This is how I grew up, flying in DC-3's, DC-6's, and Lockheed Constellations. A pity to see these wonderful aircraft taken out of service. To my way of thinking, you haven't really flown, until you've been in one of these prop-driven aircraft. The sound of those big radials is sweet music.
I made my first trip to Alaska - mainly Fairbanks, Prudhoe Bay and Anchorage - in August 2015, and was amazed at the amount of old stuff still flying up there.
Yes!!! In my childhood days I lived near Idlewild airport and I would hear these old radial engine aircraft coming in and out of Idlewild. I remember lying in bed at night and hearing them rumbling overhead. And ever so often I'd spot one from my window at night with the lights on and the sound of those big radial. Lots of Constellations, DC6, DC7, and.more back in those days. The jet age was just beginning and propliners were still the Kings of the sky.
@@WitchidWitchid Damn, that must have been something nice to experience! I was born in 84 so there were not many of these old birds flying back then, I lived in Helsinki and the planes coming in for landing on runway 33 flew straight over my house. They were mainly then DC9, DC8, DC10, 727, 737 and the ocasional soviet jets, TU-134, TU154, IL62 and some turbojets and there was a flighclub operating an old DC3. It must have been crazy when they switched over to jets from the prop planes, the leap was huge!
@@ChevyBM yes it was.The jet age got off to a shaky start but it was the way of the future as we see it today. Must have been interesting to exoerienxe rhe Russian aircraft of the day. As far as the radial.propliners go I only wish I appreciated them more when they were still in regular service. At the time it seemed like they would be around forever. Thankfully they are not forgotten and some have been preserved or restored and a few still fly to this day. There is an airline up in Alaska that still flies the old DC3's. Some have been converted to turboprops but a few still run the radial engines. One of the problems in running the old radials is that it's not always easy to find avgas.
@@WitchidWitchid I think that folk only appreciate things when they are gone, but the sad truth is that before there was so much diversity in aircraft while now there is basically A32X or 737's around... The old Soviet jets were funny, they where loud as hell and really smoky :D We actually still get the occasional IL-76 and AN-22 and AN-26, they are kinda unique and also becoming rear sights. It's funny how many DC3, and larger DC6's there is still operating these days and that they can still be updated and will bu used far into the future. I used to watch the tv series about Buffalo Airways who operates only old radial motor aircraft and Lokheed Electras, these old aircraft still work perfectly in the modern world but the avgas might eventually become a problem.
@@ChevyBM Getting a good source of a avgas is already a problem, especially in the quantities needed for a multi engine radial airliner. It's expensive. Many airport spec sheets I look at only.list jet fuel availability. It seems to be up to the operator to secure a fuel source. Yes Buffalo Airways was the one I was thinking of. Its great to see an airline still operating the old airliners. I wish there were more Constellations still flying. Rhere may be one or two that still fly. The.other remaining Connies are display only and no longer take.to the skies. BTW I was 4 years old ant living in Brooklyn NY on the day that a DC8 and a Constellation collided mid air over Stated Island NY. The Connie fell from the sky into a field on Staten Island. The DC8 although badly crippled continued heading to Idlewild but crashed into Park.Slope Brooklyn. Even though I lived a few miles.away I'll never forget the horrible sound of the DC8 exploding as it crashed inro Park Slope. In those days jet traffic was fairly new, radar systems were limited and traffic controllers were not yet adept in handling the faster moving jet traffic in and out of airports. A lot of new procedures.were.implemented in the aftermath.of that terrible.accident.
I was in the Navy in VR-21, we had 20 of these known as C-118B. I had the joy of being flight crew member position called “ plane captain” which would be same as civilian flight engineer. 1965 to 1969 supporting missions all over west pacific into Vietnam . They were great planes!
I hear them every day. From my childhood to yesterday morning. These great planes miss their sisters. There's a jet-assist C-119 shell that flew over my house when I was a kid. It's in a bone yard at the International Airport.
Thanks for uploading this. They are beautiful birds and I stop whatever I am doing when one starts or takes off or lands, just great to see and hear. Kinda makes my day.
I just love the sound of the 4 engines roaring past. I grew up near Portland airport that has a air national guard station. Early 60’s over the summers we would have some DC 3 and flying boxcars fly over as they jumped out for parachute training. We had delta wing and then the phantoms. Over the summer ever night at 8 pm sharp either the delta wing or the phantoms, depending on the year would take off and do a unrestricted climb. We never heard the regular air traffic but the 8 o’clock jets we heard and every kid would run out and watch. What a nice video. Sorry I got off topic but these are the planes I grew up with flying over my head.
My father, Captain Eric D. Lee spent thirty years hauling cargo all over the state of Alaska in those DC-6s, I grew up on board those trusty old birds. They still come out of Anchorage on a regular basis and I always stop whatever I’m doing to watch and listen as they fly by. 80B, known as 80 Bravo she was Howard Hughes’s airplane, and she was the best in the fleet of DC-6s that Northern Air Cargo owned having next to no time on her when they acquired her from the Howard Hughes estate. When I was a kid and dad said “were flying 80 Bravo today” I was in, wherever she was going throughout the great state of Alaska. My dad was the number one pilot on the line at NAC and had been for over 20 years before the Flying Bulls came looking for some expertise to help out with their DC-6.
At age 66 he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He said “it’s ok, I’ve lived more in one life then most do in two, if it’s my time I’m ok with that”. He died Sept 11, 2015. I'm 49 now, but it does my heart good to see 80 Bravo still doing what she has always done since I was a child all over the great state of Alaska. Thank you Everets for keeping her flying. As long as 80 Bravo still lives, so shall a piece of my father.
I was a mechanic at NAC, must have been before your dad was there. I remember a couple of the tail numbers, 80B of course. NAC bought it from Hughe's estate with only 6 hours or something like that. Some of the other tail numbers were 27N, 36F, 09L? I left just after they got the swing-tails from Zantop. My biggest regret was not going on more cargo trips. I even rode on the C-82s a couple of times. Great memories.
I work at a testing centre for the building industry and we use a Pratt and Whitney (I believe 'Wasp') engine to generate 80 mph winds. Radials make a great noise! When it's running, I often wonder how many people it may have taken somewhere sunny, how many, now elderly, kids that engine may have ferried to happy memories... Cool plane regardless.
