The Douglas DC-6A and DC-6B
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-6B. The first DC-6B flew in February, 1951, and the first operator was American Air Lines. Production of the DC-6B reached 288 by the close of the production line in November, 1958. Produced in parallel with the DC-7 series, many airlines found the DC-6B to be preferable to the DC-7's. The DC-6A was a very similar plane designed especially for freighter service.
The reason for this preference is due to the impressive operating statistics of the DC-6B. It had the best operating economics of any large piston airliner of it's time, and passengers also appreciated it's quietness, smoothness, and general comfort. Douglas sold more DC-6B's than any other civil airliner in the DC-4 to DC-7C series, which indicates it's popularity with the public and the airlines. The virtues of the DC-6B have endeared it to many recent operators, and several are still flying today.
Indicates
I built and painted the plane (or a Tom Gibson/Harry Follas or Tom Gibson/Greg
Pepper collaboration).
Indicates
someone else painted my plane - thanks!
FS2004 DC-6B (with CB-16 engines) flight model update available!
FS2004 DC-6A/DC-6B (with CB-17 engines) flight model update available!
Exhaust flames and Startup flames/smoke Package by Wayne Tudor available!
Paint kit for GMAX DC-6B'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. Makes for fast painting! Note: there are no instructions in the file; follow the detailed instructions in my Repainting Tutorial (19 MB).
FS2004/FS2002/FSX Air Atlantique (KLM) DC-6A. I realize that
this modern airshow aircraft does not normally fly in/into California, but I
am making an exception in this case, since G-APSA will be flying to California
this summer! Watch my What's New section for updates. Hans Hermann has painted
this lovely rendition of long lived Douglas - thanks! Long may she fly! Textures
only, requires the Western DC-6B below. Last updated on 2/25/08.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX United Air Lines
1958 DC-6B. This is a new GMAX version by Greg Pepper and myself,
and flight dynamics by FSAviator. Now it also has wing views in the VC, thanks
to Max. This was the most common propliner seen on United in the 60's,
and often flew into Sacramento Municipal when I was a kid. Although not
as "sexy" as the DC-7's, without prop spinners and 4-bladed props, this airliner
was a thoroughbred, and with it's excellent economics was the last passenger
propliner retired by United. I've painted it into the "jet delivery" colors
of 1958; some propliners were actually given the new paint before any jets arrived.
This one was named the Mainliner San Diego, Cal Classic's home. Thanks,
guys. Includes new KMCC DC-6 Panel and Prop Sounds - you will
need to download and install the DC6 v6 panel for FS2002
instead. 18 MB. Last updated on 12/17/07. FS2000
version. Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98
version. Last modified on 10/8/00. FS2000
night lit version. Last modified on 6/11/00.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX American Airlines
1960 DC-6B. Here's the GMAX American DC-6B I've painted in later colors
with radar nose, named Flagship San Francisco. This is the new GMAX version
with FS2002 animations (rolling wheels, reflections, night lighting, etc.),
wing views in the VC by Max, and flight dynamics by FSAviator. You
must either download the UAL DC-6B (above),
or the DC-6 Panel and PropSounds
separately. Last updated on 10/16/07. FS2000
version. Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98
version. Last updated on 10/8/00.
FS2002 American DC-6B. Another version of the
FS2002 GMAX American DC-6B is also available, painted by Manolito Gomez.
A real work of art - now you can fly both!
FS2004/FS2002/FSX Western Airlines
1957 DC-6B. This is the new GMAX DC-6B which was later outfitted with
the larger prop spinners, improving engine cooling and performance. Greg
Pepper did the plane and the paint job, Max added the wing views to the VC,
and FSAviator did the flight dynamics - looks and flies great - thanks! You
must either download the UAL DC-6B (above),
or the DC-6 Panel and PropSounds
separately. Last updated on 10/16/07. Version
by Eric Joiner. Last updated on 3/14/05. FS2000
version. Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98
version. Last modified on 10/8/00. FS5
version. Last modified on 6/20/98.
