Douglas DC-6

Douglas DC-6. Alaska's Air Cargo Workhorse 1969 - 2008. , Before Northern Air Cargo took flight in 1956, rural Alaskan communities, mining operations and business owners faced major challenges when it came to shipping supplies and equipment that could not fit into small bush planes. Northern Air Cargo solved that problem. Beginning with the C 82 Flying Boxcar, Northern Air Cargo became the first company to ship large and outsized items around the State. Alaska grew through the 50s and 60s and keeping pace with rural freight demand meant new innovations in air transportation. Northern Air Cargo met the challenge with the Douglas DC-6. This commercial aviation workhorse came to Alaska in 1969. It featured a large cargo capacity (30,000 pounds), was able to operate over a wide range without refueling and could easily handle the majority of the gravel airstrips that were being built in rural Alaska. By 1980, 14 of these workhorse aircraft were delivering critical cargo to villages all over the state. Two members of the DC-6 fleet were the unique "Swingtails" This configuration allowed the handling of odd sizes and special items up to 67-feet in length., To see more vintage aircraft, exhibits and artifacts the Alaska Aviation Museum is a quarter of a mile from here on Lake Hood. , 4721 Aircraft Drive, Anchorage, AK 907-248-5325 or www.alaskaairmuseum.org, [Left column] , DOUGLAS DC-6 Specifications , First Flight Feb. 15, 1946, Model Number DC-6, Span 117 feet 6 inches, Length 100 feet 7 inches, Height 28 feet 5 inches, Power Four 2,400-horsepower , Pratt and Whitney R2800CB engines, Weight 107,000 pounds, Operating Altitude 28,000 feet, Range 2,990 miles, Speed 308 mph, Accommodation 3 crew, 52-102 passengers, [Right column has uncaptioned DC-6 photos] , -------------------------- , This Douglas DC-6 was donated to the , Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum , on behalf of the employees of , Northern Air Cargo, in honor of , the Robert and Rita Sholton Family , October 1, 2008.