Douglas DC-6
Unanswered Questions
Encyclopedia
The Douglas DC-6 is a piston-powered airliner
and transport aircraft
built by the Douglas Aircraft Company
from 1946 to 1958. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II
, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation
in the long-range commercial transport market. More than 700 were built and many still fly today in cargo, military and wildfire control roles.
The DC-6 was known as the C-118 Liftmaster in United States Air Force
service and as the R6D in United States Navy
service prior to 1962 after which all U.S. Navy variants were also designated as the C-118.
commissioned the DC-6 project as the XC-112 in 1944. The Air Force wanted an expanded, pressurized
version of the popular C-54 Skymaster
transport with improved engines. By the time the XC-112 flew the war was over and the USAAF had rescinded its requirement.
Douglas converted its prototype into a civil transport (redesignated YC-112A, having significant differences from subsequent production DC-6 aircraft) and delivered the first production DC-6 in March 1947. However, a series of mysterious inflight fires (including the fatal crash of United Airlines Flight 608
) grounded the DC-6 fleet later that year. The cause was found to be a fuel vent located adjacent to the cabin cooling turbine intake. All DC-6s in service were modified to correct the problem, and the fleet was flying again after just four months on the ground.
Pan Am used a fleet of DC-6B aircraft to inaugurate its first trans-Atlantic tourist class flights, starting in 1952. Several European airlines quickly followed with their own transatlantic services. The DC-6A/B/C sub-types were capable of non-stop commercial flights from the eastern US to Europe but normally needed to refuel in Newfoundland when westbound against the prevailing headwinds.
Douglas designed four basic variants of the DC-6: the basic DC-6, and the longer fuselage, higher-gross-weight, longer range versions—the DC-6A with large cargo doors forward and aft of the wing on the port (left hand side) with a cargo floor; the DC-6B, designed for passenger work, with passenger doors only and a lighter floor; and the DC-6C convertible, with the two cargo doors and removable passenger seats.
The DC-6B, originally powered by Double Wasp engines with Hamilton Standard 43E60 constant speed reversing propellers, was regarded as the ultimate piston-engine airliner from the standpoint of ruggedness, reliability, economical operation and handling qualities.
The military version, essentially similar to the DC-6A, was designated the USAF C-118 Liftmaster; the USN R6D version used the more powerful R-2800-CB-17 engines. These were later also used on the commercial DC-6B to accommodate international flights. The R6D Navy version (in the late 1950s and early 1960s) had Curtiss Electric constant-speed reversing propellers.
The USAF and USN renewed their interest in the DC-6 during the Korean War
, and ordered a total of 167 C-118/R6D aircraft, some of which later found their way into civilian service. Harry Truman's first presidential aircraft was an Air Force short fuselage DC-6 which was designated VC-118, and named "The Independence". It is preserved in the USAF
Museum at Dayton, Ohio.
Total production of the DC-6 series was 704, including military versions.
In the 1960s, two DC-6s were used as transmitter platforms for educational television, based at Purdue University
, in a program called MPATI (Midwest Program for Airborne Television Instruction).
Many older DC-6s were replaced in airline passenger service from the mid 1950s by the Douglas DC-7
, but the simpler, more economical engines in the DC-6 has meant that the type has outlived the more sophisticated DC-7, particularly for cargo operations. DC-6/7s surviving into the Jet Age were replaced in front line inter-continental passenger service by Boeing 707
and Douglas DC-8
aircraft.
2006 marked the 60th anniversary of the introduction of the DC-6.
XC-112A
DC-6
DC-6A
DC-6B
DC-6B-ST
DC-6C
VC-118
C-118A
VC-118A
C-118B
VC-118B
R6D-1
R6D-1Z
Current operators of the DC-6: Today, most DC-6s are inactive, stored or preserved in museums, although a number are flying in northern bush operations in Alaska and Canada while several are based in Europe and a few other DC-6s are still in operation for small carriers in South America.
South Vietnam
Note of interest is that the diagram depicts the sleeper version. The very small windows above the standard ones permitted passengers in their Pullman-style bunks a view of the outside.
