DC-6 in the weeds facts

[C118FE]

If there is money to buy land and build hangars,why not fly it out and get it into flying shape and do the airshow circuit,that way this beautiful a/c could be shared with all of us!

[nighthawkair]

That was the plan, as 90 percent of the work has been done, just needs money and public support, maybe a group can be formed,

JIM

[C118FE]

Wouldnt be a con job,would it?

[nighthawkair]

When it comes to big bucks, every has to be careful. There has to be a well layed out plan, and a dedicated staff that with highly credible backgrounds, to prevent any possible corrupt activities,

Jim

[Shay]

Would love to see more pictures of the old bird, if you've got any to share.

Any plans to put her back in her USAF livery?


Shay
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Semper Fortis

[nighthawkair]

So,

Trying to keep up with the questions, as this is the first time I ever responded to a thread, that is new terminology for me, thanks skippy cage, for your remark, I would have continued with DC-6 in the weeds had I known better.

DB2, of couse it will fly again, after sitting for six years, and having on flown only 4 times in 18 years, the first test flight was a success with only a rigging problem, and the second test flight, the plane flew like it came from the factory, the next morning, it was fueled up, and went nonstop to Texas, without one gig.

shays picts, It was givin to the USN in 1976, the USN used it until 1984, with an overhaul in 1982 at NAS Alemeda. I am partial to USN auircraft, as I was an airwinger in the USMC, so all of my aircraft are USN, except a couple, and all of them were built in 1954, 2 T-28B's, 1 T-28C, 1 S2F-2, 1 JRB, 1 Super Cub(1954 Dutch AF, PH KNU) 1943 L-4, I have pans to make a USN/USMC flying airmuseum/ club, however due to the fact that the DC-6/C-118 first Duty was at Randolph in 1954, it is back home, as Zuehl used to be Randolph aux feild. The DC-6/C-118 was used by the USAF from 1954-1966, then it was used by????, until 1976, then it was used by the USN until 1984. The last base was NAS Willow Grove, PA. 1984

I really am open as to what scheme to put on it, I was really thinking of a clasic civilian scheme frommthe past, as there are plenty of stars and bars out there, so.... whatever.

Jim

[Shay]

Oooo a Navy plane you say? I'm a fan of Navy aircraft, being a NAVY Man myself.



I'd like miliary equipment and it would be nice to see the old girl in R6D colors but it's your ship.

Classic airline schemes are attractive too. Lots of polishing on most of them

Ahh the many faces of N578AS

with Florida Leasing - seen here at Ft.Lauderdale Int in 1991


Here in Mildenhall UK in 1984
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1215283/M/

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1209916/M/

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1117849/M/

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0973459/M/

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0747926/M/


Here in Berlin 1964 as 53-3279
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1226415/M/

Berlin again in 1967
http://www.airfighters.com/photo_6270.details



With the split personallity of this bird if you did decide to go with a military scheme you could do what museum in the UK? did with their B-24 and paint 2 different schemes, one either side to represent it 2 different pasts..

Good luck to you and keep us posted.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

[nighthawkair]

hay Shay,

When I acquired the machine in 1994, it had no engines except no1, and was stripped out of parts, this is the first photo I have sen of the N578AS before I wound up with it.

Some one sent a video of the last flight from the Base in NAS Willow Grove to DMV, but I only saw it a couple of times, then someone stole my TV/VCR with it installed, go figure, in OAKLAND.

Jim

[nighthawkair]

Cool Pics Shay,

But the BU No remained the same in the USN , 53 3279, some how the reg got messed up and it wound up, 578, I believe, however not certain that FAT has SN 578, FAT owned all of the aircraft, and now FAT operates one C-118,

JIM

[nighthawkair]

So,

Check out the antenae, on the top, on the early AF pics, they are the same as N578AS,

Jim

[Shay]

Cool Pics Shay,

But the BU No remained the same in the USN , 53 3279, some how the reg got messed up and it wound up, 578, I believe, however not certain that FAT has SN 578, FAT owned all of the aircraft, and now FAT operates one C-118,

JIM

Just goes to show you, you cant believe everything you read on the internet. I saw a couple sites that listed N578AS as having BuNo. 131578 and Ser. 53-3279.

When doing another search on 131578 it came up registered as N4163Q which is looking rather Bird-Poopish out in Puerto Rico.

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1036806/M/

Need another Liftmaster? You did mention a Hangar built for 2 DC-6s


That's first I've heard of a aircraft transferred from the USAF to the Navy that kept it's Ser No. or even vice versa. Seemed each service like to leave their own mark.


Shay
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Semper Fortis

[Shay]

This looks more like it...same bird?

1983


http://www.planepictures.net/netshow.php?id=2756


Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

Last edited by Shay on Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[nighthawkair]

So,

I guess 53 3279 had many faces, and still wound up in the Navy with an AF SN as BU 53 3279, unusual, but that is a fact.

Jim

[Shay]

So,

I guess 53 3279 had many faces, and still wound up in the Navy with an AF SN as BU 53 3279, unusual, but that is a fact.

Jim

Oh I believe ya Jim. Those last 2 pictures prove it.

It may be that it happened more often than most realised it did. I know I didn't. Perhaps it was the USAF that was real sticklers for slapping on new Ser No. as in the case of the Skyraiders.

Good to learn sumpthin new.

Shay
____________
Semper Fortis

[nighthawkair]

So,

Do you have any pics, 1966 - 1976, as there are some pics on the internet of Air America, and Southern Air Transport DC-6's that have the same antanae set up, but can not make out the numbers,

Jim