Aircraft / Douglas DC-6
Aircraft / Douglas DC-6
The Douglas DC-6 is a four piston-engined, long range propeller-driven airliner and cargo aircraft manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company, which was originally headquartered in Santa Monica, California USA, then relocated to Long Beach, California USA. In 1967 the Douglas Aircraft Company merged with St Louis-based McDonnell Aircraft Corporation to become McDonnell Douglas Corporation.
The DC-6 was originally designed as a military transport during World War II, known as the C-118 Liftmaster. After the war ended, Douglas Aircraft reworked the C-118’s design to compete in the long range commercial transport market, specifically against the Lockheed Constellation and Lockheed Super Constellation line of aircraft. Douglas stretched the fuselage of the civil version, making it about 80 inches / 200 cm longer than its predecessor, the Douglas DC-4.
The DC-6 entered civil air service in November 1946, and many were used to fly transatlantic and transpacific routes. The DC-6B and DC-6C subtypes could readily fly nonstop from the eastern US to Europe, but often needed to refuel at Goose Bay, Labrador, or Gander, Newfoundland, when flying westbound due to prevailing westerly winds.
Production of the DC-6 ended in 1958 after building 704 aircraft including military versions. It was replaced in favor of the larger Douglas DC-7 prop airliner, which in turn was soon rendered obsolete by the arrival of popular Jet Age aircraft such as the Boeing 707 and the Douglas DC-8 series of aircraft. The DC-6B specifically was considered to be the ultimate piston-engine airliner in terms of its ruggedness, reliability, economical operation, and handling qualities, and the type ironically outlived the DC-7 in later cargo service. Several DC-6s fly in northern bush operations in Alaska, while several are based in Europe, and a few are still in operation for small carriers in South America.
Reference: Wikipedia.
Stats
Stats displayed are for the Douglas DC-6B four-engined aircraft.
Name: Douglas DC-6B
Origin: Santa Monica, California USA
Role: Four Piston Engined Propeller-Driven Airliner
First Introduction: March 1947
Status: Out of Production; In Limited Service
Cockpit Crew: 3-4
Seating: 42-89
Engines: 4 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800 "Double Wasp" radial engine (piston)
Cruise Speed: 274 knots (506 km/h; 315 mph)
Range: 4100 nmi (7593 km; 4718 mi)