Airliner
An airliner is a large fixed-wing aircraft for transporting passengers and cargo. Such aircraft are operated by airlines. Although the definition of an airliner can vary from country to country, an airliner is typically defined as an aircraft intended for carrying multiple passengers in commercial...
and transport aircraft
Transport aircraft
Transport aircraft is a broad category of aircraft that includes:* Airliners* Cargo aircraft* Mail planes* Military transport aircraft...
built by the Douglas Aircraft Company
Douglas Aircraft Company
The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas...
from 1946 to 1958. Originally intended as a military transport near the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, it was reworked after the war to compete with the Lockheed Constellation
Lockheed Constellation
The Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a...
in the long-range commercial transport market. More than 700 were built and many still fly today in cargo, military and wildfire control roles.
The DC-6 was known as the C-118 Liftmaster in United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
service and as the R6D in United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
service prior to 1962 after which all U.S. Navy variants were also designated as the C-118.
Design and development
The United States Army Air ForcesUnited States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
commissioned the DC-6 project as the XC-112 in 1944. The Air Force wanted an expanded, pressurized
Cabin pressurization
Cabin pressurization is the pumping of compressed air into an aircraft cabin to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for crew and passengers when flying at altitude.-Need for cabin pressurization:...
version of the popular C-54 Skymaster
C-54 Skymaster
The Douglas C-54 Skymaster was a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces and British forces in World War II and the Korean War. Besides transport of cargo, it also carried presidents, British heads of government, and military staff...
transport with improved engines. By the time the XC-112 flew the war was over and the USAAF had rescinded its requirement.
Douglas converted its prototype into a civil transport (redesignated YC-112A, having significant differences from subsequent production DC-6 aircraft) and delivered the first production DC-6 in March 1947. However, a series of mysterious inflight fires (including the fatal crash of United Airlines Flight 608
United Airlines Flight 608
United Airlines Flight 608 was a Douglas DC-6 airliner, registration NC37510, on a scheduled passenger flight from Los Angeles to Chicago when it crashed at 12:29 pm on October 24, 1947 about 1.5 miles southeast of Bryce Canyon Airport, Utah. There were no...
) grounded the DC-6 fleet later that year. The cause was found to be a fuel vent located adjacent to the cabin cooling turbine intake. All DC-6s in service were modified to correct the problem, and the fleet was flying again after just four months on the ground.
Operational history
Pan Am used a fleet of DC-6B aircraft to inaugurate its first trans-Atlantic tourist class flights, starting in 1952. Several European airlines quickly followed with their own transatlantic services. The DC-6A/B/C sub-types were capable of non-stop commercial flights from the eastern US to Europe but normally needed to refuel in Newfoundland when westbound against the prevailing headwinds.
Douglas designed four basic variants of the DC-6: the basic DC-6, and the longer fuselage, higher-gross-weight, longer range versions—the DC-6A with large cargo doors forward and aft of the wing on the port (left hand side) with a cargo floor; the DC-6B, designed for passenger work, with passenger doors only and a lighter floor; and the DC-6C convertible, with the two cargo doors and removable passenger seats.
The DC-6B, originally powered by Double Wasp engines with Hamilton Standard 43E60 constant speed reversing propellers, was regarded as the ultimate piston-engine airliner from the standpoint of ruggedness, reliability, economical operation and handling qualities.
The military version, essentially similar to the DC-6A, was designated the USAF C-118 Liftmaster; the USN R6D version used the more powerful R-2800-CB-17 engines. These were later also used on the commercial DC-6B to accommodate international flights. The R6D Navy version (in the late 1950s and early 1960s) had Curtiss Electric constant-speed reversing propellers.
The USAF and USN renewed their interest in the DC-6 during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, and ordered a total of 167 C-118/R6D aircraft, some of which later found their way into civilian service. Harry Truman's first presidential aircraft was an Air Force short fuselage DC-6 which was designated VC-118, and named "The Independence". It is preserved in the USAF
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
Museum at Dayton, Ohio.
Total production of the DC-6 series was 704, including military versions.
In the 1960s, two DC-6s were used as transmitter platforms for educational television, based at Purdue University
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
, in a program called MPATI (Midwest Program for Airborne Television Instruction).
Many older DC-6s were replaced in airline passenger service from the mid 1950s by the Douglas DC-7
Douglas DC-7
The Douglas DC-7 is an American transport aircraft built by the Douglas Aircraft Company from 1953 to 1958. It was the last major piston engine powered transport made by Douglas, coming just a few years before the advent of jet aircraft such as the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8.-Design and...
