DC-4 or DC-6?

The VC-118 “Independence” was actually based on the original DC-6, while the later VC-118A’s (from C-118A’s) that were used were more similar to the DC-6A/B…correct?

The first DC-6 with a weather radar was Truman’s VC-118. And I think actually the only one, as the later ones that got it were A’s and B’s I think.

Re the propellers: I think the first two production years of DC-6 also had round propeller tips (not square ones), as you can see on VC-118,, which was built in 1947.

Radar nose?

Were DC-6’s fitted with a weather radar in the nose?

Thanks for all the compliments on the art. I’m certainly enjoying it. I can’t help but give it a second glance everytime I walk into the room, and I’m certain it will be a good conversation piece for those who haven’t see it yet.

Perhaps someday I’ll get the chance to see the real thing in person…seems like a magnificent beast!

The fact that its got prop spinners rules out the Canadair C-5 so it looks like a radar nose DC-6, probably an A, B or C.The US Military procurement was 101 C-118A for the USAF, 65 R6D for the US Navy (redesignated C-118B in 1962) plus the single XC-112 (DC-6 prototype) and the C-118DO President truman’s ‘Independence’

That is a very impressive picture………….:D

I’ve taken a look inside a C-54 (DC-4), but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a DC-6 in person although I understand that a handful are still flying.

Alaska is by far the best place to catch sight of an airworthy DC-6 – Everts Air Cargo still have plenty working regularly in the state. There are only a few others active outside of the USA – Red Bull fly one in Europe, one has been flying until recently in Namibia but its not flying at present and is for sale now, and Air Atlantique in the UK hope to put one of their two DC-6s back in the air this year or next. There’s also an airworthy DC-6 flying cargo out of Opa Locka near Miami.

Recently I did research on the 6-7 differences and somewhere I saw that some 7s had three bladed props. But in rechecking my sources just now, I can’t find it. I don’t think I dreampt it. Weird.

You either dreampt it or your research references were wrong – no DC-4s or DC-6s with four bladed props, and no DC-7s with three bladers. That’s absolutely the basic way of telling the difference – although it doesn’t help if there are no props hung on the a/c you’re looking at!

Andy

I suppose any prop plane sounds and feels very different to a jet.
Taking most of my flights by jet, I flew in an ATR-72 last summer, and loved the sound the props made as the aircraft was taxiing.

Nice painting…
Yes, it’s hard to tell them apart…but all the advice given here works for me.
Recently I did research on the 6-7 differences and somewhere I saw that some 7s had three bladed props. But in rechecking my sources just now, I can’t find it. I don’t think I dreampt it. Weird.

As far as never having seen a DC-6 in person, you’ve missed out on something. When I was a very young boy, my family flew across the Pacific in one. SFO to Honolulu to Wake island to Tokyo. The vibration and engine sound was quite different from jets. And you flew so low you saw the whitecaps for most of the trip. Just like The High and the Mighty.

Saw the one at the Air and Space museum in Washington :), but didn’t have a camera that day 🙁

I’ve found this post very interesting and thankyou to Phantom II for starting it. Not wanting to hijack this thread and to save another post being started, I’ve often wondered what the obvious visible difference was between the DC-6 and DC-7 as they appear very similar to each other….any one out there able to elaborate on this? Many Thanks,

The most obvious difference is that all models of DC-7 have four bladed props.
The different versions of DC-7 are more difficult, some have fuel tanks on the engine nacelles (saddle tanks) & the DC-7C is quite a bit different, having a taller fin & much more distance between the inboard engines & the fuselage, due to a lengthened inner wing.

That is a great piece of art PhantomII.

PhantomII – does it make you want to duck every time you go into the room?

I agree, very impressive!

I’ve found this post very interesting and thankyou to Phantom II for starting it. Not wanting to hijack this thread and to save another post being started, I’ve often wondered what the obvious visible difference was between the DC-6 and DC-7 as they appear very similar to each other….any one out there able to elaborate on this? Many Thanks,

I agree thats brilliant!

That’s rather splendid. 😀

Here it is:

Eagerly awaiting….:D

If anyone is interested I can post a photo of the display.

Please do:)

Thanks for all the great information folks! After reading the responses, I went back and looked, and there is a DC-6 above my mantle. It’s quite a stunning photograph. If anyone is interested I can post a photo of the display.

I’ve taken a look inside a C-54 (DC-4), but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a DC-6 in person although I understand that a handful are still flying. Anyone have any idea how many C-118’s were used by the U.S. military?

EDIT: According to wikipedia they built 101 C-118A’s (i.e. DC-6A).

As far as differences are concerned, I suppose that the DC-6 is a generally larger and more substantial-looking aircraft than the DC-4.

Yes, its a bit like comparing a 737-200 to a 737-300 – and sooner or later you just get a feel for what is a DC-4 and what is a DC-6 without needing to consider the detailed differences.

Main clues are:

Andy

That DC-6 is beautiful.
As far as differences are concerned, I suppose that the DC-6 is a generally larger and more substantial-looking aircraft than the DC-4.