The Douglas DC-6A

The DC-6 was developed as a faster, larger, and pressurized version of the DC-4 which first flew in 1946.  This popular airliner was faster than TWA's new 049 Constellation, and allowed one-stop transcontinental service in 10 hours.  When more powerful P&W R-2800 engines became available, Douglas decided to stretch the DC-6 by over 4.5 feet to produce the DC-6A for frieght service.  The first DC-6A was delivered to Slick Air Lines in April 1951.  Production of the DC-6A reached 74 by the close of the production line in December, 1958. The US also bought military versions of the DC-6A,  100 C-118As for the Air Force and 40 R6Ds for the Navy.  These were used in MATS service around the world.

High quality R-2800 DC-6 stereo sounds are available from Jon Jefferys. These are the best I've heard so far. They are designed to be used with the FS2004 slow engine startup. This package is downloaded separately; the base packs include a much smaller PropSound package. Now version 2!

Paint kit for GMAX DC-6A's.  Contains layered PSD files (usable in both Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro) which allow you to place your paint scheme between the bare metal layers and the windows and doors (19 MB).  Makes for fast painting!  Note:  there are no instructions in the file; follow the detailed instructions in my Repainting Tutorial. Last updated on 8/3/11. Description of the DC-6A interior textures here and here. Last updated on 8/6/11.

Green Panel/Cockpit Option by Eric Joiner and Tom Gibson. Last updated on 5/11/10.

Systems Description by Ryan Rice. A nice summary of the systems from the C-118A manual.

Click on the image to download the plane.

DC-6A Flying Tiger DC-6A American FS2004 Flying Tigers Line/American Airlines DC-6A CB-17 Base Pack.  FS2004 ONLY.  This plane comes in two version, Combi and Freighter. The Combi version is painted in Flying Tiger colors. Flying Tiger Line came on the scene after WW2 as an all-cargo-airline flying the Curtiss C46, C-47, C-54, DC-6A and Connies.  Painted by Wayne Tudor, this livery gives you a freight carrier to fly.  It's sister was leased to Northeast and crashed on Riker's Island (NYC prison site) in 1957 after takeoff from La Guardia. The Freighter version is painted in American Airlines colors by Frank Gonzalez. American used their DC-6A's in transcontinental service. Thanks again! This Base Pack contains the flight dynamics for the DC-6A with CB-17 engines.  You must download and install the FS2004 United DC-6B CB-16  Base Pack to get the DC-6 panel and the sounds.  If your engines won't keep running after engine start, be sure to advance the throttles to about 1000 RPM. Last updated on 8/2/19. 

FSX/P3D DC-6A CB-17 Base Pack.  I've converted the models to FSX native format for use in FSX and P3D.  This is a full package and does not need the FS2004 Base Pack above. You must download and install the FSX/P3D United DC-6B CB-16  Base Pack to get the DC-6 panel and the sounds.  If your engines won't keep running after engine start, be sure to advance the throttles to about 1000 RPM.  Last updated on 10/25/20.

Everts Northern Air Cargo DC-6A CB-16 Base Pack. Now with DC-6BF models as well (wide crew door). All the same model features as the version above, but without the black "football" ADF antennas. This version also uses the less powerful CB-16 engines. This is common in the modern era. Liveries supplied are Northern Air Cargo (small spinners, painted by Jim Campisi) and Everts Air Cargo (large spinners, painted by Dave James). Thanks! You must download and install the FS2004 United DC-6B CB-16  Base Pack to get the DC-6 panel and the sounds.  If your engines won't keep running after engine start, be sure to advance the throttles to about 1000 RPM.Last updated on 8/2/19.

FSX/P3D DC-6A CB-16 Base Pack.  I've converted the models to FSX native format for use in FSX and P3D.  This is a full package and does not need the FS2004 Base Pack above. You must download and install the FSX/P3D United DC-6B CB-16  Base Pack to get the DC-6 panel and the sounds.  If your engines won't keep running after engine start, be sure to advance the throttles to about 1000 RPM.  Last updated on 10/25/20.

United Old ColorsFS2004/FSX United Airlines 1957 DC-6A Textures Only.  Here's the United  DC-6A painted in the classic delivery colors by Frank Gonzalez.  You must download the DC-6A Base Pack above to get the rest of the required files.   Last updated on 7/22/18.

United New Colors FS2004/FSX United Airlines 1962 DC-6A Textures Only.  The United DC-6A after repainting into the later jet delivery colors.  Frank Gonzalez did this great paint job - thanks!  You must download the DC-6A Base Pack above to get the rest of the required files.   Last updated on 7/22/18.

Pan American Old Colors FS2004/FSX Pan American World Airways 1958 DC-6A.  Textures Only.  The Pan American DC-6A Clipper Cargo in its original colors.  Frank Gonzalez painted this one too - thanks!  You must download the DC-6A Base Pack above to get the rest of the required files.   Last updated on 7/22/18.

Pan American Old Colors FS2004/FSX Pan American World Airways 1959 DC-6A.  Textures Only.  The Pan American DC-6A Clipper Cargo as repainted in jet delivery colors.  Yet again Frank Gonzalez painted this one too - thanks!  You must download the DC-6A Base Pack above to get the rest of the required files.   Last updated on 7/22/18.