N6238P From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 456 posts, RR: 0 Posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 3242 times:
Around 2:00pm CST today I heard the unmistakable sound of radial engines over my house. I looked out my front window and saw turning eastbound a DC-6 of all things. It was white with a blue cheatline and white tail. It was taking off what I assume was RWY 4R at MDW. It looked like the Everts Air Cargo scheme but what would they be doing in MDW? I used Aeroseek and Flightaware to see if there was anything but I couldn't find a flight plan for a DC-6. Anyone got an idea what was it I saw or what it would be doing in MDW?
To actively root against anybody is just low, and I hope karma comes back at you with a vengeance
kfllcfii From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 3262 posts, RR: 33 Reply 1, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 3179 times:
Sure it wasn't a DC-7?
The Historical Flight Foundation has a restored Eastern Airlines DC-7 that's been making its rounds:
N6238P From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 456 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 3163 times:
It was quick I got maybe a 3 second look as it flew away behind a building. I didn't notice or not if there was color on the tail. As for the DC-6/7 difference, that's a very good possibility. It did look a bit squared on the tail but like I said before, it was a quick look.
To actively root against anybody is just low, and I hope karma comes back at you with a vengeance
kfllcfii From United States of America, joined Sep 2004, 3262 posts, RR: 33 Reply 3, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 3143 times:
N6238P From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 456 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 3073 times:
Yea that'd be it, look like they got a clearance after they got into the air. Pretty cool either way that thing sounded like a beast when it went over.
To actively root against anybody is just low, and I hope karma comes back at you with a vengeance
NASCARAirforce From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 3084 posts, RR: 5 Reply 5, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 2809 times:
You can find a lot of them still flying at OPF as well as DC-4s and 7s and DC-3s. The last great airport probably of the classics in the US.
Woosie From United States of America, joined May 2006, 115 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 2799 times:
I'm very lucky to work at the Long Beach CA airport, where we see a daily DC-3 that makes it's Catalina mail run. Nothing like seeing the approach and final of the airplane as it scoots by, interspersed among A320's, CRJ's and 737's.
woodsboy From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 1012 posts, RR: 3 Reply 7, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 2757 times:
Aside from OPF, ANC and FAI are still great airports to see multiple daily movements of DC-6s, DC-4s (FAI only), C-46s and DC-3s so OPF doesnt have a corner on the market but its definitely the best place in the lower 48 to see the classics! In the summer we get the firefighting places too, CL-215s, CV-580s, Electras, etc.
jonathanxxxx From United States of America, joined Feb 2011, 638 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 2691 times:
My High School Is Actually Close To The Approach Path of OPF. Love seeing those DC-6 and DC-7 coming in. Reminds me of what I missed..
type-rated From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 4352 posts, RR: 20 Reply 9, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 2499 times:
When I was a little kid I had an aunt & uncle that lived just NW of MDW. There used to be all kinds of large transports, DC6's. 7's, Connies in the air flying overhead at low altitudes all the time. The low pitched drone of some of those engines could be felt in your chest as they flew over you.
What was up with the altitude on the OPF-MDW run? They cruised at less than 5,000ft all the way up. I'm sure those engines guzzled the fuel.
I wonder what brought it up to MDW in the first place? Someone has some deep pockets!
Fly North Central Airlines..The route of the Northliners!
KELPkid From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 5932 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 2390 times:
Not really; no more or less than any other air cargo charter rate for the given need.
Quoting type-rated (Reply 9): What was up with the altitude on the OPF-MDW run? They cruised at less than 5,000ft all the way up. I'm sure those engines guzzled the fuel.
Precious cargo; low altitude for air density and temperature requirements.
In the Alaska bush I'd rather have a two hour bladder and three hours of gas than vice versa.
bonusonus From United States of America, joined Nov 2009, 398 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 2079 times:
Quoting Woosie (Reply 6): I'm very lucky to work at the Long Beach CA airport, where we see a daily DC-3 that makes it's Catalina mail run. Nothing like seeing the approach and final of the airplane as it scoots by, interspersed among A320's, CRJ's and 737's.