I FE'ed on the DC6 in Alaska during the 90's, fast, reliable, hauls a heck of a load and lands on short Alaskan bush runways. Douglas knew what they were doing when they designed the DC6
Very nice video. I was stunned when we were on he beach in Anchorage last year and saw a DC-6 fly right over us. I did get a couple pics, but couldn't react in time to get a video.
A well done video of a beautiful plane. Thank you very much. Brings back some great memories as a kid when I used to spend the day watching Canadian Pacific fly this plane in and out of Princes George, BC airport.
I just bought PMDG DC-6 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, a study level Aircraft. It comes with an Everts livery included. A very nice addition for simulation.
I saw that you have a few former Zantop Intl Airlines Dc-6’s !!! That’s Awesome. I used to work for them many years ago as a cargo handler in Boston and looked forward to those old birds coming in !!! 😎
This is amazing, how they maintain this old aircraft still operate today regularly..btw how come the sparepart still available for 50's aircraft generation
Excellent aircraft. Four 2400 HP engines, 60+ pax, carries 12 tons, 5000 km range with full load at 500 km/h. Long wings for good stability. Easy maintenance. Is that a good summary? Thank you for the video. I love the sound of the well-tuned engines.
Sound and sight wise, about as beautiful as it gets!! Just stunning, and Mr Douglas sure knew how to build them right. Many designers are still trying to design a better DC-3, but it's not possible.
I flew as a passenger with a special group of people selected for one of the last rides in a DC-6 of Pacific Western Airlines in Edmonton, Alberta. Canada (CYXD). What a flight! This was early 1970's. I have flown as a pilot since 1971 but have to say going for a ride in the 6 was something extraordinary. The thundering sound of those engines when they took off of runway 16 southbound shook all the houses under the departure path. Many hot days heavily loaded they took many miles to gain a lot of altitude. Great memories.
Nice video. I believe this DC6 is one of the most beautiful planes ever designed! "Ach du lieber, mein schatz"!! I've always loved very beautiful things, whether it be planes, ships, locomotives, houses, guns, women, or whatever!!! I've always said, if it doesn't have sails, it's NOT a boat; if it doesn't have steam, it's NOT a locomotive; if it doesn't have propellers, it's NOT a plane!!! There is nothing "out of proportion" on this plane's design that would throw it out of visual balance with the whole design! It's a piece of gorgeous flying sculpture!!!
Que avión más lindo. Cuando niño lo vi pasar y me dejó impresionado por su tamaño. Añitos después seguía con los binoculares de papá aquel dc-6b de la F..A.C.H. en todo su paso sobre Santiago de Chile. 👍👍🇨🇱
The DC6 older brothers are still working just a little south. Though I think there was one lurking on the ramp. DC3. When a kid 50+ years ago I have flown on both DC3s as well as DC6 when they were still in mainstream service. As for fuel?? There is a HUGE amount of piston engine planes out there. As well as us in the motorsport hobby/ We have recently [here in Oz] been forced into using low lead avgas. The engines are a bit lazy and get a little warmer as well.
Having worked on my own A/C as well as flown them; one appreciate s the old round engine planes!!! I surely mis mine and fixing it was as much fun as flying itmore like a hobby really...the feds,in my opinion,turning more caustic toward G/A in general; if it's fun,your not allowed to do it!!!!or have it!!! No gas for you.....
Hmmm, I did not know that an air frame can 'time out'. I thought with regular maintenance and replacement they could go 'forever'. Surely the Red Bull DC-6 has many, many more hours to go than the ones in AK?
A esos aviones, los veía yo pasar cuándo iban a aterrizar, en él aeropuerto dé la ciudad de México,en los años 50s, !! Y pues la verdad,? Yo creo que muchas personas, sé quedaron en esa bonita época,!! Al menos,en mi casó, si,!!!👌
the RedBull Six is the most advanced, most beautiful one ever. Now that it's owner has passed on, we hope his children continue the nice tradition. It is the private biz-jet of Red Bull.
Does N100C have a working turbine APU? When we flew them in the Navy as C118B, we were prohibited from using the turbine APUs, without a fire watch, because of fire concerns. As FE's we all preferred the small APU in the front baggage compartment. I flew as an FE for 14 years in C118B, Navy Version of DC6A, love the sound of a R2800!
My hat's off to this great bunch of folks who really and truly love this aircraft and their job. And it's also a WAKE UP call to make sure the fuel is not turned off for good. This is not only for aircraft but all gasoline type engines. It's time to start saying that we want gasoline forever PERIOD.
Craig is talking about aviation fuel. It's still leaded gas. The fix is of course is what the automotive industry did... harden valve seals. PLZ in Poland (still making the Curtis Wright 1820 radial, NEW) now has mogas (Automotive) compatible radials. Radials have strong support these days with many aftermarket companies supplying just about everything. It's just a matter of time before mogas radial parts are in the supply chain. It'll still be cheaper then converting to t-props... $150,000 (Pt6) and up is ridiculous.
Unfortunately, the industry is very slow to adopt new adaptive technology. Out with the bathwater, so to speak. There are alternatives to high lead fuels, but they require modification. Just as years ago there were alternatives to flat-gasket material for engine cases. New technologies might be better, but old technologies are proven. I think there's a strong bias within the FAA to adopt totally new design technology where very big industry players are involved, rather than to adapt old component technology. What's more, where emergent technology is concerned, they seem more willing to give big business an easy pass, but tend to thwart the little guy. Intel and Yahoo are allowed to pursue autonomous "drone" technology, but small operators seem to get more and more limits piled on. The regulatory atmosphere is nebulous at best, and it seems small scale ingenuity is stymied at every turn.
I flew the DC 6 for several years from Ypsilanti Michigan .MY ex fighter pilot coworkers ask what its like to fly the DC 6 Id say like riding 100 Harley Davidsons at once.
Um, VW doesn't currently have the best emissions reputation. Nevertheless, is there a replacement for the DC-6 and its engines? No. Even if there were, what a great piece of living aviation history. Why should we allow such a great piece of culture wither and die?
