Douglas DC-4 British Eagle (1:200) by Hobby Master Diecast Airplanes
Item Number: HL2003
WWII in Europe had only ended a few months earlier when Overseas Airlines introduced the first commercial North Atlantic DC-4 service. Another first took place on March 7, 1946 when American Airlines introduced U.S. DC-4 domestic service between New York and Los Angeles. During the late 1940s and early 1950s the DC-4 and converted C-54s carried more passengers than any other four-engine transport. Amazingly many of these aircraft are still operating more than 60 years after they were first manufactured.
British Eagle International Airlines was an independent that was in operation from 1948 to 1968. It started out as Eagle Aviation and evolved into British Eagle in 1963.
In 1964 the airline took over Starways Airlines and their three DC-4s as well as various other types. Along with it came the schedule services and tours contracts. Not long after this British Eagle started to become non-profitable and in 1968 they liquidated their assets. G-ASPN started out with the USAAF as a C-54A and had about 12 different owners over its life time. The last registration for the aircraft was 9Q-CWP owned by Groupe Litho Moboti Aviation (GLM Aviation). In 1991 it was written
off in Kinshasa Zaire after a crash due to engine failure with no fatalities.
Specifications for the Douglas Aircraft Company DC-4
Crew ' 4
Passengers ' up to 86
Dimensions
Length ' 93 ft 10 in (28.6 m)
Wingspan ' 117 ft 6 in (35.8 m)
Height ' 27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Weight
Empty ' 43,300 lb (19,640 kg)
Normal Load Weight ' 63,500 lb (28,800 kg)
Maximum Take-Off ' 73,000 lb (33,100 kg)
Performance
Engines ' (4) Pratt & Whitney R-2000 radial / 1,450 hp each
Maximum Speed ' 280 mph (450 km/h)
Cruise Speed ' 227 mph (365 km/h)
Range ' 4,250 miles (6,839 km)
Service Ceiling ' 22,300 ft (6,800 m)