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. The DC-6A was a very similar plane designed especially for freighter service. Produced in parallel with the DC-7 series, many airlines found the DC-6B to be preferable to the DC-7's.
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 its 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-6A/DC-6B/C-118A have endeared it to many recent operators, and several are still flying today.
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). Update with new door shapes for DC-6B models with opening doors (35 KB).
NOTE: These planes use a different approach to releasing planes here at CalClassic. These planes are released as Base Packs (DC-6B with CB-16 engines, DC-6B with CB-17 engines, and DC-6A with CB-17 engines). You will add all other liveries downloaded here or from the web to these Base Packs.
The DC-6A/B Base Packs now come with a new VC based on Jens Kristensen's great
DC-6 VC and opening doors complete with stairs!
Green Panel/Cockpit Option by Eric Joiner and Tom Gibson. Last updated on 5/11/10.
FS2004/FSX United Air Lines 1958
DC-6B Base Pack. This is a great GMAX
version by Greg Pepper and myself, and flight dynamics by FSAviator. 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. This
Base Pack includes the DC-6B flight dynamics with CB-16 engines. Includes the
KMCC DC-6 Panel and Prop Sounds. You will need to again
download and install any DC-6, DC-6A, DC-6B, DC-7, DC-7B, and DC-7B Base Packs
you have installed before 1/17/10. 22 MB. Last updated on 6/11/10. FS2002
version. Use for all versions of the DC-6B. Last updated on 9/15/08. 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/FSX
Pan American DC-6B Super Six Base Pack. 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! This Base Pack contains the flight dynamics for
the more powerful CB-17 powered version of the DC-6B, often used on DC-6B's
that flew internationally. You must download and install the United Base Pack
(above) to get the DC-6 panel and the sounds. If your
engines won't keep running, download and install the United DC-6B again.
Last updated on 6/11/10. FS2002 version
by Harry Follas. Last updated on 8/22/02. FS2000/FS98
version. Last updated on 8/20/00.
FS2004/FSX Flying Tigers Line DC-6A Base Pack.
Now includes a new VC based on Jens Kristensen's DC-6 VC!
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! This Base
Pack contains the flight dynamics for the DC-6A. You
must download and install the United Base Pack (above) to get the DC-6 panel
and the sounds. If your engines won't keep running, download
and install the United DC-6B again. Last updated on 1/17/10. FS5
Version by Rich Boehringer. Last updated on 7/20/97.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX American Airlines
1960 DC-6B Textures Only. Here's the
American DC-6B I've painted in later colors with radar nose, named Flagship
San Francisco. You must download the United Base Pack (above)
to get the rest of the required files. Last updated on 6/11/10.
FS2002
version by Manolito Gomez. FS2000 version.
Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98 version.
Last updated on 10/8/00.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX Western Airlines
1957 DC-6B Textures Only. This livery
uses the model with the larger prop spinners, improving engine
cooling and performance. Greg Pepper did this great paint job - thanks!
You must download the United Base Pack (above) to get the rest
of the required files. Last updated on 6/11/10. Version
by Eric Joiner (use only the textures). Last updated on 6/11/10. FS2000
version. Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98
version. Last modified on 10/8/00. FS5
version. Last modified on 6/20/98.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX Transocean Airlines DC-6B. Dave McQueen
has painted up this bright paint job of Transocean's only DC-6B, named the "Royal
Hawaiian". Thanks, Dave! You must download the Pan
Am Base Pack (above) to get the rest of the required files (use only
the textures from this package). Last updated on 6/30/03.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX
Pan American World Airways DC-6B. Pan American used it's
DC-6B's in tourist service alongside the Stratocruisers and DC-7'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! You must download the Pan Am
Base Pack (above) to get the rest of the required files (use only the
textures from this package). 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 Textures Only. 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 download the United Base Pack (above) to get the rest
of the required files. Last updated on 6/11/10. FS2000
version. Last modified on 9/16/01. FS98
version. Last modified on 10/8/00.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX Pacific Southwest Airlines DC-6B Textures
Only. PSA only had one DC-6B, and here it is! They
bought it second hand, and used it along with their Electras. You
must download the United Base Pack (above) to get the rest of the required files.
Last updated on 6/11/10. FS2000
version. FS98 version.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX
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!! You must download the
United Base Pack (above) to get the rest of the required files (use
only the textures from this package). Last updated on 6/11/10. FS2000/FS98
version by Joe McNulty. Thanks, Joe! Last updated on 12/25/00.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX 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! You must download the Pan Am Base Pack
(above) to get the rest of the required files (use only the textures
from this package). Last updated on 7/8/03. FS5
version painted by Tom Gibson. Last modified on 6/15/96.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX
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. You must download the United Base Pack (above)
to get the rest of the required files. 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/FS2002/FSX
Western Airlines 1964 DC-6B. Eric Joiner has repainted the GMAX DC-6B
into the "jet age" colors of Western. Looks good! Textures only.
You must download the United Base Pack (above) to get the rest
of the required files. Please note that you should use the large
spinner version in the Base Pack for these textures. Last updated on
6/11/10. 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/FS2002/FSX 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 -You
must download the United Base Pack (above) to get the rest of the required files.
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/FS2002/FSX 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 past LAX.
Thanks Luiz! You must download the Pan Am Base Pack (above) to
get the rest of the required files (use only the textures from this
package). Last updated on 3/15/07.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX 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. You must download
the Pan Am Base Pack (above) to get the rest of the required files. Last
updated on 3/23/05. FS5 Version by Rich Boehringer.
Last updated on 5/24/97.
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.