I am convinced the most reliable 4-engined propliner ever made was the venerable DC-6 series fitted out with the best radials around (sorry, Connie-lovers).
Up till today no flying group or organisation recognized the historical value of this Donald Douglas design... From an engineering point of view (maintenance, spares, etc.)not an impossible task.

In Austria, Europe, the "Flying Bulls" are restoring a DC-6B, N996DM (former V5-NCF)to flying condition at Salzburg airport. They are performing more than a D-check! Check out details on their site:

www.flyingbulls.at

A remarkable project.

Fernand,
Belgium

Ferdinand wrote: Up till today no flying group or organisation recognized the historical value of this Donald Douglas design... From an engineering point of view (maintenance, spares, etc.)not an impossible task.

Mark replies: Not so. Radial Reminiscence leased a DC 6 pax plane in the 90s and ferried it from FLA to Oakland CA where they started restoration work for eventual airshow appearances. They got into a disagreement with the owner (Nighthawk), severed their ties, and the DC 6 (C 118?) now sits in Oakland apparently uncared for. It has a complete original passenger interior, a rare configuration these days. Gary Plomp, an aviation artist and author was the main force behind the restoration attempt and sunk a lot of his own money into trying to make it happen. What a shame it didn't proceed.

....the Air Atlantique DC-6s at Coventry? Still active and still appearing at airshows - normally immaculate.
There are also quite a few other DC-6s still earning their keep in various parts of the world.
Fernand is right though, a great aircraft with probably the most reliable of all the big engines, which for years was the mainstay of the world's airlines.
Colin.

I agree with Colin, their are still some immaculate DC-6's flying around in Europe and North America, BUT none of these are operated as historical a/c by an association, a pitty.
The main reason is because these a/c are still very reliable as freighter or fire bomber. I believe the historical propliner movement is not (yet) recognising the six as a propliner classic...

Fernand

I've visited the Flying Bulls web site several times, but have never been able to navigate it successfully to find some news about the DC6.

Can anyone help?

Go to the address above, click the HTML link (on the lower right), click Aircraft at the lower left, and then click Douglas DC-6B just above it.

Hope this helps,

Tom

Fernand
It's not that we don't recognize the DC-6 as a classic, it has more to do with no one wanting to donate an airworthy, certificated, up to date aircraft to us. Find someone to donate one already ready to go, I think we'd probably take it.
Herb Bain

I disagree with the statement that the Historic Airliner Movement does not recognise the DC6 for what it is.

It is just the fact that there are so many DC6's still in commercial service, so it is not really an "endangered species" as yet.

Air North still has a sizeable fleet in commerical service. Mark Metzler (who logs into this site on occasion) is more familiar with that organization than I.

And some one else has mentioned the Air Atlantique DC6's still flying profitably.

There are many others till in operation around the globe.

The DC6 Pratt and Whitney engines were designed for use with 100 octane fuel (unlike the more complex R3350 Wrights and 4360 Pratt and Whitneys) so can use the modern 100 octane low lead avgas, with out loss of horsepower or reliabilty. This makes the airplane an attactive proposition still, years after ceasing to be used in front line service.

Just look at how many DC3's are still flying compared to Connies and Stratocruiser, let alone the DC6.

I think the Historical Airliner movement will start looking at preserving the DC7 before the DC6, as the former is now more of an "endangered species." (with apologies to the animal conservation movement)

DC-6's are not a dying or disappearing breed? That I must strongly disagree with. They are a dying breed...and they are disappearing. Take a look at airports around the world with DC-6 hulks rotting out there beyond the tarmac.

And Herb...deliver a complete DC-6 to AHM...and they will probably take it? Whatg insolence! AHM being an airline museum with the resources it has should be able to take a crippled DC-6 or any other
deserving prop driven airliner into its hangars and at least hold it here for future preservation and restoration. That., I at least thought, was the purpose of the Airline History Museum...to preserve and hold in safe haven propeller driven transports in need of preservation. Since there are no other
propeller driven airliner museum's in the United States,. your organization is it.

