Awesome video!! I so enjoyed seeing the United DC-6 from the cockpit and outside on the ramp. What a honor to see your Dad flying this great airplane. I wish United had a museum to show case all of their past aircraft. What a variety they had. Thanks so much for sharing this video gem.
My dad was a pilot for Western Airlines and flew prop planes in the 1950's. My step-brother was a pilot for United Airlines and flew prop and jets in the 1960's and 1970's. On a few occasions my step-brother would have a flight into LAX and the family would go to the airport and we would have special "family bonding" meetings in the cockpit and the flight attendants would bring us snacks. That was so cool!
I remember seeing these when my Dad and I would make our frequent walks through SFO and I would pick up various airline schedules to take home and read. It was weird to see them among the big jets. I think these were the last prop planes in scheduled service by any of the major national trunk carriers at SFO, and they were only used on this SLC-SFO milk run that hit Elko, Ely, etc. They would park way out at the very farthest UAL gate. I recall that UAL eventually handed this service to Frontier Airlines (the original one) to operate on a code-share arrangement using Convair turboprops, and they would use the same way-out UAL gate up through the early or mid-'70s. I'm sure I flew in one of these myself in the '60s, most likely from PIT to either Detroit or Chicago.
Isn’t fascinating to see our parents when they were younger? For me, it even seems strange that my dad was ever my age while I grew up. Nevertheless, I thank-you so very much Christian for sharing this video of your father in action as a pilot. I must admit how strange it seemed to see a DC-6B still in United’s fleet in 1969, when virtually all the major airlines rushed to emblazon “All Jet Fleet” in their advertising. I even continue to marvel at the sign Delta Airlines continues to illuminate in Atlanta, “Fly Delta Jets”. But what is really amazing to me is when the jet airliners started, everyone could not wait to fly on one of them. However now, everyone wishes they could fly on the big prop-jobs. Your post did inspire me to do some research on your father’s aircraft. There is not a great deal about either N35781 or N37572. From what I have found, N35782 ended up in Ecuador, and N37572 found its last days in Yemen. But, I did find a United postcard of N37572 at: jjpostcards.com/en/postcards/34351-United-DC-6.html Again, thank-you so very much for sharing this piece of family history with us. I truly appreciate it.
Really enjoyed this vid having been an UAL SFO line service A&P during that day and age. Nice to see the mix of jets and pistons. I think though, 1968 would have been the year . Thanks for sharing .
I love to see videos like these when civil aviation was using their last propeller driven piston engine aircraft. I recall seeing these planes when I was 7 or 8 year old when my grandmother and sister went to the mainland back then. They are very noisy and has some enchanting appeal to me that jet aircraft still don't have. Thank you for sharing this as very few have the privilege to see them.
To be introduced to aviation in this fashion @ such a young age must have been more than exciting. Makes me long for a return to post war years of a different time & different place.
I flew to England via St. Johns, Newfoundland, Prestwick, Scotland and RAF Mildenhall, England in 1963. It was a C-118 USAF military designation, same plane essentially. Seats faced backwards (??). Twin girls in pixie haircuts puked the whole way. I was 10. You talk about having adventure in your life: that was an adventure. If we had to ditch in the North Atlantic, we had about 7 minutes to live. Nice thought, as I ate my K ration.
Very nice video. I had several trips on a USAF C-118 Evac. back in 70-71 time, which was a DC-6. It had seats on one side and cots on the other side and for some reason, all the seats faced backwards. Anyway, I can still hear the sound of the four engines in my head. Thanks for sharing.
4:14 LOL World Airways. I believe I caught a flight to Europe courtesy of the US Army on "World" in 1974. That jet was pretty sketchy. Very cool video overall. Like others said, didn't know United still used pistons in the late 1960's but for smaller cities that made sense.
Boy ,this was fabulous. I agree if there was sound and hearing what those men were saying. I was born in 1953 and I grew up with these airplanes . When I was 6mos old , my mom and dad had to fly from Denver, Stapleton to Chicago Midway in 1954 on a United DC -6 . Of course I don't remember but later in life, my dad flew almost exclusively on United for business trips for Toledo Scale . Mostly DC -6 ,6B, 7 , Viscounts and Convair 340s His first jet ride was on a UAL CARAVELLE to Chicago O' Hare. Today's generation has no idea how glamorous airtravel was back in the 50s, 60s 70s and 80s. Then it all changed. God knows how I loved hearing those propeller engines purr .Most common was the PW -R 2800 , but there were others . The smell ,sounds , and sights is what I surely miss. United was my favorite airline until the merger with Continental. I miss the red white and blue. Your dad is a hero for what he did. I would love to hear his stories and history. Yes those of us know the history of UAL , know UAL retired their propeller driven DC-6s in 1970 and then started using Boeing 737-200 . I have started collecting photos of UAL DC-6s and 7s because I build models and I want to build these memories. My father was a member of the UAL 100,000 Mile Club and he always brought me gifts from his flights .Unfortunately my father passed away early in 1969 at the young age of 41 from cancer and he never got to see how great UAL grew into the 70s and before the 747 and DC-10s came on to the scene. People who were United employees treated everyone extremely well including me by inviting me to tour their new 737 and flight deck. Yes I miss those piston powered prop liners but I realized progress is always coming. My first modern day flight was on a,UAL 727-100 from ORD to Toledo in 1972. My dad would have been proud. It cemented the start of my career as an aircraft mechanic in the USAF for 30 years and a civilian federal government aircraft mechanic at a Air Force depot for 12 more years til I retire this month with 42 years. But I will always love those planes of the past and probably been something to work on. Salute to your dad . Live long and share the story and knowledge. . Thanks .
