VC-54C “Sacred Cow” (aka C-54 Skymaster)
by Mars-Bound_Hokie
uploaded 2023-11-26
13 downloads /
5
points
SPH
stock+DLC aircraft
#usa #douglas #air #force #one

The Sacred Cow on display in the SPH.

  • Just like with the Commando replica I started with the cockpit before proceeding with the rest of the plane. Making the nose was tedious, but after so many tries I managed. I also removed the side doors since apparently they’re useless if the landing capsules (or even their parent parts) are technically within the fairing. Nobody could get in our out through the front, but at least I planned an entrance / exit in the back.
  • After the cockpit, I worked on the elevator that would eventually be moved to the back. Since the real-life Sacred Cow had an elevator for FDR, I accepted the challenge to replicate that as best as I could. So, I installed a Mk1 lander can inside a 2.5-m cargo bay and oriented the door to face downwards, put a 1P4 Telescoping Hydraulic Cylinder on the side, and put a flat platform with a chair on it at the end. Now kerbals can get in or out through there.
  • For the engines, I followed swjr-swis‘s example for his C-47 replica and kept the motor size and output at 100% BUT I set the main throttle torque limit to 1%. The wings are my own design.
  • The range tests proved successful, but the landings were disasters because the front landing gear just wouldn’t deploy. For some reason, the game gave me Cannot deploy while stowed messages even though the front landing gear was able to retract fine after liftoff. So, I put a long I-beam on the fuselage right behind the cockpit and put a large landing gear at the forwardmost end of it.

Though test runs at this configuration have proven successful, there is NO GUARANTEE that it will work. Best to test the landing gear periodically, or at least ten seconds after takeoff and the first retraction, to be sure they’ll work.

Testing the wheelchair elevator at the runway before takeoff.

  • Do not attempt to exit the elevator landing can until the Target Extension is at least 1.4. If you’re unsure where exactly that is or if you can’t or don’t want to right-click on the cylinder, just try and open the hatch at different extensions until you do.

Once you do get out of the can, you’ll be hanging upside-down on the landing can. You can right-click on the external command seat and get on to avoid concussions.

ELEVATOR CONTROLS

  • 3: Open doors
  • I / K: Go up or down

The Sacred Cow going over the ocean a few minutes after flying over Alt Test Mountains.

Real-life Counterpart Performance Stats

(VC-54C “Sacred Cow”)

Maximum Speed: 300 mph (134.1 m/s)
Service Ceiling: 22,300 feet (6.80 km)
Range: 3,900 miles (6,276 km)
Source: Air Force Museum Website

Details

  • Type: SPH
  • Class: aircraft
  • Part Count: 142
  • Pure Stock
  • KSP: 1.12.4

The plane when there is 20 fuel units left at the end of its first cruise test.

  • That was when I first encountered my problem with the front landing gear.

Description

The first Air Force One variant, a Douglas C-54 Skymaster later designated VC-54C, was modified specifically to transport the President of the United States. Not only did it have a C-54A fuselage with C-54B wings for a greater fuel capacity – which in turn increased the plane’s range – but the interior included an executive conference room a large desk and a bulletproof window, a private bathroom next to the president’s seat, and a galley with an electric refrigerator (an uncommon luxury for 1945). In addition to the very comfortable accommodations, VC-54C also had an elevator for a wheelchair-bound Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) to get on and off. Due to the aircraft’s high amount of security surrounding it and its special status, though it was officially named “The Flying White House,” it was better known by its nickname, “Sacred Cow.”
Unfortunately for FDR, his only trip in it was to the Yalta Conference in February 1945 before his death two months later. His successor, Harry S. Truman, then used it for his transportation since then. He even signed the National Security Act of 1947 on board the Sacred Cow, which also established the Air Force as a separate branch of the military. In a way, the Sacred Cow was the birthplace of the United States Air Force.

A stock aircraft called VC-54C “Sacred Cow” (aka C-54 Skymaster). Built with 142 of the finest parts, its root part is RCSTank1-2.

Built in the SPH in KSP version 1.12.4.

NO KERBAL LORE ATTACHED TO THIS CRAFT BECAUSE I ALREADY HAVE AN AIR FORCE ONE EQUIVALENT BUILT AND TESTED.

  • And, apparently, it performs way better than this plane.

Flying over a mountain range a ways north of the KSC during another test flight.

Takeoff Instructions

  1. Make sure your elevator is stowed and cargo doors are shut.
  2. Engage the brakes and turn on SAS.
  3. Full throttle.
  4. Disengage brakes.
  5. Press and hold H (translate forward). It increases the propeller blade deploy angle - hence your speed.
  6. Retract gear when airborne.
  7. Keep tapping H as necessary to keep optimal blade angle (which maximizes thrust). It is recommended to tap rather than press and hold for fine-turning blade angle.
  8. Best blade angle for maximizing thrust during takeoff is 25 degrees, 30-33 right before and during your turn to your desired heading, and then 40 to begin your ascent to cruise altitude. Once you’ve reached said cruising altitude, the best blade angle is 45 degrees - but you do what works best for you.

Be advised that you may need to slowly lower blade angle again at some point. When that happens, translate back using N.

Landing Advice

After you land the plane, (unless you’re all done with it) press and hold N to return the blade angles back to 0 before taking off again.

Propeller Controls

  • H: Translate forward (increase blade angle)
  • N: Translate backward (decrease blade angle)

The Sacred Cow performing a smooth landing after nearly running out of fuel.

RECOMMENDED CRUISE

Altitude: 6.1 km (~20.0k ft; Class Alpha airspace)
Velocity: 150 m/s (~336 mph)

  • Will increase gradually over time, but this is a good start.

Blade Deployment Angle: 40 degrees
Recommended Throttle:

  • Ascent to altitude: ½ (50%) to 2/3 (66%)
  • Cruise: 30%

EXPECTED RANGE

460 km before immediate landing necessary.

  • NOTE: Multiple test runs have yielded inconsistent range results, so I logged the best one. More fuel was added to the plane after that one.

IF YOU’RE USING MJ AIRCRAFT AUTOPILOT

  • It is best to set your vertical speed hold to no more than 5 m/s.
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