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| Built as an enlarged and pressurised DC-4 in order to compete with the Lockheed Constellation, the DC-6 (as the XC-112A) first flew on 15 February 1946. It had a 2.06m longer fuselage than the DC-4, accommodation for 48-52 passengers and was powered by four 1,565kW Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp CA15 engines. American Airlines and United Air Lines introduced the DC-6 on 27 April 1946. A total of 175 DC-6 were built. The windowless DC-6A freighter followed in 1949, powered by 1,788.5kW Double Wasps, with reinforced floor and double cargo doors - 74 were built.
The DC-6A was 1.52m longer than the DC-6 (101 going to the USAF as C-118A transports). The DC-6B, with accommodation for 54-102 passengers, first flew on 2 February 1951 and also had the longer fuselage. American Airlines introduced DC-6B on its US transcontinental services on 29 April 1951. It was one of the finest and most economical piston-engined transports. It remained in production until 1958 and 288 were built. Many of the DC-6 series were later converted to freighters.
| CREW | 3-5 |
| PASSENGERS | 64-92 |
| ENGINE | 4 x P+W R-2800-CB17, 1840kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 48125 kg | 106098 lb |
| Empty weight | 24583 kg | 54197 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 35.8 m | 117 ft 5 in |
| Length | 32.2 m | 106 ft 8 in |
| Height | 8.7 m | 29 ft 7 in |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 575 km/h | 357 mph |
| Cruise speed | 495 km/h | 308 mph |
| Range w/max.fuel | 7856 km | 4882 miles |
| Noble Atkins, e-mail, 10.05.2013 04:42 My brother Bill Atkins while in the Navy reserves was assigned to VR-701 a C-118 unit flying out of Navy Dallas. His unit flew to Vietnam several times during his service in the late 1960s. I am attempting to help him locate anyone that he can contact that could assist him in establishing his participating in these missions. I was in the US Army flying OV-1 Mohawks out of Marble Mountain Vietnam during that time. Contact me at nobleatkins@mac.com reply | | Ms. Aungelic Nelson, e-mail, 01.05.2013 22:24 Hello, I am the Wing historian at McGuire AFB (now Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst). We have a C-118 Static display that has been here since the 1980s. It was recently refurbed and on 14 May we are having a recognition ceremony to honor those who put hours of their own time into restoring it.
If anyone lives in the local area and would like to attend, please let me know as soon as possible. We'd love to have you there. Also, if you have stories of your time on the C-118s, please get in touch as I am in the process of putting together my remarks for the events. reply | | Florence Dimitroff Garcia, e-mail, 23.04.2013 04:12 I served in the USAF-WAF as a Flight Traffic Specialist(International Flight Attendant)McGuire AFB, NJ from 1962-1966. I flew all over the world as part of MATS 38th Squadron on the C-118. It is a great plane and I have a lithograph on my wall of it. I was Miss McGuire AFB in 1964 and Miss Air Force 1964. I served in the S.Pacific during the Viet Nam War and the C-118 always was a worthy and reliable aircraft. I have such great memories of the plane, crew and passengers that played such a big part of my life. reply |
| Richard Leonard, e-mail, 22.04.2013 14:55 Anyone with the 4650th CSS out of Richard-Gebaur AFB in the late 1960's? My father was the commander of the unit from 1967-1970. Would enjoy hearing from anyone associated with the unit flying C-118's. reply | |
| | Dick Goodwin, e-mail, 12.04.2013 04:55 From 1861 through 1965 I was a navigator and flight examiner on C-118s stationed at McGuire AFB in New Jersey. Logged over 4000 hours on flight all over the world. The majority of flight were carrying pasengers but a few cargo configurations. Of the more memorable flights included carrying UN combat troops from Sweden into the African Congo, several into Viet Nam with contractors before the offical war started there, and we were the 2nd plane to land at Guantanamo Cuba the day President Kennedy ordered the Soviet blockade. The C-118 was a stable and reliable airplane. Navigation was pretty basic using celestial, loran, pressure pattern and some unreliable radio signals. I left the Air Force after 5 years for a corporate career but I have fond memories of my experiences with the C-118 and MATS. Anyone with similar experiences wtih the 30 ATS at McGuree? Would enjoy hearing from you. reply |
| Dick Goodwin, e-mail, 12.04.2013 04:54 From 1861 through 1965 I was a navigator and flight examiner on C-118s stationed at McGuire AFB in New Jersey. Logged over 4000 hours on flight all over the world. The majority of flight were carrying pasengers but a few cargo configurations. Of the more memorable flights included carrying UN combat troops from Sweden into the African Congo, several into Viet Nam with contractors before the offical war started there, and we were the 2nd plane to land at Guantanamo Cuba the day President Kennedy ordered the Soviet blockade. The C-118 was a stable and reliable airplane. Navigation was pretty basic using celestial, loran, pressure pattern and some unreliable radio signals. I left the Air Force after 5 years for a corporate career but I have fond memories of my experiences with the C-118 and MATS. Anyone with similar experiences wtih the 30 ATS at McGuree? Would enjoy hearing from you. reply | | Palmer Bowling, e-mail, 26.02.2013 01:52 Stationed at McGuire 1960-62 with VR-6. Worked electic shop on C-118 as AE-3. Went to AE"B" school at Jax. Fla.