BTW, I grew up watching these great planes at my local field. Others are already failing. There are fewer C-47's, I think there's one C-46. When I was a child, a C-119 with jet assist was still flying. I think now it's a donor sitting on the West Ramp of Fairbanks International. Terribly stripped.
@@michaelrice500 or, use an oil injection system, maybe it’s too cold for such a system up there ? The leaded fuel is for upper cylinder and valve lube as is two stroke oil. Just curious, how does it work ?
Boggy's insights are intriguing. Surely the petrochem industry can find a fix for the lead content in high octane avgas? The problem was resolved for cars in the 1980s. I remember that different spec valve seats (sometimes the valves too) were needed and spark timing needed to be retarded a few degrees. But it wasn't an impossible situation.
Not completely fixed in cars. Today, the best pump gas I can get is 90.5 octane. That was once considered "mid-grade." Not so long ago, in fact. Most cars today do not require high-octane fuel, engineered that way because that fuel isn't available. In contrast, during WWII some high-lead fuels were as high as 140 octane! You're not likely to find anything like that today, not even in racing fuels. As you mentioned modifications for older cars, such as re-timed ignition and hardened valve seats, I'll make an observation: I have an older high performance engine that I owned when lead was being phased out of auto fuel in the early 90's (we were one of the last places to have leaded fuel in the US). I made these changes, and the engine did not produce the same power as it had before. Simply put, there was less energy in the fuel. Fuel efficiency as measured by MPG was reduced as well, by about 2MPG, for the same reason.
@@tananam9782 Yes, I know this is an old comment - just one thing to say; Sunoco 260, at the pump coast to coast in the 60's. Some stations actually had Sunoco 280 . . .
@@denali9449 I don't know what those numbers mean, maybe it's just branding. "Ethyl," "High-test" and other such brand terms were rarely much over 100 octane. The 140 octane rating I was referring to in my comment was what the USA used for aircraft in WWII. It was expensive, and they used a lot of it. USA WAS the world's top petrochemical producer at the time, though. Funny, your handle, minus the number, is often what I use as a tag in games. I live about 150 miles from Denali, which you can see on a clear, cold winter day.
@@tananam9782 Sorry - been in places where the term 'internet' is a foreign word. Sonoco 260 back in the 60's was a pump available 'racing gas' and if I recall it was around $0.45 a gallon. I have no idea what the actual octane rating was but it was rumored to top 110. By using a selector valve at the pump you could 'custom mix' the fuel you were buying. Looking back I am sure it was all a marketing gimmick but they did sell a lot of gas. Today they market a 260 racing fuel which depending on the additives hovers at 100 octane. They also have an Ultra 94 available at the pump today which is supposed to be a true 94 octane. As for the US being the top petrochemical producer, I can recall seeing signs in Casper, WY declaring it to be the "Oil Capital of the World" - last time I was through there was in the late 80's it was looking a bit ragged. The screen name has a deep personal meaning including a relationship with the Mountain. The last 9 years we lived in Alaska we could see the Mountain on those winter days from the house in Anchorage as well as my office downtown. Before that all we had to look at from Homer was Augustine, Douglas and Iliamna. Also had half interest in a cabin on a lake near Petersville, loved to wake up to the Mountain.
High-octane avgas still contains lead additives, right? That's the 'not environmentally friendly' part. Lead is a chemical element, it will remain forever in the environment. For example, with the use of leaded automotive fuel in the past, soils near busy highways are contaminated with lead and may not be suitable to grow certain crops, due to the lead that may be carried on the food crops. Another point. Current-day avgas is not as knock-resistant (not as high octane) as gas was in the heyday of piston-engined craft. Can't open the throttles as wide / run as high a manifold absolute pressure, as in the old days, isn't that right? Limits the climb rate or takeoff weight?
o yes the DC6 is a very reliable aircraft we operayed it in GREENLAND back in the seventyes we had two of them but already then it started to be a problem with the high octane gasoline 115 145.---- you has to use that for water injected take off .---- the octane 100 is ok for cruise i wonder how they operate them now we also had some problem with the cold wheater up there in the winter it could be a problem with the minus 40 deg C the engine quickly got so cold that i could be a problem to start them without ground preheating during a stop(the front scavenge pump drive shaft could also easely break because the oil became frozen stiff)but the DC6 was an real flying machine a delight for "realaircraft mechanics"wich then was not so affraid to be a little dirty on the hands an the working suits.----
Re: The high octane gasoline, 100 octane "Low Lead" has been the only flavor available for quite some time now. You *can* run water injection with that fuel, you just have to limit your manifold pressure to attain 2400 HP, rather than the original 2500. Everts Air goes one step further, however, by removing the injection apparatus, and only flies their engines "Dry". This limits them to about 2050 HP. Red Bull has water injection installed and working, but I do not know how often they use it, in practice.
I guess it's more a question of what else do you have? These planes service very small and remote airports with unsaved runways, in villages that need supplies to keep them running. Currently one of the only planes on the market that ash the capability to replace these planes is the ATR 42 turboprop which has a much smaller payload. This is the same reason why you also find old 737 200's in service around north Canada and Alaska. Truth is barely any modern planes can do the job. The new planes are designed for more modern, paved runways, whereas the older planes are more versatile with this. Like with the Douglas propeller aircrafts and the early small jetliners which had gravel kits. Something not made for newer models.
N451CE seen at 1:00 with the blue paint job (far left) sadly is no longer with us. August 1, 2019 hard landing (pilot error) with a total loss of the aircraft. ua-cam.com/video/hc-wTShi2Kc/v-deo.htmlsi=5MV76L5L-dYBJ6JY
Yes bio based fuel may it be for a lawnmower or a DC-6 is the way to go , the only answer to the AVGAS Problem . It would not take much to develop a bio based 100\130 grade AVGAS suitable for large round engines like the P&W R-2800 and CW -R-3350. Recently i discovered that there is a 110 octane fuel used in some automotive racing, i do not know who makes it, but this could be a temporary solution for operators like Buffalo Air and Everts Air Cargo until a satisfactory bio based 100|!30 Grade AVGAS becomes available.
