tonytales
3rd Oct 2015, 22:44
Back in late 1950's while at Lockheed Air Service in New York, we did a heavy check on a VC-118 that was to be the embassy plane in Moscow. The Air Force had us convert from the usual Ham standard Hydromatics to Curtiss Electric props, allegedly because of low temperature. The airplane was duly converted, lots of new wiring and the throttle pedestal was particularly torn apart for new switches, etc.
I had seen earlier DC-6 (short fuselage) with Curtiss but most were converted to Ham Standards. In fact this DC-6A/B airframe was the only stretched one I ever saw with Curtiss props and never heard of any DC-7's either..
Does anyone know of its subsequent history?. Must have stood out being the only VC-118 with them. Or any other DC-6/DC-7 type with Curtiss props? Lots of Connies with them of course including the VC-121A (L-749) and many commercial ones.
I had seen earlier DC-6 (short fuselage) with Curtiss but most were converted to Ham Standards. In fact this DC-6A/B airframe was the only stretched one I ever saw with Curtiss props and never heard of any DC-7's either..
Does anyone know of its subsequent history?. Must have stood out being the only VC-118 with them. Or any other DC-6/DC-7 type with Curtiss props? Lots of Connies with them of course including the VC-121A (L-749) and many commercial ones.