Doug Vernon

Message to Tom Gibson: thanks for the tip, but having tried it, still no luck, so perhaps you could email me direct.

I agree with David Wood that DC6s are not yet an endangered species, because of (hoorah!) their continued high commercial value as practical, low cost freight haulers, but yes I would like to see a few preserved as flying museum aircraft and thank goodness, that is exactly what the Red Bull company are doing in Salzburg-on my list for a visit once the refurbishment of the aircraft is complete.

All propliner enthusiasts, in my opinion, should drink as much Red Bull as possible and it is, incidentally, a good drink, either neat or as a mixer.

Message to Doug: I hear what you say, but just remember that resources are very scarce and AHM is a volunteer organisation, plus TWA never flew the DC6, to the best of my knowledge.

Well there is the MAAM at Reading too - Viscount, M404 and C-46. Active DC-6s are not common any more, Alaska is perhaps the last stronghold. Even Bolivia has built a road into the interior so that the meat haulers are obsolete. Gone are the days when a visit to S.America or even Florida guaranteed frequent sightings.

It was nice to notice so much response on the Salzburger DC-6 and this Douglas classic in general. We all understand that a 'lot' (positive thinking!)of these classics are still earning their keep as freighters around the globe. But experience showed us in the past that particular those a/c commercially operated till their last days are often neglected to be preserved...
For example today it's very difficult to find a DC-6 in original pax configuration.
Hopefully the propliner preservation mouvement is aware of this gap in the growing collections.

Fernand,
Belgium

There is a nice DC6B in South Africa or Zimbawe somewhere.

Restored and used for tourist passenger flights apparently.

Some info and a lead for a pic appeard on the old AHM discusion page website. Pity I did not keep the details.

The person who supplied the lead caused some discussion over the procuring of a DC7C and flying it into Australia, and in the discussion, the DC6B lead was ignored and then forgotten.

Anyone out there remember of have some info?

Also, there is a lovely static C118(Military DC6B/C)at the PIMA Air Museum.

There is a nice DC6B in South Africa or Zimbawe somewhere

I do believe it's the same one. Was Air Namibia V5-NCF now Red Bull N999DM/OE-IDM.

Correct this DC-6B was briefly used by Springbok Air Safaris as ZS-OUF (V5-NCF) in S. Africa.
The DDA Skymaster PH-DDS, now back ZS-AUA, will be ferried this spring from Germany to S. Africa (with passengers!) with the intention to do the same work overthere...


Fernand

Hi,

The exact link to the DC-6B is:

http://www.flyingbulls.at/aircraft/DC6/about_frame_e.html

Hope this helps!

Tom

As far as I understand the new FAA rules concerning maintenance of older ( commercial ?) aircraft ( read old propliners ) the DC 6 will become a very strange plane in the US except Alaska.
The new strong maintenance rules will be less stringent in Alaska where those planes can still fly a couple of years in special “vfr” conditions. I’m quite sure that the reason was the two Hawkins and Power crashes.
Lets hope that the same rules will not be adapted in the United Kingdom.

Some years ago, there was another crowd offering a flying tour down through Africa, following the old Imperial Airways Flying Boat Route, from Alexandra or Cairo (can't quite remember) to Cape Town.

Airplane used was a PBY Catalina.

Wonder what happened to that enterprise?

In the Janaury "Airways" Mag, I see someone else is offering a 10 day outback Australian Tour in a restored DC3.

David,

As I type this I am watching a video about the PBY scheme you wrote about regarding the African adventure.
I have the video in the archive. Oh how I would love be involved in such an adventure. The flight by the way left from Alexandria, Egypt by way of its large harbor. Alexandria is the home of my wife.

Doug

Tom-thanks, got it now-terrific!