The octane rating is not hard to get out of fuel. Problem is these engines were designed to run on an avgas common at the time these engines and aircraft were being developed. Any engine will run on a fuel with the correct octane rating but the parts that come in contact with the fuel need to be able to survive in that fuel. Even some of the aluminum and magnesium parts have problems with auto fuels. Avgas also has a very different vapor pressure and a lot of fuels used on the ground tend to vapor lock at high altitudes. It will all come down to cost, very expensive high octane racing fuels are available but there is a cost point where total operating costs get to the point turbine engine aircraft get cheaper.
I'm puzzled by this. From an economic standpoint. If the market they serve is assuring them any revenue, which I don't doubt they'll do, then I don't see how they could not get (bank) financing to let them operate more modern/efficient/competitive aircrafts. I mean looks at the low cost airline, they operate on a dime margin, yet they have no problem buying brand new airplanes from Boeing and Airbus. As long as you can make revenue on a mid to longterm, they should be no problem getting financing. So maybe someone is not playing their part (banks?) or there is no better airframes for this job ? Anyway this is a wonderful sight for every airplane fanatic sothanks for uploading.
I'm not sure if this will answer your question but Evert's has gotten into more modern jet aircraft such as the DC-9 and I believe they were the first carrier to take delivery of the first converted MD-82SF. But due to the remoteness and not so improved landing strips here in Alaska, the DC-6 and C-46 are more suitable for that type of operation while the jets cover the larger villages and towns with paved strips. Evert's doesn't carry passengers with these aircraft, they use them to haul cargo and bulk fuel to mines, villages and construction operations through out Alaska. Its not unusual for them fly a C-46 onto a frozen lake that's been plowed of snow hauling fuel or building materials for someone's new cabin or lodge. So I guess it would be like you said earlier the 6 and 46 are better suitable aircraft for the type of operation. I'm one of the lucky ones, living here I get to see them or at least hear them go over almost daily. Nothing like the sound of roaring round engines going over to make you run outside at -20F in your socks to see them fly past. That will never get old. All the best to you.
In fact, most turbine based power sources are real guzzlers. What makes them more "efficient" has more to do with weight and maintenance. Also, as they're so thirsty, and engine wear has less to do with power production, operating at low power settings doesn't gain much advantage for turbines. If your aircraft is capable of higher speeds, it usually makes more sense to use a high-power, fast cruise. Sure, you're burning more GPH, but you're in the air for less time. This strategy can make sense from a commercial standpoint, as shorter flight duration means more flights... Assuming you have the customer demand for more flights.
NOTE: The Aircraft at 5:26 is a DC-4, not in the fleet of Everts Air Cargo.
You are correct its Brooks Air Fuel DC-4
Well not exactly it is a C54D. Basically the same airplane but this one is ex military and still registered as a C54D-DC
PaddyPatrone I have some great clips for you from Galena if you want!😄
Actually its Alaska Aerofuel. Brooks has been out of business for years
It is an interesting cargo door on that aircraft, the one I know did swing back towards the tail and not lift up like a DC 6 one.
This is how I grew up, flying in DC-3's, DC-6's, and Lockheed Constellations. A pity to see these wonderful aircraft taken out of service. To my way of thinking, you haven't really flown, until you've been in one of these prop-driven aircraft. The sound of those big radials is sweet music.
Well most pilots learn on piston aircraft with variable pitch props.
Got to fly in a DC-3 once. The engine sounds truly were magnificent.
You are right. Born in 1954 I have been fortunate enough to get pax experience in DC-3, DC-4, DC-6, L-1049-G, CV-440.
It’ll be a very sad day when there are no more DC-6’s flying 😢 I’m glad they are still around
Given that we are actively manufacturing parts for the dc-6s here at Everts, I think it's safe to say that'll be a while yet ^^
I made my first trip to Alaska - mainly Fairbanks, Prudhoe Bay and Anchorage - in August 2015, and was amazed at the amount of old stuff still flying up there.
The sound that these old 4 radial engines makes is wonderful!
Yes!!! In my childhood days I lived near Idlewild airport and I would hear these old radial engine aircraft coming in and out of Idlewild. I remember lying in bed at night and hearing them rumbling overhead. And ever so often I'd spot one from my window at night with the lights on and the sound of those big radial. Lots of Constellations, DC6, DC7, and.more back in those days. The jet age was just beginning and propliners were still the Kings of the sky.
@@WitchidWitchid Damn, that must have been something nice to experience! I was born in 84 so there were not many of these old birds flying back then, I lived in Helsinki and the planes coming in for landing on runway 33 flew straight over my house. They were mainly then DC9, DC8, DC10, 727, 737 and the ocasional soviet jets, TU-134, TU154, IL62 and some turbojets and there was a flighclub operating an old DC3.
It must have been crazy when they switched over to jets from the prop planes, the leap was huge!
@@ChevyBM yes it was.The jet age got off to a shaky start but it was the way of the future as we see it today. Must have been interesting to exoerienxe rhe Russian aircraft of the day. As far as the radial.propliners go I only wish I appreciated them more when they were still in regular service. At the time it seemed like they would be around forever. Thankfully they are not forgotten and some have been preserved or restored and a few still fly to this day. There is an airline up in Alaska that still flies the old DC3's. Some have been converted to turboprops but a few still run the radial engines. One of the problems in running the old radials is that it's not always easy to find avgas.
@@WitchidWitchid I think that folk only appreciate things when they are gone, but the sad truth is that before there was so much diversity in aircraft while now there is basically A32X or 737's around... The old Soviet jets were funny, they where loud as hell and really smoky :D We actually still get the occasional IL-76 and AN-22 and AN-26, they are kinda unique and also becoming rear sights. It's funny how many DC3, and larger DC6's there is still operating these days and that they can still be updated and will bu used far into the future. I used to watch the tv series about Buffalo Airways who operates only old radial motor aircraft and Lokheed Electras, these old aircraft still work perfectly in the modern world but the avgas might eventually become a problem.
@@ChevyBM Getting a good source of a avgas is already a problem, especially in the quantities needed for a multi engine radial airliner. It's expensive. Many airport spec sheets I look at only.list jet fuel availability. It seems to be up to the operator to secure a fuel source.
