I lived on Norfolk Island (in the south Pacific) for a few years back in the late 70s, when Qantas was flying 2 DC4s regularly from Sydney Australia to Norfolk Island on to Auckland New Zealand and back, - a round trip of approx. 2000 miles over ocean. (VH-EDB ended up with Buffalo Air) The local guys had a stock of spare starters for the DC 4s as they would quite often burn one out trying to fire up a stubborn engine. From memory they could replace on in about 30 mins. They were just local mechanics trained by Qantas for that sole purpose, and reckoned it no more difficult than changing a starter on your car (just a bit bigger and heavier). It saved passengers a possible overnight stay as the Qantas service depot was in Sydney 1000 miles away over the Pacific. I doubt whether that form of maintenance would be allowed today with all the new (and sometimes over the top regulations), plus the fact, that like cars with all the electronics that are past your home mechs capabilities the same goes for modern aircraft,- everybody has to be a specialist, (no tappets to adjust on a turbo prop !)
I love to fly from Norfolk island to Sydney in flight sim! Great that the DC 4 made that route. BTW is there a ferry service from Sydney to the island? Greetings from Argentina!
Pro tip: Override your camera's automatic settings to use a longer shutter speed to blur the propellers when they've spinning at their full speed, so they don't look like they're turning really slowly when the plane is flying. Set your ISO low, stop down, and depending on the light use a ND filter when doing this for proper exposure.
The 1 that wouldn't start was probably flooded. It happens. Good looking aircraft. Really miss these flying about like they used to. They're not fast, but faster then driving or taking the train. Even today, I'd fly on this than drive the interstates.
I love this video.. I love these planes. Anyone know of where any DC-3's or DC-4"s are around the Pittsburgh, Pa. area? Just to visit and tour? Thanks for the videos...keep them coming.
There is a DC3 being restored at Air Heritage, which is located at the Beaver County Airport, in Chippewa Twp, right off of I376W. It`s not quite finished yet, though. They have other nice aircraft to see also.
I LOVE the fly by as the DC4 takes off!! Only a DC4/C54 makes music as beautiful as this!!
I have more than 2200 hours as Nav in C-54. Great old bird. ❤
I lived on Norfolk Island (in the south Pacific) for a few years back in the late 70s, when Qantas was flying 2 DC4s regularly from Sydney Australia to Norfolk Island on to Auckland New Zealand and back, - a round trip of approx. 2000 miles over ocean. (VH-EDB ended up with Buffalo Air) The local guys had a stock of spare starters for the DC 4s as they would quite often burn one out trying to fire up a stubborn engine. From memory they could replace on in about 30 mins. They were just local mechanics trained by Qantas for that sole purpose, and reckoned it no more difficult than changing a starter on your car (just a bit bigger and heavier). It saved passengers a possible overnight stay as the Qantas service depot was in Sydney 1000 miles away over the Pacific. I doubt whether that form of maintenance would be allowed today with all the new (and sometimes over the top regulations), plus the fact, that like cars with all the electronics that are past your home mechs capabilities the same goes for modern aircraft,- everybody has to be a specialist, (no tappets to adjust on a turbo prop !)
JRB Aero NZ
I love to fly from Norfolk island to Sydney in flight sim! Great that the DC 4 made that route. BTW is there a ferry service from Sydney to the island? Greetings from Argentina!
Un bien bel appareil aussi.👍♥️
Great footage, thanks for posting it.
My dad got to fly on one of these during WWII, in the Pacific.
Great video :)
Surprised they didn't fry the starter. That's why starters have duty limits. Should have had at least 1/2 hr cool off after the first attempt.
That third engine was made by Tecumseh! Carburetor jet was plugged up!
Engine #2😂 Nice video. Thank you.
Pro tip: Override your camera's automatic settings to use a longer shutter speed to blur the propellers when they've spinning at their full speed, so they don't look like they're turning really slowly when the plane is flying. Set your ISO low, stop down, and depending on the light use a ND filter when doing this for proper exposure.
radials dont start up, they come to life haha
NO WAY I'd go up in that 'ol bus after THAT!
The 1 that wouldn't start was probably flooded. It happens. Good looking aircraft. Really miss these flying about like they used to. They're not fast, but faster then driving or taking the train. Even today, I'd fly on this than drive the interstates.
The thing on the ground next to the plane is a ground power unit I think.
It could be. It also might be a battery cart. GPU's are usually much bigger as they have a four cylinder diesel motor driving a DC generator.
@@graemewilliams1308 Could also be a small one found around some FBO's commonly called a Bumble-Bee.
@@davef.2811 Maybe so. We had things called "Murex".
A flying museum.
I love this video.. I love these planes. Anyone know of where any DC-3's or DC-4"s are around the Pittsburgh, Pa. area? Just to visit and tour? Thanks for the videos...keep them coming.
There is a DC3 being restored at Air Heritage, which is located at the Beaver County Airport, in Chippewa Twp, right off of I376W. It`s not quite finished yet, though. They have other nice aircraft to see also.
Why was the engine so hard to start? Was is flooded? Worrying.
i would have not allow that plane to take off with out engine being checked
That inboard engine had Low compression. I could easily hear that.
#2 is missing a cylinder or low compression.
What's the starter motor duty cycle ?
Has to do with the voltage. They had a ground power unit there. Same deal with diesel locomotives. They're hard to start cold sometimes.
When it turns into a cloud of smoke, apparently
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