The DC-6B is a plane I very much wanted to fly in, but never had the chance. For piston engine aircraft I have flown in C-47 [with troop carrier bucket seats along the wall and rifle ports in the windows; we landed on a Marston map [steel plank] runway; Lockheed Super Constellation across the Atlantic [18 hours each way, with stops in Gander and Shannon]; Convair 340, Trans Texas Airways, also known as Tree Top Airways; and a Cherokee Six air taxi from Nuevo Laredo to San Antonio [both pilots were in full blue airline uniforms, with captain's stripes]. Thanks for the memories.
Awesome video!! I so enjoyed seeing the United DC-6 from the cockpit and outside on the ramp. What a honor to see your Dad flying this great airplane. I wish United had a museum to show case all of their past aircraft. What a variety they had. Thanks so much for sharing this video gem.
Feel very privileged to watch this,,thank you for a wonderful upload,,wishing each and all a great day,,,
Thanks Irfan, for the very kind comment.
Great seeing hot spots like Ely, Elko and RNO. Excellent video!
I thought it was Reno to.
One of my first flights from SBN - ORD was on a UA DC-6B - then home a couple of days later on a Caravelle!
Excellent video! I didn't know that UA was still flying DC-6's in the late 1960's and early 70's.
My dad was a pilot for Western Airlines and flew prop planes in the 1950's. My step-brother was a pilot for United Airlines and flew prop and jets in the 1960's and 1970's. On a few occasions my step-brother would have a flight into LAX and the family would go to the airport and we would have special "family bonding" meetings in the cockpit and the flight attendants would bring us snacks. That was so cool!
I remember seeing these when my Dad and I would make our frequent walks through SFO and I would pick up various airline schedules to take home and read. It was weird to see them among the big jets. I think these were the last prop planes in scheduled service by any of the major national trunk carriers at SFO, and they were only used on this SLC-SFO milk run that hit Elko, Ely, etc. They would park way out at the very farthest UAL gate. I recall that UAL eventually handed this service to Frontier Airlines (the original one) to operate on a code-share arrangement using Convair turboprops, and they would use the same way-out UAL gate up through the early or mid-'70s. I'm sure I flew in one of these myself in the '60s, most likely from PIT to either Detroit or Chicago.
Check out Rick's DC-6 prints here! www.rickbroomeonlinestore.com/wupundcpacae.html
great stuff. thanks for posting this. SLC sure has changed since this film
This was back when pilots actually flew the plane and weren’t just a bunch of video gamers up front.
How cool to have a Dad who was an airline pilot and to have witnessed aviation in 1969, awesome
Isn’t fascinating to see our parents when they were younger? For me, it even seems strange that my dad was ever my age while I grew up. Nevertheless, I thank-you so very much Christian for sharing this video of your father in action as a pilot. I must admit how strange it seemed to see a DC-6B still in United’s fleet in 1969, when virtually all the major airlines rushed to emblazon “All Jet Fleet” in their advertising. I even continue to marvel at the sign Delta Airlines continues to illuminate in Atlanta, “Fly Delta Jets”. But what is really amazing to me is when the jet airliners started, everyone could not wait to fly on one of them. However now, everyone wishes they could fly on the big prop-jobs.
Your post did inspire me to do some research on your father’s aircraft. There is not a great deal about either N35781 or N37572. From what I have found, N35782 ended up in Ecuador, and N37572 found its last days in Yemen. But, I did find a United postcard of N37572 at: jjpostcards.com/en/postcards/34351-United-DC-6.html
Again, thank-you so very much for sharing this piece of family history with us. I truly appreciate it.
THANKS for link, great!
Really enjoyed this vid having been an UAL SFO line service A&P during that day and age. Nice to see the mix of jets and pistons. I think though, 1968 would have been the year . Thanks for sharing .
Five Stars. What a great video.
