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    This page documents a history of a specific aircraft. The details provided vary from aircraft to aircraft and are dependent on the research and amount of data uploaded to the Aerial Visuals database.

    Airframe Family: Douglas DC-6 / C-118/R6D Liftmaster
    Latest Model:VC-118B Liftmaster
    Last Military Serial:128424 USN
    Construction Number:43207
    Latest Owner or Location:National Naval Aviation Museum, NAS Pensacola, Pensacola, Florida

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    Dates

    Event

    By September 1951

    Constructed as a R6D-1.

    6 September 1951

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Navy with BuNo 128424.

    6 September 1951

    Transferred to Transport Squadron 5 (VR-5), NAS Moffett Field, CA.
    First active R6D-1, flight delivered with Donald Douglas, Sr. on this flight.

    From 1954 to 1955

    Converted to a R6D-1Z.
    Converted at Naval Air Rework Facility, NAS Corpus Christi, TX.

    From 1955 to March 1977

    Transferred to Transport Squadron 21 (VR-21), NAS Barbers Point, HI.

    From 1955 to 1983

    From NNAM site regarding duty from 1955 to 1983, including during the Vietnam War: the airplane served as a flag transport for the Commander in Chief Pacific and Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet. its passengers included admirals, ambassadors, and heads of state, with VR-21 and Composite Squadron 1 (VC-1).

    18 September 1962

    Redesignated as VC-118B.

    10 June 1966


    Photographer: Earl Hawk

    From March 1977 to March 1978

    Transferred to NAS Barbers Point, HI.

    March 1978

    Transferred to Fleet Composite Squadron 1 (VC-1), NAS Barbers Point, HI.

    August 1980


    Photographer: Geoff Goodall
    Notes: The last Douglas C-118 to visit Perth was this highly-polished C-118B 128424 which arrived from Jakarta in August 1980.It had a VIP cabin and was carrying a US 7th Fleet Admiral on an inspection tour, leaving next day for Brisbane and Hawaii

    October 1983

    Ferry flight. Delivered to Naval Air Rework Facility, NAS Pensacola, FL.

    1984

    To National Naval Aviation Museum, NAS Pensacola, Pensacola, FL.
    View the Location Dossier

    28 February 1994


    Photographer: Ewo van Houten
    Notes: Skymaster, BuA # 128424, displayed on ground around museum

    11 September 2003


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

    27 March 2011


    Photographer: Terry Fletcher
    Notes: National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola NAS, Pensacola, Florida, United States

    8 October 2012


    Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
    Credits
     Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...
    Internet Sources
     Airbus, Boeing, Convair and Douglas Production List
    National Naval Aviation Museum
    Individual Contributors
     Arlie Blankenship
    Glenn Chatfield
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