Sent to Brunswick,Me., VP-23 as AE-2 & flew flight crew on LJ-8,LJ-7 and then LJ-1.Loved flying the North Atlantic out
of Iceland. We flew the P2V-7s,and I couldn't wait for the wing heaters to go off.Even with both Pratt /Whitt 3200s at
full throtle along with the two JATOsgwe wouldd slowly fall
out of the sky as we iced-up.By gettin the heaters back on line, I was assured of a free round at the club. After the
C-118s the P2Vs keep you on your toes. reply | | Greg, e-mail, 18.01.2013 06:42 I was one of the last aircrew of the C118 flying out of NAS Whidbey. I was a Flight Engineer flying geographical bachelors, parts, engines, reservists, and squadrons all over the country. Flew across the country, the Atlantic to spend two weeks flying around the Med in 1979. It was my pleasure to be the bane of MCPO Nicholson's career as an ADJ flying in his prestigious recip world. Great memories with great reservists. reply | | Bill Carlson, e-mail, 05.01.2013 01:24 I want to know if it was the C 118 that I either flew on to Iceland in late 1953 or to Preswick, Scotland in Jan. 1956 and the seats were facing the rear of the plane. Can anyone tell me about rear facing seating? reply | | Ed Fitzpatrick, e-mail, 26.11.2012 06:35 I was a Tar Hanger 80 Nas Willow Grove in the AM Shop. We took care of the Many Station A /C plus VR-52 C-118. When my Chief (Conolly)would Let me go flying to support them I would get to sit in the FE seat. Hi Harry Last Thanks for letting me up front. Over 2000 hours. Flew all over. Most of the pilots were reserve and full time Airliners. Many had served many years Active Duty in the Navy. Many Special Ops flight. Most memorible was first to bring in supplies 1970 Hurricain Camile. Plane was packed with loose gear.
What a mess. Retired USCG 36 Years. reply | | Susan Morris Collins, e-mail, 23.09.2012 05:14 Dianne, I came just a bit after you and was assigned to the29th. Flew almost 2 yrs with them. They grounded the FTS's and I was lucky enough to get into the 18th ( one of the jet Sqdrns C-135's). I flew with them until 1965 when I got out. C-118s were kind of hairy, kept losing engines plural. They had a lot of miles on them. I liked the C-135's a lot better .Did your husband by any chance transfer into the 18th? Your last name sounds familiar. reply | | Paul Boellner, e-mail, 18.09.2012 21:28 Just attended the reunion for VR-22 at Charleston, SC. Good to see everyone. Hey Doug we are going to have the next one at Norfolk, VA. It would be good to see you again. reply | | paul, e-mail, 17.09.2012 16:27 I remember flying on a C-118 from NAS Jax up to NAS Norfolk in the late 70's. It was the first time I flew on a plane with aft-facing seats. I believe it was out of Atlanta which would have made it a VR-52 MAC Flight... I will never forget the wonderful sound of those engines! reply | | gene hauber, e-mail, 27.07.2012 01:09 I MUST BE A REALLY OLD COOT. I STARTED IN C-118'S IN VR-1 IN NAS PATUXENT RIVER, MD IN OR ABOUT 1962-1966. I WAS A FLT MECH (FLIGHT ENGINEER) IN THE C-118B AND THE VC-118B. WE HAULED PAX, MAIL AND CARGO AND VIP'S THROUGHOUT NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA AND EUROPE.
LATER, 1968? TO 1972 I FLEW C-118'S IN VR-24 OUT OF ROTA, SPAIN.....IT WAS NOT A DET FROM NAPLES OR PORT LYAUTY. IT WAS A SQUADRON BASED IN ROTA. WE HAD C-118'S AND C-130'S.
