The Douglas 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 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 (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.

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.

FS2004 United Air Lines 1958 DC-6B CB-16 Base Pack.  FS2004 ONLY.  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. Now includes non-radar versions and Polar Path Compass. This Base Pack includes the DC-6B flight dynamics with CB-16 engines. Includes the KMCC DC-6 Panel and Prop Sounds. If your engines won't keep running after engine start, be sure to advance the throttles to about 1000 RPM. 22 MB.  Last updated on 12/19/17.

 FS2004 Pan American DC-6B CB-17 Super Six Base Pack.  FS2004 ONLY.  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. Now includes non-radar versions.  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 FS2004 United DC-6B CB-16 Base Pack (above) 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 12/19/17.

FS2004/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.

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.

   FS2004/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/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.  Hans Hermann has painted the Greg's  DC-6B into the original Pan American colors.  Thanks!    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/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.

  FS2004/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.

 FS2004/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.

FS2004/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.

FS2004/FSX Great Lakes DC-6B.  Thanks to Gary Harper for painting this one.  Great Lakes Airlines was a "non scheduled" airline flying from coast to coast. Fares were $80.00 one way from Philadelphia to Burbank and $99.10 Burbank to Honolulu. Services began with DC-4s which were replaced with DC-6Cs. Great Lakes ceased operations in the early 1960's.   Thanks!  Last updated on 11/1/07.

FS2004/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.

 FS2004/FSX Western Air Lines 1952 DC-6B.  Frank Gonzalez has painted up the DC-6B in the original colors of Western Air Lines, which flew throughout the western US.  Thanks!  Textures only.  You must download the United Base Pack (above) to get the rest of the required files. Last updated on 7/22/18.

FS2004/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.

  FS2004/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.

FS2004/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/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.   Version by Frank Gonzalez.  Last updated on 7/22/18,