Lovely 👍👌🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I love to see videos like these when civil aviation was using their last propeller driven piston engine aircraft. I recall seeing these planes when I was 7 or 8 year old when my grandmother and sister went to the mainland back then. They are very noisy and has some enchanting appeal to me that jet aircraft still don't have. Thank you for sharing this as very few have the privilege to see them.
To be introduced to aviation in this fashion @ such a young age must have been more than exciting. Makes me long for a return to post war years of a different time & different place.
What fabulous footage, a fantastic insight into another age of aviation! I really enjoyed this video, thank you very much.
Thanks Paul, I appreciate that.
Thank you for the video looks like he flew out of Denver a whole bunch.
Wow! How cool! What came after the DC-6 for your dad? He ended his on what type of aircraft? Some type long haul I guess.
737-200, 747-100, 747SP, thanks!
What wonderful memories! Thank you for sharing.
I flew to England via St. Johns, Newfoundland, Prestwick, Scotland and RAF Mildenhall, England in 1963. It was a C-118 USAF military designation, same plane essentially. Seats faced backwards (??). Twin girls in pixie haircuts puked the whole way. I was 10. You talk about having adventure in your life: that was an adventure. If we had to ditch in the North Atlantic, we had about 7 minutes to live. Nice thought, as I ate my K ration.
Very nice video. I had several trips on a USAF C-118 Evac. back in 70-71 time, which was a DC-6. It had seats on one side and cots on the other side and for some reason, all the seats faced backwards. Anyway, I can still hear the sound of the four engines in my head. Thanks for sharing.
4:14 LOL World Airways. I believe I caught a flight to Europe courtesy of the US Army on "World" in 1974. That jet was pretty sketchy. Very cool video overall. Like others said, didn't know United still used pistons in the late 1960's but for smaller cities that made sense.
Boy ,this was fabulous. I agree if there was sound and hearing what those men were saying.
I was born in 1953 and I grew up with these airplanes . When I was 6mos old , my mom and dad had to fly from Denver, Stapleton to Chicago Midway in 1954 on a United DC -6 . Of course I don't remember but later in life, my dad flew almost exclusively on United for business trips for Toledo Scale . Mostly DC -6 ,6B, 7 , Viscounts and Convair 340s His first jet ride was on a UAL CARAVELLE to Chicago O' Hare. Today's generation has no idea how glamorous airtravel was back in the 50s, 60s 70s and 80s. Then it all changed. God knows how I loved hearing those propeller engines purr .Most common was the PW -R 2800 , but there were others . The smell ,sounds , and sights is what I surely miss. United was my favorite airline until the merger with Continental. I miss the red white and blue. Your dad is a hero for what he did. I would love to hear his stories and history. Yes those of us know the history of UAL , know UAL retired their propeller driven DC-6s in 1970 and then started using Boeing 737-200 . I have started collecting photos of UAL DC-6s and 7s because I build models and I want to build these memories. My father was a member of the UAL 100,000 Mile Club and he always brought me gifts from his flights .Unfortunately my father passed away early in 1969 at the young age of 41 from cancer and he never got to see how great UAL grew into the 70s and before the 747 and DC-10s came on to the scene. People who were United employees treated everyone extremely well including me by inviting me to tour their new 737 and flight deck. Yes I miss those piston powered prop liners but I realized progress is always coming. My first modern day flight was on a,UAL 727-100 from ORD to Toledo in 1972. My dad would have been proud. It cemented the start of my career as an aircraft mechanic in the USAF for 30 years and a civilian federal government aircraft mechanic at a Air Force depot for 12 more years til I retire this month with 42 years. But I will always love those planes of the past and probably been something to work on. Salute to your dad . Live long and share the story and knowledge. . Thanks .
The DC-6B is a plane I very much wanted to fly in, but never had the chance. For piston engine aircraft I have flown in C-47 [with troop carrier bucket seats along the wall and rifle ports in the windows; we landed on a Marston map [steel plank] runway; Lockheed Super Constellation across the Atlantic [18 hours each way, with stops in Gander and Shannon]; Convair 340, Trans Texas Airways, also known as Tree Top Airways; and a Cherokee Six air taxi from Nuevo Laredo to San Antonio [both pilots were in full blue airline uniforms, with captain's stripes]. Thanks for the memories.
Liked this video. My dad worked at SLC rez and tkt counter for UAL from '57-'63, then transferred to ORD sales building until he went to the airport.
Great footage!
8 millimeter? This is such a treasure in so many ways. It made me cry. How very cool! Salt lake has changed so much! Thank you.
PHENOMENAL!!! Thank You for posting this !
That was awesome. Thanks for sharing . . .
I didn’t think radial engines were still in use by UAL in ‘69.
I remember flying LAX-SAC (old airport) on UAL DC-6/7 and Convair 340 back then. Later, SMF (newer airport) could handle jets.
Thank you! Very nice!
Congratulations.!!!
Fuuuuuuuurst! First time I'm first!
Thank you