The Douglas DC-6, callsign G-APSA – probably the best known propliner in Europe – is 50 today! Born in Santa Monica on 13 June 1958, G-APSA has enjoyed an exceptionally interesting life, being involved in everything from the atom bomb tests on Christmas Island and the Commonwealth space program at Woomera in the early 1960s to opening up affordable transatlantic and European air travel. When she wasn’t busy with that lot she could be seen at points around the globe on military trooping and freight contracts and since 1987 has been a stalwart of the Air Atlantique fleet.
This year she is back in the British Eagle livery she first wore in 1963, celebrating that groundbreaking airline which opened for business 60 years ago and closed in 1968.
More info is available at http://www.thedc6.com
Happy Birthday, G-APSA!
By: vulcan558 - 14th June 2008 at 07:32
Looking forward to its display at Waddington.
a recent pic in her British Eagle colors.
By: eric Tarrant - 13th June 2008 at 22:30
Happy Birthday G-APSA
She really looks stunning and what memories it brings back. British Eagle back in the air. Her 50th and Eagles 40th since closing.
On a sad note I have to record that of it pilots Captain Jack W Langley passed away this week.
Jack was a well known Captain in the Eagle group and would have loved to have seen the aircraft back in its Eagle colours. One of his epic flight was around the world in G-APSA which took place in March/April 1962.
Thanks to all at Air Atlantique for their efforts.
From the
Eagle group of Companies archivist and all the ex Eagle staff.
By: Dxb Driver - 13th June 2008 at 21:59
Cloudmaster dude. Thanks for the e-mail, and congrats to G-APSA 😀
Didn’t she have a wee while in store in Sanaa in the Yemen after service with Yemenia?? I saw the remains a couple of years back of the other Six, that is still there.
Hope to see the Beastie soon.
DXB Driver
By: Fouga23 - 13th June 2008 at 17:16
Happy Bday! Shame she lost her KLM colors though. I really liked that scheme.
By: J Boyle - 13th June 2008 at 16:02
The fact that large propliners were being built as late as 1958 shows the popularity and economics of the Six.
In North America, United airlines used them well until the 60s on some medium haul routes before giving way to jets…in United’s case early 727s. And the military’s C-118s were used into the 70s.
The DC-6 is often overlooked but by all accounts a great aircraft.
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June 13, 2008 at 2:48 pm