Yes Buffalo Airways was the one I was thinking of. Its great to see an airline still operating the old airliners. I wish there were more Constellations still flying. Rhere may be one or two that still fly. The.other remaining Connies are display only and no longer take.to the skies.
BTW I was 4 years old ant living in Brooklyn NY on the day that a DC8 and a Constellation collided mid air over Stated Island NY. The Connie fell from the sky into a field on Staten Island. The DC8 although badly crippled continued heading to Idlewild but crashed into Park.Slope Brooklyn. Even though I lived a few miles.away I'll never forget the horrible sound of the DC8 exploding as it crashed inro Park Slope. In those days jet traffic was fairly new, radar systems were limited and traffic controllers were not yet adept in handling the faster moving jet traffic in and out of airports. A lot of new procedures.were.implemented in the aftermath.of that terrible.accident.
I was in the Navy in VR-21, we had 20 of these known as C-118B. I had the joy of being flight crew member position called “ plane captain” which would be same as civilian flight engineer. 1965 to 1969 supporting missions all over west pacific into Vietnam . They were great planes!
What a beautiful airplane! Never get tired of that sound either.
A sight and sound of my childhood. Thank you so much for keeping these legendary airplanes flying. 😎
I hear them every day. From my childhood to yesterday morning. These great planes miss their sisters. There's a jet-assist C-119 shell that flew over my house when I was a kid. It's in a bone yard at the International Airport.
What beautiful engine sounds !! And not a piece of "musak" to be heard !! Just great !!
Thanks for uploading this. They are beautiful birds and I stop whatever I am doing when one starts or takes off or lands, just great to see and hear. Kinda makes my day.
I just love the sound of the 4 engines roaring past. I grew up near Portland airport that has a air national guard station. Early 60’s over the summers we would have some DC 3 and flying boxcars fly over as they jumped out for parachute training. We had delta wing and then the phantoms. Over the summer ever night at 8 pm sharp either the delta wing or the phantoms, depending on the year would take off and do a unrestricted climb. We never heard the regular air traffic but the 8 o’clock jets we heard and every kid would run out and watch. What a nice video. Sorry I got off topic but these are the planes I grew up with flying over my head.
My father, Captain Eric D. Lee spent thirty years hauling cargo all over the state of Alaska in those DC-6s, I grew up on board those trusty old birds. They still come out of Anchorage on a regular basis and I always stop whatever I’m doing to watch and listen as they fly by. 80B, known as 80 Bravo she was Howard Hughes’s airplane, and she was the best in the fleet of DC-6s that Northern Air Cargo owned having next to no time on her when they acquired her from the Howard Hughes estate. When I was a kid and dad said “were flying 80 Bravo today” I was in, wherever she was going throughout the great state of Alaska. My dad was the number one pilot on the line at NAC and had been for over 20 years before the Flying Bulls came looking for some expertise to help out with their DC-6.
At age 66 he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He said “it’s ok, I’ve lived more in one life then most do in two, if it’s my time I’m ok with that”. He died Sept 11, 2015. I'm 49 now, but it does my heart good to see 80 Bravo still doing what she has always done since I was a child all over the great state of Alaska. Thank you Everets for keeping her flying. As long as 80 Bravo still lives, so shall a piece of my father.
I've got a video of 80B taking off from PASV (radar site) after delivering a load of diesel fuel. It's got a little painting of Howard on the nose.
Thanks fo r sharing that great story
@@cellpat7392 Thank you
@@michaelrice500 yes, she lives on with a different company, I still see her once in a while.
I was a mechanic at NAC, must have been before your dad was there. I remember a couple of the tail numbers, 80B of course. NAC bought it from Hughe's estate with only 6 hours or something like that. Some of the other tail numbers were 27N, 36F, 09L? I left just after they got the swing-tails from Zantop. My biggest regret was not going on more cargo trips. I even rode on the C-82s a couple of times. Great memories.
The Red Bull DC-6 is one of the coolest things I have ever seen!
I work at a testing centre for the building industry and we use a Pratt and Whitney (I believe 'Wasp') engine to generate 80 mph winds. Radials make a great noise! When it's running, I often wonder how many people it may have taken somewhere sunny, how many, now elderly, kids that engine may have ferried to happy memories... Cool plane regardless.
Thanks a million for letting us hear the roar , it been a long time since i heard those 4 rascals singing
I FE'ed on the DC6 in Alaska during the 90's, fast, reliable, hauls a heck of a load and lands on short Alaskan bush runways. Douglas knew what they were doing when they designed the DC6
Fly for NAC?
Actually NAF, which was NAC's fuel hauler.
Very nice video. I was stunned when we were on he beach in Anchorage last year and saw a DC-6 fly right over us. I did get a couple pics, but couldn't react in time to get a video.
One word only: MAGNIFICENT!
So good they can't get rid of it. Simply amazing that they are not just still flying but they are operational too!
A well done video of a beautiful plane. Thank you very much. Brings back some great memories as a kid when I used to spend the day watching Canadian Pacific fly this plane in and out of Princes George, BC airport.
I just bought PMDG DC-6 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, a study level Aircraft. It comes with an Everts livery included. A very nice addition for simulation.
got here for the same reason then :P
I saw that you have a few former Zantop Intl Airlines Dc-6’s !!! That’s Awesome. I used to work for them many years ago as a cargo handler in Boston and looked forward to those old birds coming in !!! 😎
DC-6, by far my favorite airliner.
+Ethan Brown, I used to ride on these when I was a boy aviation nut in the '50s. Jets are okay, but radials are ALIVE.
It is inconceivable that any airliner could be as beautiful as a Constellation.
Beautiful tough wonderful plane. I flew in them as a child.
This is amazing, how they maintain this old aircraft still operate today regularly..btw how come the sparepart still available for 50's aircraft generation
Excellent aircraft. Four 2400 HP engines, 60+ pax, carries 12 tons, 5000 km range with full load at 500 km/h. Long wings for good stability. Easy maintenance. Is that a good summary? Thank you for the video. I love the sound of the well-tuned engines.
Sound and sight wise, about as beautiful as it gets!! Just stunning, and Mr Douglas sure knew how to build them right. Many designers are still trying to design a better DC-3, but it's not possible.
