Douglas DC-6
The DC-6 was a logical development of the DC-4, having a larger, pressurised cabin and more powerful engines. These are still four radial piston engines in the wing leading edges, with three blade propellers. On top of the nacelles are quite short oil cooler ducts. The inner nacelles house the two wheel main gears when they are retracted. The single wheel nose gear retracts forward in the nose. The nose gear bay has a round shape at the front and rear, and hence the nose gear doors have quarter circle curves. The nose is similar to that of the DC-4. Unlike the DC-4's the cabin windows are rectangular. The vertical stabiliser looks like an unswept rectangle with rounded corners, with a curved transition from the leading edge to the dorsal fin.
The nose of the DC-6 has a similar rounded shape and cockpit windows as the DC-4. Note the curved front and rear of the nose gear doors!
Different versions
How to recognise the different versions of the Douglas DC-6 will be added later.
Confusion possible with
Douglas DC-7
The Douglas DC-7 looks very similar to the DC-6, regarding general appearance, the cabin windows and tail. However, the engine nacelles of the DC-7 have long oil cooler ducts like the DC-4. The engines power four blade props and these props nearly always have large spinners.
Douglas DC-4
The DC-4 is also similar looking, but is significantly smaller than the DC-6. More importantly, the DC-4 has nearly round cabin windows. Also the vertical stabiliser is less tall. Finally, the oil cooler ducts on top of the nacelles are much longer.
Handley Page Hermes
The Hermes can be considered the British counterpart of the DC-6 (and DC-4). The Hermes has the same basic appearance as the DC-6, including the two wheel main gears, and rounded rectangular vertical stabiliser. It has rounded square cabin windows though, seven cockpit windows and a rearward retracting nose gear. (photo: RuthAS/WikiMedia)