, but the simpler, more economical engines in the DC-6 has meant that the type has outlived the more sophisticated DC-7, particularly for cargo operations. DC-6/7s surviving into the Jet Age were replaced in front line inter-continental passenger service by Boeing 707
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
and Douglas DC-8
Douglas DC-8
The Douglas DC-8 is a four-engined narrow-body passenger commercial jet airliner, manufactured from 1958 to 1972 by the Douglas Aircraft Company...
aircraft.
2006 marked the 60th anniversary of the introduction of the DC-6.
Variants
- United States military designation of an improved version of the C-54 (DC-4); became the prototype DC-6. Eventually designated YC-112A, pressurized, P&W R-2800-83AM3 engines
DC-6
- Initial production variant.
DC-6A
- Freighter variant; fuselage slightly lengthened from DC-6 ; fitted with cargo door.
DC-6B
- All-passenger variant of DC-6A, without cargo door.
DC-6B-ST
- Swing tail freighter conversion to the DC-6B done by SabenaSabenaSABENA was the national airline of Belgium from 1923 to 2001, with its base at Brussels National Airport. After its bankruptcy in 2001, the newly formed SN Brussels Airlines took over part of SABENA's assets in February 2002, which then became Brussels Airlines...
. Two converted.
DC-6C
- Convertible cargo/passenger variant.
VC-118
- One DC-6 bought as a presidential transport with special 25 seat interior and 12 beds.
C-118A
- Designation of DC-6As for the United States Air Force, 101 built.
VC-118A
- C-118As converted as staff transports.
C-118B
- R6D-1s re-designated.
VC-118B
- R6D-1Zs re-designated.
R6D-1
- United States Navy designation for the DC-6A, 65 built.
R6D-1Z
- Four R6D-1s converted as staff transports.
Operators
- One DC-6A, G-APSA, is in use at CoventryCoventryCoventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
, UK. There is also a DC-6B, G-SIXC. at the same site. - One DC-6B is in use by Red BullRed Bull GmbHRed Bull GmbH is an Austrian company which sells the Red Bull energy drink. In 2010, more than 4.204 billion cans were sold in over 161 countries. 7,758 employees generated 3.78 billion euros in revenue...
in SalzburgSalzburg-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
, AustriaAustriaAustria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. - One DC-6B V5-NCG "Bateleur" is in use with Namibia Commercial AviationNamibia Commercial AviationNamibia Commercial Aviation is a Namibia based charter airline that operates a Douglas DC-6B. The airlines operates sightseeing charters. The airline is based at Windhoek Eros Airport.-History:...
. This was the last DC-6 off the Douglas production line and the last DC-6 in the world in passenger configuration still flying commercially. - Several ( as of 2010 ) are in use as freightersCargo aircraftA cargo aircraft is a fixed-wing aircraft designed or converted for the carriage of goods, rather than passengers. They are usually devoid of passenger amenities, and generally feature one or more large doors for the loading and unloading of cargo...
or waterbombers in CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. They are no longer used as retardant bombers in the western US. - As of 2011, Everts Air CargoEverts Air CargoEverts Air Cargo is an American Part 121 airline based in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA. It operates D.O.D, scheduled and charter airline cargo within Alaska and Canada...
operates eight DC-6s and two C-46s.
Civil operators
: Trans Australian Airlines- Lóide Aéreo NacionalLóide Aéreo NacionalLóide Aéreo Nacional S/A was a Brazilian airline founded in 1947. In 1962 it was incorporated by VASP.-History:On December 22, 1947, Ruy Vacani founded the airline TCA – Transportes Carga Aérea S.A. in Anápolis, State of Goiás, Brazil, an airline specialized in transportation of cargo...
- Panair do BrasilPanair do BrasilPanair do Brasil is a defunct airline of Brazil. Between 1945 and 1965 it was considered to be the largest carrier not only in Brazil but in all of Latin America.-NYRBA do Brasil :...
- Real Transportes AéreosReal Transportes AéreosReal Transportes Aéreos was a Brazilian airline founded in 1945. It was merged into Varig in 1961, when Varig bought the Consórcio Real-Aerovias-Nacional, of which Real was the main carrier....
- VarigVarigVARIG was the first airline founded in Brazil, in 1927. From 1965 until 1990 it was Brazil's leading and almost only international airline...
- Scandinavian Airlines SystemScandinavian Airlines SystemScandinavian Airlines or SAS, previously Scandinavian Airlines System, is the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and the largest airline in Scandinavia....
- Kar AirKarairKarair was an airline from Finland. Initially having offered scheduled passenger flights, the company became a subsidiary of Finnair, mainly operating on holiday charter routes.-History:...