FS2002 Transocean Airlines DC-6B. Dave McQueen has painted
up this bright paint job of Transocean's only DC-6B, name the "Royal Hawaiian".
Thanks, Dave! You must either download the UAL
DC-6B (above), or the DC-6 Panel and PropSounds
separately. Last updated on 6/30/03.
FS2002 Pan American
World Airways DC-6B. Pan American used it's DC-6B's in premier service
until the arrival of the DC-7B's and DC-7C's. It's excellent economics
allowed the airlines to offer tourist class fares for the first time. Pan
American DC-6B's served faithfully until sold in 1968. Dave McQueen has
painted the Greg's new DC-6B into the original Pan American colors. Thanks,
Dave! Last updated on 6/30/03. FS2000/FS98
version. Last updated on 6/11/00. FS5
version by Rich Boehringer. Last updated on 8/22/98.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX
National Airlines DC-6B. National used the '6B on it's main routes
to Florida until the DC-7's arrived, and then it was used on the shorter legs.
National also used DC-6B's on the American/Delta/National interchange
service from Miami to Los Angeles and San Francisco, some stopping at San Diego.
I've painted this one in the "Airline of the Stars" livery. You
must either download the UAL DC-6B (above),
or the DC-6 Panel and PropSounds
separately. Last updated on 10/16/07. FS2000
version. Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98
version. Last modified on 10/8/00.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX Pacific Southwest Airlines DC-6B. PSA only
had one DC-6B, and here it is! They bought it second hand, and used it
along with their Electras. You must either download the UAL
DC-6B (above), or the DC-6 Panel and PropSounds
separately. Last updated on 10/16/07. FS2000
version. FS98 version.
FS2004
United Air Lines 1957 DC-6B. Eric Joiner has painted up the DC-6B
into the original delivery colors of United, worn until the "jet" colors arrived
in 1958 (before the jets!). Thanks Eric!! Last updated on 9/7/04. FS2000/FS98
version by Joe McNulty. Thanks, Joe! Last updated on 12/25/00.
FS2002 SAS DC-6B. Jens Kristensen
has painted up Greg's DC-6B into this very nice rendition of SAS, the first
airline to fly over the pole, with the DC-6B. The Viking ship prow and
national herald graphics add a dramatic flair to this European paint job. Thanks
Jens! Last updated on 7/8/03. FS5
version painted by Tom Gibson. Last modified on 6/15/96.
FS2000/FS98
Trans American Airlines DC-6B. Wayne Tudor has painted up this handsome
Trans American '6B. TAA was one of the group of airlines that offered
low cost transcontinental flights, and lead directly to the institution of tourist
fares by the major airlines. The CAA then shut TAA down for violating
their interpretation of their charter certificate - too bad. Textures
only - requires one of the small spinner DC-6B's above. Last
updated on 1/18/05. FS2000/FS98 version by
Harry Follas (North American Airlines, an earlier name). Last updated on 6/11/00.
FS2004
Western Airlines 1964 DC-6B. Eric Joiner has repainted the GMAX DC-6B
into the "jet age" colors of Western. Looks good! Please note that you
should use the large spinner version of the plane (i.e. the Western aircraft
above) for these textures. Last updated on 3/14/05. FS2002
version by Tom Gibson. Last updated on 8/22/02. FS2000
version. Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98
version. Last modified on 10/8/00.
FS2004
Pan American DC-6B. Wayne Tudor has painted the DC-6B into it's last
colors at Pan Am. They used the '6B in the 1960's for secondary and feeder
routes throughout their great system. Thanks! Textures only
- requires one of the large spinner DC-6B's above. Last updated
on 3/14/05. FS2002 version by Harry
Follas. Last updated on 8/22/02. FS2000/FS98
version. Last updated on 8/20/00.
