Developed during World War II as a long-distance military transport for troops and cargo (as the designation C-54), the DC-4 became most airlines’ first four-engined transport in the postwar era. Simplicity, redundancy, and reliability made the type a favorite of operators, and with over a thousand constructed, spare parts were easy to source, as well as maintenance staff and pilots who knew its systems intimately.
Many of Northwest’s flying crew gained experience on the C-54 during the war, so folding the type into the NWA system from March 1946 onward was a simple affair. Initially set up to carry 50 passengers in first-class seating, later all-coach configurations would seat 62. With a crew of 4 or 5, Northwest’s unpressurized DC-4s would cruise at 8,000 feet at 225 miles per hour. 35 of these ships would eventually fly for NWA up to the late 1950s, although not all at the same time.
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NX34538 delivery flight passes through clouds, March 1946. Note the unique “The Northwest Passage” titling along with the bold “Coast to Coast” used on many aircraft at this time to celebrate the start of service to New York City and Washington DC. NWA publicity photo in the James Borden collection at the NWAHC.NX34538 delivery flight passes over downtown Minneapolis’ milling district and the Stone Arch Bridge, March 1946. Much of the space below the aircraft in this shot is now redeveloped for parkland, museum, and residential use, plus the Guthrie Theater. Don Berg agency photo for NWA publicity; in the James Borden collection at the NWAHC.Inflight photo of NC6403 over the frozen lakes of the Twin Cities. NWAHC archive.Company-issued 1945 postcard with NX34538 in flight with “Coast to Coast” markings on back and “The NORTHWEST Passage” above the window line.NC6403 flies over Chicago in this Douglas-filmed photo. The aircraft was delivered in 1946 and that is our guess as to the year of this image. In the Borden Collection at the NWAHC.Don Berg agency photo for NWA publicity shows the interior of a newer DC-4 in the late 1940s. Note the small air circulation fans among the overhead storage shelving, and actual fabric window curtains. Don Berg agency shot for NWA publicity; in the James Borden collection at the NWAHC.Late 1940s short of N95413 parked at Minneapolis. That’s an International farm tractor being used to tow the aircraft! James Borden collection at the NWAHC.Company-issued 1946 postcard with NX34538 in flight with “Coast to Coast” markings on back and “The NORTHWEST Passage” above the window line.Military charter to Elmendorf Field in Anchorage, Alaska in the late 1940s using NC6403, bringing packages and much needed fresh fruit! Photomatic agency shot for NWA; in the James Borden collection at the NWAHC.NC95411 in January 1947 at what looks like the Minneapolis ramp. Postcard promotional image, photographer unknown. Good illustration of the color schemes in use on ground equipment and service vehicles.NC95419 was named “The Manila” and outfitted specially for Transpacific service, with reduced seating capacity to allow for additional fuel tanks and cargo. The first flight departed Minneapolis on July 15, 1947 and was feted with speeches and music.Another view of NC95419 at MSP on 7/15/47. Note the celestial navigation windows installed above and behind the cockpit.Snowy and windy Shemya sees a Northwest DC-4 fueling and being reprovisioned en route between Anchorage and Tokyo. Photomatic agency shot for NWA publicity department. James Borden collection at the NWAHC.NC95422 at Tokyo-Haneda, probably 1947 or 1948. Arriving passengers are having a photo taken after deplaning. We can’t make out what the banner on the boarding stairs says. Note that the terminal building is being administered by the US Air Transport Command.
No notes about photographer or agency; part of the James Borden collection at the NWAHC.NC6403 taxiing out at Minneapolis in the late 1940s. Photo from Logan Coombs, in the Borden Collection at the NWAHC.NC95416 poses at Minneapolis with its new paint scheme for 1947. Topmost stripe was red, with a basic blue for the larger bottom stripe that feathered out across the fuselage. Oval logo had a blue edge, white fill, and red block lettering. Aircraft body was bare metal. This was before the company went with the red tail and marked the start of corporate worrying that the “Northwest” name was too geographically limiting for advertising – especially as managers were proposing a corporate HQ move to New York City. Neither this logo nor the headquarters move idea were well received by staff, travelers, or the Twin Cities business community.
This paint scheme would disappear within months; some timetables, union agreements, and cabin service items briefly got the logo.
Aircraft behind is DC-4 N6404 in the 1940s wartime scheme.
NWA publicity department / Don Berg photo agency, in the Borden Collection at the NWAHC.
Detail on the tailfin for NC95416 at Minneapolis with its new paint scheme for 1947. Aircraft behind is DC-4 N6404 in the 1940s wartime scheme.
NWA publicity department / Don Berg photo agency, in the Borden Collection at the NWAHC.