DC-6B, DC-6B-ST
- Olympic Airways
- Namibia Commercial AviationNamibia Commercial AviationNamibia Commercial Aviation is a Namibia based charter airline that operates a Douglas DC-6B. The airlines operates sightseeing charters. The airline is based at Windhoek Eros Airport.-History:...
- KLM
- TEALTEALTasman Empire Airways Limited was the forerunner of Air New Zealand. It was first registered in Wellington as a limited liability company on 26 April 1940....
- SpantaxSpantaxSpantax S.A. was a Spanish airline that operated from 1959 to 1988. Its head office was located in Madrid.-Formative years:Spanish Air Taxi Líneas Aéreas S.A. was founded on 6 October 1959 by ex-Iberia pilot Rodolfo Bay Wright and ex-Iberia flight attendant Marta Estades Sáez...
DC-6B, DC-6B-ST
- SwissairSwissairSwissair AG was the former national airline of Switzerland.It was formed from a merger between Balair and Ad Astra Aero , in 1931...
DC-6A, DC-6B - BalairBalairBalair was a Swiss airline that became BalairCTA when it merged with CTA/Compagnie de Transport Aerien in 1993. Balair had its headquarters in Basel.-Company history:...
DC-6A, DC-6B, DC-6BF
- Syrian AirSyrian AirSyrian Arab Airlines , operating as Syrian Air , is the flag carrier airline of Syria. It operates scheduled international services to over 40 destinations in Asia, Europe and North Africa, as well as domestic services. Its main base is Damascus International Airport. Syrian Air has a fleet of...
DC-6B, DC-6B/F
- Air AtlantiqueAir AtlantiqueAir Atlantique is an airline based in Coventry, United Kingdom. It has as a wet lease operation using ATR 42 and ATR 72 aircraft. Its main base is Coventry Airport.- History :...
,now West AtlanticWest AtlanticWest Atlantic was created in 2008 through the merger of two of Europe's most established independent cargo airlines, West Air Europe of Sweden, West Air Europe of Luxembourg and Atlantic Airlines of the UK....
; a former cargo carrier based in CoventryCoventryCoventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
, EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. - Cathay PacificCathay PacificCathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, with its head office and main hub located at Hong Kong International Airport, although the airline's registered office is on the 33rd floor of One Pacific Place...
DC-6, DC-6B
- American AirlinesAmerican AirlinesAmerican Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
DC-6, DC-6A, DC-6B - United Air Lines DC-6, DC-6A, DC-6B
- Delta Air LinesDelta Air LinesDelta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
DC-6 - Braniff International AirwaysBraniff International AirwaysBraniff International Airways was an American airline that operated from 1928 until 1982, primarily in the midwestern and southwestern U.S., South America, Panama, and in its later years also Asia and Europe...
DC-6, DC-6A, DC-6B - National AirlinesNational Airlines (NA)National Airlines was an airline founded in 1934 and was headquartered on the grounds of Miami International Airport in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States near Miami.- History :...
DC-6, DC-6B - Northern Air CargoNorthern Air CargoNorthern Air Cargo is an American cargo airline based in Anchorage, Alaska, USA. It operates services within Alaska and to Canada and mainland USA. Its main base is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, with a hub at Fairbanks International Airport....
DC-6A, DC-6B-ST - Western AirlinesWestern AirlinesWestern Airlines was a large airline based in California, with operations throughout the Western United States, and hubs at Los Angeles International Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, and the former Stapleton International Airport in Denver...
DC-6B - Pan American World AirwaysPan American World AirwaysPan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal and largest international air carrier in the United States from 1927 until its collapse on December 4, 1991...
DC-6B - Northwest Orient Airlines DC-6B
- Northeast AirlinesNortheast AirlinesNortheast Airlines was an American airline based in Boston, Massachusetts. They began as Boston-Maine Airways, which was founded as a Pan Am contract carrier on July 20, 1931, by the Boston and Maine Railroad and Maine Central Railroad offering service from Boston to Bangor via Portland...
DC-6A, DC-6B - Eastern Air LinesEastern Air LinesEastern Air Lines was a major United States airline that existed from 1926 to 1991. Before its dissolution it was headquartered at Miami International Airport in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida.-History:...
DC-6B - Pan American-Grace AirwaysPan American-Grace AirwaysPan American-Grace Airways, better known as Panagra, was an airline formed as a joint venture between Pan American World Airways and Grace Shipping Company.-History:...
