$34.95
Please note: The Patina PlaneTags you receive will arbitrarily be chosen from the limited quantity as shown in the photo. No requests accepted.
Tracing our Douglas C-54 Skymaster roots has been a wild ride, but one thing is certain - this Skymaster has one heck of a story to tell! Meet Tanker #109.
The Douglas C-54 is a four-engined, piston-powered plane, derived from the DC-4, and produced during World War II. It was a workhorse transport for the USAAF and the US Navy, ferrying cargo and troops - even dignitaries including President Franklin Roosevelt - under the call sign Sacred Cow. The Skymaster played a major role during the Berlin Airlift in 1948 when every available USAF C-54 was put into service along with other Allied aircraft, delivering food, fuel, and other goods - to the sum of 2.3 million tons of cargo in just over a year.
Our C-54 served in the Navy from 1945 until the mid 1970’s. This is where things get interesting and a bit confusing. Many of these tough birds went on to civilian service, including our C-54. Because of a mix up of a few numbers it was reported lost in the Pacific Ocean at one point. Yet, it appears to have been reregistered as HK-1807 and flown many years as a charter aircraft in Colombia. It is certain, however, that Bill Dempsay added it to his fleet of fire bombers. Tanker #109 was fitted with a 2,000 gallon belly retardant tank and used for fighting wildfires for USFS and BLM contracts until the mid 1980’s. Read more about its history in our blog: C-54 Skymaster: The Mysterious Tanker 109
This C-54 remained at Marana, AZ, for decades, with the hopes the fleet would fly again. It was parted out, but we were able to acquire material for a limited edition of 3000 tags. MotoArt is thrilled to add this storied C-54 Skymaster to our growing fleet of PlaneTags. Don’t miss adding a memento from this warbird-turned-firefighter to your collection.
Don’t miss our other DC-4 PlaneTag, made from another Navy aircraft #50851. Add one to your collection.
Take a look at these other Douglas Aircraft PlaneTags we have to offer. Don’t miss out on adding them to your collection. Once we run out you may have a difficult time - and a hit to the wallet - trying to get one later on.
- Please Note: Due to limited quantities, combination colors you may receive will vary.
*Important Notice – Please Read Carefully
PlaneTags are made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal. Because PlaneTags are made from real fuselage, each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags. These variations and imperfections are not product flaws. They are part of the beauty of PlaneTags. As a result, you will not have an option to select the color of your PlaneTag. The images on this website are provided for reference only and should not be used as the sole basis for choosing a particular PlaneTag.
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I love the history of the airframe, fighting fires and being left out in the desert for so long. The patina off of the airframe really show a scorched airframe as if it just escaped a fire.
I absolutely wanted this tag the first time I heard it was going to be released. Growing up near an Air Attack Base and watching these various piston powered aircraft getting refilled with Fire Retardant and then taking off to drop their load to make a fire break brings back great memories. I got 11 of these tags including one awesome MT, and they are all eye catching. Well done once again MotoArt!!!
Ordered a gray white variant on received it with patina on it, it's a wonderful tag.
Love the retardant patina on these tags! Such beautiful and rich history in the aircraft. Thanks Planetags for this opportunity to own a piece of it!
Air tankers have a warm place in my heart, my father was a check pilot for the state of Alaska for initial attack pilots. Of all of MA's tags the C-54/ DC-4 was the most common. At least 5 of MA's tags have been air tankers but only two of them were actually them. The C-54 and the DC-6. Not that I have a thing for this plane but I have 25 C-54 tags and counting with 3 of them as MT's. This tag has many color variations the most I think due to the retardant stains ,patina, and ageing of the paint. I'll keep buying them as long as they keep making them.
It’s a really cool piece for any kind of Aviation fan!
My Dad, Phil, was a C-54 engine mechanic specialist stationed stateside during the Korean War. So cool to own this piece of history in honor of him and his service.
Great Tag in honor of a venerable aircraft.
As stated, love these things, great products!!
love this tag
I’ve really enjoy the C-54 plane tag on my canvas briefcase. My Dad flew 263 missions in the Berlin Airlift and its pretty special to have a piece of an old C-54 to carry around with me. The Berlin Airlift was a very special part of my Dad’s 33 year Air Force career and I love to have the reminder of that with me often. Thanks, Plane Tags!
The tag looks amazing, another quality release of MotorArt! I took a picture of this plane in 2009 during my first trip to the USA, it holds a special meaning for me! Wonderful addition to the collection!
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