I flew as a passenger with a special group of people selected for one of the last rides in a DC-6 of Pacific Western Airlines in Edmonton, Alberta. Canada (CYXD). What a flight! This was early 1970's. I have flown as a pilot since 1971 but have to say going for a ride in the 6 was something extraordinary. The thundering sound of those engines when they took off of runway 16 southbound shook all the houses under the departure path. Many hot days heavily loaded they took many miles to gain a lot of altitude. Great memories.
Thank so much! Best regards from Brazil
Nice video. I believe this DC6 is one of the most beautiful planes ever designed! "Ach du lieber, mein schatz"!! I've always loved very beautiful things, whether it be planes, ships, locomotives, houses, guns, women, or whatever!!! I've always said, if it doesn't have sails, it's NOT a boat; if it doesn't have steam, it's NOT a locomotive; if it doesn't have propellers, it's NOT a plane!!! There is nothing "out of proportion" on this plane's design that would throw it out of visual balance with the whole design! It's a piece of gorgeous flying sculpture!!!
They really are pieces of art, functional pieces of art. Many hearts beat a little faster & more smoothly when any of these beauties fly by.
It's a joy to watch these elegant airliners slip the surly bonds.
I loved working for Everts in the early 1990s i was young and could handle working outside in 40 below zero tempratures.
Que avión más lindo. Cuando niño lo vi pasar y me dejó impresionado por su tamaño.
Añitos después seguía con los binoculares de papá aquel dc-6b de la F..A.C.H. en todo su paso sobre Santiago de Chile.
👍👍🇨🇱
I just saw one of the old aircraft I worked on while working for Conifair in the 80's
Not sure if we saw a DC6, but a very large prop plane was setting on a bush strip at Chena Hot Springs, Alaska (2017). Great video!
that is likeley, they have a DC 6 on static display on the parkinglot at chena hot springs
Watch the landing here: ua-cam.com/video/c3hKQBiKfco/v-deo.html
The DC6 older brothers are still working just a little south.
Though I think there was one lurking on the ramp. DC3.
When a kid 50+ years ago I have flown on both DC3s as well as DC6 when they were still in mainstream service.
As for fuel?? There is a HUGE amount of piston engine planes out there.
As well as us in the motorsport hobby/ We have recently [here in Oz] been forced into using low lead avgas. The engines are a bit lazy and get a little warmer as well.
Having worked on my own A/C as well as flown them; one appreciate s the old round engine planes!!! I surely mis mine and fixing it was as much fun as flying itmore like a hobby really...the feds,in my opinion,turning more caustic toward G/A in general; if it's fun,your not allowed to do it!!!!or have it!!! No gas for you.....
Keep em flying Everts! Until the last bloody day possible!
I’ve been flying one on a sim that’s how I got to this video but man their such a beautiful plane
I love the old birds keep them flying
I have an opportunity to go work for these guys maintaining this historic airplane. Should I go? Decisions.....
do it and tell about it later on
What are you waiting for
You will be maintains history
Hell yes you should do it
No
Is it practical to convert these to turbine power and get past the fuel limitations ?
My all-time favorite plane....thank you so much for this video.
I love the way these Douglas prop airliners act like they just don't want to land when on final.
...I used to remember DC-6s for United and Northwest landing at MKE.
Such a beautiful plane the DC 6..
Reminds me of my days loading DC-6's for Zantop….
Talking about LACSA Again, has this type of plane too, and after this the Costarican Airline has the first jet, The BAC one eleven, made in the U. K.
Hmmm, I did not know that an air frame can 'time out'.
I thought with regular maintenance and replacement they could go 'forever'.
Surely the Red Bull DC-6 has many, many more hours to go than the ones in AK?
need a major complete tear down and rebuild
They dont really time out like that.....its that once they reach their D-Check, its no longer worth the money to do a full teardown.
Thank you so much.
A esos aviones, los veía yo pasar cuándo iban a aterrizar, en él aeropuerto dé la ciudad de México,en los años 50s, !! Y pues la verdad,? Yo creo que muchas personas, sé quedaron en esa bonita época,!! Al menos,en mi casó, si,!!!👌
the RedBull Six is the most advanced, most beautiful one ever. Now that it's owner has passed on, we hope his children continue the nice tradition. It is the private biz-jet of Red Bull.
May I know what route they fly? Because I want to replicate those flights in flight simulator
A most wonderful video! Many thanks for posting it.
The nose art on the aircraft most seen flying is of howard hughs that aircraft is said to have been owned by him.
Does N100C have a working turbine APU? When we flew them in the Navy as C118B, we were prohibited from using the turbine APUs, without a fire watch, because of fire concerns. As FE's we all preferred the small APU in the front baggage compartment. I flew as an FE for 14 years in C118B, Navy Version of DC6A, love the sound of a R2800!
No...they dont even have APU's. Its either ground power or battery
Tolles Video, super Hintergrundinfos ... Danke dafür! .. und sehr beeindruckend wenn die so flach nach dem Start vorbeikommen ..
i would be interested if they have modern avionics ? and cost of operation ? cost of plane ? etc.
There used to be a DC sim you could buy time in at Oakland CA. Wonder what became of that one?
Thank you
Awesome video! Thanks for uploading! Very interesting :-)
My hat's off to this great bunch of folks who really and truly love this aircraft and their job. And it's also a WAKE UP call to make sure the fuel is not turned off for good. This is not only for aircraft but all gasoline type engines. It's time to start saying that we want gasoline forever PERIOD.
Craig Pennington I mean... its gonna run out at some point 😂
Craig is talking about aviation fuel. It's still leaded gas. The fix is of course is what the automotive industry did... harden valve seals. PLZ in Poland (still making the Curtis Wright 1820 radial, NEW) now has mogas (Automotive) compatible radials. Radials have strong support these days with many aftermarket companies supplying just about everything.
It's just a matter of time before mogas radial parts are in the supply chain. It'll still be cheaper then converting to t-props... $150,000 (Pt6) and up is ridiculous.
We aren't going to run out of petroleum. That's a myth.
Prove it.
