<article><hdr>Airborne shot of an HC-54 Rescue Skymaster</hdr><body>
<hi style=afpcap>The Air Rescue Service of Military Air Transport Service (MATS) issued a contract with Convair for 38 Skymasters to be modified to SC-54D with observation windows fitted and a weather radar installed in the nose. These were redesignated as HC-54D in 1962. The Rescue C-54s were stationed at various world-wide bases to enable operations to be conducted with the minimum of delay. The delivery of the HC-130 for the rescue role enabled the HC-54 to be retired although the Portuguese Air Force obtained a small number. </hi>