I caught this there a few weeks ago. Does it still have the original engines?
It's always awesome to see these old classics flying.
OB1504 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 2967 posts, RR: 8 Reply 13, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 2069 times:
My first thought upon reading the title of this thread was how fortunate I am to live near an airport where classic propliners flying overhead is the norm. I love the Opa-locka Executive Airport.
Kind of ironic that Pan Am used the Historical Flight Foundation's DC-7 for filming when there was already a DC-6 in PA colors based at the same field!
(yes, I know it's probably because they needed to do boarding and interior shots, too)
Quoting jonathanxxxx (Reply 8): My High School Is Actually Close To The Approach Path of OPF. Love seeing those DC-6 and DC-7 coming in. Reminds me of what I missed..
Barbara Goleman? I graduated class of 2010 from there.
milesrich From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 1855 posts, RR: 7 Reply 14, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 1807 times:
Quoting N6238P (Reply 2): It was quick I got maybe a 3 second look as it flew away behind a building. I didn't notice or not if there was color on the tail. As for the DC-6/7 difference, that's a very good possibility. It did look a bit squared on the tail but like I said before, it was a quick look.
There is no difference in the tail of a DC-6/DC-6A/DC-6B and a DC-7 or DC-7B. Only the DC-7C has the taller squared off tail.
maxpower1954 From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 854 posts, RR: 5 Reply 15, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 1759 times:
Quoting type-rated (Reply 9): What was up with the altitude on the OPF-MDW run? They cruised at less than 5,000ft all the way up. I'm sure those engines guzzled the fuel.
Originally pressurised, the DC-6s in service today operate with the system removed. Since they were flying dolphins, which always breath sea level air I would imagine that's why the operated at less than 5,000 feet.
Unlike a jet or even a turboprop, a piston-engine burns the same amount of fuel at a specific power setting regardless of altitude.
It gains true airspeed and therefore efficiency at the higher altitudes but it isn't the same as a turbine engine in that regard.
type-rated From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 4352 posts, RR: 20 Reply 16, posted (1 year 7 months 3 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 1745 times:
Quoting maxpower1954 (Reply 15): Unlike a jet or even a turboprop, a piston-engine burns the same amount of fuel at a specific power setting regardless of altitude.
You don't lean the engines with altitude? Whenever I've flown a piston type at altitude we always do that. But then again, I've never flown a 4 engine prop like a DC6 or 7 either.
Fly North Central Airlines..The route of the Northliners!
maxpower1954 From United States of America, joined Sep 2008, 854 posts, RR: 5 Reply 17, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1514 times:
A large radial engine like the R-2800 is supercharged; it can maintain cruise manifold pressure up to a certain altitude. For the DC-3s I used to fly it was around 15,000 feet. Since you can hold the same manifold pressure up to this altitude the same fuel/air mixture is used at 1,000 feet or 14,000 feet. Any gains in fuel effciency is due to the increase in true airspeed with altitude, but it isn't dramatic.
type-rated From United States of America, joined Sep 1999, 4352 posts, RR: 20 Reply 18, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1504 times:
Quoting maxpower1954 (Reply 17): A large radial engine like the R-2800 is supercharged;
Ah, there is the reason right there. I forgot about the superchargers.
Fly North Central Airlines..The route of the Northliners!
rampart From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 2854 posts, RR: 7 Reply 19, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 1489 times:
Quoting N6238P (Thread starter): Around 2:00pm CST today I heard the unmistakable sound of radial engines over my house. I looked out my front window and saw turning eastbound a DC-6 of all things.
All I can say is, "lucky you!" I'm envious. Great sound, great sight.
DashTrash From United States of America, joined Aug 2006, 1314 posts, RR: 4 Reply 20, posted (1 year 7 months 2 weeks 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 1239 times:
Turbos and blowers both require engine RPM to boost. The higher you go, the more boost is required to make MP, which requires higher RPM / higher fuel flows. Not to mention increased CHT.
I don't remember a whole lot about the power settings on the Beech 18 as I didn't get much time in it, but the turbocharged engines were happier down low.
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 456 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