Unfortunately, the industry is very slow to adopt new adaptive technology. Out with the bathwater, so to speak. There are alternatives to high lead fuels, but they require modification. Just as years ago there were alternatives to flat-gasket material for engine cases. New technologies might be better, but old technologies are proven.
I think there's a strong bias within the FAA to adopt totally new design technology where very big industry players are involved, rather than to adapt old component technology.
What's more, where emergent technology is concerned, they seem more willing to give big business an easy pass, but tend to thwart the little guy. Intel and Yahoo are allowed to pursue autonomous "drone" technology, but small operators seem to get more and more limits piled on. The regulatory atmosphere is nebulous at best, and it seems small scale ingenuity is stymied at every turn.
are parts interchangeable between the dc-4/6/7
.....The pilot part is.....!!
Same engines. I am sure some of it is interchangeable but I don't really know.
Are they referring to AvGas regarding the fuel, or something else?
Is the cabin pressure still working on this aeroplanes?
Don`t thing they go that high
Magnifique reportage ! Merci !
Maybe Basler of Okosh can modernize your fleet... they've done to many DC-3s -
Love these old birds
I flew the DC 6 for several years from Ypsilanti Michigan .MY ex fighter pilot coworkers ask what its like to fly the DC 6 Id say like riding 100 Harley Davidsons at once.
I love the C46.
Some of Douglas DC survivors.
🇨🇭🇨🇭
Rien à Faire!
Les plus Beau avions au monde !
The Redbull DC-4 in Austria was emissions tested by Volkswagen, and they said that it was fine.
Thats a DC-6
looks pretty clean actually
Um, VW doesn't currently have the best emissions reputation.
Nevertheless, is there a replacement for the DC-6 and its engines? No. Even if there were, what a great piece of living aviation history. Why should we allow such a great piece of culture wither and die?
BTW, I grew up watching these great planes at my local field. Others are already failing. There are fewer C-47's, I think there's one C-46. When I was a child, a C-119 with jet assist was still flying. I think now it's a donor sitting on the West Ramp of Fairbanks International. Terribly stripped.
if VW ok's it then its gut zu gehen
Really great plane❤
Is it just me or does the 6 has offset underwing landing gear sure seems as if the left gear is behind the right gear
It's just you....
Couldn’t they mix some synthetic two stroke oil in the fuel instead of lead.
Nope. That isn't how it works.
@@michaelrice500 or, use an oil injection system, maybe it’s too cold for such a system up there ? The leaded fuel is for upper cylinder and valve lube as is two stroke oil. Just curious, how does it work ?
Boggy's insights are intriguing. Surely the petrochem industry can find a fix for the lead content in high octane avgas? The problem was resolved for cars in the 1980s. I remember that different spec valve seats (sometimes the valves too) were needed and spark timing needed to be retarded a few degrees. But it wasn't an impossible situation.
Not completely fixed in cars. Today, the best pump gas I can get is 90.5 octane. That was once considered "mid-grade." Not so long ago, in fact. Most cars today do not require high-octane fuel, engineered that way because that fuel isn't available. In contrast, during WWII some high-lead fuels were as high as 140 octane! You're not likely to find anything like that today, not even in racing fuels.
As you mentioned modifications for older cars, such as re-timed ignition and hardened valve seats, I'll make an observation: I have an older high performance engine that I owned when lead was being phased out of auto fuel in the early 90's (we were one of the last places to have leaded fuel in the US). I made these changes, and the engine did not produce the same power as it had before. Simply put, there was less energy in the fuel. Fuel efficiency as measured by MPG was reduced as well, by about 2MPG, for the same reason.
@@tananam9782 Yes, I know this is an old comment - just one thing to say; Sunoco 260, at the pump coast to coast in the 60's. Some stations actually had Sunoco 280 . . .
@@denali9449 I don't know what those numbers mean, maybe it's just branding. "Ethyl," "High-test" and other such brand terms were rarely much over 100 octane. The 140 octane rating I was referring to in my comment was what the USA used for aircraft in WWII. It was expensive, and they used a lot of it. USA WAS the world's top petrochemical producer at the time, though.
Funny, your handle, minus the number, is often what I use as a tag in games. I live about 150 miles from Denali, which you can see on a clear, cold winter day.
@@tananam9782 Sorry - been in places where the term 'internet' is a foreign word. Sonoco 260 back in the 60's was a pump available 'racing gas' and if I recall it was around $0.45 a gallon. I have no idea what the actual octane rating was but it was rumored to top 110. By using a selector valve at the pump you could 'custom mix' the fuel you were buying. Looking back I am sure it was all a marketing gimmick but they did sell a lot of gas. Today they market a 260 racing fuel which depending on the additives hovers at 100 octane. They also have an Ultra 94 available at the pump today which is supposed to be a true 94 octane.
As for the US being the top petrochemical producer, I can recall seeing signs in Casper, WY declaring it to be the "Oil Capital of the World" - last time I was through there was in the late 80's it was looking a bit ragged.
The screen name has a deep personal meaning including a relationship with the Mountain. The last 9 years we lived in Alaska we could see the Mountain on those winter days from the house in Anchorage as well as my office downtown. Before that all we had to look at from Homer was Augustine, Douglas and Iliamna. Also had half interest in a cabin on a lake near Petersville, loved to wake up to the Mountain.
@@tananam9782 And I forgot to inquire - are you really in Tanana? Had a good friend who lived in Manley Hot Springs but at least they had a road . . .
High-octane avgas still contains lead additives, right? That's the 'not environmentally friendly' part. Lead is a chemical element, it will remain forever in the environment. For example, with the use of leaded automotive fuel in the past, soils near busy highways are contaminated with lead and may not be suitable to grow certain crops, due to the lead that may be carried on the food crops.
Another point. Current-day avgas is not as knock-resistant (not as high octane) as gas was in the heyday of piston-engined craft. Can't open the throttles as wide / run as high a manifold absolute pressure, as in the old days, isn't that right? Limits the climb rate or takeoff weight?
Boggy yep. They are talking about avgas
Today RC models are so real!