DC-6, DC-6B - Alaska AirlinesAlaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines is an airline based in the Seattle suburb of SeaTac, Washington in the United States. The airline originated in 1932 as McGee Airways. After many mergers with and acquisitions of other airlines, including Star Air Service, it became known as Alaska Airlines in 1944...
DC-6A, DC-6B - Continental AirlinesContinental AirlinesContinental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
DC-6B - Pacific Southwest AirlinesPacific Southwest AirlinesPacific Southwest Airlines was a United States airline headquartered in San Diego, California, that operated from 1949 to 1988. It was one of the first large discount airlines in the United States and is considered a precursor to Southwest Airlines...
DC-6B - Reeve Aleutian AirwaysReeve Aleutian AirwaysReeve Aleutian Airways was an airline headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, United States. It ceased operations on December 5, 2000.-Founding:...
DC-6B - Trans Caribbean AirwaysTrans Caribbean AirwaysTrans Caribbean Airways is a former airline owned by O. Roy Chalk. Its hub was San Juan, Puerto Rico. Founded in 1945, it was acquired by American Airlines in 1971. Its headquarters was located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City....
DC-6B - Flying Tiger LineFlying Tiger LineFlying Tiger Line, also known as Flying Tigers, was the first scheduled cargo airline in the United States and a major military charter operator during the Cold War era for both cargo and personnel .- History :...
DC-6A - Mackey AirlinesMackey AirlinesMackey Airlines, also known as Mackey International Airlines, was an airline which mainly served Florida and The Bahamas. Flights flew primarily out of West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami to a number of islands in the Bahamas and to Turks and Caicos....
DC-6, DC-6B - Everts Air Fuel
- Everts Air CargoEverts Air CargoEverts Air Cargo is an American Part 121 airline based in Fairbanks, Alaska, USA. It operates D.O.D, scheduled and charter airline cargo within Alaska and Canada...
- Zantop International AirlinesZantop International AirlinesZantop International Airlines, Inc., was incorporated in May, 1972 as a Michigan corporation, the stock of which was 100% owned by the Zantop family. The same persons had formerly operated Zantop Flying Service and Zantop Air Transport.-History:...
DC-6B-ST
- JAT Yugoslav AirlinesJat AirwaysJat Airways is the national airline of Serbia and the former national airline of Yugoslavia, and has its head office in the Jat Airways Business Center in Belgrade. It was established in 1927 as Aeroput, making it currently one of the world's oldest airlines still in operation...
- Adria AirwaysAdria AirwaysAdria Airways d.d. is the Slovenian national airline. Today, the majority of Adria Airways business is in scheduled flights. Adria operates to 16 cities throughout Europe this winter and offers excellent connections to South East Europe. It is a Star Alliance member since 2004 and a Lufthansa...
Military operators
- Belgian Air ForceBelgian Air ForceThe Air Component, formerly the Belgian Air Force, is the air arm of the Belgian Armed Forces. Originally founded in 1909, it is one of the world's first air forces, and was a pioneer in aerial combat during the First World War...
- LuftwaffeLuftwaffeLuftwaffe is a generic German term for an air force. It is also the official name for two of the four historic German air forces, the Wehrmacht air arm founded in 1935 and disbanded in 1946; and the current Bundeswehr air arm founded in 1956....
- Royal New Zealand Air ForceRoyal New Zealand Air ForceThe Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
- United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
- United States NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
South Vietnam
- Vietnam Air ForceVietnam Air ForceThe Vietnam Air Force began with a few hand-picked men chosen to fly alongside French pilots during the State of Vietnam era. It eventually grew into the world’s sixth largest air force at the height of its power, in 1974...
Survivors
Several DC-6s are preserved in museums. In all, There are 147 surviving aircraft including 47 airworthy ones.- The most well-known is President Harry S. TrumanHarry S. TrumanHarry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
's VC-118 Independence (s/n 46-505), which is preserved at the National Museum of the United States Air ForceNational Museum of the United States Air ForceThe National Museum of the United States Air Force is the official museum of the United States Air Force located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base northeast of Dayton, Ohio. The NMUSAF is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum with more than 360 aircraft and missiles on display...
