Douglas DC-7

Douglas DC-7The Douglas DC-7 was an advanced development of theDC-6B piston-engine airliner. It was introduced by American Airlines on its New York–Los Angeles route in November 1953 and was the first airliner to provide nonstop transcontinental service in both directions.The fastest transport aircraft in service, the DC-7 cruised at 580 kilometers (360 miles) per hour. A total of 338 DC-7s of all types were purchased by 18 different airlines. Like other piston-engine airliners, it was made obsolete by the introduction of turbine-engine Boeing 707s and DouglasDC-8s. Some DC-7s later served as cargo and charter planes.This nose section is from American Airlines’ Flagship Vermont, which carried about 130,000 passengers in its nearly 13,500 hours aloft.Gift of American AirlinesWingspan:35.8 m (117 ft 6 in)Length:33.2 m (108 ft 11 in)Height:8.7 m (28 ft 7 in)Weight, gross:55,429 kg (122,200 lb)Weight, empty:30,076 kg (66,305 lb)Top speed:656 km/h (410 mph)Engine:4 Wright R-3350 Turbo Compound, 3,250 hpManufacturer:Douglas Aircraft Co., Santa Monica, Calif., 1956