FS2004 Continental Air Lines DC-6B. After WW2 Continental took off
with DC-6's and was the third US airline to invest in the British-built Viscount,
after Capital and Northeast. In 1982 they were merged with Texas International
and became a major domestic and international airline. Wayne Tudor has
painted up this edition - Continental used them for their shorter main trunk
routes throughout Texas and the Midwest, as well as interchange service to San
Francisco from Houston, with American. Package also includes the Continental-United
scheme, used on the interchange route to Seattle. Textures only - requires
one of the small spinner DC-6B's above. FS2002
version by Tom Gibson. Last updated on 8/22/02. FS2000
version. Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98
version. Last modified on 10/8/00.
FS2004 REAL DC-6B. Luiz Foernges has painted up the '6B in
the colors of REAL, the original Brazilian airline to fly to California and
across the Atlantic. REAL replaced it's L-1049H Super Connies with these DC-6B's
(probably as an economy move?) just before being bought by VARIG. VARIG continued
the South America-Mexico City-Los Angeles-Honolulu-Tokyo flights for a month
or two with VARIG Super Connies but soon discontinued the run. Thanks Luiz!
Last updated on 3/15/07.
FS2004 Japan Air Lines DC-6B. Wayne
Tudor has also done the first Asian carrier's DC-6B, Japan Air Lines. Japan
used the '6B on it's routes to Seattle and San Francisco until the delivery
of the DC-7C's. Thanks Wayne! Textures only - requires one
of the small spinner DC-6B's above. Last updated on 3/23/05.
FS5 Version by Rich Boehringer. Last updated
on 5/24/97.
FS2004 Flying Tigers Line DC-6A. 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. This GMAX version was repainted by Wayne Tudor, and
gives you another freight carrier. It's sister was leased to Northeast
and crashed on Riker's Island (NYC prison site) in 1957 after takeoff from La
Guardia. Thanks again! Textures only - requires one of the small
spinner DC-6B's above. Last updated on 3/22/05. FS5
Version by Rich Boehringer. Last updated on 7/20/97.
FS2002
American Air Lines 1955 DC-6B. I've painted the DC-6B into the traditional
bare metal scheme of American Air Lines, with no radar and orange flashes on
the wing and horizontal stabilizer Last updated on 8/22/02. FS2000
version. Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98
version. Last modified on 10/8/00.
FS2002
Western Airlines 1952 DC-6B. I've also painted the new DC-6B into
the bright colors of Western Airlines, a regional airline that grew to serve
all the West (including Hawaii!), and was eventually absorbed into Delta. This
is the original 1952 delivery edition, with small spinners. Last
updated on 8/22/02. FS2000 version.
Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98 version.
Last modified on 10/8/00.
FS2000/FS98 Pan American DC-6A. Harry Follas has created
a new DC-6A, complete with animated cargo doors! Check out those textures
of the inside of the aircraft - some taken from actual photos! Thanks,
Harry! Last updated on 8/20/00.
FS2000/FS98 United States Overseas
Airlines DC-6B. This new animated DC-6B's paint should remind you
of an airline - United. Although this one wasn't, most of USOA's planes
were purchased from United, and they just changed the paint a bit. USOA
was a large irregular carrier, operating many military charters as well as civil.
Based in New Jersey, USOA picked up much of the business when Transocean
quit (or was forced to quit, based on your viewpoint). Another in the
long series of non-sked DC's by Rich Boehringer - thanks again! Last updated
on 4/16/00.
FS98 United
Air Lines 1965 DC-6B. Harry Follas has painted our animated FS98 DC-6B
into the later colors of United, complete with exit outlines, etc. Thanks,
Harry! Last updated on 8/21/99.
FS98 American Airlines 1957 DC-6A Freighter. Joe has also
painted up this nice DC-6A, which flew all of American's Cargo routes until
converted DC-7's took over. Thanks! Last updated on 3/5/00.