I love old planes. Thank you for making them fly. This I say for the Love of Aviation. Oh, What will the FBO guy's say about this. 😄😄😄😄😄😄
I like this bird. Thank you
I agree❤
MUITO BEM FILMADO BRASIL OK
o yes the DC6 is a very reliable aircraft we operayed it in GREENLAND back in the seventyes we had two of them but already then it started to be a problem with the high octane gasoline 115 145.---- you has to use that for water injected take off .---- the octane 100 is ok for cruise i wonder how they operate them now we also had some problem with the cold wheater up there in the winter it could be a problem with the minus 40 deg C the engine quickly got so cold that i could be a problem to start them without ground preheating during a stop(the front scavenge pump drive shaft could also easely break because the oil became frozen stiff)but the DC6 was an real flying machine a delight for "realaircraft mechanics"wich then was not so affraid to be a little dirty on the hands an the working suits.----
Re: The high octane gasoline, 100 octane "Low Lead" has been the only flavor available for quite some time now. You *can* run water injection with that fuel, you just have to limit your manifold pressure to attain 2400 HP, rather than the original 2500. Everts Air goes one step further, however, by removing the injection apparatus, and only flies their engines "Dry". This limits them to about 2050 HP. Red Bull has water injection installed and working, but I do not know how often they use it, in practice.
Alaska is the best place to go for all aviation enthusiasts.
I had a flying lesson there on a C152. We flew along a river, crazy low. Instructor said "careful with the wingtips so close to the water". 😅
@@PaddyPatronedo you know if the Douglas DC6 are still flying in Alaska??
This is incredible.🍻
I am curious how the economics on these planes makes them profitable? These are not even turbo-prop conversions, are they?
I guess it's more a question of what else do you have? These planes service very small and remote airports with unsaved runways, in villages that need supplies to keep them running. Currently one of the only planes on the market that ash the capability to replace these planes is the ATR 42 turboprop which has a much smaller payload. This is the same reason why you also find old 737 200's in service around north Canada and Alaska. Truth is barely any modern planes can do the job. The new planes are designed for more modern, paved runways, whereas the older planes are more versatile with this. Like with the Douglas propeller aircrafts and the early small jetliners which had gravel kits. Something not made for newer models.
Superb
R.I.P DC54 N3054V at 5:40.
N451CE seen at 1:00 with the blue paint job (far left) sadly is no longer with us.
August 1, 2019 hard landing (pilot error) with a total loss of the aircraft.
ua-cam.com/video/hc-wTShi2Kc/v-deo.htmlsi=5MV76L5L-dYBJ6JY
How much is a non running non flyable airplane?
I don't know. Send everts an email.
Sehr schön! Direkt ein Abo dagelassen 😊
da bedanke ich mich doch gleich ;)
I just subscribed to your channel.
Yes bio based fuel may it be for a lawnmower or a DC-6 is the way to go , the only answer to the AVGAS Problem . It would not take much to develop a bio based 100\130 grade AVGAS suitable for large round engines like the P&W R-2800 and CW -R-3350. Recently i discovered that there is a 110 octane fuel used in some automotive racing, i do not know who makes it, but this could be a temporary solution for operators like Buffalo Air and Everts Air Cargo until a satisfactory bio based 100|!30 Grade AVGAS becomes available.
The octane rating is not hard to get out of fuel. Problem is these engines were designed to run on an avgas common at the time these engines and aircraft were being developed. Any engine will run on a fuel with the correct octane rating but the parts that come in contact with the fuel need to be able to survive in that fuel. Even some of the aluminum and magnesium parts have problems with auto fuels. Avgas also has a very different vapor pressure and a lot of fuels used on the ground tend to vapor lock at high altitudes. It will all come down to cost, very expensive high octane racing fuels are available but there is a cost point where total operating costs get to the point turbine engine aircraft get cheaper.
Superb . Love the sound of R2800s [ though , I noted a C - 54 , R2000s , at Palmer , AK ] Long may Everts continueto operate the DC - 6 .
I like the sound of the DC3 better.
Joseph P Liptak Jr heathen!!
I'm puzzled by this. From an economic standpoint. If the market they serve is assuring them any revenue, which I don't doubt they'll do, then I don't see how they could not get (bank) financing to let them operate more modern/efficient/competitive aircrafts. I mean looks at the low cost airline, they operate on a dime margin, yet they have no problem buying brand new airplanes from Boeing and Airbus. As long as you can make revenue on a mid to longterm, they should be no problem getting financing. So maybe someone is not playing their part (banks?) or there is no better airframes for this job ? Anyway this is a wonderful sight for every airplane fanatic sothanks for uploading.
I'm not sure if this will answer your question but Evert's has gotten into more modern jet aircraft such as the DC-9 and I believe they were the first carrier to take delivery of the first converted MD-82SF. But due to the remoteness and not so improved landing strips here in Alaska, the DC-6 and C-46 are more suitable for that type of operation while the jets cover the larger villages and towns with paved strips. Evert's doesn't carry passengers with these aircraft, they use them to haul cargo and bulk fuel to mines, villages and construction operations through out Alaska. Its not unusual for them fly a C-46 onto a frozen lake that's been plowed of snow hauling fuel or building materials for someone's new cabin or lodge. So I guess it would be like you said earlier the 6 and 46 are better suitable aircraft for the type of operation. I'm one of the lucky ones, living here I get to see them or at least hear them go over almost daily. Nothing like the sound of roaring round engines going over to make you run outside at -20F in your socks to see them fly past. That will never get old. All the best to you.
Indeed. Would YOU land a DC-9 on a gravel strip? I wouldn't. Not if I planned on taking off again.
Because the "more modern/efficient/competitive aircrafts" do not exist. Maybe the C-130s but they are not known to be efficient.
In fact, most turbine based power sources are real guzzlers. What makes them more "efficient" has more to do with weight and maintenance. Also, as they're so thirsty, and engine wear has less to do with power production, operating at low power settings doesn't gain much advantage for turbines. If your aircraft is capable of higher speeds, it usually makes more sense to use a high-power, fast cruise. Sure, you're burning more GPH, but you're in the air for less time. This strategy can make sense from a commercial standpoint, as shorter flight duration means more flights... Assuming you have the customer demand for more flights.
Convert them to Turbo prop engines .
poor old things, sooner or later it’s going to be out with the old
Beautiful women & bulbous propeller planes... I'm in love.