Based on the small airsteps’ “Coast to Coast” language back by the terminal doors, we think this is probably a 1947 shot of NC95421 getting ready for a departure. Nice variety of service vehicles and carts shown, as well as two flight attendants about to climb the stairs. Michael Myers agency shot for NWA publicity, now in the James Borden Collection at the NWAHC.
Technicians at the St. Paul maintenance facility review and polish the metal skin of an unidentified DC-4 (although comments written on the back of the photo seem to think it may have been NC6402). Date noted is August 1947, no notes on the identities of the workers. Don Berg photo for NWA; in the James Borden collection at the NWAHC.
In this 1948 shot by the Bob Blanch agency for NWA, we see NC67067 being serviced on the Minneapolis ramp. Note the stellar navigation transparent dome above and behind the cockpit. This aircraft was with Northwest only two years. James Borden collection at the NWAHC.NC95407 “City of Spokane” rests at Minneapolis, late 1940s. No info on photographer; in the James Borden collection at the NWAHC.NC6403 between flights at Minneapolis in the late 1940s with a beehive of activity all around. Don Berg agency photo for NWA; in the James Borden collection at the NWAHC.November 1949 shot at Chicago-Midway by Harry Sievers, via the Jon Proctor collection. This ex C-54 is registered NC95415.In the aftermath of the Martin 202 debacle, Northwest was keenly short on capacity and leased in various Douglas propliners to fill the gap, including this DC-4 N79000 with easily recognizable Eastern Air Lines “Great Silver Fleet” markings. The NWA Compass was painted over Eastern’s Falcon logo and Northwest titles were applied, but even the American flag was part of the basic EAL scheme. REA Express promotional photo by Steve Canton, May 8, 1951 at Minneapolis with an unidentified DC-4 and a classic Ford short-body delivery truck. The cigarette advertising would definitely go against NWA’s marketing of being a smoke-free airline in the 1990s!
In the James Borden collection at the NWAHC.N95411 was delivered to Northwest in 1946 so this not its first paint job; based on the bare-metal crown we’d put it in the late, late 1940s-early 1950s. Sharp photo from the Minneapolis ramp by the Mike Myers agency for NWA; in the James Borden collection at the NWAHC.August 8, 1958 action shot at Chicago-Midway, Gate 7 with an unidentified Northwest DC-4 being prepared for departure. Chicago & Southern Constellation being loaded off to the left, and an American Douglas propliner takes off overhead. Bob Blanch agency publicity shot for NWA, in the James Borden collection at the NWAHC.N95413 in an air-to-air pose over Minnesota farm fields, early 1950s. This aircraft served Northwest from 1946-1956. James Borden collection at the NWAHC.WWII entertaining heroes and Minnesota natives, the Andrews Sisters are greeted by fans at Minneapolis as they descend from N6403. The paint scheme on the DC-4 says the 1950s, and the Sisters broke up in 1953, so this is likely summer of 1951 or 1952. NWA publicity slide in the NWAHC collection.Unidentified Northwest DC-4 lifts off from Shemya Island. By the mid-1950s NWA was flying newer equipment on most of its Transpacific runs to Japan, but an all-coach service still used DC-4s, as would also military and cargo flights. Bob Blanch agency shot for NWA; in the James Borden collection at the NWAHC.1956 postcard showing the terminal at Minneapolis-St. Paul and a variety of ground equipment. Note the air-conditioning truck at center.NC95419 between flights at Minneapolis watching a Stratocruiser taxi in toward the terminal. 95419 would leave the NWA fleet in 1954 so we can guess this was some time in the early 1950s. NWA publicity photo by Photomatic agency, part of the James Borden collection at the NWAHC.N350E, a converted ex-military C-54B, awaiting passengers at Minneapolis. This aircraft served with NWA from 1946 through 1961. Note the tail stand deployed to prevent tipping! Original photographer unknown; slide from the Scott Norris collection.
NC95416 at the St. Paul maintenance base getting its final Northwest color scheme, July 20, 1953. Bob Blanch agency photo for NWA; in the James Borden collection at the NWAHC.
November 1956 shot at Chicago-Midway by Harry Sievers, via the Jon Proctor collection. DC4 in the foreground is N68969.N95408 served with Northwest from 1946 to 1961, so based on the paint scheme we are likely looking at some time in the mid-1950s at the Minneapolis ramp. Big concrete repair/replacement project going on in the background!
Photomatic agency shot for NWA; in the Borden Collection at the NWAHC.DC4 at Minneapolis. Postcard issued by Gopher News. From the D. Scott Norris collection.With many of Northwest’s DC-4s being converted C-54 military transports, the available wide-loading door gave the type great flexibility for cargo transport and special charter operations. The station and specific date are not noted, but the crate on the forklift is holding a baby elephant!
Bob Blanch agency photo for NWA publicity, 1950s. In the James Borden collection at the NWAHC.