LET ME BACKTRACK A LITTLE. WHILE AT NAS PATUXENT RIVER, MD WE PROVIDED THE C-130 AIRCRAFT THAT MADE THE HISTORICAL LANDINGS AND TAKEOFFS ON THE USS FORRESTAL. I KNEW THE F /E ED BRENNAN VERY WELL. WE ALSO FLEW THE ONLY AIRCRAFT DESIGNATED AS EC-118B BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE PORCUPINE ANTENNAE STICKING OUT OF THE FUSELAGE AND THE ELECTRONIC BAYS INSTALLED INSIDE TO MONITOR THE RUSSIAN ACTIVITY DURING THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS BACK IN THE 60'S. reply |
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| | Mark H Page, former S/Sgt., e-mail, 16.07.2012 22:58 I served at McGuire from November 1955 to February 6. 1957 in a C-118 maintenance squadron. My afsc was in airborne navigation equipment. The Hungarian airlift was on during this time. For near 3 months we worked 6-7 days a week, sometimes double shifts. It was a difficult time, but we prevailed. Thousands of refuges were brought to new homes. One of the "battles" of the "Cold War" that we won. reply |
| Adrian Rosales, e-mail, 19.06.2012 23:45 On behalf of my father-in-law. Having helped my wife establish military funeral honors for her father I came across the following on his DD-214. Ralph "Russ" Emerson Kincaid, Jr. Graduated AFROTC 1961 San Jose State. Entered REG Air Force Actice Duty 19 April 1961 as 2 /LT. Became transport pilot C-118. My understanding is that he flew cargo and troops into Viet' Nam and fallen troops back home. Looks like he had total 4 yrs. 9 mons. 28 days active with 2 yrs. 6 mos. 21 days foreign and sea service. Looks like he was honorably discharged at last duty station 48th ATS, MATS Travis Air Force Base, 23 June 1965. He was stationed at Hickam AFB during his flights. Training was Webb AFB, TX APR 61 - May 62 Undergraduate Pilot Training, Tinker AFB OK Jun 62 - Aug 62, Advance Pilot Trng (C-118), Stead AFB, NV Aug 62 - Sep 62 Survival Trng. Honorable Discharge 1965, passed away 04 June 2012, memorialized with full miltary honors, flyby and the playing of TAPS, 15 June 2012. reply | | ATC C. (Jake) Jacobson, e-mail, 02.06.2012 19:15 I logged 3000+ hours as a radioman on the C-118 in VR-21 Barbers Pt Hawaii 1967 - 69 to start my 20 year career in the Navy. I moved on to the VP Navy in Moffett Field, CA. The C118 was a great aircraft and provided lots of thrills and chills but always found a runway at the end of a flight. Was great times. reply | | wayne robinson, e-mail, 23.05.2012 18:02 I was an ATC in VR-21 from 1968 to 1972. Was in Quality Assurance for a time and got to fly on A /C coming out of Check. Loved that C-118 and those four R-2800's. Before coming to VR-21 I had been in a VP outfit at Whidbey Island and made a few trips to Nam in one of 21's C-118's.A great and very reliable aircraft. reply | | Stan Pedersen, e-mail, 24.01.2012 22:46 Was aircrew with VR-21, Barbers Pt. Jul 62 till Jul 64 with 2000 flt. hrs as AT-2 1st radio. Have all my flt logs with crewmembers names, etc. Flew CB's into Udorn in 8 /62 then on to Bangkok. LCDR Wilkerson was A /C, Most flt's were westpac. reply |
| Lew Ross, e-mail, 19.01.2012 02:05 I flew out of Chu Lai South Vietnam in June 1966 on a Navy DC-6. I guess it was known as a C-118. We went to Cubi Point then back to Chu Lai. Then to Atsuki, Midway /Guam or somewhere in the middle of the night and then on to Barbers Point. After a few there, we flew to Alameda, CA. I do not know the squadron name or number of who brought me home. I would appreciate knowing who it was. Thank you very much for any assistance.
Lew Ross reply |
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COMPANY
PROFILE
All the World's Rotorcraft
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Florence Dimitroff Garcia
Bob Atwell 30th C-118 / 4435 ATS Hamilton C-47 T /29 /131s & C-121s, Wright Patterson on C-118s & flew Kitty Hawk. Later C-54s /C118 at Tachikawa. Hickam on C-118s. Later Chief Standardization 99th /98th at Wing on C-140 /C-9 /VC-137 /VC-135s. Flew on on E-4 at Offutt. Cross trained to FSGT assigned Homestead, Fl. Ended up about 10,000 flying hrs. Good enjoyable career as Flight Steward.
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