Academy 12652 - 1:144 USAAF C-54 Skymaster

Plastic model kit of the Douglas C-54 Skymaster transport aircraft in 1:144 scale

Academy 12652 is a plastic model kit for self-assembly representing the Douglas C-54 Skymaster – a four-engined transport aircraft that carried supplies, wounded personnel and high-level delegations across the Atlantic and the Pacific, and which after the war became a symbol of the Berlin Airlift. The kit was released in 2025 and the moulds originate from Minicraft (2001 tooling).

The model consists of 57 parts spread over two plastic sprues and one clear sprue. The fuselage and wing surfaces carry engraved panel lines that respond well to washes and help emphasise the structure of the skin. A modest parts count combined with a fairly large finished airframe for 1:144 scale means assembly moves along briskly, while the broad wing and fuselage surfaces are comfortable to paint with an airbrush.

The included waterslide decal sheet covers several marking options for United States Army Air Forces machines.

What's in the box:

• 2 sprues of plastic parts and one clear sprue (57 parts in total)
• Engraved panel lines on the external surfaces
• Waterslide decal sheet covering several marking options for United States Army Air Forces machines
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:144
• Catalogue number: 12652
• Manufacturer: Academy
• Assembled length: approx. 199 mm
• Assembled wingspan: approx. 249 mm
• Number of parts: 57
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Please note: the kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

The low parts count and clear breakdown of the sprues make this kit approachable even for modellers with limited experience, although the four-engined layout and long wings call for care when setting the dihedral and aligning the engine nacelles. It is worth painting the canopy and the interior before closing the fuselage, and the smallest parts – genuinely tiny in 1:144 – are easiest to handle with a pair of fine modelling tweezers.

For painting we suggest colours typical of American transport aircraft: natural metal or silver lacquer on the skin, with olive drab and greys for camouflaged schemes, depending on the chosen option. Decals are usually applied over a gloss coat, which prevents decal silvering; aircraft models are typically finished with a satin varnish. The engraved panel lines can be gently emphasised with a wash or a panel liner – in this scale we recommend restraint so the effect does not look overscale.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Fine modelling tweezers for small parts
• Brushes in a range of sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Gloss varnish for the decals and satin varnish for the final finish
• Decal setting and softening solutions
• Modelling wash to bring out the detail

About the aircraft – Douglas C-54 Skymaster:

The C-54 Skymaster was the military version of the four-engined Douglas DC-4 airliner. The aircraft first flew on 14 February 1942, and all civil DC-4 orders were taken over by the United States Army Air Forces. Thanks to its long range and capacious cabin, the Skymaster became the primary American strategic transport aircraft of World War II – flying routes across the Atlantic and the Pacific and carrying supplies, wounded personnel and high-level delegations. The presidential VC-54C, known as the Sacred Cow, was the first aircraft built specifically for the President of the United States.

The best-known episode in the Skymaster's career was the Berlin Airlift – Operation Vittles, conducted from 26 June 1948 to 30 September 1949. C-54s formed the backbone of the American effort: more than 300 aircraft were used, replacing the smaller C-47. A single C-54 carried around 10 tonnes of cargo compared with about 3 tonnes for the C-47, which fundamentally changed the arithmetic of the whole operation. In total the Allies delivered around 2.3 million tonnes of supplies to blockaded West Berlin.

Production took place at the Santa Monica plant and at a factory near Chicago; 1,170 aircraft were built. Power came from four Pratt & Whitney R-2000 Twin Wasp radial engines, and the crew of four could carry up to 50 troops or 26 stretcher cases.

Original aircraft specifications (Douglas C-54 Skymaster):

• Length: 28.60 m
• Wingspan: 35.81 m
• Height: 8.38 m
• Crew: 4
• Powerplant: 4 x Pratt & Whitney R-2000 Twin Wasp radial engines, 1,350–1,450 hp each
• Range: approx. 6,400 km with an 1,800 kg load
• Maximum payload: approx. 14,700 kg, or 50 troops, or 26 stretchers
• Production: 1,170 aircraft (Santa Monica and near Chicago)

About the manufacturer – Academy:

Academy is one of the largest plastic model manufacturers in South Korea, active on the market since 1969. The company built its position on a broad catalogue covering aircraft, armoured vehicles, ships, cars and figures in all the popular scales – from large collector kits to compact 1:144 models. Academy kits are valued for a sensible balance between parts count and final result, and for clear, illustrated assembly instructions, which makes them a frequent choice for modellers starting out in the hobby. The brand consistently develops new tooling while also reissuing proven kits with new decal sheets and boxings. The catalogue covers both historic types and modern machines, including aircraft operated by the Korean and American air forces. Academy products are available in dozens of countries and are a permanent fixture in model shops worldwide.