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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:EC-118A Liftmaster
    Last Military Serial:53-3245 USAF
    Construction Number:44616
    Last Civil Registration:N9059J
    Compressed ID:Douglas EC-118A sn 53-3245 USAF cn...
    Latest Owner or Location:Western International, Davis-Monthan AFB (South Side), Tucson, Arizona

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    Dates

    Event

    Constructed as a C-118A.

    Circa 1953

    Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 53-3245.

    Circa 1963

    Markings Applied: U.S. AIR FORCE, 0-33245

    Converted to an EC-118A.

    Transferred to 5041st Tactical Operations Squadron, Alaskan Air Command.
    Robin Brown comments (2014-11-07): While assigned to the 5041st her call sign was Gaze 76. She had two sister DC-6 aircaft both VC-118As: Bear 01, the flagship of the Commander in Chief Alaska, and Wyde 98, the flagship for the Commander of the Alaskan Air Command. We also flew the Commanding General of Fort Richardson which was next door in those days.

    Circa 1973

    Converted to an EC-118A.

    1974


    Photographer: SMSGT. Dana Nichols (USAF Retire
    Notes: Photo taken at Elmendorf AFB, CA

    1974


    Photographer: SMSGT. Dana Nichols (USAF Retire
    Notes: Photo taken at Elmendorf AFB, CA

    Circa June 1975

    Robin Brown comments (7 November 2014): In Mid 1975 I flew this airplane as Aircraft Commander on its last mission from Elmendorf AFB to Davis-Monthan AFB. I flew the plane in its EC role around Alaska for the two previous years. She was a good friend, was rugged and handled the Alaskan weather well.

    Circa 1975 Dana Nichols comments (24 February 2025): My dad, Mearl Bert Nichols, (17th TAS/21st COMPWG stan/eval nav, was the navigator on that final mission, from EDF to DM; it meant a lot to him, seeing old-school navigation get such a veteran aircraft on its way.

    5 February 1979

    To Time Aviation Services Inc, Sun Valley, CA with new c/r N9059J (C-118A, 44616).

    In derelict condition.

    14 May 2010

    To Northern Air Cargo Inc, Anchorage, AK keeping c/r N9059J.

    To Western International, Davis-Monthan AFB (South Side), Tucson, AZ.
    View the Location Dossier

    Markings Applied: 0-33245

    Restoration started.
    In a scrapyard at Davis-Monthan being restored or prepared for flight.

    8 September 2011


    Photographer: Mike Henniger

    13 March 2017

    Still at Western International Yard in exactly the same condition as photo taken in 2011.
    This dossier is waiting for review by an editor.This airframe dossier is based on
    unreviewed imported data.
    If you can verify the documented history or add to it with additional text and/or photos please feel free to do so by using the upload tool and the history editor.
    Credits
     Data for airframe dossiers come from various sources. The following were used to compile this dossier...
    Internet Sources
     Aerial Visuals - The Locator by Mike Henniger, Senior Editor
    Airbus, Boeing, Convair and Douglas Production List
    Federal Aviation Administration in the United States of America
    United States Military Services Serial Number Lists by Joe Baugher
    Individual Contributors
     Robin Brown
    Mike Henniger
    Dana Nichols
    Robert Nichols
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