
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- Canadair CT-133 Silver Star
- Canadair Sabre Mk 4
- Canadair Sabre Mk 6
- Canadair Sabre Mk.5
- Douglas C-118 Liftmaster
- Martin P4M Mercator
- Martin P4M-1 Mercator
- Antonov An-2
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