https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_DC-6
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.
The United States Army Air Forces commissioned the DC-6 project as the XC-112 in
1944. The Army Air Forces wanted a lengthened, pressurized version of the
DC-4-based C-54 Skymaster transport with more powerful engines. By the time the
prototype XC-112A flew on 15 February 1946 the war was over, the USAAF had
rescinded its requirement, and the aircraft was converted to YC-112A, being sold
in 1955.
Douglas Aircraft modified the design into a civil transport 80 in (200 cm)
longer than the DC-4. The civil DC-6 first flew on 29 June 1946, being retained
by Douglas for testing. The first airline deliveries were to American Airlines
and United Airlines on 24 November 1946. A series of inflight fires (including
the fatal crash of United Airlines Flight 608) grounded the DC-6 fleet in 1947.
The cause was found to be a fuel vent next to the cabin cooling turbine intake;
all DC-6s were modified and the fleet was flying again after four months on the
ground.
Role
Airliner/transport aircraft
Manufacturer
Douglas Aircraft Company
First flight
February 15, 1946
Introduction
March 1947 with American Airlines and United Airlines
Status
Out of production, active service
Primary users
Pan American World Airways
Northwest Orient Airlines
Capital Airlines
Everts Air Cargo
Produced
1946 - 1958
Number built
704
Developed from
Douglas DC-4
Developed into
Douglas DC-7
Pan Am used DC-6Bs to start transatlantic tourist-class flights in 1952. These
were the first DC-6Bs that could gross 107,000 lb (49,000 kg), with CB-17
engines rated at 2,500 hp (1,900 kW) on 108/135 octane fuel. Several European
airlines followed with their own transatlantic services. The DC-6A/B/C subtypes
could perhaps fly nonstop from the eastern US to Europe, but needed to refuel in
Newfoundland (and perhaps elsewhere) when flying westbound (into the wind).
Douglas designed four variants of the DC-6: the basic DC-6, and the
DC-6A with cargo doors forward and aft of the wing on the left side, with a
cargo floor; the DC-6B 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, similar to the DC-6A, was the USAF C-118 Liftmaster; the
USN R6D version used the more powerful R-2800-CB-17 engines. These were later
used on the commercial DC-6B to allow 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 167 C-118/R6D aircraft, some of which later found their way to civil
airlines. 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 National Museum of the United States Air Force at Dayton,
Ohio.
Total production of the DC-6 series was 704, including military versions.
Specifications
Capacity 48-68 passengers 28,188 lb (12,786 kg) of cargo
Length 100 ft 7 in (30.66 m)
Wingspan 117 ft 6 in (35.81 m)
Height 28 ft 5 in (8.66 m)
Wing area 1,463 sq ft (135.9 m2)
Empty weight 52,567 lb (23,844 kg) (48,600 kg) 107,000 lb (49,000 kg)
Powerplant (4x) Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CA15"Double Wasp" radial engine, 2,400
hp (1,800 kW) with water injection each
Propellers Hamilton Standard 43E60 "Hydromatic" constant-speed props with
autofeather and reverse thrust
Cruise speed 311 mph (501 km/h) 315 mph (507 km/h)
Fuel capacity 4,260 US gal (16,100 l)
Range 3,983 nmi (7,377 km)
2,948 nmi (5,460 km) Max payload
4,317 nmi (7,995 km) Max fuel 2,610 nmi (4,830 km) Max payload
4,100 nmi (7,600 km) Max fuel
Service ceiling 21,900 ft (6,700 m) 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
Rate of climb 1,070 ft/min (330 m/min)
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