, Wright-Patterson Air Force BaseWright-Patterson Air Force BaseWright-Patterson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Greene and Montgomery counties in the state of Ohio. It includes both Wright and Patterson Fields, which were originally Wilbur Wright Field and Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot. Patterson Field is located approximately...
in Dayton, OhioDayton, OhioDayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
. It was retired to the Museum in 1965. In 1977–1978 museum personnel restored "Independence" to its former presidential markings and eagle-like paint scheme. The aircraft is on display in the Museum's Presidential Hangar. - A DC-6B currently owned by Red BullRed BullRed Bull is an energy drink sold by the Austrian Red Bull GmbH, created in 1987 by the Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz. In terms of market share, Red Bull is the most popular energy drink in the world, with 3 billion cans sold each year. Dietrich Mateschitz was inspired by an already...
, was formerly the private luxury transport of Yugoslav President Josip Broz TitoJosip Broz TitoMarshal Josip Broz Tito – 4 May 1980) was a Yugoslav revolutionary and statesman. While his presidency has been criticized as authoritarian, Tito was a popular public figure both in Yugoslavia and abroad, viewed as a unifying symbol for the nations of the Yugoslav federation...
. - As of March 2010, there was a C-118 located in the "bone yard" of MCAS Cherry Point which was at one time the official aircraft of the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The aircraft was often left open to the weather and has deteriorated quite a bit, the interior is damaged, but the airframe is largely intact.
- The Navy's initial R6D, #128424, was converted along with six other #128 series R6Ds to VC executive transport configuration with delivery of #424 to VR-21, NAS Barbers Point in February 1955 remaining in service 28 ½ more years until October 1, 1983 based at Barbers Point as flag transportation for CINCPACFLT. #424 is now located at the National Naval Aviation Museum, NAS Pensacola, FL.
- A DC-6B ZS-MUL #45329 named Empress of Suva is preserved on a small holding at Wallmanstahl north of PretoriaPretoriaPretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. This aircraft was stored at Swartkops Air Force Base for over 10 years and after two years of restoration by enthusiasts was ferried to Wallmanstahl where a temporary runway had to be constructed. - C-118 Liftmaster at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey; notable as the aircraft in which Elvis Presley returned to the United States after service in the US Army, based in Germany. Presently, , under restoration.
- DC-6A B-1006, built in September 1958, spent most of its life in Southeast Asia, and now resides at Coventry Airport, England. After serving with the CIA and then Royal Air Lao it was bought by Air Atlantique Group in 1987. Its last commercial flight was on October 26, 2004 although it was featured in the 2006 James Bond film, Casino RoyaleCasino Royale (2006 film)Casino Royale is the twenty-first film in the James Bond film series and the first to star Daniel Craig as fictional MI6 agent James Bond...
. No longer flying, it has now been turned into a static restaurant based at Coventry airport, as the "DC-6 Diner".
Specifications
| Variant | DC-6 | DC-6A | DC-6B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | Three to Four | ||
| Capacity | 48-56 Passengers | 28188 lb (12,785.9 kg) of Cargo | 54 Passengers (102 Max Seating) |
| Length | 100 in 7 in (30.66 m) | 105 in 7 in (32.18 m) | |
| Wingspan | 117 in 6 in (35.81 m) | ||
| Height | 28 in 5 in (8.66 m) | ||
| Wing Area | 1463 sq ft (135.9 m²) | ||
| Empty weight | 52567 lb (23,844 kg) | 45862 lb (20,802.7 kg) | 55357 lb (25,109.5 kg) |
| Max takeoff weight | 97200 lb (44,089.2 kg) | 107200 lb (48,625.1 kg) | 107000 lb (48,534.4 kg) |
| Powerplant (4x) | Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CA15 "Double Wasp" radial engine, 1800 hp with water injection each |
Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB16 "Double Wasp" radial engine, 2400 hp each |
Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB17 "Double Wasp" radial engine, 2500 hp each |
| Propellers | Hamilton Standard 43E60 "Hydromatic" constant speed props with autofeather and reverse thrust | ||
| Cruise speed | 311 mph (500.5 km/h) | 315 mph (506.9 km/h) | |
| Range | 3983 nmi (7,376.5 km) | 2948 nmi (5,459.7 km) Max payload 4317 nmi (7,995.1 km) Max fuel |
2610 nmi (4,833.7 km) Max payload 4100 nmi (7,593.2 km) Max fuel |
| Service ceiling | 21900 ft (6,675.1 m) | 25000 ft (7,620 m) | |
| Rate of climb | 1070 ft/min | ||
Note of interest is that the diagram depicts the sleeper version. The very small windows above the standard ones permitted passengers in their Pullman-style bunks a view of the outside.