Image: Douglas C-54 Skymaster in flight, circa in 1943

Description: A U.S. Army Air Force Douglas C-54 Skymaster (s/n 41-37271, c/n 3057), circa 1943. This aircraft crashed near Wright Field, Ohio (USA), on 9 July 1943 after a midair collision with an Lockheed C-40A (s/n 38-546, c/n 1263). The two planes were flying in a formation so that the C-40A could photograph the dropping of a dummy combat tank from the C-54. After the tank was released, the C-40A made a quick turn to the left, striking the C-54's wingtip. The C-40A entered a spin and crashed near the runway, killing all five on board. The C-54 continued on for 250 m, allowing two crewmen to bail out. The plane then crashed in a vertical dive, killing the three crewmen still on board.
Title: Douglas C-54 Skymaster in flight, circa in 1943
Credit: U.S. Army Air Force [1]
Author: USAAF
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No