Canadair C-54GM North Star 1 ST
- Period: Postwar (1945-1959)
- Uses: Transport
- First Flight: July 15, 1946
- Display Status: In Reserve Hangar.
The North Star was a Canadian development of the Douglas C-54/DC-4, with some features of the DC-6. The aircraft were equipped with Rolls Royce Merlin engines. The North Star served dependably with Trans-Canada Air Lines, Canadian Pacific Airlines, British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), and the RCAF. The final version of the North Star was the C-5 with radial engines. Only one was built. Many North Stars continued to fly with small commercial operators after retirement from major carriers. RCAF North Stars were retired in 1966.
Civilian North Stars were pressurized while RCAF versions were not. Passengers found them very uncomfortable because of the noisy exhaust system of the original in-line engines. A special cross-over exhaust was developed by T.C.A. in a partially successful attempt to lower noise levels. The RCAF made no attempt to quieten their North Stars.
Museum Example
- Registration #: 17515 (RCAF)
- Manufacturer: Canadair Ltd., Canada
- Manufacture Date: 1948
- Construction #: 122
- Aquisition Date: 1966
- Provenance: Transfer from RCAF
The Museum specimen was manufactured in 1948 and served with 426 Squadron RCAF until 1962. It was transferred to the Museum in 1966.
Specifications
- Wing Span:
- 35.8 m (117 ft 6 in)
- Length:
- 28.6 m (93 ft 9 1/2 in)
- Height:
- 8.4 m (27 ft 6 in)
- Weight, Empty:
- 19,730 kg (43,500 lb)
- Weight, Gross:
- 33,110 kg (73,000 lb)
- Cruising Speed:
- 325 mph (523 km/h)
- Max Speed:
- 568 km/h (353 mph)
- Rate of Climb:
- 296 m (972 ft) /min
- Service Ceiling:
- 10,970 m (36,000 ft)
- Range:
- 4,830 km (3,000 mi)
- Power Plant:
- four Rolls-Royce Merlin 622, 1760 hp, Vee engines
