akaviator

First time I jumpseated on Everts DC-6 was out of Nome trying to get to Anchorage. The routing went through Kotzebue and Galena. About half way to Kotz there was a big BANG as the number three motor spit a jug. No more jumpseat when she's only running on three, thankfully Lynden's Herc was there and I rode back in style.

You'd better hurry if you want to fly the big radials, they are going fast. You'll probably never get past right seat in one now, but it'll be fun to look back at those hours in the log book.

KarlHungus

You guys that enjoy radials and humorous stories have absolutely got to read Moondog's Academy of the Air and other Disasters by Peter Fusco. It's an instant classic and a must read. Picture Fate is the Hunter on laughing gas and booze. You won't stop laughing the whole time at his "mostly" true stories.

FlyOrDie

Hey thanks I'll have to check that out.

clearandcold

I saw the DC-4 yesterday unloading in a village.

HercDriver130

Last summer there was a freight operator at GTR who was running two Beech 18's.....

Funny what is nostalgic to some..... I do feel a draw to the radials myself because my dad grew up working on them in the AF 1949-1960. He worked on B-29's KC-97s B-25's B-26's and a host of other aircraft.........

My personal nostalgia goes back to 62 and 63 year model C-130s as those are the aircraft I learned to really fly on. In fact one aircraft an E model 63-7865 was just recently retired after 44 years on active duty.......

Having learned to Fly initially in the 70's and with the memories of my first ever airline flight in a DC-8 that has been the one airplane of the 60s era I would love to fly..... Just as some above mentioned how much they loved the sound of a radial......having nearly all of my time in turbine powered aircraft I must admit that when I step out on the ramp and smell burning jet fuel that it makes me smile

727C47

I lived my Ernie Gann fueled dreams,flying DC-3 freighters, '87-'97.then chased the shouting wind aloft in the R2800 (best round engine ever)powered CV340,98-99, before flying my first jet the 727 ,in every seat,'00-'08, it was a great run through the classics,each was a joy in its own right, but you know,I love flying the XL/XLS too,the truth is ,its ALL GOOD ! Still fly the DC3/C47 for the Yankee Air Force,the preservation societies are probably the best way to go in the lower '48,just dont be afraid to get your hands dirty! Cheers,and Good luck !

crooked

Photos: Douglas C-54G Skymaster (DC-4) Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

This is the one I was talking about, says it crashed last year...

clearandcold

It looked exactly like that except for the damage of course. I didn't get the n-number though.

Mason32

OK, I'm going to spill the beans about where you can fly the round engines...
The Collings Foundation in Stow Massachusetts runs several military warbirds around for airshows. Everything from T6, Corsair, F4 Phantom (I know not round), B24 Liberator, B25 Mitchel and B17 Flying Fortress. They have a pool of pilots from around the country that fly them in their region. There are only a few that actually travel the entire airshow circuit. They are often looking for pilots.
If you are really interested in getting some round engine time, it is a great place to be, and lots of fun. If your in New England, the B25 is taken, thank you very much.

KiloAlphaPapa

So Mason,

Sounds like you might be able to hook a great DC3 pilot up? And I wont even try for the B25.